FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(3)
FILE NUMBER 333-66472
[NBT LOGO APPEARS HERE] [CNB LOGO APPEARS HERE]
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
MERGER PROPOSED -- YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
The boards of directors of NBT Bancorp Inc. and CNB Financial Corp. have
unanimously agreed that NBT and CNB should merge. Following the merger, NBT will
be the surviving corporation. The board of directors of each company believes
that the merger is in the best interests of its stockholders and unanimously
recommends that its stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement. Each of us
will hold a special meeting of our stockholders to consider and vote upon the
merger agreement and the merger.
After the merger, NBT stockholders will continue to own the shares of NBT
that they currently own. CNB stockholders will receive 1.2 shares of NBT common
stock for each share of CNB common stock that they own. We expect that a CNB
stockholder's receipt of NBT common stock in the merger will be tax-free for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for taxes resulting from the receipt of
cash instead of any fractional share of NBT common stock. After completion of
the merger, the stockholders of NBT and the former stockholders of CNB will own,
respectively, approximately 73% and 27% of the outstanding stock of the combined
company. NBT common stock trades under the symbol "NBTB" and CNB common stock
trades under the symbol "CNBF," both on the Nasdaq National Market. On August
28, 2001, the closing price per share of NBT common stock was $16.18 and of CNB
common stock was $19.00.
We cannot complete the merger unless the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of NBT and two-thirds of the outstanding shares of CNB vote
at their respective special meetings of stockholders to adopt the merger
agreement and approve the merger.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus provides you with detailed
information about the merger of NBT and CNB. We encourage you to read this
entire document carefully. This document incorporates important business and
financial information about NBT and CNB. See "Where You Can Find More
Information" on the next page and "Documents Incorporated by Reference" on page
54.
The dates, times and places of the special stockholders' meetings are:
FOR NBT STOCKHOLDERS: FOR CNB STOCKHOLDERS:
October 16, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. local time October 16, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. local time
Holiday Inn Arena Fort Rensselaer Club
2-8 Hawley Street 4 Moyer Street
Binghamton, New York Canajoharie, New York
Please complete, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed proxy card in
the enclosed postage-paid envelope or, in addition for NBT stockholders, vote
your proxy by telephone or via the Internet using the number provided on your
proxy card.
/s/ Daryl R. Forsythe /s/ Donald L. Brass
------------------------ ---------------------
Daryl R. Forsythe Donald L. Brass
Chairman of the Board of Directors, President of
President and Chief Executive Officer of CNB Financial Corp.
NBT Bancorp Inc.
NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED OF THE NBT COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED IN THE MERGER UNDER THIS
DOCUMENT OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS DOCUMENT. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE SHARES OF NBT COMMON STOCK OFFERED BY THIS DOCUMENT ARE NOT SAVINGS
ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK OR NON-BANK SUBSIDIARY OF
ANY OF THE PARTIES. NEITHER THE FDIC NOR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY INSURES
OR GUARANTEES ANY LOSS TO YOU OF YOUR INVESTMENT VALUE IN THE NBT COMMON STOCK.
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated August 28, 2001, and first mailed
to stockholders on or about August 31, 2001.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES IMPORTANT BUSINESS
AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT NBT AND CNB THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN OR DELIVERED
WITH THIS DOCUMENT. NBT and CNB file annual, quarterly and special reports,
proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any
reports, statements or other information we file at the SEC's public reference
room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC
filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval
services and at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In
addition, you may read and copy NBT's and CNB's respective SEC filings at the
Nasdaq National Market, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006-1500. Our
Internet addresses are www.nbtbank.com with respect to NBT and www.canajocnb.com
with respect to CNB.
COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS WITH THEIR EXHIBITS ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT
CHARGE TO YOU IF YOU CONTACT MICHAEL J. CHEWENS, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER AND SECRETARY OF NBT BANCORP INC., 52 SOUTH BROAD STREET,
NORWICH, NEW YORK 13815, TELEPHONE (607) 337-6520; E-MAIL AT
mchewens@nbtbci.com; or HOLLY C. CRAVER, CORPORATE SECRETARY, CNB FINANCIAL
CORP., 24 CHURCH STREET, CANAJOHARIE, NEW YORK 13317, TELEPHONE (518) 673-3243;
E-MAIL AT holly.craver@cnbfc.com. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF
DOCUMENTS, YOU SHOULD REQUEST INFORMATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT NO LATER THAN
OCTOBER 9, 2001.
NBT BANCORP INC.
52 SOUTH BROAD STREET
NORWICH, NEW YORK 13815
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that NBT Bancorp Inc. will hold a special meeting
of stockholders at the Holiday Inn Arena, 2-8 Hawley Street, Binghamton, New
York on October 16, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. local time to consider and vote upon the
merger agreement by and among NBT, NBT Bank, N.A., CNB Financial Corp., a New
York corporation, and Central National Bank, Canajoharie, dated as of June 19,
2001, which will approve the following actions described in the merger
agreement:
o CNB will merge with NBT, with NBT being the surviving corporation;
o Central National Bank, Canajoharie, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNB,
will merge with and into NBT Bank, N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
NBT, with NBT Bank being the surviving bank;
o NBT will issue approximately 8.7 million shares of its common stock to
the former CNB stockholders upon completion of the merger; and
o The NBT board of directors will expand to fifteen members by adding
three current directors of CNB to the current twelve-member NBT board.
We will transact such other business as may properly come before our special
meeting.
We describe the merger agreement and the merger more fully in the attached
joint proxy statement/prospectus, which includes a copy of the merger agreement
as Appendix A. We have fixed the close of business on August 28, 2001 as the
record date for determining the stockholders of NBT entitled to vote at the NBT
special meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. Only
holders of record of NBT common stock at the close of business on that date are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the NBT special meeting.
The board of directors of NBT unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR"
approval of the merger agreement and the merger. The affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of NBT common stock is required
to approve the merger agreement and the merger. NBT stockholders do not have the
right to dissent to the merger agreement and receive a payment in cash of the
fair value of their NBT shares.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. The
board of directors of NBT requests that you complete and sign the enclosed proxy
card and mail it promptly in the accompanying postage-prepaid envelope or vote
by telephone or via the Internet using the number provided on your proxy card.
You may revoke any proxy that you deliver prior to the NBT special meeting by
delivering a written notice to NBT stating that you have revoked your proxy, by
delivering a later-dated proxy at any time prior to the special meeting, or by a
subsequent telephonic or Internet vote at any time prior to 11:59 p.m. on
October 15, 2001. Stockholders of record of NBT common stock who attend the NBT
special meeting may vote in person, even if they have previously delivered a
signed proxy or if they have previously voted by telephone or via the Internet.
By Order of the Board of Directors of
NBT Bancorp Inc.
/s/ Daryl R. Forsythe
------------------------------
Daryl R. Forsythe
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Norwich, New York
August 28, 2001
CNB FINANCIAL CORP.
24 CHURCH STREET
CANAJOHARIE, NEW YORK 13317
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CNB Financial Corp. will hold a special meeting of
stockholders at the Fort Rensselaer Club, 4 Moyer Street, Canajoharie, New York
on October 16, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. local time for the following purposes:
o To consider and vote upon a proposal for approval and adoption of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 19, 2001, by and among
CNB, Central National Bank, Canajoharie, NBT Bancorp, Inc. and NBT
Bank, N.A., pursuant to which (i) CNB would merge into NBT, with NBT as
the surviving corporation; (ii) each outstanding share of CNB common
stock would be converted into 1.2 shares of NBT common stock, with cash
paid instead of fractional shares; and (iii) approximately 8.7 million
shares of NBT common stock would be issued in connection with the
proposed merger; and
o To consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
We have fixed the close of business on August 28, 2001 as the record
date for determining the stockholders of CNB entitled to vote at the CNB special
meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. Only holders of
record of CNB common stock at the close of business on that date are entitled to
notice of and to vote at the CNB special meeting.
The board of directors of CNB unanimously recommends that you vote
"FOR" adoption of the merger agreement. The affirmative vote of the holders of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of CNB common stock is required to adopt
the merger agreement. CNB stockholders do not have the right to dissent to the
merger agreement and receive a payment in cash of the fair value of their CNB
shares.
IMPORTANT
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. The
board of directors of CNB requests that you complete and sign the enclosed proxy
card and mail it promptly in the accompanying postage-prepaid envelope or vote
by telephone or via the Internet using the number provided on your proxy card.
You may revoke any proxy that you deliver prior to the CNB special meeting by
delivering a written notice to CNB stating that you have revoked your proxy, by
delivering a later-dated proxy at any time prior to the special meeting or by a
subsequent telephonic or Internet vote at any time prior to 11:59 p.m. on
October 15, 2001. Stockholders who attend the CNB special meeting may vote in
person, even if they have previously delivered a signed proxy or if they have
previously voted by telephone or via the Internet.
By Order of the Board of Directors of
CNB Financial Corp.
/s/ Holly C. Craver
------------------------
Holly C. Craver
Corporate Secretary
Canajoharie, New York
August 28, 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER..........................................................................1
SUMMARY.........................................................................................................4
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA.......................................9
UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA.....................................................................13
THE STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS.....................................................................................14
THE NBT SPECIAL MEETING..................................................................................14
THE CNB SPECIAL MEETING..................................................................................16
PROPOSAL 1.....................................................................................................19
ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE MERGER....................................................19
VOTE REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE MERGER AGREEMENT............................................................19
GENERAL..................................................................................................19
BACKGROUND OF AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER.................................................................20
RECOMMENDATION OF THE NBT BOARD AND NBT'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER.........................................22
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CNB BOARD AND CNB'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER.........................................23
OPINION OF NBT'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR.......................................................................25
OPINION OF CNB'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR.......................................................................30
INTERESTS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS IN THE MERGER THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR INTERESTS.................34
OTHER EMPLOYEE MATTERS...................................................................................36
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF NBT FOLLOWING THE MERGER............................................37
STOCK OPTION HELD BY NBT.................................................................................37
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT.....................................................................................38
NO DISSENTERS' RIGHTS....................................................................................38
INCLUSION OF NBT'S COMMON STOCK ON NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET................................................38
DIVIDENDS................................................................................................39
EXCHANGE OF CNB CERTIFICATES; THE PAYMENT OF CASH FOR FRACTIONAL SHARES..................................39
CNB EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS...............................................................................39
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...........................................................................40
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING COMPLETION OF THE MERGER.....................................................41
CONDITIONS TO COMPLETE THE MERGER........................................................................42
TERMINATION AND TERMINATION FEES.........................................................................43
SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS...........................................................................44
RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES BY AFFILIATES....................................................................44
ALLOCATION OF COSTS AND EXPENSES.........................................................................45
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.......................................................................45
REGULATORY APPROVALS...........................................................................................46
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS......................................................................47
COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS.............................................................................48
DESCRIPTION OF NBT CAPITAL STOCK...............................................................................50
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK.................................................................................50
COMMON STOCK.............................................................................................50
PREFERRED STOCK..........................................................................................51
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN..................................................................................51
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT.............................................................................51
OTHER MATTERS..................................................................................................51
TELEPHONE AND INTERNET VOTING .................................................................................52
LEGAL MATTERS..................................................................................................53
EXPERTS........................................................................................................53
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS......................................................53
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE............................................................................54
NBT BANCORP INC. SEC FILINGS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS DOCUMENT................................54
CNB FINANCIAL CORP. SEC FILINGS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS DOCUMENT.............................54
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS....................................................56
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...........................................63
APPENDIX A - AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, DATED AS OF JUNE 19, 2001
APPENDIX B - FAIRNESS OPINION OF MCCONNELL, BUDD & ROMANO, INC.
APPENDIX C - FAIRNESS OPINION OF CIBC WORLD MARKETS
-i-
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER
Q: WHY ARE THE TWO COMPANIES PROPOSING TO MERGE?
A: The boards of directors of NBT and CNB believe that this merger will
strengthen the position of both companies in the financial services industry,
which is rapidly changing, growing more competitive and consolidating. NBT and
CNB are proposing this merger because each board of directors has concluded that
the merger is in the best interests of its respective stockholders. The NBT
board believes that the merger will permit NBT to diversify its operations by
broadening its market area and that the merger will afford NBT an opportunity to
expand the delivery of its financial services to a broader and more diverse
customer base. The CNB board believes the value to be received by CNB
stockholders in the merger is substantially greater than that available to CNB
as a continuing independent entity currently and for the near term, as well as
in comparison with strategic alternatives. In addition, the combined companies
can offer CNB's customers a broader array of services and products than CNB
could offer on its own.
Q: WHAT WILL BE THE NAME OF THE COMBINED COMPANY AT THE EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE
MERGER?
A: The combined company will continue under the name of NBT Bancorp Inc.
Q: WILL NBT STOCKHOLDERS RECEIVE ANY SHARES AS A RESULT OF THE MERGER?
A: No. NBT stockholders will not receive any replacement shares in the merger
and will continue to hold the NBT shares they currently own.
Q: WHAT WILL CNB STOCKHOLDERS RECEIVE FOR THEIR CNB SHARES?
A: CNB stockholders will receive 1.2 shares of NBT common stock for each share
of CNB common stock that they own at the effective time of the merger. NBT will
not issue fractional shares in the merger. As a result, the total number of
shares of NBT common stock that each CNB stockholder will receive in the merger
will be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and each CNB stockholder will
receive a cash payment for the value of the remaining fractional share of CNB
common stock that he or she would otherwise receive, if any.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE MARKET PRICE OF NBT COMMON STOCK FLUCTUATES?
A: The market price of NBT common stock will fluctuate before and after the
merger is completed. However, the number of shares of NBT common stock that a
CNB stockholder will receive is fixed at 1.2 NBT shares for each CNB share and
will not be affected by any market price fluctuations. As a result, increases or
decreases in the NBT share price will affect the value of any stock received in
the merger but not the number of shares of stock received in the merger. For
example, between the last trading day prior to the date of the merger agreement,
June 18, 2001, and August 28, 2001, the last trading day prior to the printing
of this document, the closing price of NBT common stock on the Nasdaq National
Market ranged from $15.15 to $17.10. The value of a CNB share exchanged solely
for NBT common stock in the same period, also based on the closing price of NBT
common stock on the Nasdaq National Market, would have ranged from $18.18 to
$20.52. The equivalent price of $18.30 on June 18, 2001 for one share of CNB
common stock reflects a premium of $4.56 or approximately 33% over the closing
sales price of $13.74 of CNB common stock on the Nasdaq National Market on June
18, 2001. You can obtain current market prices for shares of NBT common stock as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "NBTB" and for CNB as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "CNBF." On August 28,
2001, the last trading day prior to the printing of this document, the closing
sales price of NBT common stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $16.18 and
for CNB was $19.00.
Q: WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE SPECIAL MEETINGS TAKE PLACE?
A: The special meetings are scheduled to take place on October 16, 2001, at the
respective times and places indicated in NBT's and CNB's notices of special
meetings of stockholders at the beginning of this document. Please refer to the
notices for the relevant information regarding your company's special meeting.
Q: WHO WILL MANAGE THE COMBINED COMPANY?
A: The current board of directors of NBT, together with three new directors from
the current CNB board of directors, totaling fifteen directors, will comprise
the board of directors of the combined company upon completion of the merger.
The current senior executive officers of NBT will continue to manage the
combined company following the merger.
Q: HOW DO I VOTE? WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW?
A: After you have carefully read this document, indicate on your proxy card how
you want your shares to be voted, then sign, date and mail the proxy card in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope or vote your proxy by telephone or via the
Internet, as soon as possible so that your shares may be represented and voted
at the NBT special meeting or the CNB special meeting, as appropriate. In
addition, you may attend your company's meeting in person and vote, whether or
not you have signed and mailed your proxy card or voted your shares by telephone
or via the Internet. If you sign and return your proxy or if you vote by
telephone or via the Internet but do not indicate how you want to vote, your
proxy will be counted as a vote in favor of the proposal. If you abstain from
voting or do not vote, that will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.
For NBT and CNB stockholders who wish to VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET,
you may submit your proxy by following the instructions on the proxy card. If
you vote in this way, you do not need to return your proxy card. The telephone
and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate your identity as an
NBT or a CNB stockholder, allow you to give your voting instructions and confirm
that your instructions have been recorded properly. The deadline for telephone
and Internet voting is 11:59 p.m. local time on October 15, 2001. See "Telephone
and Internet Voting," below.
Q: IF MY SHARES ARE HELD IN "STREET NAME" BY MY BROKER, WILL MY BROKER VOTE MY
SHARES FOR ME?
A: Your broker will vote your shares only if you provide your broker
instructions on how to vote. Your broker cannot vote your shares without
receiving voting instructions from you. Your broker will send you directions on
how you can instruct your broker to vote. You should follow the directions
provided by your broker. If you fail to instruct your broker how to vote your
shares, the effect will be the same as a vote against the merger agreement.
Q: CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE?
A: Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the
special meeting. If your shares are held in your own name, there are four ways
for you to revoke your proxy and change your vote:
o You may send a later-dated, signed proxy card before the special
meeting of your company;
o You may attend your company's special meeting in person and vote at the
special meeting; simply attending your company's special meeting,
however, will not revoke your proxy;
o You may revoke any proxy by written notice to the chief executive
officer of NBT or the corporate secretary of CNB, as appropriate, prior
to your company's special meeting; and
o You may submit a subsequent vote by telephone or via the Internet prior
to 11:59 p.m. on October 15, 2001.
If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must follow directions
received from your broker to change your vote.
Q: DO I HAVE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS?
A: No. You do not have the right to dissent from the merger and receive a cash
payment for your shares of NBT common stock or CNB common stock.
Q: SHOULD I SEND IN MY STOCK CERTIFICATES NOW?
A: No. You should not send in your stock certificates at this time. Following
the merger, NBT will mail instructions to all former CNB stockholders for
exchanging their stock certificates for certificates representing their shares
of NBT common stock. NBT stockholders will not exchange their certificates in
the merger.
Q: HOW SOON AFTER THE MERGER IS COMPLETED CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE SHARES OF NBT
COMMON STOCK?
A: NBT will work with the exchange agent to distribute the NBT stock
certificates and cash instead of fractional shares as promptly as practicable
following completion of the merger to the stockholders of CNB who have submitted
their transmittal forms to the exchange agent. Other stockholders will receive
their NBT stock certificates and cash instead of fractional shares only when
they have completed the procedures and documentation described under "Adoption
of the Merger Agreement and Approval of the Merger -- Exchange of CNB
Certificates" on page 39 of this document. Participants in CNB's Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan will receive special instructions
about their shares shortly after the merger is completed.
-2-
Q: WHAT ARE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO ME?
A: We expect that for United States federal income tax purposes, the exchange of
shares of CNB common stock solely for shares of NBT common stock generally will
not cause you to recognize any gain or loss. We also expect, for United States
federal income tax purposes, that any cash received instead of fractional shares
of NBT common stock (NBT will not issue any fractional shares of its common
stock) upon the exchange of your shares of CNB common stock in the merger will
result in your being required to recognize any gain realized upon the exchange
of that fractional share to the extent of the amount of cash received. TAX
MATTERS ARE VERY COMPLICATED AND THE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES
OF THE MERGER TO YOU WILL DEPEND ON YOUR PARTICULAR FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. WE
URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
THE MERGER TO YOU.
Q: WHEN DO YOU EXPECT TO MERGE?
A: We hope to complete the merger as quickly as possible after receipt of
stockholder and regulatory approvals. We expect to complete the merger during
the fourth quarter of 2001, shortly after receipt of the stockholder approvals.
Q: WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS OR TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS
DOCUMENT?
NBT Bancorp Inc. CNB Financial Corp.
52 South Broad Street 24 Church Street
Norwich, New York 13815 Canajoharie, New York 13317
Attention: Michael J. Chewens Attention: Holly C. Craver
Phone Number: (607) 337-6520 Phone Number: (518) 673-3243
e-mail at mchewens@nbtbci.com e-mail at holly.craver@cnbfc.com
------------------- ----------------------
or
D.F. King & Co., Inc.
1-800-431-9629
-3-
SUMMARY
This summary does not contain all of the information that is important to
you. You should carefully read this entire document and the documents that we
refer to in "Where You Can Find More Information" above and "Documents
Incorporated by Reference" on page 54.
THE COMPANIES
NBT BANCORP INC.
52 South Broad Street
Norwich, New York 13815
(607) 337-2265
NBT, a registered bank holding company incorporated in the State of
Delaware, is the parent holding company of NBT Bank, National Association, a
national bank, and NBT Financial Services, Inc. NBT's primary business consists
of providing commercial banking and financial services to its customers in its
market area through its two direct subsidiaries. NBT Bank is a full service
commercial bank providing a broad range of financial products and services in
central and northern New York, and through its Pennstar Bank division provides a
broad range of financial products and services in Northeastern Pennsylvania. NBT
Bank operates through 83 branch locations and 115 automated teller machines,
including 40 branches and 52 automated teller machines operated through NBT's
Pennstar Bank division. NBT Financial Services, formed in 1999, is the parent
company of two operating subsidiaries, Pennstar Financial Services, Inc., formed
in 1997, which offers a variety of financial services products; and M. Griffith,
Inc., formed in 1951, which is a registered broker-dealer and which also offers
financial and retirement planning as well as life, accident and health
insurance. In fiscal year 2000, NBT's net income was $7.2 million while in
fiscal year 1999, NBT's net income was $26.3 million; for the six months ended
June 30, 2001 and 2000, NBT's net income was $12.3 million and $9.3 million,
respectively. Recurring net income, which excludes the after-tax effect of costs
related to NBT's merger and acquisition activity and net securities
transactions, was $25.8 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the twelve
months ended December 31, 2000 compared to $25.6 million, or $1.09 per diluted
share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 1999. Recurring net income,
excluding the after-tax effect of costs related to mergers, acquisitions and
reorganizations, net securities gains, gain on the sale of a branch building and
certain deposit overdraft write-offs considered to be non-recurring, for the six
months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 was $12.5 million and $12.5 million,
respectively. As of June 30, 2001, NBT's total assets were approximately $2.7
billion, total deposits were approximately $2.1 billion and stockholders' equity
was approximately $229.3 million. On April 28, 2000, NBT became a financial
holding company under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of
1999.
On August 27, 2001, NBT reduced its current stock repurchase plan from
1,030,000 shares to 680,000 shares, which leaves approximately 305,000 shares
remaining for repurchase under the reduced plan.
CNB FINANCIAL CORP.
24 Church Street
Canajoharie, New York 13317
(518) 673-3243
CNB, a registered bank holding company incorporated in the State of New
York, is the parent holding company of Central National Bank, Canajoharie, a
national bank, and Central Asset Management, Inc., which offers investment
management services to high net worth individuals and businesses. Central
National Bank provides a wide range of retail and commercial banking products
and services for individuals and small-to-medium sized businesses primarily in
its nine county market area in Central and Eastern New York. Central National
Bank operates through 29 branches, two loan production offices and 23 automated
teller machines. Central National Bank also makes certain insurance and
investment products available to its customers through a wholly-owned
subsidiary. In fiscal year 2000, CNB's net income was $7.0 million while in
fiscal year 1999, CNB's net income was $6.3 million; for the six months ended
June 30, 2001 and 2000, CNB's net income was $3.9 million and $4.1 million,
respectively. As of June 30, 2001, CNB's total assets were approximately $993
million, total deposits were approximately $840 million and stockholders' equity
was approximately $65.8 million.
THE MERGER
NATURE OF THE MERGER (SEE PAGE 20)
The merger will combine NBT and CNB. NBT will be the surviving
corporation. Following the merger, the combined company will continue to operate
under the name of NBT Bancorp Inc. After the merger, NBT will issue shares of
its common stock to the former stockholders of CNB. For ease of reference, we
sometimes refer to the continuing corporation as "the combined company."
-4-
Simultaneously with the merger of NBT and CNB, we will also merge our
banking subsidiaries, NBT Bank and Central National Bank, Canajoharie. We will
accomplish the merger of these banks through the merger of Central National Bank
into NBT Bank. Central National Bank will become a division of NBT Bank.
WHAT CNB STOCKHOLDERS WILL RECEIVE AS A RESULT OF THE MERGER (SEE PAGE 20)
CNB stockholders will receive 1.2 shares of NBT common stock for each
share of CNB common stock that they own at the effective time of the merger.
Each CNB stockholder will receive cash for any fractional share of NBT common
stock that the stockholder would otherwise receive in the merger. The merger
agreement does not provide for adjustment of the exchange ratio for fluctuations
in the market prices of CNB and NBT common stock.
NBT STOCKHOLDERS WILL NOT EXCHANGE THEIR NBT SHARES
Stockholders of NBT will continue to own their existing shares after
the merger and will not exchange any of their NBT shares following the merger.
OWNERSHIP OF COMBINED COMPANY FOLLOWING THE MERGER
Immediately after the merger, the former CNB stockholders will own
approximately 27% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company, and
the stockholders of NBT will own approximately 73% of the outstanding common
stock of the combined company.
WE PLAN TO CONTINUE OUR CASH DIVIDEND POLICY FOLLOWING THE MERGER (SEE PAGE 39)
The current annualized rate of cash dividends on the shares of NBT
common stock is $0.68 per share. The current annualized rate of regular cash
dividends on CNB common stock is $0.36 per share. In the past, CNB also has paid
a special year-end cash dividend. This dividend was $0.04 per share in 2000,
1999 and 1998. Assuming NBT maintains its current cash dividend rate, following
the merger, holders of CNB common stock, as stockholders of NBT, would receive
the equivalent of $0.82 per CNB share or an increase of approximately 127% over
the current CNB dividend rate (or 105% if the most recent special dividend were
included in the calculation). Following the merger, we expect that NBT will
continue to pay quarterly cash dividends in a manner that is consistent with the
past practices of NBT, subject to approval and declaration by its board. The
payment of cash dividends by NBT in the future will depend on its financial
condition, earnings, business conditions and other factors.
TRANSACTION GENERALLY TAX-FREE (SEE PAGE 46)
In general, we expect that for United States federal income tax
purposes no gain or loss will be recognized by CNB stockholders who receive
shares of NBT common stock in exchange for their CNB common stock in the merger,
except that taxable gain may be recognized with respect to any cash received
instead of a fractional share of NBT common stock. NBT and CNB will have no
obligation to complete the merger unless each of us receives a legal opinion
that the merger will qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for
federal income tax purposes as described above. The legal opinion will not bind
the Internal Revenue Service, however, which could take a different view.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO BEFORE THE MERGER IS COMPLETE (SEE PAGE 43)
Completion of the merger depends on a number of conditions being met,
including the following:
o approval of the merger by the required two-thirds vote of the
stockholders of CNB;
o approval of the merger by the required majority vote of the
stockholders of NBT;
o approval by federal banking regulators. While we do not know of any
reason why we would not be able to obtain these approvals in a timely
manner, we cannot be certain when or if we will get this approval;
o receipt by NBT and CNB of an opinion from the law firm of Duane, Morris
& Heckscher LLP, to the effect that the U.S. federal income tax
treatment of the merger to CNB stockholders, CNB and NBT will generally
be as described in this document; and
o receipt of favorable letters from our independent accountants relating
to the qualification of the merger for pooling of interests accounting
treatment, and no regulatory disqualification of pooling of interests
accounting treatment prior to the effective time of the merger.
-5-
Generally, NBT and CNB can waive conditions to completion of the
merger. Some of these conditions, however, cannot be waived, including
stockholder and regulatory approvals and the absence of a government order
prohibiting the merger. We expect to complete this merger during the fourth
quarter of 2001.
TERMINATING THE MERGER AGREEMENT (SEE PAGE 43)
NBT or CNB may terminate the merger agreement without completing the
merger by mutual consent, or if any of the following occurs:
o the other party has materially breached the merger agreement and has
not cured the breach;
o a government agency denies an approval needed to complete the merger;
o a court or government agency issues an order prohibiting the merger;
o the stockholders of NBT or CNB fail to approve the merger; or
o the merger has not been completed by March 31, 2002.
AMENDING THE AGREEMENT
NBT and CNB may amend the merger agreement at any time by mutual
written agreement, except that after approval by the stockholders of CNB, no
waiver or amendment can change the amount and kind of consideration that CNB
stockholders would receive in the merger.
CNB STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (SEE PAGE 38)
CNB, as a condition to NBT's willingness to enter into the merger
agreement, granted NBT an option to purchase up to 2.9% of CNB's outstanding
common stock (at the time the option was granted) at a price of $13.74 per
share. NBT asked for the option to increase the likelihood that CNB would
complete the merger. The option agreement could discourage other companies from
trying or proposing to combine with CNB before we complete the merger.
NBT cannot exercise its option unless specified events occur that
threaten completion of the merger. These events include business combination or
acquisition transactions relating to CNB and certain related activities other
than the merger proposed in this document, such as a merger or the sale of a
substantial amount of assets or stock. We do not know of any event that has
occurred as of the date of this document that would permit NBT to exercise its
option. The stock option agreement also contains provisions limiting NBT's total
profit from selling or exercising the option to not more than $6 million. A copy
of the stock option agreement has been filed previously with the SEC.
NBT AND CNB STOCKHOLDERS WILL NOT HAVE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS (SEE PAGE 39)
Under Delaware law, the NBT stockholders will not have dissenters'
rights or appraisal rights in connection with the merger. Under New York law,
the CNB stockholders will not have dissenters' rights or appraisal rights in
connection with the merger.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE COMBINED COMPANY FOLLOWING THE MERGER
(SEE PAGE 37)
NBT following the merger will have a board of directors comprised of
fifteen members. The board will consist of twelve current directors of NBT and
three current directors of CNB. The merger agreement provides that the current
CNB directors who will become directors of NBT after the merger are Messrs. Van
Ness D. Robinson, currently CNB's chairman, John P. Woods, Jr., currently CNB's
vice chairman, and Joseph A. Santangelo, currently a director of CNB. NBT's
board of directors is divided into three classes, the directors of each class
serving a three-year term as director. Each of these three individuals will be
placed into a separate class. Mr. Robinson will become a member of the Executive
Committee of the NBT board.
The current senior executive management of NBT will manage the combined
company following the merger. Peter J. Corso, currently CNB's executive vice
president, will serve as president and chief operating officer of the Central
National Bank division of NBT Bank following the merger. Donald L. Brass,
currently CNB's president, has announced that he will retire following the
merger. Promptly following the effective time of the merger, Messrs. Robinson,
Woods, Santangelo, J. Carl Barbic, a director of CNB, and Mr. Corso will become
members of the Central National Bank divisional board of directors; Mr. Robinson
will become chairman of the divisional board of directors.
-6-
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE INFORMATION (SEE PAGE 48)
Shares of NBT common stock and shares of CNB common stock trade on the
Nasdaq National Market. On June 18, 2001, the last full trading day prior to the
public announcement of the signing of the merger agreement, and on August 28,
2001, the last trading day prior to the printing of this document, the closing
prices of NBT common stock and CNB common stock were as follows:
JUNE 18, 2001 August 28, 2001
------------- ---------------
NBT........................................$15.25..........$16.18
CNB........................................$13.74..........$19.00
Equivalent Market Value of NBT per
Share of CNB (1)........................$18.30..........$19.42
-------------
(1) Determined by multiplying the historical price of one share of NBT common
stock by the exchange ratio of 1.2.
The market prices of NBT and CNB common stock will fluctuate between
the date of this document and the date on which the merger takes place. Under
the terms of the merger agreement, regardless of any fluctuation in the market
prices, the exchange ratio of 1.2 shares of NBT common stock for each share of
CNB common stock will remain the same. You can obtain current market quotations
for NBT common stock and CNB common stock. You can get these quotations from a
newspaper, on the Internet, or by calling your broker.
OUR FINANCIAL ADVISORS BELIEVE THE FIXED EXCHANGE RATIO IS FAIR TO STOCKHOLDERS
FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW (SEE PAGES 25 AND 30)
NBT. NBT has received a written opinion from McConnell, Budd & Romano, Inc., its
financial advisor, to the effect that, as of the date of this document, the
fixed exchange ratio was fair to the NBT stockholders from a financial point of
view. We attach a copy of the McConnell, Budd & Romano, Inc. opinion as Appendix
B to this document.
CNB. CNB has received a written opinion from CIBC World Markets, its financial
advisor, to the effect that, as of the date of this document, the fixed exchange
ratio was fair to the CNB common stockholders from a financial point of view. We
attach a copy of the CIBC World Markets opinion as Appendix C to this document.
We recommend that each NBT and CNB stockholder read each opinion
carefully in its entirety to understand the assumptions made, matters
considered, and limitations on the review undertaken by each financial advisor.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT (SEE PAGE 39)
It is a condition to completing the merger that the merger qualify as a
"pooling of interests." This means that, for accounting and financial reporting
purposes, we will treat our companies as if they had always been one company. We
will not be required to complete the merger unless NBT and CNB receive favorable
letters from their independent accountants relating to the qualification of the
merger for pooling of interests accounting treatment or if regulatory
authorities do not allow pooling of interests accounting treatment for the
merger prior to completion of the merger.
WHEN WE EXPECT THE MERGER TO CLOSE (SEE PAGE 20)
We expect completion of the merger as soon as practicable following our
receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and following approval of the
merger by the stockholders of NBT and CNB at their respective special
stockholders meetings and satisfaction of all other conditions to the merger. We
expect that the merger will close during the fourth quarter of 2001.
OUR REASONS FOR THE MERGER (SEE PAGES 23 AND 24)
NBT and CNB are proposing to merge because each of us believes that by
merging our two companies we can create a stronger, more visible, and more
diversified banking franchise in the Southern Tier and Central New York and
Northeastern Pennsylvania that will provide significant benefits to our
stockholders and customers alike. We also believe that by bringing our customers
and banking products together we can do a better job of growing our combined
revenues than we could if we were not to merge. We believe that the merger will
strengthen our position as a competitor in the financial services industry,
which is rapidly changing, growing more challenging and competitive and becoming
more consolidated.
-7-
WE RECOMMEND THAT NBT AND CNB STOCKHOLDERS ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND
APPROVE THE MERGER (SEE PAGES 23 AND 24)
NBT. The NBT board believes that the merger is fair to you and is in your best
interests, and unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to adopt
the merger agreement and to approve the merger.
CNB. The CNB board believes that the merger is fair to you and is in your best
interests, and unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to adopt
the merger agreement and to approve the merger.
INTERESTS OF NBT AND CNB OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS IN THE MERGER THAT ARE DIFFERENT
FROM YOUR INTERESTS (SEE PAGE 25)
Some of our officers and directors have interests in the merger that
are different from, or in addition to, their interests as stockholders in NBT or
CNB. The current directors and executive officers of NBT will continue in their
same capacities with NBT following the merger. Three current directors of CNB,
Messrs. Robinson, currently chairman of CNB, Woods, currently vice chairman of
CNB, and Santangelo, currently a director of CNB, will become directors of NBT
following the merger. Additionally, Mr. Corso, currently executive vice
president and chief financial officer of CNB, will become president and chief
operating officer of the Central National Bank division of NBT Bank following
the merger. Mr. Brass, currently president of CNB, has entered into a service,
non-competition and confidentiality agreement with NBT and CNB. Under this
agreement Mr. Brass has agreed to continue to serve as chief executive officer
of CNB until the merger with NBT is complete and not to compete with NBT for
three years following the merger. In exchange for these promises, Mr. Brass will
receive a payment of $1.1 million from NBT, plus other benefits including life
and health insurance and pension benefits. Mr. Brass has announced his intention
to retire following completion of the merger. Various CNB officers, including
Messrs. Brass and Corso, hold options to purchase shares of CNB common stock.
Following the merger, these stock options will convert into options to purchase
shares of NBT common stock. Additionally, stock options for 46,375 shares of CNB
common stock held by Messrs. Brass and Corso are unvested and cannot be
exercised at the present time; of these unvested stock options, options for
28,875 shares will become fully vested and exercisable upon completion of the
merger. See "Adoption of the Merger Agreement and Approval of the Merger - CNB
Employee Stock Options." While CNB executive officers have change of control
severance agreements with CNB, the merger will not constitute a change of
control under the terms of their agreements.
The merger agreement provides that, after the effective time of the
merger, neither NBT nor NBT Bank will take any action to abrogate or diminish
any existing indemnification right accorded under CNB's or Central National
Bank's charter or bylaws to any director or officer of CNB or Central National
Bank; that NBT and NBT Bank will honor these obligations in accordance with
their terms with respect to events, acts or omissions occurring prior to the
effective time of the merger; and that NBT will indemnify and hold harmless each
director or officer of CNB or Central National Bank arising from the fact that
he/she was a director, officer or employee of CNB or Central National Bank or
arising from or pertaining to the merger agreement or the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement. From and after the effective time of the
merger, NBT has agreed that it will cause the persons who served as directors or
officers of CNB before the merger to be covered by CNB's existing directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy with respect to acts or omissions resulting
from their service as directors or officers prior to the merger. NBT will
maintain the insurance coverage for not less than six years following the
effective time of the merger.
The members of our respective boards of directors knew about these
additional interests, and considered them, when they approved the merger.
WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE REQUIRED REGULATORY APPROVALS
The merger and the bank merger have not yet received the required
approvals from the Comptroller of the Currency. We have received waiver of
jurisdiction from the Federal Reserve Board. The U.S. Department of Justice has
not yet completed its review of the effect the transaction could have on
competition.
THE STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
NBT. NBT will hold its special meeting of stockholders at the Holiday Inn Arena,
2-8 Hawley Street, Binghamton, New York on October 16, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. local
time.
CNB. CNB will hold its special meeting of stockholders at Fort Rennselaer Club,
4 Moyer Street, Canajoharie, New York on October 16, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. local
time.
-8-
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
The following tables set forth selected historical financial data for
NBT and CNB, and selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data
for the combined company. The historical financial information for NBT has been
restated to include the effects of its mergers with Lake Ariel Bancorp, Inc.
(Lake Ariel) and Pioneer American Holding Company Corp. (Pioneer), which were
completed on February 17, 2000 and July 1, 2000, respectively, and have each
been accounted for as poolings of interests. We have derived the selected
historical financial data from the consolidated financial statements and interim
consolidated financial statements of NBT and CNB, and, with respect to certain
NBT financial information from 1997 and 1996, the consolidated financial
statements of Lake Ariel and Pioneer. Stockholders of each of NBT and CNB should
read this information in conjunction with the historical financial statements
and related notes from which the information was derived of each of NBT, Lake
Ariel, Pioneer and CNB and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements and related notes of the combined company presented on pages 56
through 64 of this document. The NBT and CNB pro forma combined results of
operations give effect to NBT's proposed merger with CNB as a pooling of
interests.
The June 30, 2001 pro forma period-end combined balance sheet
information reflects estimated non-recurring charges that will be incurred in
connection with the NBT and CNB merger as well as other pro forma adjustments.
The combined company expects to achieve certain merger benefits in the form of
operating expense reductions and revenue enhancements, which are not reflected
in the pro forma condensed combined financial information. The pro forma
information may not be indicative of the results of future operations. We can
give no assurance with respect to the ultimate level of operating expense
reductions or revenue enhancements. Accordingly, the unaudited selected pro
forma combined financial data of the combined company as of the effective time
and thereafter may be materially different from the data reflected in the pro
forma information below.
-9-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS OF AND FOR THE 6
MONTHS ENDED AS OF AND FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBT BANCORP INC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data) 6/30/01 6/30/00 12/31/00 12/31/99 12/31/98 12/31/97 12/31/96
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR PERIOD ENDED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and fee income $ 95,783 $ 91,708 $ 190,531 $ 164,872 $ 158,428 $ 147,338 $ 129,020
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense 45,851 44,885 96,021 75,458 74,712 68,892 57,422
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income 49,932 46,823 94,510 89,414 83,716 78,446 71,598
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for loan losses 7,463 3,799 8,678 5,440 6,149 4,820 4,325
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest income excluding net
securities gains (losses) 13,885 9,190 20,432 17,279 16,164 13,894 12,358
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net securities gains (losses) 546 6 (1,216) 1,803 1,567 34 1,222
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merger, acquisition and
reorganization costs -- 4,039 23,625 835 -- -- --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other noninterest expense 39,012 33,362 70,237 62,082 61,254 54,460 52,168
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 17,888 14,819 11,186 40,139 34,044 33,094 28,685
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 12,343 9,349 7,191 26,257 26,895 22,188 18,914
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER COMMON SHARE (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings $ 0.52 $ 0.40 $ 0.31 $ 1.14 $ 1.16 $ 1.00 $ 0.86
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings $ 0.51 $ 0.40 $ 0.30 $ 1.12 $ 1.14 $ 0.98 $ 0.85
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash dividends paid $ 0.34 $ 0.34 $ 0.68 $ 0.66 $ 0.59 $ 0.42 $ 0.34
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock dividends distributed -- -- -- 5% 5% 5% 5%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book value at period-end $ 9.26 $ 8.47 $ 8.77 $ 8.24 $ 8.84 $ 8.31 $ 7.21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tangible book value at period-end $ 7.89 $ 7.79 $ 7.60 $ 7.85 $ 8.39 $ 7.89 $ 6.69
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average common shares outstanding 23,878 23,333 23,461 23,096 23,199 22,239 21,979
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average diluted common shares
outstanding 24,071 23,465 23,600 23,414 23,691 22,698 22,287
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERIOD ENDED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading securities $ 108 $ 246 $ 20,541 -- -- -- --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities available for sale 583,297 593,857 576,372 $ 606,727 $ 523,254 $ 608,709 $ 518,245
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities held to maturity 97,567 105,326 102,413 113,318 180,663 120,834 81,525
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans 1,817,015 1,622,025 1,726,482 1,466,867 1,277,241 1,157,548 1,036,146
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for loan losses 25,691 22,006 24,349 19,711 18,231 16,450 15,053
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets 2,703,523 2,521,396 2,655,788 2,380,673 2,169,855 2,018,784 1,767,105
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 2,076,965 1,894,214 2,040,238 1,777,091 1,664,307 1,588,276 1,465,461
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowings 368,017 406,373 367,247 394,237 283,840 221,989 129,037
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity 229,334 200,583 208,021 191,472 204,038 192,556 157,699
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE BALANCES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets $2,602,333 $2,440,138 $2,505,510 $2,268,433 $2,112,145 $1,931,317 $1,714,416
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earning assets 2,438,405 2,324,194 2,379,265 2,138,426 1,982,367 1,813,492 1,599,126
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans 1,741,062 1,540,999 1,604,791 1,366,265 1,217,489 1,098,967 994,615
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 2,009,214 1,830,687 1,894,803 1,694,811 1,614,087 1,540,597 1,442,041
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity 217,455 194,399 199,964 199,362 198,843 167,585 152,499
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KEY RATIOS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on average assets (annualized) 0.96% 0.77% 0.29% 1.16% 1.27% 1.15% 1.10%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on average equity (annualized) 11.45% 9.67% 3.60% 13.17% 13.53% 13.24% 12.40%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average equity to average assets 8.36% 7.97% 7.98% 8.79% 9.41% 8.68% 8.90%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest margin 4.27% 4.20% 4.12% 4.32% 4.34% 4.45% 4.60%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Efficiency (2) 57.75% 57.31% 59.11% 57.41% 60.45% 57.73% 60.75%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend payout ratio 66.67% 85.00% 226.67% 58.93% 51.75% 42.86% 40.00%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1 leverage 7.59% 8.26% 7.10% 8.63% 8.81% 9.08% 8.55%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1 risk-based capital 10.76% 12.62% 10.25% 13.78% 14.68% 15.44% 13.90%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total risk-based capital 12.01% 13.81% 11.48% 14.95% 15.87% 16.64% 15.11%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) All share and per share data has been restated to give retroactive effect to stock dividends and splits.
(2) Efficiency ratio is calculated as total noninterest expenses (excluding OREO gains (losses) and merger, acquisition and
reorganization expenses, and other non-recurring expenses) divided by fully tax equivalent net interest income plus noninterest
income (excluding net securities gains (losses) and other non-recurring items).
-10-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS OF AND FOR THE 6
MONTHS ENDED AS OF AND FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CNB FINANCIAL CORP.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data) 6/30/01 6/30/00 12/31/00 12/31/99 12/31/98 12/31/97 12/31/96
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR PERIOD ENDED
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest income $ 34,273 $ 34,568 $ 69,935 $ 56,179 $ 52,542 $ 48,635 $ 46,885
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense 18,362 17,410 36,981 27,417 26,158 22,722 21,754
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income 15,911 17,158 32,954 28,762 26,384 25,913 25,131
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for loan and lease losses 620 740 1,465 1,456 773 275 635
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest income excluding net
securities gains (losses) 2,336 2,293 4,621 4,320 3,914 3,246 2,576
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net securities gains (losses) 864 (326) (1,046) (803) 616 528 602
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest expenses 12,843 12,823 25,568 22,337 19,854 18,511 17,779
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 5,648 5,562 9,496 8,486 10,287 10,901 9,895
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 3,881 4,096 6,963 6,335 7,681 7,666 7,157
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER COMMON SHARE (1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings $ 0.52 $ 0.55 $ 0.93 $ 0.84 $ 1.01 $ 0.99 $ 0.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings $ 0.52 $ 0.54 $ 0.93 $ 0.83 $ 1.00 $ 0.99 $ 0.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash dividends paid $ 0.18 $ 0.18 $ 0.40 $ 0.37 $ 0.33 $ 0.30 $ 0.27
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock dividends distributed -- -- -- -- -- -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book value at period-end $ 8.87 $ 7.23 $ 8.45 $ 7.25 $ 7.34 $ 7.12 $ 6.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tangible book value at period-end $ 6.51 $ 4.72 $ 6.02 $ 4.67 $ 7.34 $ 7.12 $ 6.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average common shares outstanding 7,463 7,510 7,492 7,571 7,625 7,712 7,930
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average diluted common shares
outstanding 7,502 7,533 7,509 7,606 7,673 7,756 7,964
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERIOD ENDED
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading securities $ 9,550 -- -- -- -- $ 1,119 --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities available for sale 388,066 $ 390,192 $ 365,409 $ 387,765 $ 186,651 144,077 $ 130,973
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities held to maturity -- -- -- -- 113,456 110,324 104,770
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans and leases 546,895 497,454 533,112 457,593 380,953 346,710 321,243
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for loan and lease losses 8,435 8,736 8,145 8,529 8,384 8,378 8,367
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets 992,601 945,162 951,340 914,172 711,088 634,389 586,075
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 839,609 792,448 799,938 796,244 628,142 538,472 509,217
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowings 56,256 71,479 58,263 35,687 19,181 35,164 21,824
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity 65,794 54,060 63,146 54,623 55,566 54,606 48,391
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE BALANCES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets $ 961,660 $ 932,959 $ 941,251 $ 790,559 $ 693,803 $ 615,391 $ 586,163
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earning assets 909,934 888,291 896,503 749,804 655,633 587,286 558,027
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans and leases 535,320 476,924 498,463 406,894 362,404 330,477 316,425
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 825,147 814,950 803,173 683,301 601,283 529,798 503,414
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity 64,309 54,423 55,611 59,376 55,527 51,134 47,797
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KEY RATIOS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on average assets (annualized) 0.81% 0.88% 0.74% 0.80% 1.11% 1.25% 1.22%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on average equity (annualized) 12.07% 15.05% 12.52% 10.67% 13.83% 14.99% 14.97%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average equity to average assets 6.69% 5.83% 5.91% 7.51% 8.00% 8.31% 8.15%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest margin 3.54% 3.96% 3.74% 3.99% 4.20% 4.58% 4.68%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Efficiency (2) 65.99% 61.16% 63.47% 63.95% 63.08% 61.38% 61.93%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend payout ratio 34.62% 33.33% 43.01% 44.58% 33.00% 30.30% 30.00%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1 leverage 6.75% 6.83% 6.66% 6.58% 7.90% 8.40% 8.30%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1 risk-based capital 9.42% 9.31% 9.34% 9.41% 11.30% 12.00% 12.20%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total risk-based capital 10.64% 10.56% 10.56% 10.66% 12.50% 13.30% 13.50%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) All share and per share data has been restated to give retroactive effect to stock dividends and splits.
(2) Efficiency ratio is computed as total noninterest expenses (excluding goodwill amortization) divided by fully tax equivalent net
interest income plus noninterest income (excluding net securities gains (losses)).
-11-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS OF AND FOR THE 6
MONTHS ENDED AS OF AND FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED
PRO FORMA COMBINED
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data) 6/30/01 6/30/00 12/31/00 12/31/99 12/31/98 12/31/97 12/31/96
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR PERIOD ENDED
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and fee income $ 130,056 $ 126,276 $ 260,466 $ 221,051 $ 210,970 $ 195,973 $ 175,905
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense 64,213 62,295 133,002 102,875 100,870 91,614 79,176
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income 65,843 63,981 127,464 118,176 110,100 104,359 96,729
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for loan losses 8,083 4,539 10,143 6,896 6,922 5,095 4,960
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest income excluding
securities gains (losses) 16,221 11,483 25,053 21,599 20,078 17,140 14,934
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net securities gains (losses) 1,410 (320) (2,262) 1,000 2,183 562 1,824
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merger, acquisition and
reorganization costs -- 4,039 23,625 835 -- -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other noninterest expense 51,855 46,185 95,805 84,419 81,108 72,971 69,947
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 23,536 20,381 20,682 48,625 44,331 43,995 38,580
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 16,224 13,445 14,154 32,592 34,576 29,854 26,071
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER COMMON SHARE (1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings $ 0.49 $ 0.42 $ 0.44 $ 1.01 $ 1.07 $ 0.95 $ 0.83
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings $ 0.49 $ 0.41 $ 0.43 $ 1.00 $ 1.05 $ 0.93 $ 0.82
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash dividends paid (2) $ 0.34 $ 0.34 $ 0.68 $ 0.66 $ 0.59 $ 0.42 $ 0.34
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock dividends distributed -- -- -- 5% 5% 5% 5%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book value at period-end $ 8.48 $ 7.80 $ 8.29 $ 7.62 $ 8.07 $ 7.63 $ 6.61
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tangible book value at period-end $ 6.95 $ 6.73 $ 6.89 $ 6.74 $ 7.75 $ 7.33 $ 6.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average common shares outstanding 32,834 32,345 32,451 32,181 32,349 31,493 31,495
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average diluted common shares
outstanding 33,073 32,505 32,611 32,541 32,899 32,005 31,844
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERIOD ENDED
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading securities $ 9,658 $ 246 $ 20,541 -- -- $ 1,119 --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities available for sale 967,904 984,049 941,781 $ 994,492 $ 709,905 752,786 $ 649,218
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities held to maturity 97,567 105,326 102,413 113,318 294,119 231,158 186,295
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans 2,363,910 2,119,479 2,259,594 1,924,460 1,658,194 1,504,258 1,357,389
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for loan losses 34,126 30,742 32,494 28,240 26,615 24,828 23,420
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets 3,695,498 3,466,558 3,607,128 3,294,845 2,880,943 2,653,173 2,353,180
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 2,916,574 2,686,662 2,840,176 2,573,335 2,292,449 2,126,748 1,974,678
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowings 424,273 477,852 425,510 429,924 303,021 257,153 150,861
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity 284,252 254,643 271,167 246,095 259,604 247,162 206,090
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE BALANCES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets $3,563,993 $3,373,097 $3,446,761 $3,058,992 $2,805,948 $2,546,708 $2,300,579
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earning assets 3,348,339 3,212,485 3,275,768 2,888,230 2,638,000 2,400,778 2,157,153
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans 2,276,382 2,017,923 2,103,254 1,773,159 1,579,893 1,429,444 1,311,040
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 2,834,361 2,645,637 2,697,976 2,378,112 2,215,370 2,070,395 1,945,455
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity 281,764 248,822 255,575 258,738 254,370 218,719 200,296
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KEY RATIOS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on average assets (annualized) 0.92% 0.80% 0.41% 1.07% 1.23% 1.17% 1.13%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on average equity (annualized) 11.61% 10.87% 5.54% 12.60% 13.59% 13.65% 13.02%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average equity to average assets 7.91% 7.38% 7.41% 8.46% 9.07% 8.59% 8.71%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest margin 4.08% 4.14% 4.02% 4.24% 4.30% 4.51% 4.65%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Efficiency (3) 60.37% 59.05% 60.96% 59.18% 60.94% 58.36% 60.76%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend payout ratio 69.39% 82.93% 158.14% 66.00% 56.19% 45.16% 41.46%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1 leverage 7.28% 7.72% 6.98% 8.07% 8.68% 8.92% 8.49%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1 risk-based capital 10.28% 11.55% 10.01% 12.49% 13.73% 14.48% 13.43%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total risk-based capital 11.53% 12.76% 11.23% 13.68% 14.93% 15.70% 14.66%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) All share and per share data has been restated to give retroactive effect to stock dividends and splits.
(2) Dividends per share represent historical dividends of stand alone NBT.
(3) Efficiency ratio is calculated as total noninterest expenses (excluding OREO gains (losses) and merger, acquisition and
reorganization expenses, and other non-recurring expenses) divided by fully tax equivalent net interest income plus noninterest
income (excluding net securities gains (losses) and other non-recurring items).
(4) The impact of CNB stock held by NBT or CNB capital securities held by NBT is not significant to the above financial information
and therefore no adjustments were made.
-12-
UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
We have summarized below the per common share combined information for
NBT and CNB on a historical, pro forma combined, and pro forma equivalent basis.
The pro forma information gives effect to the merger with CNB accounted for as a
pooling of interests, on the assumption that our companies had always been
combined for accounting and financial reporting purposes.
You should read this information in conjunction with the historical
financial statements and related notes of NBT and CNB contained in the reports
and other information that we have filed with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find
More Information." You should also read this information in conjunction with the
pro forma condensed combined financial information set forth under the heading
"Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements." You should not
rely on the pro forma information as being indicative of the results that we
will achieve after the merger.
The combined company unaudited pro forma data represent the effect of
the merger on a share of NBT common stock. The CNB pro forma equivalent data
represent the combined company pro forma data before rounding, multiplied by the
exchange ratio of 1.2 shares of NBT common stock for each share of CNB common
stock, and thereby reflect the effect of the merger on a share of CNB common
stock. No adjustments were made for CNB stock held by NBT. Pro forma dividends
per share are based on historical dividends of stand alone NBT.
HISTORICAL PRO FORMA
---------- ---------
COMBINED CNB
NBT CNB COMPANY EQUIVALENT
--- --- ------- ---------
PER COMMON SHARE
BASIC EARNINGS
Six Months Ended:
June 30, 2001 $0.52 $ 0.52 $0.49 $0.59
June 30, 2000 0.40 0.55 0.42 0.50
Year Ended:
December 31, 2000 0.31 0.93 0.44 0.53
December 31, 1999 1.14 0.84 1.01 1.21
December 31, 1998 1.16 1.01 1.07 1.28
DILUTED EARNINGS
Six Months Ended:
June 30, 2001 $0.51 $ 0.52 $0.49 $0.59
June 30, 2000 0.40 0.54 0.41 0.49
Year Ended:
December 31, 2000 0.30 0.93 0.43 0.52
December 31, 1999 1.12 0.83 1.00 1.20
December 31, 1998 1.14 1.00 1.05 1.26
CASH DIVIDEND PAID
Six Months Ended:
June 30, 2001 $0.34 $ 0.18 $0.34 $0.41
June 30, 2000 0.34 0.18 0.34 0.41
Year Ended:
December 31, 2000 0.68 0.40 0.68 0.82
December 31, 1999 0.66 0.37 0.66 0.79
December 31, 1998 0.59 0.33 0.59 0.71
BOOK VALUE
As of:
June 30, 2001 $9.26 $ 8.87 $8.48 $10.18
December 31, 2000 8.77 8.45 8.29 9.95
TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE
As of:
June 30, 2001 $7.89 $ 6.51 $6.95 $8.34
December 31, 2000 7.60 6.02 6.89 8.27
-13-
THE STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
THE NBT SPECIAL MEETING
WHEN AND WHERE THE NBT SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE HELD
NBT will hold a special meeting of stockholders at the Holiday Inn Arena,
2-8 Hawley Street, Binghamton, New York on October 16, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. local
time.
WHAT WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE NBT SPECIAL MEETING
Stockholders will consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the
agreement and plan of merger, dated as of June 19, 2001, between NBT and CNB,
under which, among other things:
o CNB will merge with NBT, with NBT being the surviving corporation;
o NBT will issue approximately 8.7 million shares of its common stock to
the former CNB stockholders upon completion of the merger;
o Central National Bank, Canajoharie, CNB's wholly-owned subsidiary, will
merge with and into NBT Bank, N.A., NBT's wholly-owned subsidiary, with
NBT Bank being the surviving bank, and Central National Bank becoming a
division of NBT Bank; and
o The board of directors of the combined company will be expanded to
fifteen members by adding three current directors of CNB to the current
twelve-member NBT board.
We may take action on the above matters at the NBT special meeting on
October 16, 2001, or on any later date to which the special meeting is postponed
or adjourned.
The NBT board is unaware of other matters to be voted on at the NBT
special meeting. If other matters do properly come before the NBT special
meeting, including consideration of a motion to adjourn the special meeting to
another time and/or place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies, NBT
intends that the persons named in the proxies will vote, or not vote, in their
discretion the shares represented by proxies in the accompanying proxy card.
STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
NBT has set August 28, 2001 as the record date to determine which NBT
stockholders will be entitled to vote at the NBT special meeting. Only NBT
stockholders who held their shares of record as of the close of business on the
record date will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the NBT special
meeting. As of the record date, there were 24,599,500 outstanding shares of NBT
common stock. Each NBT stockholder on the record date is entitled to one vote
per share, which the stockholder may cast either in person, by properly executed
proxy or by telephone or the Internet using the number provided on your proxy
card. At the record date, NBT's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Ownership Plan
owned of record 1,216,570 shares of NBT's common stock on behalf of the plan's
beneficiaries, representing 4.9% of the outstanding shares of NBT's common
stock. Plan beneficiaries vote the shares held under NBT's 401(k) and Employee
Stock Ownership Plan. As of the same date, NBT's directors, executive officers
and their affiliates owned a total of 1,510,263 shares of NBT common stock,
representing approximately 6.1% of the shares of NBT common stock then
issued and outstanding. Each of NBT's directors and executive officers is
expected to vote his or her shares in favor of the merger.
As of the same date, the trust department of NBT Bank, as fiduciary,
custodian or agent, had the power to vote 255,191 shares of NBT common stock,
representing approximately 1.0% of the then issued and outstanding shares of
NBT common stock. The trust department of NBT Bank will vote these shares in
accordance with the terms of the respective governing documents, applicable law
and the trust department's fiduciary policies. The trust department will make a
determination as to how to vote these shares following receipt of this document.
VOTE REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The affirmative vote, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding NBT shares of common stock entitled to vote at the
special meeting is required to adopt the merger agreement.
-14-
Stock exchange rules prohibit brokers who hold shares of NBT common stock
in nominee or "street name" from giving a proxy without specific instructions
from the beneficial owners of the shares. We will count these so-called "broker
non-votes," which we receive, for purposes of determining whether a quorum
exists.
Abstentions and broker non-votes on the proposal to adopt the merger
agreement will effectively count as votes against that proposal.
VOTING YOUR SHARES
The NBT board is soliciting proxies from the NBT stockholders. This will
give you an opportunity to vote at the NBT special meeting. The NBT board urges
NBT stockholders to complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and
return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or to vote by telephone
or via the Internet. When you deliver a valid proxy, including voting by
telephone or via the Internet, the shares represented by that proxy will be
voted in accordance with your instructions by a named agent. If you do not
either vote by proxy, including by telephone or via the Internet, or attend the
special meeting and vote in person, your vote will be counted as not present for
quorum purposes and will effectively count as a vote against the proposal to
adopt the merger agreement. If you vote by proxy, including by telephone or via
the Internet, but make no specification on your proxy that you have otherwise
properly executed, the named agent will vote "FOR" adoption of the merger
agreement.
YOU MAY GRANT A PROXY BY DATING, SIGNING AND MAILING YOUR PROXY CARD OR
BY VOTING BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET. YOU MAY ALSO CAST YOUR VOTE IN
PERSON AT THE MEETING.
Mail. To grant your proxy by mail, please complete your proxy card and
sign, date and return it in the enclosed envelope. To be valid, a returned proxy
card must be signed and dated.
Telephone. If you hold NBT common stock in your own name and not through
a broker or other nominee, you can vote your shares of NBT common stock by
telephone by dialing the toll-free telephone number 1-800-PROXIES. Telephone
voting is available 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. local time on October 15,
2001. Telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders by
using the individual control numbers on your proxy card. If you vote by
telephone, you do not need to return your proxy card.
Via the Internet. If you hold NBT common stock in your own name and not
through a broker or other nominee, you can vote your shares of NBT common stock
electronically via the Internet at www.voteproxy.com. Internet voting is
available 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. local time on October 15, 2001.
Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders by using
the individual control numbers on your proxy card. If you vote via the Internet,
you do not need to return your proxy card.
In person. If you attend the NBT special meeting in person, you may vote
your shares by completing a ballot at the meeting. Attendance at the NBT special
meeting will not by itself be sufficient to vote your shares; you still must
complete and submit a ballot at the special meeting.
ESTABLISHING A QUORUM OF STOCKHOLDERS
If a majority of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of NBT
common stock are present at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy,
including votes received by telephone or via the Internet, the special meeting
will have the quorum of stockholders required for NBT to transact business.
CHANGING YOUR VOTE
Any NBT stockholder giving a proxy may revoke the proxy at any time
before the vote at the special meeting in one or more of the following ways:
o delivering a written notice to the chief executive officer of NBT
bearing a later date than the proxy;
o giving a later-dated proxy by mail, telephone or via the Internet; or
o appearing in person and voting at the NBT special meeting. Attendance
at the NBT special meeting will not by itself constitute a revocation
of a proxy; to revoke your proxy, you must complete and submit a ballot
at the special meeting.
-15-
You should send any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy to
NBT Bancorp Inc., 52 South Broad Street, Norwich, New York 13815, Attention:
Chief Executive Officer, or hand deliver the notice of revocation or subsequent
proxy to the Chief Executive Officer at or before the taking of the vote at the
NBT special meeting. You may also revoke your proxy by telephone or via the
Internet by giving a new proxy over the telephone or the Internet prior to 11:59
p.m. on October 15, 2001.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND COSTS
NBT will bear its own costs of solicitation of proxies. NBT will
reimburse brokerage houses, fiduciaries, nominees and others for their
out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding proxy materials to owners of shares of NBT
common stock held in their names. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by
use of the mails, NBT directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies from
the NBT stockholders. NBT will not pay any additional compensation, except for
reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, to these directors, officers
and employees of NBT in connection with the solicitation. You may direct any
questions or requests for assistance regarding this document and related proxy
materials to Daryl R. Forsythe, chairman of the board of directors, president
and chief executive officer of NBT, via the Internet at dforsythe@nbtbci.com or
Michael J. Chewens, executive vice president, chief financial officer and
secretary of NBT, by telephone at (607) 337-6520 or via the Internet at
mchewens@nbtbci.com.
Regardless of the number of shares you own, your vote is important to
NBT. Please complete, sign, date and promptly return the accompanying proxy card
in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or vote by telephone or via the Internet
using the telephone number or the Internet address on your proxy card.
RECOMMENDATION OF NBT BOARD
The NBT board has unanimously approved the merger agreement, the merger
and the related matters. The NBT board considered the fairness opinion of NBT's
financial advisor when it unanimously approved the merger agreement. The NBT
board believes that the merger agreement, the merger and the related matters are
in the best interests of NBT and the NBT stockholders, and recommends that the
NBT stockholders vote "FOR" adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the
merger. See "Proposal 1 -- Adoption of the Merger Agreement and Approval of the
Merger -- Recommendation of the NBT Board and NBT's Reasons for the Merger."
THE CNB SPECIAL MEETING
WHEN AND WHERE THE CNB SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE HELD
CNB will hold a special meeting of stockholders at the Fort Rensselaer
Club, 4 Moyer Street, Canajoharie, New York on October 16, 2001 at 3:00 p.m.
local time.
WHAT WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE CNB SPECIAL MEETING
Stockholders will consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the
agreement and plan of merger, dated as of June 19, 2001, between CNB and NBT
under which, among other things:
o CNB will merge with NBT, with NBT being the surviving corporation;
o Central National Bank will merge with and into NBT Bank, with NBT Bank
being the surviving bank and Central National Bank becoming a division
of NBT Bank;
o NBT will issue approximately 8.7 million shares of its common stock to
the former CNB stockholders upon completion of the merger; and
o the board of directors of the combined company will be expanded to
fifteen and will be composed of twelve current members of the NBT board
and three current members of the CNB board.
We may take action on the above matters at the CNB special meeting on
October 16, 2001, or any later date to which the special meeting is postponed or
adjourned.
The CNB board is unaware of other matters to be voted on at the CNB
special meeting. If other matters do properly come before the CNB special
meeting, including consideration of a motion to adjourn the special meeting to
another time and/or place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies, CNB
intends that the persons named in the proxies will vote, or not vote, in their
discretion the shares represented by proxies in the accompanying proxy card.
-16-
STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
CNB has set August 28, 2001 as the record date to determine which CNB
stockholders will be entitled to vote at the CNB special meeting. Only CNB
stockholders at the close of business on the record date will be entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the CNB special meeting. As of the record date,
there were 7,421,588 issued and outstanding shares of CNB common stock. Each CNB
stockholder on the record date is entitled to one vote per share, and may cast
such votes either in person or by properly executed proxy.
As of the same date, CNB's directors, executive officers and their
affiliates had the power to vote 1,326,805 shares of CNB common stock,
representing 17.9% of the shares of CNB common stock then issued and
outstanding. Each of the directors of CNB has agreed with NBT to vote his CNB
shares in favor of the merger. Each of CNB's executive officers also is expected
to vote his or her shares in favor of the merger.
As of the same date, the trust department of Central National Bank, as
fiduciary, custodian or agent, had the power to vote 79,793 shares of CNB
common stock, representing approximately 1.1% of the then issued and
outstanding shares of CNB common stock. In addition, as of that date CNB's
wholly owned subsidiary Central Asset Management had the power to vote 10,178
shares of CNB common stock held in certain investment management accounts,
representing approximately 0.1% of the then issued and outstanding shares. The
past practice of both the trust department of Central National Bank and Central
Asset Management has been to have the beneficial owners vote their shares and
the trust department and Central Asset Management intend to follow that practice
in connection with the vote on the merger.
Five directors of CNB who are also stockholders of CNB and one of whom is
an executive officer of CNB at the time the merger agreement was signed, have
agreed individually that they will vote in favor of adoption of the merger
agreement. The number of shares subject to these agreements aggregate 1,276,578
shares or approximately 17.2% of the outstanding common stock of CNB, on the
record date.
VOTE REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The affirmative vote, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of CNB common stock entitled to vote at the
special meeting is required to adopt the merger agreement.
Stock exchange rules prohibit brokers who hold shares of CNB common stock
in nominee or "street name" from giving a proxy without specific instructions
from the beneficial owners of the shares. We will count these so-called "broker
non-votes," which we receive, for purposes of determining whether a quorum
exists.
Abstentions and broker non-votes on the proposal to adopt the merger
agreement will effectively count as votes against that proposal.
VOTING YOUR SHARES
The CNB board is soliciting proxies from the CNB stockholders. This will
give you an opportunity to vote at the CNB special meeting. The CNB board urges
CNB stockholders to complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and
return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or to vote by telephone
or via the Internet. When you deliver a valid proxy, including voting by
telephone or via the Internet, the shares represented by that proxy will be
voted in accordance with your instructions by a named agent. If you do not
either vote by proxy, including voting by telephone or via the Internet, or
attend the special meeting and vote in person, your vote will be counted as not
present for quorum purposes and will effectively count as a vote against the
proposal to adopt the merger agreement. If you vote by proxy, including by
telephone or via the Internet, but make no specification on your proxy card that
you have otherwise properly executed, the agent will vote the shares "FOR"
adoption of the merger agreement.
YOU MAY GRANT A PROXY BY DATING, SIGNING AND MAILING YOUR PROXY CARD OR
BY VOTING BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET. YOU MAY ALSO CAST YOUR VOTE IN
PERSON AT THE MEETING.
Mail. To grant your proxy by mail, please complete your proxy card and
sign, date and return it in the enclosed envelope. To be valid, a returned proxy
card must be signed and dated.
Telephone. If you hold CNB common stock in your own name and not through
a broker or other nominee, you can vote your shares of CNB common stock by
telephone by dialing the toll-free telephone number 1-800-690-6903. Telephone
voting is available 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. local time on October 15,
2001. Telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders by
using the individual control numbers on your proxy card. If you vote by
telephone, you do not need to return your proxy card.
-17-
Via the Internet. If you hold CNB common stock in your own name and not
through a broker or other nominee, you can vote your shares of CNB common stock
electronically via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com. Internet voting is
available 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. local time on October 15, 2001.
Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders by using
the individual control numbers on your proxy card. If you vote via the Internet,
you do not need to return your proxy card.
In person. If you attend the CNB special meeting in person, you may vote
your shares by completing a ballot at the meeting. Attendance at the CNB special
meeting will not by itself be sufficient to vote your shares; you still must
complete and submit a ballot at the special meeting.
ESTABLISHING A QUORUM OF STOCKHOLDERS
If a majority of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of CNB
common stock are present at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy,
including votes received by telephone or via the Internet, the special meeting
will have the quorum of stockholders required to transact business.
CHANGING YOUR VOTE
Any CNB stockholder giving a proxy may revoke the proxy at any time
before the vote at the special meeting in one or more of the following ways:
o delivering a written notice to Holly C. Craver, corporate secretary of
CNB, bearing a later date than the proxy;
o granting a later-dated proxy by mail, telephone or via the Internet; or
o appearing in person and voting at the CNB special meeting. Attendance
at the CNB special meeting will not by itself constitute a revocation
of a proxy, unless you complete and submit a ballot at the meeting.
You should send any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy to
CNB Financial Corp., 24 Church Street, Canajoharie, New York 13317, Attention:
Holly C. Craver, Corporate Secretary, or hand deliver the notice of revocation
or subsequent proxy to the corporate secretary of CNB at or before the taking of
the vote at the CNB special meeting. You may also revoke your proxy by telephone
or via the Internet by giving a new proxy over the telephone or the Internet
prior to 11:59 p.m. on October 15, 2001.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND COSTS
CNB will bear its own costs of solicitation of proxies. CNB will make
arrangements with brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for
forwarding of proxy solicitation materials to beneficial owners of shares held
of record by those brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, and
CNB will reimburse those brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
for their reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation. In
addition to solicitation by use of the mails, CNB's directors, officers and
employees may solicit proxies from the CNB stockholders. CNB will not compensate
its directors, officers and employees for these efforts but may reimburse them
for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation. CNB
has retained D. F. King & Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., to assist in the
solicitation of proxies. It is anticipated that the fee of such firm will not
exceed $5,000 plus reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses. You may direct
any questions or requests for assistance regarding this document and related
proxy materials to Holly C. Craver, corporate secretary of CNB, by telephone at
(518) 673-3243 or via the Internet at holly.craver@cnbfc.com or you may contact
D.F. King at their toll-free number 1-800-431-9629.
Regardless of the number of shares you own, your vote is important to
CNB. Please complete, sign, date and promptly return the accompanying proxy card
in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or vote by telephone or via the Internet
using the telephone number or the Internet address on your proxy card.
RECOMMENDATION OF CNB BOARD
The CNB board has unanimously approved the merger agreement, the merger
and the related matters. The CNB board considered the fairness opinion of CNB's
financial advisor when it unanimously approved the merger agreement and
determined that the value of the consideration to be received by CNB is
adequate, but did not specifically adopt the conclusions set forth in the
fairness opinion. The CNB board believes that the merger agreement, the merger
and related matters are in the best interests of CNB and the CNB stockholders,
and recommends that the CNB stockholders vote "FOR" adoption of the merger
agreement and approval of the merger. See "Proposal 1 -- Adoption of the Merger
Agreement and Approval of the Merger -- Recommendation of the CNB Board and
CNB's Reasons for the Merger."
-18-
PROPOSAL 1
(ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF NBT AND ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF CNB)
ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE MERGER
The following summary describes the material terms and provisions of the merger
agreement and the merger. We have attached a copy of the merger agreement to
this document as Appendix A and we have incorporated it into this document by
reference. WE URGE ALL STOCKHOLDERS TO READ THE MERGER AGREEMENT CAREFULLY IN
ITS ENTIRETY. We qualify this summary in its entirety by reference to the merger
agreement.
VOTE REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The affirmative vote, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding NBT shares of common stock entitled to vote at the
special meeting is required to adopt the merger agreement. The affirmative vote,
either in person or by proxy, of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding
CNB shares of common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting is required
to adopt the merger agreement.
GENERAL
Under the merger agreement,
o CNB will merge with and into NBT, with NBT being the surviving
corporation, and the separate corporate existence of CNB will cease,
o NBT will survive and continue its corporate existence under the laws
of the State of Delaware under its existing name and charter and its
current bylaws. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of conditions
set forth in the merger agreement and described in "Adoption of the
Merger Agreement and Approval of the Merger -- Conditions to
Complete the Merger," the merger of CNB with and into NBT will
become effective on the date and at the time specified in the
certificate of merger to be filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware and the Secretary of State of the State of New
York.
o The NBT board will expand to fifteen members, comprised of twelve
current NBT directors and three current CNB directors or individuals
designated by these CNB directors if they cannot serve.
o Simultaneously with the completion of the NBT and CNB merger,
o Central National Bank, Canajoharie will merge with and into NBT
Bank, National Association, and will become a division of NBT
Bank;
o the separate corporate existence of Central National Bank will
cease; and
o NBT Bank will be the surviving bank in the bank merger and
continue its national association existence under the laws of the
United States of America under its current name, charter and
bylaws.
o Each share of CNB common stock issued and outstanding at the
effective time of the merger will convert into the right to receive
1.2 shares of NBT common stock upon completion of the merger. Upon
completion of the merger, NBT will issue its stock to the former CNB
stockholders.
o NBT will issue an aggregate of approximately 8.7 million of its
shares of common stock to the former CNB stockholders at the
effective time of the merger; NBT will not issue fractional shares
in the merger but instead will pay cash to each holder of a fraction
of a share of NBT common stock following the merger.
o We expect to complete the merger in the fourth quarter of 2001.
-19-
BACKGROUND OF AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER
NBT and CNB have for many years operated community-based banking
franchises in their respective areas of New York State, and the managements of
the two companies came to know each other well. In 1986, NBT Bank and Central
National Bank entered into an agreement to merge, but the merger was not
consummated. From time to time since that occasion, management of NBT raised
with management of Central National Bank or CNB the possibility of the two
companies merging, and preliminary merger discussions were held in 1999, but CNB
chose to continue to follow the growth strategy discussed below, and no
agreement was reached.
Although other institutions made preliminary inquiries of CNB from time
to time, they presented no specific proposals to CNB, and CNB did not actively
seek out potential acquisition partners. In 1997, CNB adopted a strategic
initiative to increase the company's earnings and asset size through geographic
diversification. As part of this strategy, Central National Bank began
establishing new branches and acquired five branches from Astoria Federal
Savings and Loan Association in 1999. CNB established a goal of reaching $1
billion in assets by the end of 2000. During 2000, however, the areas served by
Central National Bank experienced slower economic growth than anticipated. In
August 2000, CNB retained CIBC to provide general strategic advice, including
analysis of strategic alternatives such as possible acquisitions and sales.
CNB's assets fell slightly short of the $1 billion goal at year-end 2000. At
this point, CNB decided to wait until the end of 2001 to see if the initiatives
it already had implemented would produce the targeted growth.
As part of the long term planning of NBT, its board of directors has
periodically reviewed and evaluated various strategic options and alternatives
available to maximize the economic return to NBT stockholders. These options and
alternatives have included the acquisition of banks and branches of banks. Prior
to NBT's acquisition of Lake Ariel Bancorp, Inc. in February 2000, all of NBT's
discussions to explore growth opportunities through acquisitions had related to
New York financial institutions and, during the 1997-1999 period, had not
culminated in any acquisitions. Consequently, in late 1999 and 2000, NBT focused
its attention on markets in northeastern Pennsylvania. The result was NBT's
acquisitions of two bank holding companies based there, Lake Ariel Bancorp, Inc.
and Pioneer American Holding Company Corp. These two institutions, together with
eight northeastern Pennsylvania branches acquired in 2000 from two other
financial institutions, constitute the Pennstar Bank division of NBT Bank. NBT
also acquired a Utica, New York based broker-dealer, M. Griffith, Inc., in 2000
to further its strategy of developing a broader product and service line as a
financial services holding company.
In late 2000 and 2001, NBT refocused its bank acquisition efforts in
New York State, acquiring a northern New York banking company, First National
Bancorp, Inc., as well as agreeing to acquire deposits of a supermarket branch
of another financial institution in a transaction that is expected to be
completed in the third quarter of 2001. Due primarily to these strategic
acquisitions in Pennsylvania and New York, NBT increased its asset size from
approximately $1.4 billion at December 31, 1999 to approximately $2.7 billion at
June 30, 2001 and achieved broader geographic coverage and economic
diversification consistent with its goals.
During December 2000, Daryl R. Forsythe, NBT's president and chief
executive officer, told Van Ness D. Robinson, the chairman of the board of CNB,
that NBT wished to explore the feasibility under the federal antitrust laws of a
hypothetical merger between NBT and CNB. Mr. Forsythe said that NBT did not wish
to spend the time and incur the costs of such an inquiry if, irrespective of the
conclusions, Mr. Robinson felt that CNB would be totally opposed to considering
such a merger. Mr. Robinson offered to relay this conversation to the Executive
Committee of the CNB board and solicit its view. The Executive Committee of CNB
considered the matter and advised Mr. Forsythe in February 2001 that, while CNB
had made no decision to alter its independent growth strategy, it was not
opposed to NBT's conducting its own exploration of the feasibility of a merger
under the federal antitrust laws.
On March 16, 2001, management of another bank holding company met with
the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee of the CNB board to discuss informally a
possible affiliation between that bank holding company and CNB. The CNB board
subsequently considered the matter and determined to continue to pursue CNB's
previously adopted growth strategy. CNB therefore did not pursue the transaction
with the other company further, and the other company subsequently did not renew
its contacts with CNB.
On April 20, 2001, representatives of NBT's special counsel, Duane,
Morris & Heckscher LLP, conferred with Mr. Forsythe regarding the results of
counsel's preliminary assessment of the feasibility under the federal antitrust
laws of a possible merger of NBT and CNB. Based on that conference, management
of NBT concluded that a merger of NBT and CNB warranted further consideration.
Subsequently, NBT management authorized its investment banker, MB&R, to develop
a range of pricing scenarios for an NBT/CNB merger.
In late April 2001, Mr. Forsythe telephoned Mr. Robinson, relayed the
substance of counsel's preliminary assessment, and indicated NBT's interest in
discussing a possible merger. Mr. Robinson indicated that the CNB board was
continuing to pursue its strategy of independent growth. However, he offered to
discuss the concept of CNB merging with NBT at the next CNB Executive Committee
meeting in May 2001.
-20-
In early May 2001, the CNB Executive Committee determined to discuss
the concept of a possible merger with NBT in greater detail. On May 25, 2001,
Mr. Forsythe met with the members of the CNB board at an executive session of
the board. At that meeting, Mr. Forsythe presented results of counsel's
preliminary antitrust review and described certain of the elements of the
possible merger he envisioned , including a divisional structure with Central
National Bank maintaining its own divisional name, divisional headquarters, and
divisional board of directors, and with three individuals associated with CNB
joining the NBT board of directors. Mr. Forsythe also outlined a pricing
methodology that would affect what NBT would consider paying for CNB, based upon
different levels of cost savings that potentially could be achieved in the
transaction and upon the transaction qualifying for pooling-of-interests
accounting treatment. The committee advised Mr. Forsythe that CNB would consider
Mr. Forsythe's presentation at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the CNB
board on May 31, 2001.
At the May 31 meeting, the CNB board discussed NBT's interest and
decided that the CNB Executive Committee should consider it further at its
regular meeting on June 4, 2001. At the June 4 meeting, a representative of CIBC
met with the CNB Executive Committee to review the possible terms of a potential
transaction. After further discussion, the CNB Executive Committee authorized
management of CNB to proceed with reciprocal due diligence and the negotiation
of terms of a definitive agreement. On June 5, 2001, CNB formally retained CIBC
to assist it in connection with a potential transaction.
On June 6, 2001, NBT and CNB entered into reciprocal confidentiality
agreements and set a schedule for their reciprocal due diligence reviews. NBT
conducted its review of CNB beginning on June 8, 2001, and CNB conducted its
review of NBT beginning on June 11, 2001. Meanwhile, on June 8, 2001, Duane,
Morris & Heckscher LLP distributed to NBT, CNB, and their respective advisors a
first draft of definitive merger documentation. Thereafter, the parties
proceeded to negotiate the form and content of the merger documents.
Mr. Forsythe and certain other members of NBT management and
representatives of MB&R met with Mr. Robinson, CNB president Donald L. Brass,
and representatives of CIBC on June 12, 2001. At this meeting, various terms of
the merger were discussed, including potential cost savings and potential
pricing terms. Based upon their assessments of achievable cost savings in a
merger and the applicability of pooling-of-interests accounting treatment,
representatives of the parties agreed that a fixed exchange ratio of 1.2 shares
of NBT stock for each share of CNB stock appeared to be reasonable. No agreement
was reached at this time, however. The parties' representatives each agreed to
schedule board meetings on June 18, 2001 for formal consideration of the
exchange ratio and the merger agreement and related documents.
From June 13 to June 18, 2001, the parties and their advisors continued
to work on negotiating the merger documents. A meeting was held on June 17, 2001
at which the parties and their representatives addressed each of the remaining
outstanding issues in connection with the merger agreement and related
documents.
On June 18, 2001, the CNB board held a special meeting to consider the
transaction. At the meeting, members of CNB management and representatives of
its financial advisor, CIBC, and its special legal counsel, Arnold & Porter,
made presentations to the board. The presentations included a summary of the
results of CNB's due diligence review of NBT and an outline of the proposed
transaction and the factors that should be considered before reaching any
conclusion on the matter. Among other things, a representative of CIBC indicated
that, based on the terms of the transaction, CIBC was prepared to deliver to the
board, at the time it voted on the transaction, an opinion that the proposed
fixed exchange ratio was fair, from a financial point of view, to CNB's
stockholders. The CNB board discussed the transaction in detail and raised a
number of issues it wished the parties to address further before voting on the
transaction. The board then adjourned the meeting until June 19.
Similarly, on June 18, 2001, the board of directors of NBT held a
special meeting to consider the transaction. The NBT board received
presentations from its financial advisor, MB&R, and its special legal counsel,
Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP, concerning the history of the negotiations, the
structure and terms of the transaction, the legal, regulatory and antitrust
issues the transaction presented, the factors the board should consider in
voting on the merger agreement, and the duties of the directors under applicable
law. Following consideration and discussion of these matters and without taking
any action on the proposal, the NBT board decided to adjourn the meeting until
the following morning.
The NBT board reconvened on June 19, 2001 and considered the proposed
transaction further. At that time, MB&R provided its oral opinion that, subject
to the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered, and
limitations on the review undertaken, the proposed fixed exchange ratio was fair
to the NBT stockholders from a financial point of view. After questions and
comments, the NBT board members present voted unanimously to authorize entry
into the merger agreement and the stock option agreement.
-21-
The CNB board also reconvened on June 19, 2001. Each of the additional
issues raised in the course of the previous day's meeting was addressed. CIBC
rendered an oral opinion (subsequently delivered in writing) to the board that,
as of such date and based upon and subject to the procedures followed,
assumptions made, matters considered, and limitations on the review undertaken,
the proposed fixed exchange ratio was fair to the CNB shareholders from a
financial point of view. At the conclusion of the board's discussions, the CNB
board unanimously approved the merger agreement and related documents. CNB and
NBT then executed the merger agreement and the stock option agreement and issued
a joint press release announcing the execution of the merger agreement.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE NBT BOARD AND NBT'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER
In reaching its determination to approve and adopt the merger agreement
and to recommend the merger agreement and the merger to the NBT stockholders for
their consideration and approval, the NBT board considered a number of factors,
including, without limitation, the following:
o the NBT board's familiarity with and review of the business,
operations, financial condition and earnings of NBT on both a
historical and a prospective basis;
o the NBT board's familiarity with NBT's historical stock price;
o the NBT board's knowledge and review of the business, operations,
financial condition and earnings of CNB on both a historical and a
prospective basis; the historical stock price of CNB; and the pro
forma financial condition, earnings, and prospects of the combined
NBT and CNB following their merger;
o the detailed financial presentation of NBT's financial advisor,
McConnell, Budd & Romano, Inc., which we refer to in this document
as "MB&R," to the directors of NBT on June 18 and 19, 2001,
including the oral opinions of MB&R rendered to the NBT board on
June 19, 2001 to the effect that, as of that date and based upon and
subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters
considered and limitations on the review undertaken by MB&R, the
proposed fixed exchange ratio was fair from a financial point of
view to the holders of NBT common stock;
o the terms of the merger agreement;
o the general impact that the merger is expected to have on various
constituencies of NBT, including its customers, employees, and
communities;
o the NBT board's assessment of the current and prospective economic
and competitive environment facing the financial services industry
generally, and NBT in particular, including the continued rapid
consolidation in the industry, the increasing importance of
operational scale in remaining competitive and supporting the
necessary investments in technology, and the benefits of geographic
and product diversification;
o the consistency of the merger with NBT's long-term business
strategies;
o the relative strength of the markets served by NBT in comparison
with more robust economies, and the fact that the merger would
result in a more geographically diverse financial institution,
greatly expanding NBT's opportunities in Central and Eastern New
York;
o the cost of investment in technology which could improve the
efficiency and, accordingly, the competitive posture of NBT;
o the current and prospective economic, regulatory and competitive
environment facing financial institutions, including NBT;
o the tax treatment of the merger as a reorganization and the
accounting treatment of the merger as a pooling of interests;
o the option agreement, including the possibility that the existence
of the stock option agreement could discourage third parties from
offering to acquire CNB by increasing the financial cost of
acquisitions by a third party, and the recognition that NBT's and
CNB's entering into the stock option agreement was a condition to
NBT's willingness to enter into the merger agreement;
o the likelihood of receiving all of the regulatory approvals required
for the merger to take place;
-22-
o the anticipated operating synergies to be realized through the
merger, although we can give no assurances in this regard, including
the opportunity to reduce significantly the aggregate non-interest
expense that NBT and CNB currently incur in areas such as salaries
and benefits, occupancy expense, professional and outside service
fees, information services and communications, and other areas, and
although no assurances can be given in this regard, the anticipated
effect of these synergies upon earnings per share;
o the anticipated opportunities for revenue enhancements expected to
be available to the combined company following the merger, although
we can give no assurances in this regard;
o the fact that CNB and NBT share many cultural traits, including a
history of community service, dedication to smaller and lower-growth
markets, loyalty to their historical markets during periods of
fluctuations in economic fortunes, and concern for employee welfare;
and
o the level of experience and business acumen to be added to the board
of directors of the combined company.
The discussion in this section of the information and factors
considered by the NBT board is not intended to be exhaustive but includes all
material factors considered by the NBT board. In view of the wide variety of
material factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the merger, the
NBT board did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise
attempt to assign any relative weight to the various factors considered. In
addition, individual directors may have given differing weights to different
factors.
For the reasons cited above, the NBT board unanimously approved the
merger agreement and believes the merger is fair to, and is in the best interest
of, its stockholders. Accordingly, the NBT board unanimously recommends that
holders of NBT common stock vote "FOR" adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the merger.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CNB BOARD AND CNB'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER
The CNB board has approved the merger agreement and has determined that
the merger of NBT and CNB is in the best interests of CNB and its stockholders.
The CNB board unanimously recommends that you vote to adopt the merger agreement
and approve the merger. In reaching its decision to adopt the merger agreement
and recommend that its stockholders consider the merger agreement and vote to
adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger, the CNB board consulted with
senior management, its financial advisor, CIBC, and special outside counsel and
considered a variety of factors, including those listed below. While the
following list reflects all of the material factors considered by the CNB board,
in view of the variety and complexity of the factors it considered in evaluating
the merger proposal the CNB board did not consider it practical, and did not
try, to quantify or assign relative weights to specific factors it considered.
Also, individual directors may have assigned different weights to different
factors.
o the CNB board's familiarity with and review of the business,
operations, financial condition and earnings of CNB on both a
historical and a prospective basis;
o the CNB board's familiarity with CNB's historical stock price;
o the CNB board's knowledge and review of the business, operations,
financial condition and earnings of NBT on both a historical and a
prospective basis; the historical stock price of NBT; and the pro
forma financial condition, earnings, and prospects of the combined
CNB and NBT following their merger; in this regard, the CNB board
took into account the results of CNB's due diligence review of NBT;
o the detailed financial presentation of CNB's financial advisor,
CIBC, to the directors of CNB on June 18, 2001, including the
opinion of CIBC rendered to the CNB board on June 19, 2001 to the
effect that, as of that date and based upon and subject to the
procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and
limitations on the review undertaken by CIBC, the proposed exchange
ratio was fair from a financial point of view to the holders of CNB
common stock;
o the terms of the transaction, including estimates that the
transaction would be accretive to earnings and tangible book value
to CNB stockholders in the first full year of combined operations,
as well as the opportunity for CNB stockholders to receive a
substantial premium over recent market prices for their shares;
-23-
o the general impact that the merger is expected to have on various
constituencies of CNB, including its customers, employees, and
communities;
o the CNB board's assessment of the current and prospective economic,
regulatory and competitive environment facing the financial services
industry generally, and CNB in particular, including the continued
rapid consolidation in the industry, the increasing importance of
operational scale in remaining competitive and supporting the
necessary investments in technology, and the benefits of greater
geographic and product diversification;
o the CNB board's assessment of the benefits and risks of remaining
independent, including the limitations on opportunities for
geographic expansion and the costs of maintaining adequate
technology and other infrastructure;
o the expectation that the merger will be tax-free for federal income
tax purposes to CNB and its stockholders and will be accounted for
as a pooling of interests;
o the likelihood of receiving all of the regulatory approvals required
for the merger to take place;
o the belief of the CNB board that the terms of the agreement and plan
of merger are attractive in that the agreement allows stockholders
of CNB to become stockholders of an institution substantially larger
in terms of assets, stockholders' equity, and shares of common stock
outstanding compared with the current CNB, and that the larger total
market capitalization of the combined company should provide CNB
stockholders with the opportunity to participate in a company with
higher trading volumes and enhanced trading liquidity, help to
enhance the appeal of the stock of the combined company as an
investment among both individual and institutional investors, and
assist the combined company in achieving greater recognition and
credibility within the financial services industry and among stock
analysts and other industry observers;
o the anticipated operating synergies expected to be realized through
the merger, including the opportunity to reduce significantly the
aggregate non-interest expense that CNB and NBT currently incur in
areas such as salaries and benefits, occupancy expense, professional
and outside service fees, information services and communications,
and other areas, and the anticipated effect of these synergies upon
earnings per share;
o the anticipated opportunities for revenue enhancements expected to
be available to the combined company following the merger;
o the fact that NBT and CNB share many cultural traits, including a
history of community service, dedication to smaller and lower-growth
markets, loyalty to their historical markets during periods of
fluctuations in economic fortunes, and concern for employee welfare;
o the option agreement and the termination fee, including the
possibility that the existence of the stock option agreement and the
termination fee could discourage third parties from offering to
acquire CNB by increasing the financial cost of acquisitions by a
third party; and the recognition that CNB's and NBT's entering into
the stock option agreement and agreeing to the termination fee was a
condition to both parties' willingness to enter into the merger
agreement; and
o the arrangements with respect to CNB's directors and officers,
including membership of three current CNB directors or their
designees on the NBT board of directors, the service and
non-competition agreement with Mr. Brass and the employment
agreement with Mr. Corso.
After deliberating on the merger agreement and the merger, and
considering, among other things, the matters discussed above, the CNB board
unanimously approved the merger agreement and the merger, including the stock
option agreement, as being in the best interests of CNB and its stockholders.
In reviewing the potential benefits and risks of the merger, the CNB
board believed that in light of CNB's research into the possibility of other
business combinations, the likelihood of receiving a more favorable acquisition
proposal was limited, and that the stock option and the termination fee would
not unduly discourage a proposal that otherwise would have been made. The CNB
board also took into account the likelihood that the merger would lead to the
loss of a substantial number of jobs and the departure of key personnel, but
believed that this risk was mitigated to some extent by the staff retention and
severance arrangements negotiated in connection with the merger. On balance, the
CNB board concluded that the potential risks of the merger clearly were
outweighed by the likely benefit to CNB stockholders.
-24-
Accordingly, the board of directors of CNB unanimously recommends that
holders of CNB common stock vote "FOR" adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of the merger.
OPINION OF NBT'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR
On June 19, 2001, MB&R, NBT's financial advisor, delivered its oral
opinion to the board of directors of NBT, that as of that date, the fixed
exchange ratio at which shares of NBT common stock will be prospectively
exchanged for shares of CNB common stock was fair from a financial point of view
to NBT stockholders. The oral opinion has been updated and reconfirmed as of the
date of this document and has been rendered in written form, as attached to this
document in Appendix B. MB&R's evaluation of the exchange ratio of 1.2 shares of
NBT common stock for each share of CNB common stock, was based on consideration
of numerous factors, including the following:
o an analysis of the historical and projected future contributions to
recurring earnings by the parties;
o an analysis of the possible future earnings per share results for
the parties on both a combined and a stand-alone basis using an
assumed pooling of interests method of accounting;
o consideration of the anticipated dilutive or accretive effects of
the prospective transaction on future earnings per share equivalent
of NBT;
o consideration of the prospects for the parties to achieve certain
operational cost savings as a result of the transaction;
o the probable impact on dividends per share to be received by NBT
stockholders as a result of the contemplated transaction;
o the composition of loan portfolios and the methodology of creating
reserves for loan and lease losses used by the parties;
o the apparent adequacy or inadequacy of the reserves for loan and
lease losses, as of a point in time for each of the parties;
o the apparent relative asset quality of the respective loan
portfolios as disclosed by the parties;
o a review of the composition and maturity structure of the deposit
bases of each of the parties;
o consideration of the liquidity position and liquidity strategy being
pursued by each of the parties;
o analysis of the historical trading range, trading patterns,
institutional ownership, and apparent relative liquidity of the
common shares of each of the parties;
o consideration of the accounting equity capitalization, tangible
equity capitalization and the projected adequacy thereof for the
parties and the combined company;
o consideration of the pro forma market capitalization of the
anticipated combination; and
o contemplation of other factors, including certain intangible
factors.
MB&R has acted as a general financial advisor to NBT on a contractual
basis since October 20, 1994 in connection with the development and
implementation of the NBT strategic plan and has assisted NBT in the evaluation
of numerous hypothetical and/or potential affiliation opportunities since that
date. Prior to the pending transaction, NBT has executed four merger agreements
with commercial banks since 1999. MB&R has acted as financial advisor to NBT in
all four transactions. Three of these mergers were completed successfully --
Lake Ariel Bancorp, Inc., Pioneer American Holding Company Corp. and First
National Bancorp, Inc. The First National Bancorp transaction was completed on
June 1, 2001; and the terms of that acquisition and the pro forma financials
were included in MB&R's analysis concerning the CNB transaction. The transaction
with BSB Bancorp, Inc. announced on April 20, 2000 was terminated by mutual
consent on October 4, 2000. With respect to the pending transaction involving
CNB, MB&R has advised NBT during the evaluation and participated in the due
diligence and negotiation process leading up to the execution of the merger
agreement. MB&R has provided NBT with a number of analyses as to the range of
financially feasible exchange ratios that might be agreed to in a hypothetical
transaction.
-25-
Representatives of MB&R met with the executive management and NBT board or
designated committees of the board on six separate occasions during the period
from May 15, 2001 to June 19, 2001, in connection with the analysis of the
strategic and tactical options available to NBT and the negotiation of the terms
of the pending transaction. The determination of the applicable fixed exchange
ratio was arrived at in an arms' length negotiation between CNB and NBT in a
process in which MB&R advised NBT and participated both directly and indirectly
in the negotiations.
MB&R was retained based on its qualifications and experience in the
financial analysis of banking and thrift institutions generally, its knowledge
of the New York banking market in particular and of the Eastern United States
banking markets in general, as well as its experience with merger and
acquisition transactions involving banking institutions. As a part of its
investment banking business, MB&R is regularly engaged in the valuation of
financial institutions and their securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions and in connection with its equity brokerage business, which
specializes in the securities of financial institutions. MB&R also publishes
proprietary earnings estimates and equity research reports on numerous financial
institutions. Members of the corporate finance advisory group of MB&R have
extensive experience in advising financial institution clients on mergers and
acquisitions. In the ordinary course of its business as a broker-dealer, MB&R
may, from time to time, purchase securities from and sell securities to NBT or
CNB and as a market maker in securities, MB&R and/or certain of its employees
may, from time to time, have a long or short position in, and buy or sell debt
or equity securities of NBT or CNB for their own accounts or for the accounts of
customers of MB&R.
The full text of the Opinion, which sets forth assumptions made,
matters considered and limits on the review undertaken by MB&R is attached to
this document as Appendix B. MB&R urges that all NBT stockholders read the
Opinion in its entirety and the joint proxy statement/prospectus in its
entirety. The Opinion of MB&R is directed only to the fixed exchange ratio at
which shares of CNB common stock may be exchanged for shares of NBT common
stock. The Opinion of MB&R does not constitute a recommendation to any holder of
NBT common stock as to how such holder should vote at the NBT special meeting.
The summary of the Opinion and the matters considered in our analysis set forth
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the text of the Opinion itself. The Opinion is necessarily based
upon conditions as of the date of the Opinion and upon information made
available to MB&R through the date thereof. In terms of the analytical process
followed, no limitations were imposed by the NBT board upon MB&R with respect to
the investigations made, matters considered or procedures followed in the course
of rendering its opinions.
In arriving at its oral opinion and updating the opinion for inclusion in
written form in this document, MB&R considered the following:
o the merger agreement by and between NBT and CNB, dated June 19, 2001;
o this document in substantially the form to be sent to NBT stockholders;
o CNB's annual reports to stockholders for 1998, 1999 and 2000;
o CNB's annual reports on Form 10-K for 1998, 1999 and 2000;
o CNB's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first calendar quarter of
2001;
o CNB's news release with respect to the results of operations for the
second calendar quarter of 2001;
o NBT's annual reports to stockholders for 1998, 1999 and 2000;
o NBT's annual reports on Form 10-K for 1998, 1999 and 2000;
o NBT's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first calendar quarter of
2001;
o NBT's news release with respect to the results of operations for the
second calendar quarter of 2001;
o discussions of financial forecasts relating to the business, earnings
expectations, assets, liabilities, reserves for loan and lease losses
and general prospects of the respective companies;
o the recent historical record of reported prices, trading volume and
trading patterns for both CNB and NBT; and
o the recent historical record of cash and stock dividend payments for
both CNB and NBT.
-26-
In arriving at its oral opinion and updating the opinion for purposes
of the written opinion, which is appended to this document, MB&R also considered
the following:
o it held discussions with members of the senior management of CNB
concerning the past and current results of operations of CNB, its
current financial condition and management's opinion of its future
prospects;
o it also held discussions with members of the senior management of
NBT concerning the past and current results of operations of NBT,
its current financial condition and management's opinion of its
future prospects;
o based primarily on anecdotal information, supplemented by the
analysis of certain available demographic data, it gave
consideration to the current state of and future prospects for the
economy of New York generally and the relevant market areas for CNB
and NBT in particular;
o it employed specific merger analysis models developed by MB&R to
evaluate potential business combinations of financial institutions
using both historical reported information and projected future
results, including the achievement of specific amounts of cost
savings as a result of the proposed transaction, and reviewed the
results; and
o it performed such other studies and analyses as it considered
appropriate under the circumstances associated with this particular
transaction.
MB&R's opinion takes into account its assessment of general economic,
market and financial conditions and its experience in other transactions, as
well as its experience in securities valuation and its knowledge of the banking
industry generally. For purposes of rendering its opinion, MB&R has assumed and
relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the information provided to it by
NBT and CNB and does not assume any responsibility for the independent
verification of such information. In the course of rendering its opinion, MB&R
has not completed any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets or
liabilities of either NBT or CNB and has not been provided with such valuations
or appraisals from any other source. With respect to any forecasts considered by
MB&R in the course of rendering its opinion, MB&R has assumed without
independent verification that such projections have been reasonably prepared to
reflect the best currently available estimates and judgment of the management of
each of NBT and CNB as to the most likely future performance of their respective
companies.
The following is a summary of the material analyses employed by MB&R in
connection with rendering its opinion. MB&R has utilized for the NBT financial
analysis pro forma financial data adjusted for the First National Bancorp
transaction. Given that it is a summary, it is not a complete and comprehensive
description of all the analyses performed, or an enumeration of all the matters
considered by MB&R in arriving at its opinion. The preparation of a fairness
opinion is a complicated process, involving a determination as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of
those methods to the particular circumstances. Therefore, such an opinion is not
readily susceptible to a summary description. In arriving at its fairness
opinion, MB&R did not attribute any particular weight to any one specific
analysis or factor considered by it and made a number of qualitative as well as
quantitative judgments as to the significance of each analysis and factor.
Therefore, MB&R believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and
feels that attributing undue weight to any single analysis or factor considered
could create a misleading or incomplete view of the process leading to the
formation of its opinion. In its analyses, MB&R has made certain assumptions
with respect to banking industry performance, general business and economic
conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of management
of NBT, CNB or MB&R. Estimates which are referred to in MB&R's analyses are not
necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or
values, which may vary significantly from those set forth.
ANALYSIS OF THE FIXED EXCHANGE RATIO
The consideration of 1.2 shares of NBT common stock represents the
following values and multiples utilizing several different measures of the value
of NBT common stock.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Price as of Five Day Average Twenty Day Average Closing Price as of
6/18/01 Ending on 6/18/01 Ending on 6/18/01 8/27/01
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value of One Share of NBT Common Stock $15.25 $15.03 $15.42 $15.85
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value of 1.2 Shares of NBT Common Stock $18.30 $18.04 $18.50 $19.02
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Transaction Value $140mm $138mm $142mm $141mm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deal Premium to CNB's last trade and recent
average values 33% 31% 35% 38%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deal Value / LTM Core EPS 18.12x 17.86x 18.32x 18.83x*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deal Value / Estimated 2001 EPS 14.64x 14.43x 14.80x 15.22x
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Based on CNB's last twelve months reported results through June 30, 2001.
-27-
CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS
Based on financial data for CNB and NBT as of March 31, 2001 and the
per share price of NBT as of June 18, 2001, the relative contributions of the
parties to the proforma NBT on a pooling basis would have been approximately as
follows, had the proposed transaction been consummated as of that date:
Proforma Contribution Table
---------------------------
As of 03/31/01
----------------------------------------------------------------
Item NBT CNB
----------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Ownership 73.4% 26.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Assets 73.6% 26.4%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Loans 77.4% 22.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 71.4% 28.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Common Equity 77.6% 22.4%
----------------------------------------------------------------
Tangible Common Equity 80.8% 19.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------
2002 Estimated Net Income of Combined
Company 78.2% 21.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIFIC ACQUISITION ANALYSIS
MB&R employs proprietary analytical models to examine transactions
involving banking companies. The models use forecast earnings data, selected
current period balance sheet and income statement data, current market and
trading information and a number of assumptions as to interest rates for
borrowed funds, the opportunity costs of funds, discount rates, dividend
streams, effective tax rates and transaction structures. The models inquire into
the likely economic feasibility of a given transaction at a given price level or
a specified exchange rate while employing a specified transaction structure. The
models also permit evaluation of various levels of potential non-interest
expense savings which might be achieved along with various potential
implementation time-tables for such savings, as well as the possibility of
revenue enhancement opportunities which may arise in a given transaction.
Utilizing these models, MB&R prepared pro forma analyses of the
financial impact of the merger to the NBT stockholders. MB&R compared estimated
earnings per share of NBT on a stand-alone basis for fiscal year 2001 and 2002
to the estimated earnings per share of the common stock of the combined company
on a pro forma basis for fiscal year 2001 and 2002. MB&R's analysis suggests
that the merger will be accretive to NBT stockholders on a quarterly basis
beginning in fiscal year 2002, based on the assumptions employed.
ANALYSIS OF OTHER COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS
MB&R is reluctant to place much emphasis on the analysis of comparable
transactions ("Comparable Analysis") as a valuation methodology due to what it
considers to be inherent limitations of the application of the results to
specific cases. MB&R believes that such analysis frequently fails to adequately
take into consideration such factors as:
o material differences in the underlying capitalization of the
comparable institutions which are being acquired;
o differences in the historic earnings (or loss) patterns recorded by
the compared institutions which can depict a very different trend
than might be implied by examining only recent financial results;
o failure to exclude non-recurring profit or loss items from the last
twelve months' earnings streams of target companies which can
distort apparent earnings multiples;
o material differences in the form or forms of consideration used to
complete the transaction;
o differences between the planned method of accounting for the
completed transaction;
o such less accessible factors as the relative population, business
and economic demographics of the acquired entities' markets as
compared or contrasted to such factors for the markets in which
comparable companies are doing business.
-28-
With these potentially serious reservations in mind, we nonetheless
examined statistics associated with 44 transactions (excluding the subject
transaction) involving commercial banks. The following criteria were utilized to
create the sample:
o The acquired institutions are all commercial banks.
o All transactions were announced between January 1, 1999 and June 18,
2001.
o Target's assets were greater than $500 million and less than $1.5
billion.
The table which follows permits a comparison of the mean and median
values for two selected statistics arising from the list of 44 transactions
evaluated with the "comparable" statistics calculated for the transaction which
is described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
"COMPARABLE" STATISTICS AS OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT DATE:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compared Statistics Announced Transaction Announced Transaction
Price/Tangible Book Value Price/Trailing 12 Months Earnings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBT/CNB Financial 2.88x 18.1*x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample (44 Transactions)
Mean 2.76x 21.8x
Median 2.70x 20.3x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 (8 Transactions)
Mean 1.91x 19.0x
Median 1.92x 18.7x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 (16 Transactions)
Mean 2.72x 20.1x
Median 2.77x 19.3x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 (20 Transactions)
Mean 3.13x 23.9x
Median 2.90x 22.9x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NY, NJ & PA (7 Transactions)
Mean 2.76x 20.4x
Median 2.86x 18.7x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* CNB's LTM Core EPS of $1.01 as reported by SNL Securities LC
The proposed transaction is above the mean and median of the full
sample of 44 transactions in terms of price(1) to tangible book value. We
however do not regard this particular measure of relative value as particularly
meaningful due to the wide variations between stated capitalization ratios of
the target companies in the sample relative to CNB and the even wider variations
between the tangible capitalization ratios of the sample target companies and
CNB.
The proposed transaction falls below both the mean and the median of
all five comparison groupings reviewed in terms of price(2) divided by trailing
12 months earnings for the target companies. Again, given our serious
reservations about the meaningfulness of such comparisons, we are reluctant to
draw any conclusions based on our review of this data.
CONCLUSION
Based on the sum of our various analyses and taking into consideration
the various factors which we believe to be relevant to the circumstances
surrounding the proposed transaction and subject to the limitations and
qualifications enumerated above, we believe that the fixed exchange ratio which
will govern the exchange of shares of NBT common stock for shares of CNB common
stock is fair from a financial point of view to the stockholders of NBT. Our
signed and dated written opinion appears in Appendix B.
COMPENSATION OF MB&R
Pursuant to a letter agreement with NBT dated June 18, 2001, MB&R will
receive a fixed fee of $700,000. This fee will be divided into several payments,
which correspond with the successful completion of specific events. MB&R was
paid $200,000 after the execution of the merger agreement for the pending
transaction with CNB and will be paid a further $150,000 upon issuance of its
Opinion to be included as an exhibit to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Payment of the balance of the fee ($350,000) will be conditioned on the closing
of the pending transaction.
--------
(1) Based on the fixed exchange ratio and the closing market value of NBT common
stock as of June 18, 2001.
(2) Based on the fixed exchange ratio and the closing market price of NBT common
stock as of June 18, 2001.
-29-
The fee payable to MB&R represents compensation for services rendered
in connection with the analysis of the transaction, support of the negotiations,
and participation in the drafting of documentation, and for the rendering of the
Opinion. In addition, NBT has agreed to reimburse MB&R for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the transaction. NBT also has
agreed to indemnify MB&R and its directors, officers and employees against
certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities relating to or arising out of
its engagement, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.
MB&R has filed a written consent with the SEC relating to the inclusion
of its fairness opinion and the reference to such opinion and to MB&R in the
registration statement in which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is
included. In giving such consent, MB&R did not admit that it comes within the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act of 1933 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, nor did MB&R thereby admit that it is an expert with
respect to any part of such registration statement within the meaning of the
term "expert" as used in the Securities Act of 1933, or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
OPINION OF CNB'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR
On June 5, 2001, CNB signed an engagement letter with CIBC, whereby
CIBC was engaged to act as its financial advisor and to render an opinion as to
the fairness, from a financial point of view, to CNB stockholders of the
exchange ratio to be received in connection with the proposed merger. Under the
terms of its engagement, CIBC agreed to assist CNB in analyzing, structuring,
negotiating and effecting a transaction with NBT. CIBC was originally retained
on a general advisory basis by CNB on August 8, 2000. CNB selected CIBC because
CIBC is a nationally recognized investment banking firm with substantial
experience in transactions similar to the merger and is familiar with CNB and
its business. As part of its investment banking business, CIBC is continually
engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with
mergers and acquisitions.
Representatives of CIBC presented its financial analysis of the merger
in meetings of the CNB board held on June 18 and 19, 2001 at which the CNB board
considered the merger agreement. The board also reviewed, with the assistance of
counsel, the legal aspects of the proposed merger agreement. On June 19, 2001,
at a reconvened meeting of the CNB board, CIBC rendered an oral opinion
(subsequently confirmed in writing) that, as of such date and based upon and
subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and
limitations on the review undertaken by CIBC, the exchange ratio was fair to the
holders of shares of CNB common stock from a financial point of view. Such
opinion was reconfirmed in writing as of the date of this document.
CIBC's opinion of June 19, 2001 has been updated for purposes of this
document. The full text of CIBC's opinion dated as of the date of this document
is attached as Appendix C to this document and is incorporated into this
document by reference. The description of the opinion set forth in this document
is qualified in its entirety by reference to Appendix C. CNB stockholders are
urged to read the opinion in its entirety for a description of the procedures
followed, assumptions made, matters considered, and qualifications and
limitations on the review undertaken by CIBC in connection its opinion.
CIBC'S OPINION IS DIRECTED ONLY TO THE FAIRNESS, FROM A FINANCIAL POINT
OF VIEW, OF THE EXCHANGE RATIO TO THE CNB SHAREHOLDERS AS OF THE DATE OF THIS
DOCUMENT, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CNB BOARD IN
CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER. CIBC'S OPINION DOES NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING
BUSINESS DECISION TO PROCEED WITH THE MERGER OR THE PRICE OR RANGE OF PRICES AT
WHICH SHARES OF CNB COMMON STOCK OR NBT COMMON STOCK MAY TRADE SUBSEQUENT TO THE
ANNOUNCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE MERGER AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A
RECOMMENDATION TO ANY CNB STOCKHOLDER AS TO HOW THAT STOCKHOLDER SHOULD VOTE AT
THE SPECIAL MEETING WITH RESPECT TO THE MERGER OR ANY OTHER MATTER RELATED TO
THE MERGER. CIBC DID NOT DETERMINE OR RECOMMEND THE AMOUNT OF CONSIDERATION TO
BE PAID IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER. THE CONSIDERATION OF 1.2 NBT SHARES FOR
EACH SHARE OF CNB WAS BASED ON GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN NBT AND CNB.
In connection with rendering its opinion, CIBC reviewed:
o the merger agreement, the Affiliates Agreement, Bank Merger
Agreement, Stock Option Agreement and the Voting Agreement;
o CNB's and NBT's audited consolidated financial statements for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000;
o CNB's and NBT's unaudited consolidated financial statements for the
three months ended March 31, 2001;
-30-
o financial projections of CNB and NBT prepared by each respective
Company as well as projected cost savings estimates expected to be
achieved as a result of the merger, prepared by and reviewed with
management of CNB and NBT;
o the historical market prices and trading volume for CNB common stock
and NBT common stock;
o views of senior management of CNB and NBT of their past and current
business operations, results thereof, financial condition and future
prospects of CNB and NBT;
o publicly available financial data for companies we deemed comparable
to CNB and NBT;
o publicly available financial information for transactions that we
deemed comparable to the merger;
o public information concerning CNB and NBT;
o the current market environment generally and the banking environment
in particular; and
o such other financial studies, analyses and investigations and
financial, economic and market criteria as we deemed appropriate in
this instance.
In rendering its opinion, CIBC assumed and relied on the accuracy and
completeness of all financial and other information supplied or otherwise made
available to it by CNB and NBT, including that contemplated in the items above,
and CIBC has not assumed responsibility for independently verifying such
information or undertaken an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets
or liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of CNB or NBT or any of their
subsidiaries, nor has it been furnished any such evaluation or appraisal. CIBC
is not an expert in the evaluation of allowances for loan losses, and it has not
made an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses
of CNB or NBT, nor has it reviewed any individual credit files relating to CNB
or NBT. In addition, it has not conducted any physical inspection of the
properties or facilities of CNB or NBT. CIBC also assumed and relied upon the
senior management of CNB and NBT as to the reasonableness and achievability of
the financial forecasts (and the assumptions and bases of the forecasts)
provided to and discussed with CIBC. In that regard, CIBC has assumed that these
forecasts, including without limitation, financial forecasts, evaluations of
contingencies, expected savings and operating synergies resulting from the
merger and projections regarding under-performing and non-performing assets, net
charge-offs, adequacy of reserves, future economic conditions and results of
operations reflect the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
senior management of CNB and NBT and/or the combined company. CIBC's opinion is
predicated on the merger receiving the tax and accounting treatment contemplated
in the merger agreement. CIBC's opinion was based necessarily on economic,
market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available
to it as of, the date of its opinion. CIBC's rendered its opinion without regard
to the necessity for, or level of, any restrictions, obligations, undertakings
or divestitures which may be imposed or required in the course of obtaining
regulatory approval for the merger.
In connection with rendering its opinion, dated June 19, 2001, CIBC
performed a variety of financial analyses consisting of those summarized below.
The summary set forth below does not purport to be a complete description of the
analyses performed by CIBC in this regard, although it describes all material
analyses performed by CIBC. The preparation of a fairness opinion involves
various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of
financial analysis and the application of these methods to the particular
circumstances and, therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to a
partial analysis or summary description. Accordingly, notwithstanding the
separate factors summarized below, CIBC believes that its analyses must be
considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and factors
considered by it, without considering all analyses and factors, or attempting to
ascribe relative weights to some or all such analyses and factors, could create
an incomplete view of the evaluation process underlying CIBC's opinion and that,
therefore, there were no specific factors that did not support its fairness
opinion.
In performing its analyses, CIBC made numerous assumptions with respect
to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other
matters, many of which are beyond the control of CNB, NBT and CIBC. The analyses
performed by CIBC are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future
results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by
such analyses. Such analyses were prepared solely as part of CIBC's analysis of
the fairness to the stockholders of CNB of the exchange ratio and were provided
to the CNB board of directors in connection with the delivery of CIBC's opinion.
CIBC gave the various analyses described below approximately similar weight and
did not draw any specific conclusions from or with regard to any one method of
analysis. With respect to the comparison of selected companies analysis and the
analysis of selected merger transactions summarized below, no company utilized
as a comparison is identical to CNB or NBT.
-31-
Accordingly, an analysis of comparable companies and comparable
business combinations is not mathematical; rather it involves complex
considerations and judgments concerning the differences in financial and
operating characteristics of the companies and other factors that could affect
the public trading values or announced merger transaction values of the
companies concerned. The analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect
the process at which CNB and NBT might actually be sold or the prices at which
any securities may trade at the present time or at any time in the future. In
addition, as described above, CIBC's opinion is just one of many factors taken
into consideration by the CNB board.
The following is a summary of the material analyses performed,
procedures followed, findings and recommendations made, and the bases for and
methods of arriving at such findings and recommendations, and presented by CIBC
to the CNB Board at its meeting on June 19, 2001 in connection with CIBC's
opinion dated at that date. We have presented some of these summaries in table
form. In order to understand the analyses used by CIBC, you must read the tables
together with the accompanying text. The tables alone do not constitute a
complete summary of CIBC's financial analyses.
CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS
CIBC compared the contribution of CNB to the pro forma company relative
to approximate ownership of the pro forma company. CNB's approximate
contributions are listed below by category:
--------------------------------------------------------------
CNB NBT
Contribution Contribution
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Equity (1) 23.1% 76.9%
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tangible Equity (1) 19.9% 80.1%
--------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Loans (1) 23.6% 76.4%
--------------------------------------------------------------
Core Deposits (1)(2) 30.3% 69.7%
--------------------------------------------------------------
LTM Core Net Income (3) 24.4% 75.6%
--------------------------------------------------------------
2001 E Net Income (4) 23.2% 76.8%
--------------------------------------------------------------
2002 E Net Income (4) 23.3% 76.7%
--------------------------------------------------------------
Market Capitalization (5) 21.4% 78.6%
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Pro forma ownership (6) 27.2% 72.8%
--------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Based on 3/31/01 financial data
(2) Core deposits equal total deposits less CD's greater than $100,000
(3) Net income before extraordinary items less the after-tax portion
on investment securities and non-recurring items. Assumed tax rate
is 35%. Source: SNL Securities, Inc.
(4) Based on estimates of I/B/E/S, an industry service provider of
global earnings information based on an average of earnings
estimates published by various investment banking firms
(5) Based on June 15, 2001 closing stock price
(6) Based on NBT shares outstanding at 3/31/01 and CNB shares
outstanding at 5/31/01. Does not include shares issued for the
recently closed First National acquisition by NBT.
RELATIVE VALUE ANALYSIS
CIBC compared the relative stock trading values of CNB to NBT over the
past two years in comparison to the exchange ratio of 1.2. The below table shows
the premium represented by the 1.2 exchange ratio to actual and average values
over the past 2 years:
----------------------------------------------------
Averages CNB stock/ Implied Premium
NBT stock
----------------------------------------------------
June 15, 2001 0.87 38.4%
----------------------------------------------------
1 week 0.92 29.9%
----------------------------------------------------
1 month 0.90 33.0%
----------------------------------------------------
2 month 0.90 33.7%
----------------------------------------------------
3 month 0.88 35.7%
----------------------------------------------------
6 month 0.82 46.4%
----------------------------------------------------
1 year 0.79 51.6%
----------------------------------------------------
2 year 0.85 41.8%
----------------------------------------------------
-32-
ACCRETION/DILUTION ANALYSIS
On the basis of publicly available earnings estimates and management
estimates of on going cost savings accruing to the pro forma company as well as
estimated one-time costs related to the transaction, CIBC compared pro forma
equivalent earnings, cash dividends, book value and tangible book value to the
current values for CNB. The accretion/dilution analysis demonstrated, among
other things, that the merger would result in:
o Approximately 25% accretion to earnings for CNB stockholders in
the first full year of combined operations
o Approximately 127% increase in annual dividends to CNB
stockholders, based on regular CNB cash dividends, or
approximately 105% increase, based on regular cash dividends plus
the special cash dividend paid in the two most recent years,
assuming NBT maintains its current dividend policy
o Approximately 16% accretion in book value to CNB stockholders
o Approximately 33% accretion in tangible book value to CNB
stockholders
COMPARABLE COMPANIES ANALYSIS. CIBC analyzed selected operating and stock market
data for a group of peer companies that CIBC selected and deemed to be relevant
for this purpose. The peer group consisted of 19 publicly traded banks located
in the Northeast with assets of between $750 million and $1.25 billion and are
non-merger targets. For each of these companies in the peer group CIBC
calculated the multiple of market price (based on the closing price on June 15,
2001) to book value, tangible book value, latest twelve months (LTM) earnings,
estimated 2001 earnings, and estimated 2002 earnings. Estimated earnings for
peer group companies were based on consensus earnings per share estimates
published by I/B/E/S as of June 15, 2001.
The results of this analysis for the peer group are summarized in the
following table:
Per Share: Low Median High
Book Value 0.91x 1.65x 3.26x
Tangible Book Value 1.09 1.78 3.91
LTM Earnings 9.21 13.08 26.58
2001 Est. Earnings 11.80 11.80 24.71
2002 Est. Earnings 10.80 10.80 21.21
CIBC then applied the range of median multiples derived from the peer
group analysis to corresponding data for CNB and derived an imputed valuation
range for CNB common stock of $11.28 to $15.11 per share.
PRECEDENT TRANSACTION ANALYSIS. CIBC compared the financial terms of
the merger to the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of
acquisitions of other comparable companies during recent time periods. These
companies were divided into three categories for purposes of the analysis: (1)
eleven banks in the northeast with assets of $500 million to $2 billion which
were acquired in transactions announced or completed from January 1, 1999 to
June 15, 2001; (2) seven banks in non-metropolitan New York which were acquired
in transactions announced or completed from January 1, 1999 to June 15, 2001;
and (3) the most recent fifteen bank acquisitions nationwide with total assets
from $500 to $2 billion. For each of the transactions, CIBC calculated, among
other things, the multiples of the transaction value to book value, tangible
book value, and last twelve months net income. CIBC also calculated the core
deposit premium (defined as the transaction value minus tangible book value
divided by core deposits, excluding certificates of deposit with balances equal
to or greater than $100,000). CIBC then compared these multiples to comparable
data for CNB as shown in the following table:
Northeast Bank Acquisitions Acquired non-metro NYC Banks Nationwide Bank Acquisitions
$500 million -$2.0 billion in Any Size $500 million -$2.0 billion
assets in assets
CNB/ Low Median High Low Median High Low Median High
NBT
Price to Book 2.10x 1.44x 2.74x 3.88x 1.43x 1.96x 2.47x 1.12x 1.69x 2.71x
Price to Tangible Book 2.88 1.55 2.85 3.89 1.43 2.03 2.51 1.12 2.01 2.91
Price to LTM Earnings 20.13 16.54 18.66 27.59 11.83 17.36 45.28 13.18 18.52 31.67
Core Deposit Premium 13.10% 7.21% 18.27% 42.62% 4.60% 11.52% 18.20% 4.24% 12.61% 29.32%
-33-
CIBC then applied the ranges of multiples derived from these analyses
to comparable data for CNB and derived the following imputed valuation ranges
for CNB's common stock:
Northeast Bank Acquisitions Acquired non-metro NYC Banks Nationwide Bank Acquisitions
$500 million -$2.0 billion in assets Any Size $500 million -$2.0 billion in assets
Per Share Imputed $16.79 - $23.93 $12.91 - $17.08 $12.77 - $17.34
Valuation Range
COMPENSATION OF CIBC
CNB and CIBC have entered into a letter agreement executed June 5, 2001
relating to the services to be provided by CIBC in connection with the merger.
CNB has agreed to pay CIBC fees as follows: 1.45% of total merger consideration,
a portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the merger. Under the
CIBC engagement agreement, CNB also agreed to reimburse CIBC for reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with its
retention and to indemnify CIBC against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the federal securities laws.
INTERESTS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS IN THE MERGER THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR
INTERESTS
In considering the independent recommendations of the NBT board and the
CNB board with respect to the merger, NBT stockholders and CNB stockholders
should be aware that officers and directors of NBT and CNB have interests in the
merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of the
stockholders of NBT and CNB generally. Certain executive officers and directors
of NBT and CNB will serve as executive officers and directors of the combined
company following the merger. Furthermore, as described below, certain members
of the management of CNB have entered into agreements relating to their
employment with the combined company that will provide employment and severance
benefits following the merger. The NBT board and the CNB board were aware of
these interests and considered them, among many other matters, in approving the
merger agreement and the matters contemplated by the merger agreement, including
the merger.
As of the record date, the directors and executive officers of CNB
owned an aggregate of approximately 586,412 shares or approximately 7.9% of
CNB's outstanding common stock. Under the terms of the merger agreement, CNB's
directors and executive officers will receive the same consideration for their
shares of CNB common stock as the other CNB stockholders.
Five directors of CNB, including Mr. Brass, have agreed that, unless so
voting would be a violation of applicable law or their fiduciary duty, they will
vote in favor of the merger agreement and the merger all shares of CNB common
stock beneficially owned by each director or to the extent of the director's
proportionate interest in CNB shares owned jointly with another person. These
directors will not solicit proxies in opposition to the merger agreement and the
merger and will not voluntarily sell or transfer any of their shares for the
purpose of avoiding their obligations under the voting agreement. These
directors own an aggregate of 1,276,578 shares of CNB common stock or
approximately 17.2% of the outstanding shares of CNB common stock.
Options to purchase shares of CNB common stock, which have not been
exercised prior the effective time of the merger, will automatically convert
into options to purchase shares of NBT common stock after the merger, and NBT
will assume each outstanding CNB option subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in CNB's stock option plan. As of the date of this document, options to
purchase a total of 277,229 shares of CNB common stock were outstanding. Of this
amount, a total of 140,679 options with a weighted average exercise price of
approximately $11.51 were held by CNB executive officers. The agreements of
CNB which govern the CNB stock option plan provide for the acceleration of
certain unvested CNB stock options in the case of a merger. Consequently, with
the exception of some stock options held by Messrs. Brass and Corso, all
outstanding CNB stock options at the effective time of the merger, whether the
options are vested or unvested immediately prior to the merger, will convert
into fully vested options to purchase shares of NBT common stock. As of the date
of this document, a total of 199,075 unvested stock options are held by officers
of CNB. Messrs. Brass and Corso hold unvested options to purchase 16,500 shares
and 12,375 shares of CNB common stock, respectively; at the effective time of
the merger, options of Messrs. Brass and Corso representing 6,500 and 4,875
shares, respectively, will become fully vested and exercisable.
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Each CNB stock option will convert into a replacement option to acquire
a number of shares of NBT common stock equal to (rounded down to the nearest
whole number of shares) the number of shares of CNB common stock subject to the
converted option as of the effective time multiplied by the exchange ratio for
the merger. The exercise price per share (rounded down to the nearest whole
cent) will equal the exercise price per share of the converted option for each
of the shares of CNB common stock subject to the converted option at the
effective time divided by the exchange ratio for the merger. Each CNB option
will, in accordance with its terms, be subject to further adjustment as
appropriate to reflect any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, or
other similar transaction with respect to NBT's common stock on or subsequent to
the completion of the merger. We describe the treatment of options more fully
under "Adoption of the Merger Agreement and Approval of the Merger -- CNB
Employee Stock Options."
CNB and Central National Bank previously entered into senior executive
severance agreements with Donald L. Brass, Peter J. Corso, Michael Hewitt and
Holly C. Craver. Each agreement provides that, in the event a person or a group
takes steps to effect a change of control of CNB without the approval of at
least 2/3 of the members of the CNB Board of Directors, the executive agrees
that he or she will not voluntarily leave the employ of CNB and will continue to
perform his or her duties, as described in the agreement, until the earlier of
the date that such person has terminated its efforts to effect a change of
control or three months after a change of control has occurred. Each agreement
also provides that if the executive is terminated for any reason other than
death, disability or cause within 24 months after a change of control, the
executive will be entitled to an amount equal to 2.99 times the executive's base
salary compensation (exclusive of all bonus amounts) paid in the last calendar
year prior to the date of the termination in the case of Messrs. Brass and
Corso, 1.99 times in the case of Mr. Hewitt and 1.00 times in the case of Ms.
Craver. This payment may be made, at the sole discretion of CNB, in one lump sum
or in eight quarterly payments over a two-year period. In the event that the
amount payable to the executive under the severance agreement, when added to all
other payments and the value of all property received in anticipation of or
following a change of control, would constitute an "excess parachute payment"
within the meaning of section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, then the amount payable under the severance agreements will be reduced
to the maximum amount that does not constitute an excess parachute payment. The
merger will not constitute a change of control for purposes of this agreement
because the proposed merger has met with the approval of at least 2/3 of the
members of the CNB Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the fact that the merger
is not a change of control under the senior executive severance agreements, CNB
and NBT have agreed that NBT will make severance payments to certain executive
officers if they are terminated as a result of the merger. Mr. Hewitt would
receive approximately $213,169 in severance payments if he is terminated as a
result of the merger. Ms. Craver would receive approximately $57,213 in
severance payments if she is terminated as a result of the merger. Messrs. Brass
and Corso have entered into agreements with NBT described below.
In connection with the merger, NBT, CNB and Mr. Donald L. Brass,
president of CNB, entered into a service and non-competition agreement dated as
of June 19, 2001. Under this agreement, Mr. Brass has agreed that he will
continue to serve as chief executive officer of CNB until the effective time of
the merger, when he will resign. Additionally, Mr. Brass has agreed that he will
not compete with the combined company for a three-year period beginning at the
effective time of the merger in any area within twenty miles in which the
combined company or any of its subsidiaries is competitively engaged. In
addition, he also agreed, for a three-year period, not to solicit to employ any
officer who was an officer of CNB or Central National Bank immediately prior to
the merger. In exchange for these promises, NBT will pay Mr. Brass $1.1 million
in cash at the effective time of the merger. Additionally, for three years
following the merger, NBT will provide at no cost to Mr. Brass life insurance
and health insurance that are no less favorable than those that Mr. Brass was
receiving immediately prior to the merger. Prior to the effective time, $28,000
will be contributed to the annuity contract provided under the terms of the
Supplemental Retirement Annuity Agreement between CNB and Mr. Brass, dated May
15, 2000, and other related actions in connection with that annuity agreement
will be taken. NBT has also agreed that Mr. Brass will be entitled to benefits
in accordance with the plans, practices, programs and policies of CNB which
covered Mr. Brass prior to the merger. CNB has agreed that it will relieve Mr.
Brass of all liabilities under his existing automobile lease and will amend
Central National Bank's deferred compensation plan to provide that benefit
payments to Mr. Brass will be made only upon at least one year's notice by Mr.
Brass. For a one-year period after the effective time of the merger, NBT will
furnish Mr. Brass with office space, secretarial assistance and other reasonable
facilities and services.
In connection with the merger, NBT and Mr. Peter J. Corso, currently
CNB's executive vice president and chief financial officer, intend to enter into
an employment agreement. Under this agreement and upon completion of the merger,
Mr. Corso will serve as president and chief operating officer of the Central
National Bank division of NBT Bank for a term equal to the earliest of: the
third anniversary of the completion of the merger, unless extended by mutual
agreement of the parties; his inability to perform his duties due to a
disability; his discharge for cause; his resignation from his position, or his
termination without cause. If Mr. Corso's employment is terminated because of
his resignation or without cause during his first year of employment, he will be
entitled, as consideration for his past services and his agreement to provide
consulting services and not to engage in certain activities in competition with
the combined company (as described below), to a lump sum payment of $525,000. If
Mr. Corso's employment is terminated for either of such reasons during his
second year of employment, he will be entitled, as consideration for his past
services and his agreement to provide consulting services and not to engage in
certain activities in competition with combined company (as described below), to
a lump sum payment approximately equal to the amount of the annual base
compensation that he would have received during his second year of employment
plus an additional eighteen months of his then annual base compensation. If Mr.
Corso's employment is terminated thereafter for either of such reasons, he will
be entitled, as consideration for his past services and his agreement not to
engage in certain activities in competition with the combined company (as
described below), to a lump sum payment equal to the greater of (a) one year's
annual base salary or (b) the annual base salary he would have received had he
completed any extended term agreed upon by the parties. As part of Mr. Corso's
compensation package under the employment agreement, he will be entitled to
participate in all employee benefit plans of NBT to which officers of his rank
are eligible, including the NBT 1993 Stock Option Plan, as amended, and will be
entitled to the use of a company automobile.
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Mr. Corso has agreed that if his employment with NBT is terminated
because of his resignation or without cause during the first two years of the
term of the agreement, he will be available to provide consulting services to
NBT until no later than the second anniversary of such termination. Mr. Corso
has also agreed that if his employment is terminated because of his resignation
or without cause within two years after the date the merger is completed, he
will not engage in certain activities in competition with the combined company
during the consulting period and for one year thereafter within a twenty mile
radius surrounding any area in which the combined company or any of its
subsidiaries is competitively engaged. Mr. Corso has also agreed that in the
event his employment terminates during the third year of his employment or
thereafter for either such reason, he will not engage in certain activities in
competition with the combined company until the later of six months after his
termination of employment or the third anniversary of the merger. In addition to
the lump sum payment described above as consideration for his agreement to
provide consulting services and not to engage in certain activities in
competition with the combined company, Mr. Corso will be provided with, at no
cost to him, life and health insurance for the three-year period beginning on
the date of termination. Mr. Corso also has agreed that he will not reveal any
confidential business information. Prior to the merger, approximately $25,000
will be contributed to the annuity contract provided under the terms of the
Supplemental Retirement Annuity Agreement between CNB and Mr. Corso, dated May
15, 2000, and other related actions will be taken in connection with that
annuity agreement.
OTHER EMPLOYEE MATTERS
The merger agreement also provides special rules for calculating
payments due to officers, including executive officers, and employees of CNB or
CNB Bank under the CNB's incentive compensation plan. Under the terms of the
merger agreement, CNB will determine in good faith, as of a date before the
effective time, the extent to which a participant has satisfied the plan's
performance goals, with equitable adjustments to those goals as CNB deems
appropriate in good faith to reflect the impact on those goals of actions taken
pursuant to the merger agreement or otherwise agreed to by CNB and NBT. NBT will
then pay the incentive award to the plan participant as if the performance
levels determined by CNB had continued for the entire measurement period that
would have applied if the merger had not been consummated. A former CNB officer
or employee will be entitled to this payment only if he or she is employed by
NBT or an affiliate of NBT on the date that would have been the last date of the
award period if the merger had not occurred, unless that officer or employee is
terminated earlier without cause.
The merger agreement provides that each person who is an employee of
CNB or a CNB subsidiary will continue as an employee of NBT or an affiliate of
NBT at the effective time of the merger at a base salary or hourly rate that is
not less than the employee was receiving prior to the merger and on terms and
conditions that are no less favorable to the former CNB/Central National Bank
employee than those applicable to other similarly situated employees of NBT and
affiliates of NBT. During the period from the effective time through the last
day of the calendar year in which the effective time occurs, the continuing
employees will continue to be covered under the CNB employee benefit plans and
upon the first day of the following calendar year in which the effective time
occurs, NBT will cause the continuing employees while employed with NBT or its
affiliates to be eligible to participate in NBT's employee benefit plans on
terms that are no less favorable to the continuing employees than those afforded
to other similarly situated employees of NBT and its affiliates. The continuing
employees will be eligible for past service credit for all purposes, except for
the accrual of benefits.
The merger, as structured, will not constitute a change in control of
NBT under the change in control severance agreements to which NBT is a party.
Since NBT is the corporation surviving the merger, the merger will have no
effect on NBT employee stock options and will not trigger NBT change of control
severance agreements.
The merger agreement provides that, after the effective time of the
merger, neither NBT nor NBT Bank will take any action to abrogate or diminish
any right accorded under CNB's or Central National Bank's charter or bylaws of
any director or officer of CNB or Central National Bank to indemnification
against losses, expenses, claims, damages, liabilities or amounts that are paid
in settlement of, or in connection with, any claim arising from events, actions
or omissions by the director or officer that occurred prior to the merger.
Following the merger, NBT and NBT Bank will honor these obligations in
accordance with their terms with respect to events, acts or omissions occurring
prior to the effective time of the merger. Additionally, following the merger,
NBT will indemnify and hold harmless each director or officer of CNB or Central
National Bank against any losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising from
any threatened or actual claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation
arising from the fact that he or she was a director, officer or employee of CNB
or Central National Bank or arising from or pertaining to the merger agreement
or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. From and after the
effective time of the merger, NBT has agreed that it will cause the persons who
served as directors or officers of CNB before the merger to be covered by a
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy with respect to acts or
omissions resulting from their service as directors or officers prior to the
merger. NBT will maintain the insurance coverage for not less than six years
following the effective time of the merger.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF NBT FOLLOWING THE MERGER
NBT currently has a board of directors comprised of twelve persons. The
NBT board is divided into three classes, with the directors of each class
serving a three-year term as director. The merger agreement provides that three
members of the CNB board of directors will become members of the NBT board
following completion of the merger. Mr. Van Ness Robinson will become a member
of the class whose term expires in 2004; Mr. John P. Woods, Jr. will become a
member of the class whose term expires in 2003; and Mr. Joseph A. Santangelo
will become a member of the class whose term expires in 2002. The merger
agreement further provides that the NBT board will nominate Mr. Santangelo for
election to a full three-year term at the NBT 2002 annual meeting of
stockholders. Upon joining the NBT board, Mr. Robinson will become a member of
the Executive Committee of the NBT board. If prior to the effective time of the
merger any of these three individuals becomes unable or unwilling to serve on
the NBT board, CNB may designate a replacement for that individual, subject to
NBT's reasonable approval. If after the effective time of the merger any of
these individuals is unable or unwilling to serve out his specified term as an
NBT director, then the remaining former CNB directors may designate a
replacement for that individual, subject to NBT's reasonable approval.
The current members of senior executive management of NBT will continue
in office following the merger.
At the effective time of the merger, Central National Bank merge with
and into NBT Bank, with NBT Bank being the surviving bank. Central National Bank
will operate as a division of NBT Bank. The merger agreement provides that
promptly following the merger NBT will cause Messrs. Robinson, Woods, Santangelo
and J. Carl Barbic, a director of CNB, to become members of the Central National
Bank divisional board of directors, and Mr. Robinson will become chairman of the
divisional board. Peter J. Corso, currently CNB's executive vice president and
chief financial officer, will serve as president and chief operating officer of
the Central National Bank division of NBT Bank following the merger and will
become a member of the divisional board. Donald L. Brass, currently CNB's
president, has announced that he will retire following the merger.
STOCK OPTION HELD BY NBT
The following is a description of the material terms of the stock
option which CNB granted to NBT as an inducement to NBT to enter into the merger
agreement. We urge all stockholders of CNB to read the option agreement in its
entirety for a complete description of the terms of the agreement. We have
previously filed a copy of the option agreement with the SEC.
As a condition to NBT's willingness to enter into the merger agreement,
CNB, which we refer to as the "option issuer," entered into an option agreement
dated as of June 19, 2001, with the grantee. We refer to NBT as the "grantee."
The option agreement provides that the option issuer grants to the grantee an
irrevocable option to purchase up to 2.9% of the currently outstanding shares of
the common stock of the option issuer, at a price per share equal to $13.74. The
number of shares issuable upon exercise of the option is subject to adjustment
in the event of any change in the applicable option issuer's common stock by
reason of stock dividends, split-ups, recapitalizations, combinations,
subdivisions, conversions, exchanges of shares or other issuances of additional
shares. Under the terms of the option agreement, NBT's "total profit" under the
stock option cannot exceed $6 million, including the $5 million termination
payment provided for in the merger agreement and described under "Termination
and Termination Fees," below.
Parties to merger agreements often enter into arrangements such as the
option agreement in connection with corporate mergers and acquisitions in an
effort to increase the likelihood of completion of the transactions in
accordance with their terms, and to compensate the recipient of the option for
its efforts and expenses, losses and opportunity costs in connection with the
transactions if the merger does not occur due to circumstances involving an
acquisition or potential acquisition of the option issuer by a third party. The
stock option agreement may have the effect of discouraging offers by third
parties to acquire CNB prior to the merger even if those third parties are
prepared to pay more than the current market price of the shares of NBT's common
stock to be received by the stockholders of CNB under the merger agreement.
The option is exercisable at any time after the occurrence of a
triggering event, as defined below, provided that the triggering event occurs
prior to the occurrence of an exercise termination event, as defined below.
A "triggering event" means, in substance:
o CNB or Central National Bank shall have entered into an agreement
to engage in an acquisition transaction with any person other than
NBT;
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o the acquisition by any person other than NBT or any of its
subsidiaries of beneficial ownership of 12% or more of the then
outstanding shares of CNB common stock;
o the stockholders of CNB shall have voted on and failed to approve
the merger agreement at the CNB special meeting if prior to the
special meeting it shall have been publicly announced that any
person other than NBT shall have made a bona fide proposal to
engage in an acquisition transaction;
o the CNB board shall have withdrawn or modified in any manner
adverse to NBT its recommendation that the CNB stockholders
approve the merger agreement; or CNB or the CNB board shall have
authorized, recommended or proposed an agreement to engage in an
acquisition transaction with any person other than NBT or that the
CNB stockholders approve or accept an acquisition transaction
other than that contemplated by the merger agreement;
o any person other than NBT shall have made a bona fide proposal to
CNB or its stockholders to engage in an acquisition transaction
and that proposal shall have been publicly announced; or
o CNB shall have breached any covenant or obligation contained in
the merger agreement in anticipation of engaging in an acquisition
transaction with any person other than NBT, and following that
breach, NBT would be entitled to terminate the merger agreement.
An "acquisition transaction" is defined to mean any transaction under
which a person proposes to or will acquire a majority of the stock of, or merge
with, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of CNB or Central
National Bank.
An "exercise termination event" includes:
o the occurrence of the effective time of the merger;
o termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms
except by reason of a failure of CNB's representations and
warranties or covenants; or
o 18 months after the termination of the merger agreement following
a breach because of a failure by CNB of its representations and
warranties or covenants.
To the best knowledge of CNB and NBT, no event giving rise to any
rights to exercise the stock option has occurred as of the date of this
document.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
We expect the merger to be accounted for as a pooling of interests in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or "GAAP." Accordingly,
the book value of the assets, liabilities and stockholders' equity of CNB, as
reported, will be combined with the consolidated balance sheet of NBT, and no
goodwill will be created. NBT following the merger will also include in its
consolidated net income the operating results of CNB for the entire fiscal year
in which the merger occurs. However, the combined company must treat certain
expenses incurred to effect the merger as current charges against income.
Additionally, all historical consolidated balance sheets and consolidated
operating results will be restated as if the NBT/CNB merger had been completed
as of the beginning of the earliest period presented.
It is a condition to consummation of the merger that NBT and CNB
receive a favorable letter from their independent accountants relating to the
qualification of the merger for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment and
that regulatory authorities do not disallow pooling of interests accounting
treatment for the merger prior to completion of the merger. See "Adoption of the
Merger Agreement and Approval of the Merger -- Conditions to Complete the
Merger."
NO DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
Neither NBT stockholders under Delaware law nor CNB stockholders under
New York law are entitled to dissenters' rights in connection with the merger.
INCLUSION OF NBT'S COMMON STOCK ON NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET
A condition to completing the merger requires that the Nasdaq shall
have authorized the shares of NBT common stock to be issued in the merger for
inclusion on the Nasdaq National Market. NBT's common stock is listed on the
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "NBTB." Upon completion of the merger,
we will deregister the CNB common stock under the Securities Exchange Act and
delist the CNB shares from the Nasdaq National Market.
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DIVIDENDS
After the merger, NBT, subject to approval and declaration by the NBT
board, will continue its current cash dividend policy and declare regularly
scheduled quarterly cash dividends on the shares of its common stock consistent
with NBT's past practices. The current annualized rate of cash dividends on the
shares of NBT common stock is $0.68 per share.
CNB has agreed not to declare or pay any dividends except for regular
quarterly dividends in accordance with past practice and in per share amounts
not in excess of historical per share dividend amounts. CNB expects to continue
to declare regularly scheduled cash dividends on its common stock until the
merger closes, including regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.09 per share,
subject to the terms of the merger agreement. The right of holders of CNB common
stock to receive dividends from CNB will end upon the completion of the merger
when the separate corporate existence of CNB will cease. See "Price Range of
Common Stock and Dividends."
The merger agreement provides for the coordination of dividend payments
by CNB and NBT so that no CNB stockholder receives more or less than one
dividend payment in any quarter with respect to any shares of CNB common stock
and shares of NBT common stock into which the CNB shares are converted.
EXCHANGE OF CNB CERTIFICATES; THE PAYMENT OF CASH FOR FRACTIONAL SHARES
As of the effective time, NBT will deposit or cause to be deposited
with the exchange agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, New York,
New York, certificates representing the shares of NBT common stock that are
issuable in connection with the merger for shares of CNB common stock. NBT will
also deposit with the exchange agent an estimated amount of cash payable instead
of issuing fractional shares. Following the effective time of the merger, NBT
will cause the exchange agent to send to each holder of record of a certificate
or certificates which immediately prior to the effective time represented shares
of CNB common stock transmittal materials for use in the exchange of the merger
consideration for certificates representing CNB common stock. The exchange agent
will deliver to the holders of CNB common stock who surrender their certificates
to the exchange agent, together with properly executed transmittal materials and
any other required documentation, certificates representing the number of shares
of NBT common stock to which such holders are entitled.
NBT will not issue any fractional shares. Instead, NBT will pay each
holder of CNB common stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share
of NBT common stock an amount in cash, without interest, calculated by
multiplying such fraction by the average of the daily closing prices per share
for NBT common stock for the fifteen consecutive trading days on which shares of
NBT are actually traded on the Nasdaq National Market ending on the second
trading day preceding the effective time of the merger.
Until properly surrendering their certificates, holders of unexchanged
shares of CNB common stock will not be entitled to receive any dividends or
distributions with respect to NBT common stock. After surrender of the
certificates representing CNB common stock, the record holder of those shares
will be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions, without
interest, which had previously become payable with respect to shares of NBT
common stock represented by that certificate.
Following the merger, NBT will provide the former CNB stockholders with
information as to how they might participate in NBT's dividend reinvestment
plan.
HOLDERS OF CNB COMMON STOCK SHOULD NOT SEND IN CERTIFICATES
REPRESENTING CNB COMMON STOCK UNTIL THEY RECEIVE TRANSMITTAL MATERIALS FROM THE
EXCHANGE AGENT FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE MERGER.
CNB EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS
At the effective time of the merger, NBT will assume the former CNB
employee stock option plan. At the effective time of the merger, all outstanding
and unexercised CNB stock options will no longer represent a right to acquire
shares of CNB common stock but will convert automatically into options to
purchase shares of common stock of NBT. NBT will assume the CNB stock options
subject to the terms and conditions of the CNB stock option plan and related
option agreements as in effect immediately prior to the effective time under
which CNB issued the stock options, which NBT will assume upon completion of the
merger. The agreements of CNB which govern the CNB stock option plan provide for
the acceleration of certain unvested CNB stock options in the case of a merger.
Consequently, with the exception of some stock options held by Messrs. Brass and
Corso, all CNB stock options outstanding at the effective time of the merger,
whether the options are vested
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or unvested immediately prior to the merger, will convert into fully vested
options to purchase shares of NBT common stock. As of the date of this document,
a total of 199,075 unvested stock options are held by officers of CNB. Messrs.
Brass and Corso hold unvested options to purchase 16,500 shares and 12,375
shares of CNB common stock, respectively. At the effective time of the merger,
6,500 of Mr. Brass' options and 4,875 of Mr. Corso's options will become fully
vested and exercisable.
After the effective time of the merger, the number of shares of NBT
common stock purchasable upon exercise of the CNB option will equal the number
of shares of CNB common stock that were purchasable under the CNB option
immediately prior to the effective time multiplied by the exchange ratio
established for the merger, rounding down to the nearest whole share. The per
share exercise price of NBT common stock under the assumed option will be equal
to the exercise price for each share of CNB common stock subject to option
divided by 1.2. The duration and other terms of each new NBT stock option will
be substantially the same as the prior CNB stock option. NBT has agreed as soon
as practicable after the merger to file a registration statement with the SEC
covering the converted CNB stock options and to use its commercially reasonable
efforts to maintain the registration statement for so long as the options remain
outstanding.
The following table presents certain option information regarding the
CNB stock options outstanding as of the date of this document and regarding the
NBT stock options into which the CNB stock options will be converted at the
effective time of the merger.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Position Total Number of Weighted Average Range of Number of NBT Weighted Average
with CNB CNB Options Exercise Price of Expiration Dates Options to be Exercise Price
Owned CNB Options of CNB Options Received in the of NBT Options
Merger Received in the
Merger
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald L. Brass, 68,179 $11.31 2/28/04 - 3/16/11 81,815 (1) $9.43
President, Chief
Executive Officer
and Director
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter J. Corso, 45,500 $10.57 2/28/04 - 3/16/11 54,600 $8.81
Executive Vice
President and
Chief Financial
Officer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael D. Hewitt, 15,000 $13.73 10/19/08 - 3/16/11 18,000 $11.44
Senior Vice
President
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All CNB 277,679 $11.97 2/28/04 - 3/16/11 333,215 $9.98
Employees as a
Group (28 persons)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All CNB 140,679 $11.51 2/28/04 - 3/16/11 168,815 (1) $9.59
Executive Officers
as a Group(4 persons)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes options to purchase 12,000 shares of NBT common stock that
will be received by Mr. Brass at the effective time of the merger, upon
the conversion of his options to purchase 10,000 shares of CNB common
stock which will not vest at the effective time of the merger.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The merger agreement contains representations and warranties made by
NBT and/or CNB relating to the following matters:
o due organization, corporate power, good standing and due
registration as a bank holding company;
o capitalization;
o subsidiaries;
o corporate power and authority to conduct business, own or lease
properties and assets and enter into the merger agreement and
related transactions;
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o non-contravention of certain organizational documents, agreements
or governmental orders;
o reports and other documents filed with the SEC and certain bank
holding company and bank regulatory authorities, and the accuracy
of the information contained in the documents;
o consolidated financial statements;
o examinations by bank regulatory agencies;
o undisclosed liabilities;
o litigation and regulatory action;
o compliance with laws;
o material contracts;
o contractual defaults;
o brokers and financial advisers;
o tax and accounting matters;
o environmental matters;
o affiliates;
o absence of certain material changes and events;
o required regulatory approvals;
o vote required;
o fairness opinion;
o employee benefit plans; and
o deposit insurance.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING COMPLETION OF THE MERGER
The merger agreement contains various covenants and agreements that
govern CNB's and NBT's actions prior to the effective time of merger. However,
the following agreements may be waived upon written consent of the parties:
Conduct of Business. Each of CNB and NBT have agreed that they and
their respective subsidiaries will conduct their respective businesses in the
ordinary course of business in a manner consistent with past practices and use
their respective reasonable best efforts to preserve intact their respective
business organizations, and to keep available the services of their respective
current officers, employees and consultants and to preserve their respective
current business relationships.
Capital Stock. CNB has agreed to restrictions on its abilities to
authorize, issue or make any distribution of its capital stock, or grant any
options to acquire additional securities, or declare or distribute any stock
dividend or authorize a stock split. CNB has agreed not to make any direct or
indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition of its capital stock. CNB and
NBT have agreed not to take any action which would prevent or impede the merger
from qualifying for pooling of interests accounting or as a tax-free
reorganization.
Dividends. CNB has agreed not to declare or pay any dividend except for
regular quarterly dividends in accordance with past practice and in per share
amounts not in excess of historical per share dividend amounts. In addition, CNB
and NBT have agreed that they will coordinate with each other the declaration of
any cash dividends with respect to their respective common stock and the record
dates and payment dates of those dividends.
-41-
Compensation; Employment Agreements; Benefit Plans. CNB has agreed not
to:
o increase in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits of any
employee or enter into any agreement to increase in any manner the
compensation or fringe benefits of any employee, except for
increases in the ordinary course of business in accordance with
past practices or as required by existing plans or agreements; nor
o create or modify any pension, retirement, profit sharing or
welfare benefit plan or agreement or employment agreement with or
for the benefit of any employee, except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, or accelerate the vesting
of any deferred compensation, stock option or other stock based
compensation.
Material Contracts. CNB has agreed not to make any contract or
agreement, incur any liability or obligation, or make any commitment or
disbursement, acquire or dispose of any property or asset, pay or become
obligated to pay any expense or engage in any transaction, except in the
ordinary course of business or to accomplish the transactions contemplated by
the merger agreement.
Amendment of Charter. The merger agreement provides that neither CNB
nor Central National Bank will amend its respective articles of incorporation or
bylaws except as provided in the merger agreement.
Acquisition Proposals. CNB and Central National Bank have agreed not to
solicit or encourage any inquiries or the making of any proposal that
constitutes an alternative proposal. The merger agreement defines alternative
proposal as an inquiry or proposal to acquire more than one percent of the CNB
common stock or any capital stock of Central National Bank or any significant
portion of the assets of either of them.
Regulatory Applications and Filings. NBT and CNB have agreed that they
will cooperate and use their reasonable best efforts to effect all filings and
obtain all necessary government approvals to complete the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement.
Certain Other Covenants. The merger agreement contains other covenants
of the parties relating to:
o the preparation and distribution of this document;
o the respective NBT and CNB special stockholders' meetings and the
recommendations of the NBT and CNB boards of directors;
o cooperation in issuing public announcements;
o access to information;
o confidentiality; and
o inclusion of the NBT common stock issuable to the holders of
shares of CNB common stock for trading on the Nasdaq National
Market.
CONDITIONS TO COMPLETE THE MERGER
The obligations of NBT or CNB to complete the merger are subject to the
satisfaction or waiver, subject to compliance with applicable law, of
conditions, including:
o obtaining the requisite votes of approval from the respective
stockholders of CNB and NBT;
o obtaining all governmental approvals required to complete the
merger;
o liquidation by CNB of certain corporate debt obligations and
derivative securities;
o the absence of injunctions, decrees, orders, laws, statutes or
regulations enjoining, preventing or making illegal the completion
of the merger;
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o the declaration of effectiveness of NBT's registration statement
by the SEC and the absence of any stop order or proceedings
seeking a stop order;
o the delivery of an opinion of Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP to NBT
and CNB to the effect that the merger will be treated for federal
income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code;
o the approval for inclusion on the Nasdaq National Market of the
NBT common stock issuable to CNB's stockholders; and
o the receipt by NBT and CNB of a favorable letter from their
independent certified public accountants relating to the
qualification of the merger for pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment; and the lack of regulatory disqualification of pooling
of interests accounting treatment prior to the effective time of
the merger.
The obligations of each of NBT and CNB to complete the merger are
further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
o the representations and warranties of the other party in the
merger agreement are to be true and correct in all material
respects as of the closing date of the merger, except for
representations and warranties made as of an earlier date which
will be true and correct in all material respects as of that
earlier date; provided that this condition is satisfied unless the
failure of the representations and warranties to be true and
correct constitutes, individually or in the aggregate, a material
adverse effect on the other party; and the other party has
provided a certificate of its chief executive officer to that
effect;
o all of the obligations of the other party to be performed and
complied with on or prior to the effective time of the merger are
to have been performed and complied with in all material respects
and the other party has provided a certificate of its chief
executive officer to that effect; and
o all other required consents, waivers, approvals, authorizations or
orders have been obtained and all required filings have been made
to complete the merger.
TERMINATION AND TERMINATION FEES
The parties may terminate the merger agreement at any time prior to the
effective time, whether before or after approval by the CNB stockholders or NBT
stockholders:
o by mutual written consent of the parties;
o by either NBT or CNB if any of the following occurs:
o the merger has not occurred by March 31, 2002;
o an order prohibiting the merger shall have become final and
non-appealable;
o the approvals by the appropriate bank regulatory agencies
required to consummate the merger and the bank merger are
denied and the denial has become final and non-appealable;
o the independent accountants of either NBT or CNB are unable to
deliver a favorable letter relating to the qualification of the
merger for pooling of interests accounting treatment;
o by CNB, if at a duly called and held stockholders' meeting to
consider and vote upon the merger agreement the NBT
stockholders shall have failed to approve the merger agreement;
o by NBT, if at a duly called and held stockholders' meeting
to consider and vote upon the merger agreement the CNB
stockholders shall have failed to approve the merger agreement;
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o by CNB if any representation or warranty of NBT or NBT Bank was
materially inaccurate when made or if a material breach or
material failure by NBT or NBT Bank of any covenant or
agreement of NBT or NBT Bank has not or cannot be cured within
thirty days after written notice of the breach or failure shall
have been given to NBT or NBT Bank; or
o by NBT if any representation or warranty of CNB or Central
National Bank was materially inaccurate when made or if a
material breach or material failure by CNB or Central National
Bank of any covenant or agreement of CNB or Central National
Bank has not or cannot be cured within thirty days after
written notice of the breach or failure shall have been given
to CNB or Central National Bank.
If the merger agreement is terminated as a result of the willful
material breach or willful material failure by a party of a covenant or
agreement under the merger agreement, such that the conditions to closing of the
terminating party could not be satisfied, then the party who materially breached
or willfully and materially failed to perform its covenant or agreement shall be
liable to the other party in the amount of $750,000.
If the merger agreement is terminated because of a material breach or
material failure by CNB or Central National Bank of any covenant or agreement
after an alternative proposal has been made, or if CNB or Central National Bank
shall not consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement by
reason of an alternative proposal being or having been made, and a definitive
agreement with respect to the alternative proposal is executed by CNB or Central
National Bank within one year after termination of the merger agreement, then,
in addition to the amount payable by CNB or Central National Bank cited in the
preceding paragraph, CNB shall be liable to NBT for liquidated damages in the
further amount of $5 million. If CNB pays NBT this $5 million, NBT may receive
only an additional $1 million in connection with the stock option, as described
under the heading "Stock Option Held by NBT," above.
SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS
If the Merger Agreement Becomes Effective. After the effective time of
the merger, various provisions of the merger agreement regarding the following
matters, among others, will survive and remain effective:
o procedures for the issuance of NBT common stock and NBT stock
options in exchange for CNB common stock and outstanding CNB stock
options;
o the designation of former directors of CNB as directors of NBT as
provided in the merger agreement;
o indemnification of CNB directors and officers;
o continuation of employee benefits under NBT's employee benefit
plans; and
o executive agreements and equal opportunities to employees of CNB
and its subsidiaries.
If the Merger Agreement Terminates before the Effective Time. If the
merger agreement terminates before the effective time, various provisions of the
merger agreement regarding the following matters, among others, will survive and
remain effective:
o confidentiality of information obtained in connection with the
merger agreement;
o expenses incurred in connection with the proposed merger; and
o effect of termination.
RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES BY AFFILIATES
NBT has registered the shares of common stock issuable to the CNB
stockholders in the merger under the Securities Act. Holders of these securities
who are not deemed to be "affiliates," as defined in the rules promulgated under
the Securities Act, of NBT or CNB may trade the shares of NBT common stock that
they receive in the merger freely without restriction.
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Following the merger and the issuance of shares of NBT common stock,
any subsequent transfer of shares acquired in the merger by any person who was
an affiliate of CNB at the time of submission of the merger agreement to the CNB
stockholders for their consideration and vote or by a person who is an affiliate
of NBT following the merger will, under existing law, require:
o the further registration under the Securities Act of the shares of
NBT common stock that the affiliate wishes to transfer;
o compliance with Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act,
which permits limited sales under certain circumstances; or
o the availability of another exemption from registration of the
shares under the Securities Act.
An "affiliate" of a person is defined as a person who directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with that person. We expect these restrictions to apply to
the directors and executive officers of CNB and to the holders of 10% or more of
the CNB common stock. The same restrictions apply to certain relatives or the
spouse of those persons and any trusts, estates, corporations or other entities
in which those persons have a 10% or greater beneficial or equity interest. NBT
will give stop transfer instructions to its transfer agent with respect to those
shares of NBT common stock held by persons subject to these restrictions. NBT
will place a legend on the certificates that it issues in the merger for those
shares which will be held by former affiliates of CNB or affiliates of NBT.
SEC guidelines regarding qualifying for the "pooling of interests"
method of accounting limit sales of shares of NBT and CNB by affiliates of
either company in a business combination. SEC guidelines also indicate that the
pooling of interests method of accounting generally will not be challenged on
the basis of sales by affiliates of NBT and CNB if those affiliates do not
dispose of any of the shares of the corporation they own, or shares of a
corporation they receive in connection with a merger, during the period
beginning thirty days before completion of the merger and ending when NBT has
published financial results covering at least thirty days of post-merger
operations of NBT.
ALLOCATION OF COSTS AND EXPENSES
The merger agreement provides that each party to the merger agreement
will be responsible for paying its own expenses incurred in connection with the
merger, including the fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment
bankers, experts and consultants. Nevertheless, the merger agreement expressly
allocates certain specified expenses as follows:
o the cost of printing this joint proxy statement/prospectus will be
apportioned between NBT and CNB based upon the number of copies
each requests to be printed;
o the cost of delivering copies of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus to the stockholders of NBT will be deemed to
be incurred by NBT, whereas the cost of delivery of this document
to the CNB stockholders will be deemed to be incurred by CNB;
o the cost of registering the shares of NBT common stock issuable in
the merger will be deemed to be incurred by NBT; and
o the cost of procuring the tax opinion will be deemed to be
incurred equally by NBT and CNB.
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
We requested Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP, counsel to NBT, to deliver
an opinion to NBT and CNB as to the anticipated material United States federal
income tax consequences of the merger. In rendering its opinion, Duane, Morris &
Heckscher LLP assumed, among other things, that the merger and related
transactions will take place as described in the merger agreement. Completion of
the merger is conditioned upon the receipt of an opinion that the merger will
qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
The discussion below and the opinion of Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
are based upon the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder and administrative rulings and court decisions as of the date of this
joint proxy statement/prospectus. The opinion of Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
is based on the facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to
in the opinion, including representations contained in certificates executed by
officers of NBT and CNB. No rulings have been, or will be, requested from the
Internal Revenue Service as to the federal income tax consequences of the
merger. In addition, the opinion of counsel is not binding on the Internal
Revenue Service, and there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service
will not take a position contrary to one or more positions reflected in the
opinion or that the positions reflected in the opinion will be upheld by the
courts if challenged by the Internal Revenue Service. Future legislative,
judicial or administrative changes or interpretations could alter or modify the
statements and conclusions set forth below, and any such changes or
interpretations could be retroactive and could affect the tax consequences to
stockholders of CNB.
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The following represent the material federal income tax consequences of
the merger:
o the merger will qualify as a "reorganization" under Section
368(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code;
o no gain or loss will be recognized by CNB or NBT in the merger;
o no gain or loss will be recognized by a stockholder of CNB upon
that stockholder's receipt of shares of NBT common stock in
exchange for shares of CNB common stock, except that cash proceeds
received instead of a fractional interest in NBT common stock will
be treated as though the fractional share had been received and
then redeemed for cash. A stockholder of CNB who receives cash
instead of a fractional share of NBT common stock will recognize
gain or loss equal to the difference between the cash received and
the portion of the basis of the stockholder's shares of CNB common
stock allocable to that fractional interest. This gain or loss
generally will be capital gain or loss provided the CNB common
stock was held as a capital asset, and generally will be long-term
capital gain or loss if the holding period of the CNB common stock
exchanged for a fractional share was more than one year as of the
effective date of the merger;
o the tax basis of the shares of NBT common stock (including
fractional shares deemed received and redeemed as described above)
received by a CNB stockholder will be the same as the tax basis of
that stockholder's CNB common stock exchanged for the NBT common
stock; and
o the holding period of the NBT common stock received in the merger
(including any fractional shares deemed received and redeemed as
described above) by a former CNB stockholder will include the
holding period of the CNB common stock surrendered by that
stockholder in the merger for the NBT stock, provided the CNB
common stock is held as a capital asset at the effective date of
the merger.
This discussion and the opinion of Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP do not
purport to deal with all tax aspects of federal income taxation that may affect
particular stockholders of CNB in light of their individual circumstances, and
may not apply to holders subject to special treatment under the tax law
(including dealers in securities, financial institutions, insurance companies,
tax-exempt organizations, non-United States persons, holders who hold their
stock as part of a hedging transaction, straddle or conversion transaction,
holders who do not hold their stock as capital assets and holders who acquired
their stock pursuant to the exercise of options or otherwise as compensation).
In addition, this discussion and the opinion do not consider the effect of any
applicable state, local or foreign tax laws.
EACH STOCKHOLDER OF CNB IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE
PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE STOCKHOLDER OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE
APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS, AND OF CHANGES
IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
REGULATORY APPROVALS
Because NBT and CNB are bank holding companies registered under the
Bank Holding Company Act, the merger is subject to the application and approval
requirements of the Bank Holding Company Act. Since, however, the merger is part
of a simultaneous transaction in which NBT Bank and Central National Bank are
merging, and since the merger of the banks requires the prior approval of the
Comptroller of the Currency under the Bank Merger Act and certain other
requirements set forth in regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System are met, the application and approval requirements of the Bank
Holding Company Act are subject to waiver by the Board of Governors. NBT has
received a waiver of application and approval requirements of the Bank Holding
Company Act with respect to the merger of NBT and CNB from the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York, acting on behalf of the Board of Governors.
NBT Bank and Central National Bank have filed an application with the
Comptroller of the Currency requesting approval of the bank merger. Copies of
this application have been provided to the U.S. Department of Justice and other
governmental agencies. The application describes the terms of the merger, the
parties involved, the activities to be conducted by the combined bank as a
result of the merger, and will provide other financial and managerial
information. In evaluating the application, the Comptroller of the Currency will
consider the financial and managerial resources and prospects of the existing
and combined institutions and the benefits that may be expected from the bank
merger. Among other things, the Comptroller of the Currency will evaluate the
capital adequacy of the combined bank after completion of the bank merger. In
addition, under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, the Comptroller of the
Currency will take into account the record of performance of NBT Bank and
Central National Bank in meeting the credit needs of their communities,
including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
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The Comptroller of the Currency may deny an application if it
determines that the transaction 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. The Comptroller of the
Currency may also deny an application if it determines that the transaction
would substantially lessen competition or would tend to create a monopoly in any
section of the country, or would in any other manner result in a restraint of
trade, unless the Comptroller of the Currency finds that the anticompetitive
effects of the transaction are clearly outweighed by the probable effects of the
transaction in providing benefits to the public.
Applicable federal law provides for the publication of notice and
public comment on the application to be filed by NBT Bank and Central National
Bank with the Comptroller of the Currency. Under current law, the merger may not
be completed until the Comptroller of the Currency has approved the merger and a
period of 30 days, or fewer if prescribed by the Comptroller of the Currency
with the concurrence of the Attorney General of the United States, following the
date of approval of the merger by the Comptroller of the Currency, has expired.
The commencement of an antitrust action by the U.S. Department of Justice would
stay the effectiveness of the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency,
unless a court specifically orders otherwise.
The approval or waiver of an application means only that the regulatory
criteria for approval have been satisfied or waived. It does not mean that the
approving authority has determined that the consideration to be received by CNB
stockholders is fair. Regulatory approval does not constitute an endorsement or
recommendation of the merger or the bank merger.
NBT and CNB are not aware of any governmental approvals or requirements
under banking laws and regulations whose receipt or satisfaction is necessary
for the merger to become effective other than those described above. NBT and CNB
intend to seek any other approval and to take any other action that may be
required to effect the merger and the bank merger.
The merger and the bank merger cannot be completed unless all necessary
regulatory approvals are granted and all statutory waiting periods thereafter
have expired. There can be no assurance that any required approval can be
obtained either prior to or after the special meetings or, if obtained, there
can be no assurance as to the date of any of those approvals or the absence of
any litigation challenging those approvals. There can likewise be no assurance
that the U.S. Department of Justice, the Attorney General of the State of New
York, or private persons will not challenge the merger on antitrust grounds, or,
if a challenge is made, the result of the challenge.
The Comptroller of the Currency and the U.S. Department of Justice will
review the merger to determine if it will have a significant adverse effect upon
competition in any section of the country. In an effort to avoid delay or
dispute with respect to competitive factors, NBT Bank and Central National Bank
have indicated their willingness to divest Central National Bank's only branch
in Chenango County, New York, together with the deposits and loans booked to
that facility, assuming agreement by the Comptroller of the Currency and the
Department of Justice that the proposed divestiture resolves any competitive
issues with respect to the merger. NBT and CNB believe that the aggregate amount
and financial impact of such a divestiture, or of any other divestiture that the
Comptroller of the Currency or the Department of Justice might request, although
not reflected in the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements, will not
have a material adverse effect on the combined company.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS
NBT common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"NBTB." CNB common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"CNBF." Following the merger, NBT will deregister the CNB common stock under the
Exchange Act, and the common stock of CNB will cease trading on the Nasdaq
National Market.
The following table has been restated to reflect the payment by NBT of
any stock dividends or splits and sets forth for the periods indicated (1) the
range of high and low sales prices of the NBT common stock and the CNB common
stock, and (2) the amount of cash dividends declared per share by each company:
NBT CNB
--- ---
SALES PRICES SALE PRICES
------------ -----------
HIGH LOW DIVIDENDS HIGH LOW DIVIDENDS
---- --- --------- ---- --- ---------
1999
First Quarter $23.33 $19.89 $0.162 $20.00 $15.00 $0.080
Second Quarter 21.19 19.05 0.162 18.20 15.00 0.080
Third Quarter 20.90 16.43 0.162 15.75 13.81 0.085
Fourth Quarter 17.98 14.63 0.170 15.75 13.00 0.125
2000
First Quarter $16.50 $11.38 $0.170 $14.13 $12.06 $0.090
Second Quarter 14.50 9.38 0.170 12.75 9.75 0.090
Third Quarter 12.50 9.75 0.170 11.50 7.63 0.090
Fourth Quarter 15.94 11.13 0.170 10.13 8.00 0.130
2001
First Quarter $17.50 $13.25 $0.170 $19.75 $ 9.00 $0.090
Second Quarter 25.42* 14.30 0.170 18.42 12.43 0.090
Third Quarter (through
August 28, 2001) 17.10 15.66 0.170 19.50 17.80 0.090
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* This price was reported on June 29, 2001, a day on which the Nasdaq
National Market experienced computerized trading disruptions which, among other
things, forced it to extend its regular trading session and cancel its late
trading session. Subsequently the Nasdaq National Market recalculated and
republished several closing stock prices (not including NBT, for which it had
reported a closing price of $19.30). Excluding trading on June 29, 2001, the
high sales price for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 was $16.75.
The timing and amount of future dividends will depend upon earnings,
cash requirements, the financial condition of NBT and its subsidiaries (and,
prior to completion of the merger, of NBT and its subsidiaries insofar as NBT
dividends are concerned and CNB and its subsidiaries insofar as CNB dividends
are concerned), applicable government regulations, and other factors deemed
relevant by the NBT board (and by the respective boards of NBT and CNB prior to
completion of the merger). Various federal and state laws limit the ability of
affiliated banks to pay dividends to their parent corporations. The merger
agreement restricts the cash dividends payable on CNB common stock, pending
completion of the merger. See "Adoption of the Merger Agreement and Approval of
the Merger -- Conduct of Business Pending Completion the Merger."
On June 18, 2001, the last full trading day prior to the public
announcement of the proposed merger, the highest sales price of NBT common stock
was $15.25 per share, the lowest sales price of NBT common stock was $14.74 per
share and the last reported sales price of NBT common stock was $15.25 per
share. On August 28, 2001, the most recent practicable date prior to the
printing of this document, the last reported sales price of NBT common stock was
$16.18 per share. We urge stockholders to obtain current market quotations
prior to making any decisions with respect to the merger.
On June 18, 2001, the last full trading day prior to the public
announcement of the proposed merger, the highest sales price of CNB common stock
was $14.22 per share, the lowest sales price of CNB common stock was $13.74 per
share and the last reported sales price of CNB common stock was $13.74 per
share. On August 28, 2001, the most recent practicable date prior to the
printing of this document, the last reported sales price of CNB common stock was
$19.00 per share. We urge stockholders to obtain current market quotations
prior to making any decisions with respect to the merger.
COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS
Upon completion of the merger, the stockholders of CNB will become
stockholders of NBT. The rights of CNB stockholders are presently governed by
New York law and the CNB certificate of incorporation and bylaws. After the
merger the rights of former CNB stockholders will be governed by Delaware law
and the NBT certificate of incorporation and bylaws. The following chart
summarizes the material differences between the rights of holders of CNB common
stock prior to the merger and after completion of the merger when the former CNB
stockholders will be NBT stockholders. This summary does not purport to be
complete and we qualify the summary in its entirety by reference to the CNB
articles of incorporation and bylaws, the NBT certificate of incorporation and
bylaws, and the relevant provisions of New York and Delaware law. You can obtain
copies of the governing corporate instruments of NBT and CNB, without charge, by
following the instructions listed under "Where You Can Find More Information."
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CNB STOCKHOLDERS' NBT STOCKHOLDERS'
RIGHTS RIGHTS
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Authorized and outstanding Authorized: 20,000,000 shares of common Authorized: 50,000,000 shares of common
stock stock, par value $1.25 per share. stock, par value $.01 per share; 2,500,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per
Outstanding: 7,421,588 shares of common share.
stock as of the date of this document.
Outstanding: 24,599,500 shares of common
stock as of the date of this document; no
shares of preferred stock.
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Special meetings of stockholders Special meetings of the stockholders may be Special meetings may be called by the board
called at any time by affirmative vote of a of directors or the chairman of the board, or
majority of the board of directors or by if there is none, by the president, or by the
any three or more stockholders owning not holders of at least 50% of all shares entitled to
less than 10% of the outstanding stock. entitled to vote at the meeting.
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Inspection of voting lists of Under New York law, a stockholder of record Stockholders may inspect a list of
stockholders has a right to inspect the stockholder stockholders at least ten days before the
minutes and record of stockholders, during meeting for which the list was prepared and
usual business hours, on at least five at the time and place of the meeting and
days' written demand. The examination of during the whole time of the meeting.
the stockholder minutes and record of
stockholders must be for a purpose
reasonably related to the stockholder's
interest as a stockholder. A list of
stockholders as of the record date shall be
produced at any meeting of stockholders
upon the request of any stockholder.
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Vacancies on the board of Stockholders may fill vacancies at a Stockholders may fill vacancies at a
directors and additional stockholders' meeting. By a vote of a stockholders' meeting. Directors may fill
directors majority of the directors then in office, vacancies by a majority vote of the directors
the board of directors may fill any then in office. The director chosen by the
vacancies in the board of directors for any current directors to fill the vacancy holds
reason and any newly created directorship the office until the time of the next
from any increase in the number of election of directors, at which point the
directors. Any director so chosen to fill stockholders shall fill the vacancy for the
a vacancy shall serve until the next annual remainder of the unexpired term of office.
meeting of stockholders and until his or Directors may also fill newly-created
her successor is elected and qualified. directorships other than an increase by more
Any director appointed to the board of than three in the number of directors. Any
directors by reason of an increase of director appointed to the board of directors
directors shall serve until that director's by reason of increase in the number of
term shall end. directors shall serve until the successor is
elected and qualified.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative voting for directors Cumulative voting rights exist for the No such rights exist.
election of directors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification of the board of The CNB board is divided into three The NBT board is divided into three classes,
directors classes, with directors in each class being with directors in each class being elected
elected for staggered three-year terms. for staggered three-year terms.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Removal of directors Directors may be removed for cause by a Stockholders may remove a director only for
vote of the stockholders, but no director cause by the affirmative vote of a majority
may be removed when the vote against his or in voting power of the stockholders entitled
her removal would be sufficient to elect to vote and to be present at the meeting
him or her if voted cumulatively at an called for such purpose.
election at which the same total number of
votes were cast and the entire board, or
the entire class of directors of which he
or she is a member, were then being elected.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liability of directors Directors are not personally liable to CNB Directors are not personally liable to NBT or
or its stockholders for monetary damages its stockholders for monetary damages for
for any action taken or for any failure to breaches of fiduciary duty, except (1) for
take any action, unless (1) his or her acts breach of the director's duty of loyalty, (2)
or omissions were in bad faith or involved for acts and omissions not in good faith or
intentional misconduct or a knowing which involve intentional misconduct or a
violation of law or (2) he or she knowing violation of law, (3) for unlawful
personally gained in fact a financial payments of dividends or unlawful stock
profit or other advantage to which he or purchases or redemptions or (4) for any
she was not legally entitled. transaction where the director received an
improper personal benefit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indemnification of directors A CNB director or officer is entitled to An NBT director or officer is entitled to
and officers indemnification if such person acted, in indemnification if he or she acted in good
good faith, for a purpose which he or she faith and in a manner he or she reasonably
reasonably believed to be in the best believed to be in, or not opposed to, the
interests of the corporation, and in best interest of NBT and, with respect to any
criminal actions, had no reasonable cause criminal action or proceeding, had no
to believe that his or her conduct was reasonable cause to believe his or her
unlawful. conduct was unlawful.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restrictions upon certain Any business combination involving CNB or a Any business combination involving NBT or a
business combinations subsidiary and an interested stockholder or subsidiary and a major stockholder or
affiliate of such interested stockholder affiliate requires the affirmative vote of
requires the affirmative vote of the the holders of not less than 80% of the
holders of the holders of 75% of the outstanding shares of NBT common stock,
outstanding shares of CNB common entitled excluding the shares owned by the major
to vote. An interested stockholder is any stockholder and its affiliates. The
person who beneficially owns 5% or more of certificate defines "major stockholder" as
CNB's voting stock. However, the above any person who beneficially owns 5% or more
voting requirement will not apply to a of NBT's voting stock. However, such an
business combination involving an affirmative vote will not apply to a business
interested stockholder or its affiliate if combination involving a major stockholder or
the business combination is approved by 75% its affiliate if the business combination is
of the directors who were directors prior approved by two thirds of the directors who
to the time when the interested stockholder were directors prior to the time when the
became an interested stockholder and the major stockholder became a major stockholder.
transaction meets other specific
requirements outlined in the certificate of
incorporation of CNB.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-49-
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Stockholder Rights Plan None. NBT has a stockholder rights plan, which is designed
to ensure that a potential acquiror of NBT will
negotiate with the NBT board and that all NBT
stockholders will be treated equitably in the event
of a takeover attempt. The rights issued under the
plan have certain anti-takeover effects.
--------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Amendments to certificate or Amendments generally require the approval Amendments generally require the approval of
articles of incorporation of the board of directors and the approval the board of directors and the approval of
of a majority of the outstanding stock the holders of a majority of the outstanding
entitled to vote upon the amendment. stock entitled to vote upon the amendment.
However, the approval by 75% of the Any amendment to those provisions of the
outstanding shares is required to amend the certificate of incorporation that relate to
corporation's articles regarding preemptive business combinations involving NBT or a
rights, classification of the board of subsidiary and a major stockholder or
directors, opposition to tender offers, affiliate require the affirmative vote of at
business combinations, and amendment of the least 80% of the outstanding shares of voting
corporation's articles; except if the stock, and if there is a major stockholder,
amendment is approved by 75% of the such 80% vote must include the affirmative
continuing directors, then approval by a vote of at least 80% of the outstanding
majority of the outstanding shares is shares of voting stock held by stockholders
required. other than the major stockholder and its
affiliates.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendments to bylaws A majority of the directors or stockholders A majority of the directors, or stockholders
holding a majority of the votes cast may holding a majority of the outstanding shares
make, amend or repeal the bylaws. entitled to vote, may make, amend or repeal
the bylaws. The NBT bylaws permit the stockholders
to adopt, approve or designate bylaws that may not
be amended, altered or repealed except by a
specified percentage in interest of all the
stockholders or of a particular class of
stockholders.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF NBT CAPITAL STOCK
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
NBT's current authorized stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common
stock, $.01 par value per share and 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01
par value per share. No shares of NBT preferred stock are currently outstanding.
The NBT board is authorized to issue, without further stockholder approval,
preferred stock from time to time in one or more series, and to determine the
provisions applicable to each series, including, the number of shares, dividend
rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of
redemption, sinking fund provisions, redemption price or prices, and liquidation
preferences. As of June 30, 2001, 24,765,554 shares of NBT common stock were
outstanding.
COMMON STOCK
Under Delaware law, stockholders generally are not personally liable
for a corporation's acts or debts. Subject to the preferential rights of any
other shares or series of capital stock, holders of shares of NBT common stock
are entitled to receive dividends on shares of common stock if, as and when
authorized and declared by the NBT board out of funds legally available for
dividends and to share ratably in the assets of NBT legally available for
distribution to its stockholders in the event of its liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up after payment of, or adequate provision for, all known debts and
liabilities of NBT.
Each outstanding share of NBT common stock entitles the holder to one
vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election
of directors. Unless a larger vote is required by law, the NBT certificate of
incorporation or the NBT bylaws, when a quorum is present at a meeting of
stockholders, a majority of the votes properly cast upon any question other than
the election of directors shall decide the question. A plurality of the votes
properly cast for the election of a person to serve as a director shall elect
such person. Except as otherwise required by law or except as provided with
respect to any other class or series of capital stock, the holders of NBT common
stock possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the
election of directors. The NBT board is divided into three classes with each
class as equal in number as possible. This means, in general, that each director
serves a three-year term and that one-third of the members of the NBT board are
subject to reelection at each annual meeting of stockholders.
-50-
Holders of NBT common stock have no conversion, sinking fund or
redemption rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of NBT's classes of
stock.
All shares of NBT common stock have equal dividend, distribution,
liquidation and other rights, and have no preference, appraisal or exchange
rights.
For a description of the provisions of the NBT certificate of
incorporation that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change in control of NBT, see "Comparison of Stockholders' Rights --
Restrictions upon Certain Business Combinations" in the table in the preceding
section of this document.
PREFERRED STOCK
The NBT board is authorized, without any further vote or action by the
NBT stockholders, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to
establish the number of shares in each series and to fix the designation,
powers, preferences and rights of each such series and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of the series, in each case, if any, as are
permitted by Delaware law. Because the NBT board has the power to establish the
preferences and rights of each class or series of preferred stock, it may afford
the stockholders of any series or class of preferred stock preferences, powers
and rights, voting or otherwise, senior to the rights of holders of shares of
NBT common stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could have the
effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of NBT.
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
In November 1994, NBT adopted a stockholder rights plan designed to
ensure that any potential acquiror of NBT would negotiate with the NBT board and
that all NBT stockholders would be treated equitably in the event of a takeover
attempt. At that time, NBT paid a dividend of one Preferred Share Purchase Right
for each outstanding share of NBT common stock. Similar rights are attached to
each share of NBT common stock issued after November 15, 1994, including the
shares of common stock issuable in the merger. Under the rights plan, the rights
will not be exercisable until a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of
20 percent or more of the NBT outstanding common stock, begins a tender or
exchange offer for 25 percent or more of the NBT common stock, or an adverse
person, as declared by the NBT board, acquires 10 percent or more of the NBT
common stock. Additionally, until the occurrence of such an event, the rights
are not severable from the NBT common stock and therefore, the rights will
transfer upon the transfer of shares of the NBT common stock. Upon the
occurrence of such events, each right entitles the holder to purchase one
one-hundredth of a share of NBT Series R Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per
share, at a price of $100. The rights plan also provides that upon the
occurrence of certain specified events the holders of rights will be entitled to
acquire additional equity interests in NBT or in the acquiring entity, such
interests having a market value of two times the right's exercise price of $100.
The rights expire November 14, 2004, and are redeemable in whole, but not in
part, at NBT's option prior to the time they become exercisable, for a price of
$0.01 per right. The rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The rights may
cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire NBT on
terms not approved by the NBT board. The rights should not interfere with any
merger or other business combination approved by the NBT board.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
NBT's registrar and transfer agent is American Stock Transfer and Trust
Company, New York, New York.
OTHER MATTERS
NBT Bancorp Inc.
Any proposal which an NBT stockholder wishes to have included in NBT's
proxy statement and form of proxy relating to NBT's 2002 annual meeting of
stockholders under Rule 14a-8 of the SEC must be received by NBT at its
principal executive offices at 52 South Broad Street, Norwich, New York 13815 by
November 23, 2001. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require NBT to
include in its proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting any
stockholder proposal which does not meet the requirements of the SEC in effect
at the time. NBT anticipates that its 2002 annual meeting will be held in May
2002.
-51-
CNB Financial Corp.
Any proposal which a CNB stockholder wishes to have included in CNB's
proxy statement and form of proxy relating to CNB's 2002 annual meeting of
stockholders under Rule 14a-8 of the SEC must be received by CNB at its
principal executive offices at 24 Church Street, Canajoharie, New York 13317 by
December 5, 2001. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require CNB to
include in its proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting any
stockholder proposal which does not meet the requirements of the SEC in effect
at the time. If the merger agreement is approved and the merger takes place, CNB
will not have an annual meeting of stockholders in 2002. If the merger does not
take place, CNB anticipates that its 2002 annual meeting will be held in May
2002.
The respective boards of directors of NBT and CNB are unaware of other
matters to be voted on at either the NBT special meeting or the CNB special
meeting. If other matters do properly come before the respective meetings,
including consideration of a motion to adjourn the special meeting to another
time and/or place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies, each of NBT
and CNB intend that the persons appointed in the respective proxies will vote,
or not vote for those matters in their discretion the shares represented by
proxies in the accompanying proxy card.
TELEPHONE AND INTERNET VOTING
SHARES DIRECTLY REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE NBT STOCKHOLDER
NBT stockholders with shares of NBT common stock registered directly with
NBT's transfer agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, may vote by
telephone by calling 1-800-PROXIES or electronically via the Internet at
www.voteproxy.com. Votes submitted by telephone or via the Internet must be
received by 11:59 p.m. on October 15, 2001 to be effective. The giving of a
proxy by telephone or via the Internet will not affect your right to vote in
person if you decide to attend the special meeting.
NBT SHARES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A BROKERAGE FIRM OR BANK
A number of brokerage firms and banks participate through ADP Investor
Communication Services that offers telephone and Internet voting options. This
program is different from the program provided by American Stock Transfer for
shares registered in the name of the NBT stockholder. If your shares are held in
an account at a brokerage firm or bank participating in the ADP program, you may
vote those shares by telephone by calling the telephone number or via the
Internet as set forth on your voting form that you receive from your broker or
bank. Votes submitted by telephone or via the Internet through the ADP program
must be received by 11:59 p.m. on October 15, 2001 to be effective. The giving
of a proxy by telephone or via the Internet will not affect your right to vote
in person if you decide to attend the special meeting.
Proxies given by telephone or via the Internet are permitted under Delaware
law. These telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate
an NBT stockholder's identity, to allow an NBT stockholder to give his or her
voting instructions and to confirm that his or her voting instructions have been
recorded properly. Stockholders voting via the Internet through either American
Stock Transfer or ADP should understand that there may be third-party costs
associated with electronic access, such as usage charges from Internet access
providers and telephone companies, that must be borne by the stockholder.
SHARES DIRECTLY REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE CNB STOCKHOLDER
CNB stockholders with shares of CNB common stock registered directly with
CNB's transfer agent, Central National Bank, may vote by telephone by calling
1-800-690-6903 or electronically via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com. Votes
submitted by telephone or via the Internet must be received by 11:59 p.m. on
October 15, 2001 to be effective. The giving of a proxy by telephone or via the
Internet will not affect your right to vote in person if you decide to attend
the special meeting.
CNB SHARES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A BROKERAGE FIRM OR BANK
A number of brokerage firms and banks participate through ADP Investor
Communication Services that offers telephone and Internet voting options. This
program is different from the program provided by Central National Bank for
shares registered in the name of the CNB stockholder. If your shares are held in
an account at a brokerage firm or bank participating in the ADP program, you may
vote those shares by telephone by calling the telephone number or via the
Internet as set forth on your voting form that you receive from your broker or
bank. Votes submitted by telephone or via the Internet through the ADP program
must be received by 11:59 p.m. on October 15, 2001 to be effective. The giving
of a proxy by telephone or via the Internet will not affect your right to vote
in person if you decide to attend the special meeting.
-52-
Proxies given by telephone or via the Internet are permitted under New York
law. These telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate
a CNB stockholder's identity, to allow a CNB stockholder to give his or her
voting instructions and to confirm that his or her voting instructions have been
recorded properly. Stockholders voting via the Internet through either Central
National Bank or ADP should understand that there may be third-party costs
associated with electronic access, such as usage charges from Internet access
providers and telephone companies, that must be borne by the stockholder.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common stock to be issued in connection with the
merger and material federal income tax consequences of the merger will be passed
upon by Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP, Washington, D.C.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of NBT as of December 31, 2000
and 1999 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
2000 have been incorporated by reference in this registration statement in
reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants,
which is incorporated in this document by reference, and upon the authority of
KPMG LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of CNB as of December 31, 2000
and 1999 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
2000 have been incorporated by reference in this registration statement in
reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants,
which is incorporated in this document by reference, and upon the authority of
KPMG LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
NBT and CNB have used and incorporated by reference "forward-looking
statements" in this document. Words such as "will permit," "will afford,"
"believes," "expects," "may," "should," "projected," "contemplates," or
"anticipates" may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially. NBT and
CNB have used these statements to describe our expectations and estimates in
various sections of this document, including:
o Summary -- Our Reasons for the Merger;
o Summary -- Selected Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Combined
Financial Data;
o The Merger -- Background of the Merger;
o The Merger -- Recommendation of the NBT Board and NBT's Reasons
for the Merger;
o The Merger -- Recommendation of the CNB Board and CNB's Reasons
for the Merger;
o The Merger -- Opinion of NBT's Financial Advisor;
o The Merger -- Opinion of CNB's Financial Advisor; and
o Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements.
Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
o the timing of closing the proposed merger being delayed;
o competitive pressures among financial institutions increasing
significantly;
-53-
o economic conditions, either nationally or locally in areas in
which NBT and CNB conduct their operations, being less favorable
than expected;
o the cost and effort required to integrate aspects of the
operations of the companies being more difficult than expected;
o expected cost savings from the proposed merger not being fully
realized or realized within the expected time frame; and
o legislation or regulatory changes which adversely affect the
ability of the combined company to conduct its current and future
operations.
NBT and CNB disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to
publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking
statements included in this document to reflect future events or developments,
except as required by the federal securities laws. NBT's actual results could
differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements because
of many reasons, including the factors listed in this paragraph. This list may
not be exhaustive.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
NBT has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 to register with the
SEC the NBT common stock to be issued to the holders of CNB common stock in the
merger. This document is a part of that registration statement and constitutes a
prospectus of NBT in addition to being a proxy statement of NBT and CNB for the
NBT special meeting and the CNB special meeting. As allowed by SEC rules, this
document does not contain all the information you can find in the registration
statement or the exhibits to the registration statement.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this
document, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this document, except for any
information superseded by information in this document. This document
incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously
filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about the
companies, their finances and their common stock.
NBT BANCORP INC. SEC FILINGS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS DOCUMENT
o annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000;
o quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the calendar quarters ended
March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001;
o current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 3,
2001, June 5, 2001, June 22, 2001 and July 27, 2001;
o Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on May 9, 2000 (File No. 0-14703);
o Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on February 24, 2000 (File No.
0-14703); and
o the description of our common stock as set forth above under the
caption "DESCRIPTION OF NBT CAPITAL STOCK."
CNB FINANCIAL CORP. SEC FILINGS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS DOCUMENT
o annual report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the year ended
December 31, 2000;
o quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the calendar quarters ended
March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001; and
o current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2001,
June 22, 2001 and July 31, 2001.
We hereby incorporate into this document by reference additional
documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this document and the effective
time of the merger.
-54-
NBT has supplied all information contained or incorporated by reference
in this document relating to NBT and CNB has supplied all information relating
to CNB.
If you are a stockholder, we may have sent you some of the documents
incorporated by reference, but you can obtain any of them through us or the SEC.
You can obtain documents incorporated by reference from us without charge,
excluding all exhibits unless we have specifically incorporated by reference an
exhibit in this document. Stockholders may obtain documents incorporated by
reference in this document without charge by requesting them in writing or by
telephone from the appropriate party at the following address:
NBT Bancorp Inc. CNB Financial Corp.
52 South Broad Street 24 Church Street
Norwich, New York 13815 Canajoharie, New York 13317
Attention: Michael J. Chewens, CPA Attention: Holly C. Craver
Tel: (607) 337-6520 Tel: (518) 673-3243
e-mail: mchewens@nbtbci.com e-mail: holly.craver@cnbfc.com
------------------- ----------------------
THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES IMPORTANT BUSINESS
AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT NBT AND CNB THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN OR DELIVERED
WITH THIS DOCUMENT. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS, YOU SHOULD
REQUEST INFORMATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 9, 2001.
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS DOCUMENT TO VOTE ON THE NBT PROPOSAL AND THE CNB PROPOSAL. WE
HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT
FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT. THIS DOCUMENT IS DATED AUGUST 28, 2001.
YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS
ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN SUCH DATE, AND NEITHER THE MAILING OF THIS
DOCUMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS NOR THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF NBT COMMON STOCK IN THE
MERGER SHALL CREATE ANY IMPLICATION TO THE CONTRARY.
-55-
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet
presents the financial position of NBT and CNB as of June 30, 2001, assuming
that the merger of NBT and CNB had occurred as of June 30, 2001. The following
unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income for the six months
ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, and the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and
1998 present the combined historical results of operations of NBT and CNB as if
the merger had been completed as of the first day of the respective periods
presented. Pro forma earnings per common share are based on the exchange
ratio of 1.2 shares of NBT common stock for each share of CNB common stock
issued and outstanding. The fiscal years of NBT and CNB end December 31. The
unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet reflects estimated
non-recurring charges that may be incurred in connection with the merger.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements were
prepared giving effect to the merger using the pooling of interests accounting
method. Under this method of accounting, the recorded assets, liabilities,
stockholders' equity, income and expense of NBT and CNB are combined and
reflected at their historical amounts, except as noted in the accompanying
notes.
The combined company expects to achieve certain merger benefits in the
form of operating expense reductions and revenue enhancements. The unaudited pro
forma condensed combined statements of income do not reflect potential operating
expense reductions or revenue enhancements that are expected to result from the
merger, and therefore may not be indicative of the results of future operations.
No assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate level of operating
expense reductions or revenue enhancements.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements should
be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by, the
historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of NBT and
CNB, incorporated by reference herein. The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements are presented for informational purposes only.
These statements are not necessarily indicative of the combined financial
position and results of operations that would have occurred if the mergers had
been completed on June 30, 2001 or at the beginning of the respective periods
presented or that may be attained in the future.
-56-
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET JUNE 30, 2001
(IN THOUSANDS)
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NBT CNB PRO FORMA PRO FORMA
BANCORP INC. FINANCIAL CORP. ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED
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ASSETS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents 82,443 14,319 96,762
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading securities, at fair value 108 9,550 9,658
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
583,297 388,066 (2,459) (2)
Securities available for sale, at fair value (1,000) (6) 967,904
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities held to maturity (fair value--NBT Bancorp Inc.
$97,153 and CNB Financial Corp. $--) 97,567 -- 97,567
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans and leases 1,817,015 546,895 2,363,910
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses 25,691 8,435 34,126
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loans and leases 1,791,324 538,460 2,329,784
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premises and equipment, net 48,953 12,214 61,167
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangible assets, net 33,817 17,471 51,288
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
66,014 12,521 183 (2) 81,368
Other assets 2,650 (5)
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TOTAL ASSETS 2,703,523 992,601 3,695,498
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demand (noninterest bearing) 318,283 79,138 397,421
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest bearing 1,758,682 760,471 2,519,153
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deposits 2,076,965 839,609 2,916,574
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term borrowings 96,537 50,871 147,408
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term borrowings 271,480 5,385 276,865
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other liabilities 29,207 12,942 11,250 (5) 53,399
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,474,189 908,807 3,394,246
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in Company's
junior subordinated debentures -- 18,000 (1,000) (6) 17,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' equity:
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Preferred stock -- -- --
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Common stock 253 9,756 (9,668) (3) 341
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional paid-in capital 199,144 6,202 1,467 (3) 206,813
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings 40,742 54,772 (8,600) (5) 86,914
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (116) 1,260 (271) (2) 873
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common stock in treasury, at cost (10,689) (6,196) (2,005) (2) (10,689)
8,201 (3)
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TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 229,334 65,794 284,252
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,703,523 992,601 3,695,498
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
-57-
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
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NBT CNB PRO FORMA COMBINED
BANCORP INC. FINANCIAL CORP. ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and fee income:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans and leases 73,729 21,465 95,194
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities 21,057 12,741 33,798
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 997 67 1,064
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest and fee income 95,783 34,273 130,056
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 36,864 17,289 54,153
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term borrowings 2,486 911 3,397
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt 6,501 162 6,663
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest expense 45,851 18,362 64,213
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income 49,932 15,911 65,843
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for loan losses 7,463 620 8,083
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 42,469 15,291 57,760
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest income:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broker/dealer fees 1,922 -- 1,922
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service charges on deposit accounts 5,000 1,392 6,392
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net security gains (losses) 546 864 1,410
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain on sale of branch building 1,367 -- 1,367
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust 1,796 256 2,052
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 3,800 688 4,488
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest income 14,431 3,200 17,631
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest expenses:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries and employee benefits 18,238 5,064 23,302
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office supplies and postage 1,812 687 2,499
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occupancy and equipment 5,824 1,609 7,433
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposit overdraft write-offs 2,125 -- 2,125
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional fees and outside services 1,825 515 2,340
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data processing and communications 3,776 1,392 5,168
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of intangible assets 1,312 663 1,975
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital securities -- 788 788
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating 4,100 2,125 6,225
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest expenses 39,012 12,843 51,855
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of a
change in accounting principle 17,888 5,648 23,536
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes 5,545 1,672 7,217
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income before cumulative effect of a change in 12,343 3,976 16,319
accounting principle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle due
to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting -- (95) (95)
Standards No. 133, net of tax effect
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income 12,343 3,881 16,224
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: (1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic 23,878 7,463 32,834
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted 24,071 7,502 33,073
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Share:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic 0.52 0.52 0.49
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted 0.51 0.52 0.49
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
-58-
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBT CNB PRO FORMA COMBINED
BANCORP INC. FINANCIAL CORP. ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and fee income:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan 66,608 19,736 86,344
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities 24,002 14,704 38,706
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 1,098 128 1,226
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest and fee income 91,708 34,568 126,276
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 33,774 16,365 50,139
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term borrowings 4,330 840 5,170
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term borrowings 6,781 205 6,986
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest expense 44,885 17,410 62,295
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income 46,823 17,158 63,981
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for loan losses 3,799 740 4,539
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 43,024 16,418 59,442
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest income:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broker/dealer fees 578 -- 578
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service charges on deposit accounts 3,968 1,224 5,192
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net security gains (losses) 6 (326) (320)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust 1,671 233 1,904
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 2,973 836 3,809
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest income 9,196 1,967 11,163
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest expenses:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries and employee benefits 16,658 4,982 21,640
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office supplies and postage 1,439 625 2,064
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occupancy & equipment 5,674 1,427 7,101
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional fees and outside services 1,668 390 2,058
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data processing and communications 2,799 1,231 4,030
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of intangible assets 714 663 1,377
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merger, acquisition and reorganization costs 4,039 -- 4,039
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital securities -- 835 835
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating 4,410 2,670 7,080
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest expenses 37,401 12,823 50,224
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 14,819 5,562 20,381
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes 5,470 1,466 6,936
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income 9,349 4,096 13,445
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: (1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic 23,333 7,510 32,345
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted 23,465 7,533 32,505
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Share:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic 0.40 0.55 0.42
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted 0.40 0.54 0.41
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
-59-
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBT CNB PRO FORMA COMBINED
BANCORP INC. FINANCIAL CORP. ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and fee income:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans $140,725 $41,335 $182,060
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities 47,054 28,390 75,444
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 2,752 210 2,962
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest and fee income: 190,531 69,935 260,466
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 73,791 33,501 107,292
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term borrowings 8,777 3,088 11,865
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt 13,453 392 13,845
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest expense 96,021 36,981 133,002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income 94,510 32,954 127,464
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for loan losses 8,678 1,465 10,143
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 85,832 31,489 117,321
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest income:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broker/dealer fees 2,723 -- 2,723
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service charges on deposit accounts 8,284 2,566 10,850
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net security gains (losses) (1,216) (1,046) (2,262)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust 3,382 439 3,821
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 6,043 1,616 7,659
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest income 19,216 3,575 22,791
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest expense:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries and employee benefits 35,411 9,392 44,803
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office supplies and postage 2,954 1,274 4,228
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occupancy and equipment 11,420 2,750 14,170
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional fees and outside services 3,754 868 4,622
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data processing and communications 5,828 2,574 8,402
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of intangible assets 1,722 1,327 3,049
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merger, acquisition and reorganization costs 23,625 -- 23,625
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital securities -- 1,727 1,727
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating 9,148 5,656 14,804
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest expense 93,862 25,568 119,430
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 11,186 9,496 20,682
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes 3,995 2,533 6,528
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $7,191 $6,963 $14,154
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic 23,461 7,492 32,451
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted 23,600 7,509 32,611
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Share
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic $0.31 $0.93 $0.44
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted $0.30 $0.93 $0.43
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
-60-
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBT CNB PRO FORMA COMBINED
BANCORP INC. FINANCIAL CORP. ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and fee income:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans $115,990 $34,234 $150,224
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities 46,420 21,139 67,559
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 2,462 806 3,268
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest and fee income: 164,872 56,179 221,051
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 56,565 25,911 82,476
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term borrowing 6,011 1,162 7,173
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt 12,882 344 13,226
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest expense 75,458 27,417 102,875
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income 89,414 28,762 118,176
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for loan losses 5,440 1,456 6,896
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 83,974 27,306 111,280
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest income:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broker/dealer fees 46 -- 46
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service charges on deposit accounts 7,588 2,157 9,745
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net security gains (losses ) 1,803 (803) 1,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust 3,305 444 3,749
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 6,340 1,719 8,059
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest income 19,082 3,517 22,599
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest expense:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries and employee benefits 30,751 9,776 40,527
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office supplies and postage 3,044 1,276 4,320
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occupancy and equipment 10,580 2,258 12,838
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional fees and outside services 3,008 818 3,826
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data processing and communications 5,392 2,508 7,900
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of intangible assets 1,323 441 1,764
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merger, acquisition and reorganization costs 835 -- 835
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital securities -- 615 615
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating 7,984 4,645 12,629
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest expense 62,917 22,337 85,254
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 40,139 8,486 48,625
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes 13,882 2,151 16,033
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $26,257 $6,335 $32,592
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic 23,096 7,571 32,181
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted 23,414 7,606 32,541
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Share
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic $1.14 $0.84 $1.01
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted $1.12 $0.83 $1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
-61-
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBT CNB PRO FORMA COMBINED
BANCORP INC. FINANCIAL CORP. ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and fee income:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans $108,318 $33,008 $141,326
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities 47,411 19,269 66,680
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 2,699 265 2,964
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest and fee income: 158,428 52,542 210,970
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits 58,873 24,910 83,783
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term borrowings 6,177 868 7,045
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt 9,662 380 10,042
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest expense 74,712 26,158 100,870
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income 83,716 26,384 110,100
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for loan losses 6,149 773 6,922
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 77,567 25,611 103,178
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest income:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broker/dealer fees 24 -- 24
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service charges on deposit accounts 6,562 1,953 8,515
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net security gains (losses) 1,567 61 6 2,183
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust 3,115 419 3,534
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 6,463 1,542 8,005
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest income 17,731 4,530 22,261
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest expense:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries and employee benefits 29,277 9,034 38,311
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office supplies and postage 3,030 1,199 4,229
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occupancy and equipment 9,592 1,998 11,590
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Professional fees and outside services 4,230 1,325 5,555
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data processing and communications 4,554 1,997 6,551
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of intangible assets 1,319 -- 1,319
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating 9,252 4,301 13,553
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest expense 61,254 19,854 81,108
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 34,044 10,287 44,331
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes 7,149 2,606 9,755
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $26,895 $7,681 $34,576
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic 23,199 7,625 32,349
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted 23,691 7,673 32,899
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Share
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic $1.16 $1.01 $1.07
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted $1.14 $1.00 $1.05
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
-62-
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Pro forma earnings per common share (EPS) have been calculated based on
the weighted average number of shares of NBT plus additional shares of NBT
assumed to be issued in the merger in exchange for the weighted average
outstanding shares of CNB for each applicable period based on the exchange ratio
of 1.2. The impact of the CNB stock held by NBT and reclassified to treasury
stock is not material to the EPS calculations.
(2) Pro forma entry to reclassify CNB stock held by NBT to treasury stock
(approximately 133,500 shares with a fair value of $2,459,070 and a cost basis
of $2,004,770):
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income $271
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax asset 183
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Treasury stock 2,005
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities available for sale 2,459
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to immateriality, no adjustment was made to the pro forma condensed combined
statements of income for dividend income earned on the CNB stock held by NBT.
(3) Pro forma entry to retire treasury stock held by CNB (383,952 shares)
and CNB stock held by NBT and reclassified to treasury stock (approximately
133,500 shares), totaling 517,452 shares having a par value of $1.25 per share
and to conform the par value of common stock issued in the merger (in thousands
except share and per share data):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock $647
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional paid in capital 7,554
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Treasury Stock $ 8,201
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CNB Common Stock - Issued at June 30, 2001 7,805,097
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less treasury retired-above 517,452
-------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CNB common stock issued and outstanding 7,287,645
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma entry to issue 1.2 shares of NBT Bancorp Inc. Common Stock in exchange
for each share of CNB Financial Corp. Common Stock to be issued is determined as
follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBT Bancorp Inc. common shares issued at June 30, 2001 25,312,688
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CNB Financial Corp. common shares issued, after retirement of treasury stock (7,287,645
common shares times conversion ratio of 1.2) 8,745,174
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined pro forma total common shares issued 34,057,862
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Par value per common share of NBT $0.01
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined pro forma total par value $ 341
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actual par value of common stock at June 30, 2001:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBT Bancorp Inc. $ 253
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CNB Financial Corp. (after retirement of treasury shares) $ 9,109 $ 9,362
-------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Required decrease in par value $ 9,021
=======
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry to conform to par value of common stock:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock $ 9,021
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional paid-in-capital $ 9,021
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of pro forma entries above
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock $ 9,668
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional paid-in-capital $ 1,467
Treasury stock $ 8,201
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-63-
(4) Authorized, issued and outstanding share information is as follows
at June 30, 2001:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NBT CNB NBT/CNB Pro Forma
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorized 2,500,000 -- 2,500,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issued and Outstanding -- -- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Par Value $0.01 $1.25 $0.01
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorized 50,000,000 20,000,000 50,000,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issued 25,312,688 7,805,097 34,057,862
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding 24,765,554 7,421,145 33,510,728
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For purposes of the pro forma issued and outstanding shares in the above table,
CNB stock held by NBT has been retired.
(5) The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet at June 30, 2001
reflects anticipated merger and integration costs for the CNB merger. Costs
related to the CNB merger are estimated to be in the range of $9.5 million to
$13.0 million ($7.3 million to $9.9 million after taxes). These estimates
include primarily investment banking, legal, accounting, printing, employee and
contract termination costs. Anticipated merger and integration cost estimates
are not included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of
income for any of the periods presented.
The pro forma statements do not reflect potential expense reductions or revenue
enhancements expected to be realized subsequent to consummation of the merger.
The entries to record the anticipated merger and integration costs on the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet are:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Tax Receivable 2,650,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained Earnings 8,600,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Liabilities 11,250,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Pro forma entry to retire $1 million of CNB Capital Trust I (capital
securities) held by NBT:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in company's junior $1,000,000
subordinated debentures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available for sale securities 1,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to immateriality, no adjustment was made to the pro forma condensed combined
statements of income for interest earned and paid on the CNB capital securities.
-64-
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
NBT BANCORP INC.,
NBT BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
CNB FINANCIAL CORP.
AND
CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK, CANAJOHARIE
dated as of June 19, 2001
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER made as of the 19th day of June,
2001, among NBT BANCORP INC. ("NBT"), a Delaware corporation having its
principal office at 52 South Broad Street, Norwich, New York 13815, NBT BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("NBT Bank"), a national banking association organized
under the laws of the United States, CNB FINANCIAL CORP. ("CNB"), a New York
corporation having its principal office at 24 Church Street, Canajoharie, New
York 13317, and CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK, CANAJOHARIE ("CNB Bank"), a national
banking association organized under the laws of the United States
W I T N E S S E T H T H A T :
WHEREAS, CNB is a bank holding company and the sole stockholder of CNB
Bank;
WHEREAS, NBT is a bank holding company and the sole stockholder of NBT
Bank;
WHEREAS, NBT desires to affiliate with CNB through the merger of CNB
with and into NBT, with NBT to be the surviving corporation (the "Holding
Company Merger"), and, in addition, to cause the simultaneous merger of CNB Bank
with and into NBT Bank, with NBT Bank to be the surviving national banking
association (the "Bank Merger");
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CNB has determined that it would be
in the best interests of CNB, its stockholders, CNB's and CNB Bank's customers,
creditors, and employees, and CNB's and CNB Bank's ability to provide as a going
concern their respective products and services, employment opportunities, and
employees benefits, and to contribute to the communities in which they do
business, for CNB and CNB Bank to become affiliated with NBT through the Holding
Company Merger and to cause the Bank Merger;
WHEREAS, the respective boards of directors of NBT Bank and CNB Bank
have determined that it would be in the best interests of NBT Bank or CNB Bank,
as the case may be, its stockholders and customers, for NBT Bank and CNB Bank to
merge with each other;
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of NBT and CNB have agreed
to cause the Holding Company Merger pursuant to the provisions of section 251 et
seq. of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "GCL") and section 901 et seq.
of the New York Business Corporation Law (the "BCL"), and to cause the Bank
Merger pursuant to the provisions of section 215a of the National Bank Act (12
U.S.C.ss. 215a);
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of NBT Bank and CNB Bank
have agreed to cause the Bank Merger pursuant to the provisions of section 215a
of the National Bank Act;
WHEREAS, the parties intend that the Holding Company Merger and the
Bank Merger qualify as one or more tax-free reorganizations under section 368(a)
of the Code;
WHEREAS, for financial accounting purposes, it is intended that the
Holding Company Merger and the Bank Merger shall be accounted for under the
"pooling-of-interests" accounting method; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to make certain representations,
warranties, and agreements in connection with the Holding Company Merger and the
Bank Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions to the Holding Company
Merger and the Bank Merger;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the mutual
agreements hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound, the parties
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
For convenience, certain terms used in more than one part of this
Agreement are listed in alphabetical order and defined or referred to below.
"Affiliates Agreement" means a written agreement substantially in form
and substance as that set forth as Exhibit I attached hereto.
"Alternative Proposal" means an inquiry or proposal to acquire more
than 1 percent of the CNB Common Stock or any capital stock of CNB Bank or any
significant portion of the assets of either of them (whether by tender offer,
merger, purchase of assets, or other transactions of any type).
"AST" means American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, New York, New
York.
"Average Closing Price" means the average of the last reported sale
price or, if no such reported sale takes place, the mean of the closing bid and
asked prices of NBT Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as such prices
are reported by the automated quotation system of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or in the absence thereof by such other source upon
which NBT and CNB shall agree, as of the 4:00 p.m. (New York time) "benchmark"
close of trading for each of the fifteen trading days ending on the second
trading day before the Effective Time.
"Bank Merger" is defined in the recitals hereto.
"Bank Merger Agreement" means a merger agreement substantially in the
form of Exhibit II attached hereto.
"BCL" is defined in the recitals hereto.
"BHC Act" means the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
"BIF" means the Bank Insurance Fund of the FDIC.
"Board of Governors" means the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System or, if applicable, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York acting
pursuant to authority delegated to it by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
"CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.
"Closing" means the closing of the Holding Company Merger and the Bank
Merger.
"CNB" is defined in the preamble hereto.
"CNB Bank" is defined in the preamble hereto.
"CNB Bank Common Stock" means the common stock of CNB Bank, $5.00 par
value.
-2-
"CNB Common Stock" means the shares of common stock, $1.25 par value,
of CNB.
"CNB Financial Statements" means the consolidated statements of
condition of CNB as of each of December 31, 1998, December 31, 1999, December
31, 2000, and March 31, 2001, and the related consolidated statement of income,
consolidated statement of cash flows, and, in the case of year-end financial
statements, consolidated statement of changes in stockholders' equity of CNB for
each of the periods ended December 31, 1998, December 31, 1999, December 31,
2000, and March 31, 2001, and the notes thereto, each as filed with the SEC.
"CNB Plans" means all pension, retirement, stock purchase, stock bonus,
stock ownership, stock option, performance share, stock appreciation right,
phantom stock, savings, or profit-sharing plans, all employment, deferred
compensation, consultant, bonus, or collective bargaining agreements, all group
insurance contracts, and all other incentive, welfare, life insurance, death or
survivor's benefit, health insurance, sickness, disability, medical, surgical,
hospital, severance, layoff, or vacation plans, contracts, and arrangements or
employee benefit plans or agreements, whether or not subject to ERISA, under
which any current or former employee of CNB or CNB Bank has any present right to
future benefits or payments or under which CNB or CNB Bank has any present or
future liability.
"CNB Real Estate" means any real property at any time owned or leased
by CNB or CNB Bank.
"CNB Stockholder Meeting" means the meeting at which the stockholders
of CNB meet to approve, ratify, and confirm the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
"CNB Subsidiary" means a Person that is deemed to be a "subsidiary" of
CNB under section 2(d) of the BHC Act.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Collateral Real Estate" means any real property at any time held as
collateral for any outstanding loan by CNB or CNB Bank.
"Confidentiality Agreements" means the confidentiality agreements dated
June 6, 2001 between CNB and NBT.
"Converted Option" means a stock option to purchase CNB Common Stock
not exercised prior to the Effective Time.
"Derivatives" means "derivatives" and "embedded derivatives" within the
meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 as issued by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board.
"Effective Time" means the date and time to be specified in the
Certificate of Merger to be filed on the date of the Closing with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the GCL and in the Certificate of
Merger to be filed on the date of the Closing with the Secretary of State of the
State of New York pursuant to the BCL.
"Environmental Laws" means CERCLA, the federal Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, the federal Water Pollution Control Act, the federal Clean Air
Act, the federal Toxic Substances Control Act, and any state or local statute,
regulation, ordinance, order, or decree relating to health, safety, or the
environment.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Exchange Agent" means the Person designated in section 2.7(a) hereof.
-3-
"Exchange Ratio" is defined in section 2.3(a) hereof.
"FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles applicable to
financial institutions.
"GCL" is defined in the recitals hereto.
"Hazardous Substance" means any hazardous waste identified or listed
under 42 U.S.C.ss. 6921, any hazardous substance, as defined by 42 U.S.C.ss.
9601(14), any "pollutant or contaminant," as defined by 42 U.S.C.ss. 9601(33),
or any toxic substance, hazardous material, oil, or other chemical or substance
regulated by any Environmental Law.
"Holding Company Merger" is defined in the recitals hereto.
"Holding Company Merger Surviving Corporation" is defined in section
2.2(a) hereof.
"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.
"Joint Proxy Statement" means the joint proxy statement to be included
in the Registration Statement and to be distributed to stockholders of NBT and
CNB in connection with their consideration of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
"Knowledge" with reference to NBT or NBT Bank means actual knowledge
possessed by Daryl R. Forsythe, Martin A. Dietrich, Michael J. Chewens, Lance
Mattingly and Jane E. Neal, and with reference to CNB or CNB Bank means actual
knowledge possessed by Donald L. Brass, Peter J. Corso, Thomas Giglio, Albert A.
Petitti and William J. Querbes.
"KPMG" means KPMG LLP.
"Material Adverse Effect" with reference to a Person means a material
adverse effect on the business, annual results of operations, or financial
condition of such Person and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or a material
adverse effect on such Person's ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby on a timely basis; provided, that, in determining whether a
Material Adverse Effect has occurred, there shall be excluded any effect on the
referenced Person the cause of which is (i) any change in banking laws, rules or
regulations of general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or
governmental authorities, (ii) any change in GAAP or to regulatory accounting
requirements applicable to banks or their holding companies generally, (iii) any
action or omission of CNB or CNB Bank taken with the prior written consent of
NBT or NBT Bank, or of NBT or NBT Bank taken with the prior written consent of
CNB or CNB Bank, or (iv) any changes in general economic conditions affecting
banks or their holding companies.
"MB&D" means McConnell, Budd & Downes, Inc.
"NBT Bank" is defined in the preamble hereto.
"NBT" is defined in the preamble hereto.
"NBT Common Stock" means the common stock of NBT, $0.01 par value per
share.
"NBT Financial Statements" means the consolidated statement of
condition of NBT as of each of December 31, 1998, December 31, 1999, December
31, 2000, and March 31, 2001, and the related consolidated statement of income,
and consolidated statement of cash flows, and, in the case of year-end financial
statements, consolidated statement of changes in stockholders' equity of NBT for
each of the
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periods ended, December 31, 1998, December 31, 1999, December 31, 2000, and
March 31, 2001, and the notes thereto, each as filed with the SEC.
"NBT Plans" means all pension, retirement, stock purchase, stock bonus,
stock ownership, stock option, performance share, stock appreciation right,
phantom stock, savings, or profit-sharing plans, all employment, deferred
compensation, consultant, bonus, or collective bargaining agreements, all group
insurance contracts, and all other incentive, welfare, life insurance, death or
survivor's benefit, health insurance, sickness, disability, medical, surgical,
hospital, severance, layoff, or vacation plans, contracts, and arrangements or
employee benefit plans or agreements, whether or not subject to ERISA, under
which any current or former employee of NBT or NBT Bank has any present right to
future benefits or payments or under which NBT or NBT Bank has any present or
future l
"NBT Subsidiary" means a Person that is deemed to be a "subsidiary" of
NBT under section 2(d) of the BHC Act.
"NBT Preferred Stock" means the preferred stock of NBT, $0.01 par value
per share.
"OCC" means the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
"Old Certificate" means a certificate which, immediately prior to the
effectiveness of the Holding Company Merger, had represented shares of CNB
Common Stock.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation,
trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, government or
other entity.
"Pooling Letters" means favorable letters from KPMG, the independent
accountants of NBT, dated the date of or shortly prior to each of the mailing
date of the proxy materials to the stockholders of CNB, and the date of the
Effective Time, in customary form and substance for letters issued in connection
with transactions similar to the Holding Company Merger, relating to the
qualification of the Holding Company Merger for pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment.
"Registration Statement" means the registration statement to be filed
by NBT with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act in connection with the
registration of the shares of NBT Common Stock to be used as consideration in
connection with the Holding Company Merger.
"Replacement Option" means an option to acquire NBT Common Stock on the
same terms and conditions as were applicable under the terms of the related
Converted Option and any option plan under which such Converted Option was
issued (or as near thereto as is practicable).
"Release" means any past or present releasing, spilling, leaking,
pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping,
leaching, disposing or dumping.
"Riegle Act" means the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory
Improvement Act of 1994.
"Right" means the right to purchase securities of NBT related to each
share of NBT Common Stock, issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement.
"Rights Agreement" means the Rights Agreement, dated as of November 15,
1994 and amended as of December 16, 1999 and April 19, 2000, by and between NBT
and AST as Rights Agent.
"SAIF" means the Savings Association Insurance Fund of the FDIC.
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"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933.
"Stock Option Agreement" means the stock option agreement the form of
which is attached hereto as Exhibit III.
"Tax" means any federal, state, local, or foreign income, payroll,
withholding, excise, sales, use, personal property, use and occupancy, business
and occupation, mercantile, real estate, gross receipts, license, employment,
severance, stamp, premium, windfall profits, social security (or similar
unemployment), disability, transfer, registration, value added, alternative, or
add-on minimum, estimated, or capital stock or franchise or other tax of any
kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, wither
disputed or not.
"Tax Return" means any return, declaration, report, information return
or other document (including any related or supporting schedules, statements, or
information) filed or required to be filed in connection with the determination,
assessment, or collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws,
regulations, or administrative requirements relating to any Tax.
"Unclaimed Shares" means shares of NBT Common Stock which holders of
Old Certificates are entitled to receive under this Agreement to the extent that
the Old Certificates to which such shares of NBT Common Stock relate have not
been surrendered for exchange in accordance with this Agreement on or before the
second anniversary of the Effective Time.
"WARN Act" means the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
of 1988.
2. COMBINATIONS.
2.1. Holding Company Merger. Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, at the Effective Time CNB will be merged with and into NBT.
2.2. Effect of Holding Company Merger. At the Effective Time:
(a) CNB and NBT shall be merged into a single corporation,
which shall be NBT. NBT is hereby designated as the surviving corporation in the
Holding Company Merger and is hereinafter sometimes called the "Holding Company
Merger Surviving Corporation."
(b) The separate existence of CNB shall cease, and the Holding
Company Merger shall have the effect set forth in article 9 of the BCL and
subchapter IX of the GCL.
(c) The Certificate of Incorporation of NBT as it exists
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Holding Company Merger Surviving Corporation until later
amended pursuant to Delaware law.
(d) The By-Laws of NBT as they exist immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the By-Laws of the Holding Company Merger Surviving
Corporation until later amended pursuant to Delaware law.
2.3. Conversion of CNB Shares.
(a) At the Effective Time, each share of CNB Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (subject to the
terms, conditions, and limitations set forth herein), shall, by virtue of the
Merger, automatically and without any action on the part of the holder
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or holders thereof, shall become and be converted into 1.2 shares of NBT Common
Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"), together with the related Rights.
(b) At the Effective Time, all shares of CNB Common Stock held
in the treasury of CNB or owned beneficially by any CNB Subsidiary other than in
a fiduciary representative or custodial capacity or in connection with a debt
previously contracted and all shares of CNB Common Stock owned by NBT or owned
beneficially by any NBT Subsidiary, other than in a fiduciary, representative or
custodial capacity or in connection with a debt previously contracted, shall be
canceled and no cash, stock or other property shall be delivered in exchange
therefor.
(c) All of the shares of CNB Common Stock converted into and
exchangeable for NBT Common Stock and related Rights pursuant to this section
2.3 shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and
cease to exist as of the Effective Time. Each Old Certificate shall thereafter
represent the right to receive NBT Common Stock and related Rights pursuant to
this section 2.3 and cash in lieu of fractional shares of NBT Common Stock, if
any, pursuant to section 2.5.
2.4. Bank Merger. Within ten days following the date of this Agreement,
NBT Bank and CNB Bank will execute the Bank Merger Agreement. Simultaneously
with the Holding Company Merger, and subject to the provisions of the Bank
Merger Agreement, CNB Bank will be merged with and into NBT Bank in the Bank
Merger with NBT Bank as the surviving national banking association. All shares
of CNB Bank Common Stock shall be canceled. All shares of capital stock of NBT
Bank outstanding at the Effective Time shall remain outstanding, and any shares
of capital stock of NBT Bank held in the treasury of NBT Bank shall remain in
the treasury of NBT Bank.
2.5. No Fractional Shares. NBT will not issue fractional shares of its
stock. In lieu of fractional shares of NBT Common Stock, if any, each
stockholder of CNB who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share
of NBT Common Stock shall receive an amount of cash equal to the product of such
fraction and the Average Closing Price. Such fractional share interest shall not
include the right to vote or to receive dividends or any interest thereon.
2.6. Dividends; Interest. No stockholder of CNB entitled to receive NBT
Common Stock in the Holding Company Merger will be entitled to receive dividends
or distributions on his or her NBT Common Stock until he, she, or it exchanges
his, her, or its Old Certificates for NBT Common Stock. The portion of any
dividends or distributions declared on NBT Common Stock at or after the
Effective Time which relates to shares to be delivered pursuant to this
Agreement in exchange for Old Certificates not so exchanged at the payment date
of such dividend or distribution shall not be paid to the holders of such Old
Certificates, but shall be paid to the Exchange Agent. Upon receipt from such a
former stockholder of CNB of Old Certificates, together with other documentation
required pursuant to section 2.7 to effect the exchange of such Old Certificates
for certificates representing shares of NBT Common Stock, the Exchange Agent
shall forward to such former stockholder of CNB, in addition to the certificates
representing his, her, or its shares of NBT Common Stock and the cash value of
any fractional shares determined in accordance with section 2.5 hereof, all
dividends and distributions declared thereon subsequent to the Effective Time
(without interest).
2.7. Designation of Exchange Agent.
(a) The parties of this Agreement hereby designate AST as
Exchange Agent to effect the exchanges contemplated hereby.
(b) NBT will, promptly after the Effective Time, issue and
deliver to AST certificates representing shares of NBT Common Stock and related
Rights and the cash to be paid to holders of CNB Common Stock in accordance with
this Agreement.
(c) If any certificate representing shares of NBT Common Stock
and related Rights is to be issued in a name other than that in which the
corresponding Old Certificate surrendered for
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exchange was issued, the Old Certificate so surrendered shall be properly
endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and the Person requesting
such exchange shall pay to AST any transfer or other taxes required by reason of
the issuance of the certificate representing shares of NBT Common Stock and
related Rights in any name other than that of the registered holder of the Old
Certificate surrendered, or establish to the satisfaction of AST that such tax
has been paid or is not payable.
(d) At any time after the second anniversary of the Effective
Time, NBT may sell, for the accounts of any or all of the holders of record of
Old Certificates and with or without notice to such holders, any or all
Unclaimed Shares. Any such sale may be made by public or private sale or sale at
any broker's board or on any securities exchange in such manner and at such
times as NBT shall determine. If, in the opinion of counsel for NBT, it is
necessary or desirable, any Unclaimed Shares may be registered for sale under
the Securities Act and applicable state laws. NBT shall not be obligated to make
any sale of Unclaimed Shares if it shall determine not to do so, even if notice
of sale of the Unclaimed Shares has been given. The net proceeds of any such
sale of Unclaimed Shares shall be held for holders of the unsurrendered Old
Certificates whose Unclaimed Shares have been sold, to be paid to them upon
surrender of the Old Certificates. From and after any such sale, the sole right
of the holders of the unsurrendered Old Certificates whose Unclaimed Shares have
been sold shall be the right to collect the net sale proceeds held by NBT for
their respective accounts, plus the amount of any dividends or distributions
paid prior to such sale and held pursuant to section 2.6, and such holders shall
not be entitled to receive any interest on such net sale proceeds held by NBT or
such dividends or distributions.
(e) If any Old Certificates are not surrendered prior to the
date on which such certificates or the proceeds of the sale of the Unclaimed
Shares, as the case may be, would otherwise escheat to or become the property of
any governmental unit or agency, the unclaimed items (including any related
dividends or distributions paid and held with respect thereto pursuant to
section 2.6) shall, to the extent permitted by abandoned property and any other
applicable law, become the property of NBT (and to the extent not in its
possession shall be paid over to it), free and clear of all claims or interest
of any person previously entitled to such claims. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
neither NBT nor its agents or any other Person shall be liable to any former
holder of CNB Common Stock for any property delivered to a public official
pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat, or similar laws.
2.8. Notice of Exchange. Promptly after the Effective Time, NBT shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to cause AST to mail, to each holder of one
or more Old Certificates, a notice in a form agreed to by NBT and CNB specifying
the Effective Time and notifying such holder to surrender his, her, or its
certificate or certificates to AST for exchange. Such notice shall be mailed to
holders by regular mail at their addresses on the records of CNB.
2.9. Acts to Carry Out This Merger Plan.
(a) CNB and its proper officers and directors shall do all
such commercially reasonable acts and things as may be necessary or proper to
vest, perfect, or confirm in NBT title to such property or rights as are
specified in the provisions identified in section 2.2(b) of this Agreement and
otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
(b) If, at any time after the Effective Time, NBT shall
consider or be advised that any further assignments or assurances in law or any
other acts are necessary or desirable to (i) vest, perfect, or confirm, of
record or otherwise, in NBT its right, title, or interest in or under any of the
rights, properties, or assets of CNB acquired or to be acquired by NBT as a
result of, or in connection with, the Holding Company Merger, or (ii) otherwise
carry out the purposes of this Agreement, CNB and its proper officers and
directors shall be deemed to have granted to NBT an irrevocable power of
attorney to execute and deliver all such proper deeds, assignments, and
assurances in law and to do all acts necessary or proper to vest, perfect, or
confirm title to and possession of such rights, properties, or assets in NBT and
otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement; and the proper officers
and directors of NBT are fully authorized in the name of CNB or otherwise to
take any and all such action.
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2.10. Treatment of Stock Options. At the Effective Time, each Converted
Option, whether vested or unvested, shall automatically be converted into a
Replacement Option for a number of shares of NBT Common Stock equal to (rounded
down to the nearest whole number of shares) (a) the number of shares of CNB
Common Stock subject to such Converted Option as of the Effective Time
multiplied by (b) the Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price per share (rounded
down to the nearest whole cent) equal to (x) the aggregate exercise price under
such Converted Option for all of the shares of CNB Common Stock subject to such
Converted Option at the Effective Time divided by (y) the number of shares of
NBT Common Stock subject to such Replacement Option. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the case of each Converted Option to which section 421 of the Code
applies by reason of its qualification under section 422 of the Code, the terms
of the Replacement Option into which such Converted Option is converted,
including the option price, the number of shares of NBT Common Stock purchasable
pursuant to such option, and the terms and conditions of exercise of such option
shall be determined so as to comply with section 424(a) of the Code. At the
Effective Time, NBT shall assume stock plans under which Converted Options have
been issued; provided, that such assumption shall only be in respect of the
Replacement Options and that NBT shall have no obligation with respect to any
awards under such plans other than the Replacement Options and shall have no
obligation to make any additional grants or awards under such assumed plans.
2.11. Stock Option Agreement. Simultaneously herewith, NBT and CNB
shall execute and deliver the Stock Option Agreement.
2.12. Directors.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, the Board of Directors
of NBT shall consist of (i) the directors of NBT immediately prior to the
Effective Time (each as a director of the class of which he was a member
immediately prior to the Effective Time) and (ii) the following three
individuals, each of whom shall hold office until the next election of the class
to which he is hereby designated and until his successor shall be elected and
qualified: Van Ness D. Robinson (as a director of the class whose term expires
in 2004), John P. Woods, Jr. (as a director of the class whose term expires in
2003), and Joseph A. Santangelo (as a director of the class whose term expires
in 2002). The Board of Directors of NBT shall nominate Mr. Santangelo for
election to a full term at the 2002 annual meeting of the NBT stockholders. Upon
joining the Board of Directors of NBT, Mr. Robinson will become a member of the
Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of NBT and the other former CNB
directors will be appointed to NBT Board Committees in accordance with NBT's
current policies. Upon becoming members of the Board of Directors of NBT, each
of Messrs. Robinson, Woods and Santangelo, if not an employee of NBT or any NBT
Subsidiary, shall be eligible to participate as a divisional director in the NBT
Non-Employee Director, Divisional Director and Subsidiary Director Stock Option
Plan.
(b) In the event that, prior to the Effective Time, any of
Messrs. Robinson, Woods or Santangelo becomes unable or unwilling to serve on
the Board of Directors of NBT, CNB may designate a replacement for that
individual, subject to the reasonable approval of NBT. In the event that, at or
after the Effective Time, any of the aforementioned individuals is unable or
unwilling to serve out the term specified herein, the remaining former CNB
directors (including any replacement director chosen pursuant to this sentence)
may designate a replacement for that individual, subject to the reasonable
approval of NBT.
(c) Promptly following the Effective Time, NBT shall cause
Messrs. Robinson, Woods and Santangelo and Mr. J. Carl Barbic to become members
of a CNB Bank divisional board of directors and shall cause Mr. Robinson to be
elected chairman of such divisional board of directors, each with a period of
service until the next annual meeting of the NBT stockholders. Upon becoming
members of such divisional board of directors, each of Messrs. Robinson, Woods,
Santangelo and Barbic shall be compensated for such services a fee according to
a schedule to be established by NBT, as set forth in Schedule 2.12(b) hereto.
2.13. Voting Agreements. Simultaneously herewith, each director of CNB
hereto shall enter into an agreement with NBT, substantially in form and
substance as that set forth as Exhibit IV attached hereto, in which he agrees to
vote all shares of CNB Common Stock which may be voted, or whose vote may be
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directed, by him in favor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at
any meeting of stockholders at which such transaction shall be considered.
2.14. Dividend Coordination. After the date of this Agreement, each of
NBT and CNB shall coordinate with the other the declaration of any dividends in
respect of NBT Common Stock and CNB Common Stock and the record dates and
payment dates relating thereto, it being the intention of the parties hereto
that holders of CNB Common Stock shall not receive two dividends, or fail to
receive one dividend, for any quarter with respect to their shares of CNB Common
Stock and any shares of NBT Common Stock any such holder receives in exchange
therefor in the Holding Company Merger.
3. EFFECTIVE TIME.
The Effective Time shall be on the first Friday following the latest
of:
3.1. CNB Stockholder Approval. The day upon which the stockholders of
CNB approve, ratify, and confirm the Holding Company Merger.
3.2. NBT Stockholder Approval. The day upon which the stockholders of
NBT approve, ratify, and confirm the Holding Company Merger and the issuance of
NBT Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement.
3.3. Federal Reserve Approval. As applicable, the date thirty days
following the date of the order of the Board of Governors approving the Holding
Company Merger; or if, pursuant to section 321(a) of the Riegle Act, in
connection with such an approval order the Board of Governors shall have
prescribed a shorter period of time with the concurrence of the Attorney General
of the United States, the date on which such shorter period of time shall
elapse; or the date five days following the expiration of the period provided in
section 225.12(d)(2)(v) of Regulation Y of the Board of Governors, 12 C.F.R.ss.
225.12(d)(2)(v), during which the Board of Governors may inform NBT that an
application to the Board of Governors is required in connection with the Holding
Company Merger, if the Board of Governors has not so informed NBT.
3.4. OCC Approval. As applicable, the date thirty days following the
date of the order of the OCC approving the Bank Merger, or if, pursuant to
section 321(b) of the Riegle Act, the OCC shall have prescribed a shorter period
of time with the concurrence of the Attorney General of the United States, the
date on which such shorter period of time shall elapse.
3.5. Other Regulatory Approvals. The date five days following the date
any other material order, approval, or consent of a federal or state regulator
of financial institutions or financial institution holding companies authorizing
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is obtained or
any waiting period mandated by such order, approval, or consent has run.
3.6. Expiration of Stays. Five days after any stay of the approvals of
either the Board of Governors or the OCC of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or any injunction against closing of said transactions is lifted,
discharged, or dismissed.
3.7. Mutual Agreement. Such other date as shall be mutually agreed to
by NBT and CNB.
4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES.
The obligations of NBT and CNB to consummate the Holding Company Merger
and the obligations of NBT Bank and CNB Bank to consummate the Bank Merger shall
be subject to the conditions that at or before the Effective Time:
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4.1. Regulatory Approvals. All orders, consents, and approvals required
to consummate the Holding Company Merger and the Bank Merger shall have been
entered by the requisite governmental authorities, and all statutory waiting
periods in respect thereof shall have expired; provided, however, that no such
approval shall have imposed any condition or requirement that, in the reasonable
judgment of the CNB Board of Directors or the NBT Board of Directors, would have
a material adverse effect on the anticipated economic benefits of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
4.2. Registration Statement.
(a) Effectiveness. The Registration Statement shall have
become effective under the Securities Act.
(b) Absence of Stop-Order. The Registration Statement shall
not be subject to a stop-order or threatened stop-order by the SEC.
4.3. Approval by Stockholders of CNB. The stockholders of CNB shall
have authorized, ratified, and confirmed the Holding Company Merger by the
affirmative vote required under the BCL and the Certificate of Incorporation and
bylaws of CNB, each as amended.
4.4. Approval by Stockholders of NBT. The stockholders of NBT shall
have authorized, ratified, and confirmed the Holding Company Merger and approved
the issuance of NBT Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement by the affirmative
vote required under the GCL and the Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws of
CNB, each as amended.
4.5. Federal Income Taxation. NBT and CNB shall have received a written
opinion (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to NBT and CNB and dated
as of the Effective Time) of Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP, or of another law
firm mutually agreeable to NBT and CNB, applying existing law, that the Holding
Company Merger and the Bank Merger shall qualify as one or more reorganizations
under section 368(a)(1) of the Code and the regulations and rulings promulgated
thereunder. In rendering such opinion, the firm rendering the opinion may
require and rely upon representations contained in this Agreement and in
certificates of officers of NBT, CNB, and others, and upon facts,
representations, and assumption contained in tax representation letters of NBT
and CNB.
4.6. Adverse Legislation. Subsequent to the date of this Agreement no
legislation shall have been enacted and no regulation or other governmental
requirement shall have been adopted or imposed that renders or will render
consummation of the Holding Company Merger or the Bank Merger impossible or
illegal.
4.7. Absence of Litigation. None of the parties hereto shall be subject
to any order, decree or injunction of a court or agency of competent
jurisdiction which enjoins or prohibits the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PERFORMANCE OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF NBT AND NBT
BANK.
The obligations of NBT and NBT Bank hereunder that are to be performed
at or after the Effective Time are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to
the Effective Time, of all the following conditions, compliance with which or
the occurrence of which may be waived in whole or in part by NBT in writing
unless not so permitted by law:
5.1. Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations.
(a) All representations and warranties of CNB and CNB Bank
contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of the Effective Time with the same effect as if such representations and
warranties had been made or given at and as of such date, except that
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representations and warranties of CNB or CNB Bank contained in this Agreement
which specifically relate to an earlier date shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of such earlier date, provided, however, that (i) in
determining whether or not the condition contained in this section 5.1(a) shall
be satisfied, no effect shall be given to any exceptions in such representations
and warranties relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect and (ii) the
condition contained in this section 5.1(a) shall be deemed to be satisfied
unless the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and
correct constitute, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect
on CNB.
(b) All covenants and obligations to be performed or met by
CNB or CNB Bank at or prior to the Effective Time shall have been so performed
or met in all material respects.
(c) On the date of the Effective Time, an executive officer of
each of CNB and CNB Bank shall deliver to NBT a certificate to the effect of
sections 5.1(a) and 5.1(b). The delivery of such certificates shall in no way
diminish the warranties, representations, covenants, and obligations of CNB and
CNB Bank made in this Agreement.
5.2. No Adverse Developments. During the period from March 31, 2001 to
the Effective Time, there shall not have been any Material Adverse Effect with
respect to CNB. On the date of the Effective Time, an executive officer of CNB
shall deliver to NBT a certificate to that effect. The delivery of such
certificate shall in no way diminish the warranties or representations of CNB
made in this Agreement.
5.3. Accounting Treatment. At or before the Effective Time (i) NBT
shall have received the Pooling Letters, other than any which NBT did not
receive as a result of the action of NBT or one or more of its affiliates,
directors, officers, or stockholders, and (ii) the SEC shall not have raised any
material objection to the qualification of the Holding Company Merger for
pooling-of-interests treatment, other than an objection as a result of the
action of NBT or one or more of its affiliates, directors, officers, or
stockholders.
6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF CNB AND CNB BANK.
The obligations of CNB and CNB Bank hereunder that are to be performed
at or after the Effective Time are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to
the Effective Time, of all the following conditions, compliance with which or
the occurrence of which may be waived in whole or in part by CNB in writing
unless not so permitted by law:
6.1. Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations.
(a) All representations and warranties of NBT and NBT Bank
contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of the Effective Time with the same effect as if such representations and
warranties had been made or given at and as of such date, except that
representations and warranties of NBT and NBT Bank contained in this Agreement
which specifically relate to an earlier date shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of such earlier date, provided, however, that (i) in
determining whether or not the condition contained in this section 5.1(a) shall
be satisfied, no effect shall be given to any exceptions in such representations
and warranties relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect and (ii) the
condition contained in this section 5.1(a) shall be deemed to be satisfied
unless the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and
correct constitute, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect
on NBT.
(b) All covenants and obligations to be performed or met by
NBT or NBT Bank at or prior to the Effective Time shall have been so performed
or met in all material respects.
(c) On the date of the Effective Time, an executive officer of
each of NBT and NBT Bank shall deliver to CNB a certificate to the effect of
sections 5.1(a) and 5.1(b). The delivery of such certificates shall in no way
diminish the warranties, representations, covenants, and obligations of NBT and
NBT Bank made in this Agreement.
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6.2. No Material Adverse Effect. During the period from March 31, 2001
to the Effective Time, there shall not have been any Material Adverse Effect
with respect to NBT. On the date of the Effective Time, an executive officer of
NBT shall deliver to CNB a certificate to that effect. The delivery of such
certificate shall in no way diminish the warranties or representations of NBT
made in this Agreement.
6.3. Status of NBT Common Stock. The shares of NBT Common Stock to be
issued to the stockholders of CNB upon consummation of the Holding Company
Merger shall have been authorized for inclusion on the Nasdaq National Market
(or another national securities exchange) subject to official notice of
issuance.
6.4. Accounting Treatment. At or before the Effective Time (i) NBT
shall have received the Pooling Letters, other than any which NBT did not
receive as a result of the action of CNB or one or more of its affiliates,
directors, officers, or stockholders; and (ii) the SEC shall not have raised any
material objection to the qualification of the Holding Company Merger for
pooling-of-interests treatment, other than an objection as a result of the
action of CNB or one or more of its affiliates, directors, officers, or
stockholders.
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CNB AND CNB BANK.
CNB (with respect to CNB and the CNB Subsidiaries) and CNB Bank (solely
with respect to itself) each represents and warrants to NBT and NBT Bank as
follows:
7.1. Organization, Powers, and Qualification. Each of CNB and each CNB
Subsidiary is a corporation, national banking association, or trust which is
duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite corporate power and authority
to own and operate its properties and assets, to lease properties used in its
business, and to carry on its business as now conducted. Each of CNB and each
CNB Subsidiary owns or possesses in the operation of its business all
franchises, licenses, permits, branch certificates, consents, approvals,
waivers, and other authorizations, governmental or otherwise, which are
necessary for it to conduct its business as now conducted, except for those
where the failure to have such ownership or possession would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on CNB. Each of CNB and each CNB Subsidiary is duly qualified and
licensed to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction with
respect to which the failure to be so qualified or licensed would have a
Material Adverse Effect on CNB.
7.2. Execution and Performance of Agreement. Each of CNB and CNB Bank
has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to perform its terms. CNB has all requisite corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver the Stock Option Agreement and to perform its
terms.
7.3. Absence of Violations.
(a) Neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary is (i) in violation of
its respective charter documents or bylaws, (ii) in violation of any applicable
federal, state, or local law or ordinance or any order, rule, or regulation of
any federal, state, local, or other governmental agency or body, or (iii) in
violation of or in default with respect to any order, writ, injunction, or
decree of any court, or in default under any order, license, regulation, or
demand of any governmental agency, except, in the case of (ii) or (iii), for
such violations or defaults which in the aggregate would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on CNB; and neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary has received any
claim or notice of violation with respect thereto.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 7.3 hereto, neither CNB
nor any CNB Subsidiary nor any director or officer of any of them is a party to
any assistance agreement, supervisory agreement, memorandum of understanding,
consent order, cease and desist order or condition of any regulatory order or
decree with or by the Board of Governors, the OCC, the FDIC, the SEC, any other
banking or securities authority of the United States or the State of New York,
or any other regulatory agency that relates to the
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conduct of the business of CNB or any CNB Subsidiary or their assets; and no
such agreement, memorandum, order, condition, or decree is pending or, to the
Knowledge of CNB or CNB Bank, threatened.
7.4. Compliance with Agreements. Except as set forth in Schedule 7.4
hereto, neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary is in violation of any term of any
security agreement, mortgage, indenture, or any other contract, agreement,
instrument, lease, or certificate, except for such violations which in the
aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on CNB.
7.5. Binding Obligations; Due Authorization. The execution, delivery,
and performance of this Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement, and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly
authorized by the board of directors of each of CNB and CNB Bank. Other than
approval, ratification and confirmation of this Agreement by the stockholders of
CNB, no other corporate proceedings on the part of either CNB or CNB Bank are
necessary to authorize this Agreement, the Merger, the Stock Option Agreement,
the issuance of the stock options contemplated by the Stock Option Agreement,
the subsequent exercise of the stock options thereby issued, the Bank Merger,
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement, or the carrying out of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of CNB and
CNB Bank and constitutes the valid, legal, and binding obligation of each of CNB
and CNB Bank, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors' rights, to the supervisory and enforcement
powers of applicable regulatory agencies, and to general equity principles. The
Stock Option Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by CNB.
7.6. Absence of Default.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 7.6 hereto, none of the
execution or the delivery of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or the
compliance with or fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof will (i) conflict
with, or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of,
or constitute a default under the organizational documents or bylaws of CNB or
any CNB Subsidiary; (ii) conflict with, or result in a breach of the terms,
conditions, or provisions of, or constitute a material violation or default
under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration
with respect to, or result in the creation of any lien, charge, or encumbrance
upon any of the property or assets of CNB or any CNB Subsidiary pursuant to, any
material agreement or instrument under which it is obligated or by which any of
its properties or assets may be bound, including any material lease, contract,
mortgage, promissory note, deed of trust, loan, credit arrangement, or other
commitment or arrangement of CNB or any CNB Subsidiary, except for such
conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, rights of termination, cancellation,
or acceleration, or results described in this section 7.6(a)(ii) which in the
aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on CNB; (iii) if the Holding
Company Merger is approved by the Board of Governors under the BHC Act, or if
the Board of Governors waives its jurisdiction over the Holding Company Merger,
and if the Bank Merger is approved by the OCC, violate any law, statute, rule,
or regulation of any government or agency to which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary is
subject and which is material to its operations; (iv) violate any judgment,
order, writ, injunction, decree, or ruling to which it or any of its properties
or assets is subject or bound; or (v) require any material authorization,
consent, approval, or exemption by any Person which has not been obtained, or
any material notice or filing which has not been given or done, other than
approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by, notices to, or
filings with the Board of Governors, the OCC, the SEC, the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware, and the Secretary of State of the State of New York, and
filings referred to in section 8.12 hereof.
(b) The Board of Directors of CNB has taken all necessary
action so that the provisions of section 912 et seq. of the BCL (and any
applicable provisions of the takeover laws of any other state) do not and will
not apply to this Agreement, the Holding Company Merger, the Bank Merger, the
Stock Option Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
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(c) CNB has not adopted any stockholder rights plan, "poison
pill" or similar plan, or any other plan which could result in the grant of any
rights to any person, or which could enable or require any rights to be
exercised, distributed, or triggered, as a result of the execution, delivery, or
announcement of this Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement, or the consummation
of the Holding Company Merger or the Bank Merger or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement.
7.7. Compliance with BHC Act.
(a) CNB is duly registered as a bank holding company under the
BHC Act. All of the activities and investments of CNB conform to the
requirements applicable generally to bank holding companies under the BHC Act
and the regulations of the Board of Governors adopted thereunder.
(b) To the Knowledge of CNB, no Person, other than CNB, is
registered or is required to be registered as a bank holding company under the
BHC Act by virtue of its control over CNB Bank or over any Person that directly
or indirectly has control over CNB Bank.
(c) Except for the activities engaged in by Colonial Financial
Services, Inc., each of the activities engaged in by CNB and the CNB
Subsidiaries has been determined by regulation of the Board of Governors to be
so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper
incident thereto. The activities engaged in by Colonial Financial Services, Inc.
are authorized pursuant to section 5136A(a)(2)(A) of the Revised Statutes of the
United States (12 U.S.C.ss. 24a(a)(2)(A)) as financial in nature or incidental
to a financial activity or as activities that are permitted for national banks
to engage in directly.
7.8. Subsidiaries. CNB Bank is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of
CNB. There are no CNB Subsidiaries except CNB Bank and the Persons set forth on
Schedule 7.8 hereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.8 hereto, CNB does not
directly or indirectly own, control, or hold with the power to vote any shares
of the capital stock or other ownership interests of any Person (except shares
held by CNB Bank for the account of others in a fiduciary, representative or
custodial capacity in the ordinary course of its business and shares acquired
with respect to debts previously contracted). There are no outstanding
subscriptions, options, warrants, convertible securities, calls, commitments, or
agreements calling for or requiring the issuance, transfer, sale, or other
disposition of any shares of the capital stock of any CNB Subsidiary, or calling
for or requiring the issuance of any securities or rights convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock of any CNB Subsidiary.
7.9. Capital Structure.
(a) The authorized capital stock of CNB consists of 20,000,000
shares of CNB Common Stock, of which, as of the date of this Agreement,
7,421,146 shares have been duly issued and are validly outstanding, fully paid,
and held by approximately 1,664 stockholders of record, and 383,952 shares of
CNB Common Stock are held by CNB as treasury shares. Such shares of CNB Common
Stock are the only voting securities of CNB authorized, issued, or outstanding
as of such date; and, except as set forth on Schedule 7.9 hereto, no
subscriptions, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, or similar
arrangements or commitments are authorized, issued, or outstanding which would
enable the holder thereof to purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any class
of capital stock of CNB. None of the CNB Common Stock is subject to any
restrictions upon the transfer thereof under the terms of the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws of CNB.
(b) Schedule 7.9 hereto lists all options to purchase CNB
securities currently outstanding and, for each such option, the date of
issuance, date of exercisability, exercise price, type of security for which
exercisable, date of expiration, and whether the option is intended to
constitute an incentive stock option under section 422 of the Code. Schedule 7.9
hereto further lists all shares of CNB Common Stock reserved for issuance
pursuant to stock option plans, agreements, or arrangements but not yet issued
and all options upon shares of CNB Common Stock designated or made available for
grant but not yet granted.
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(c) The authorized capital stock of CNB Bank consists of
2,250,000 shares of CNB Bank Common Stock, of which, as of the date of this
Agreement, 1,173,408 shares have been duly issued and are validly outstanding,
fully paid, and all of which are held of record and beneficially by CNB, free
and clear of any adverse claims. The aforementioned shares of CNB Bank Common
Stock are the only voting securities of CNB Bank authorized, issued, or
outstanding as of such date; and no subscriptions, warrants, options, rights,
convertible securities, or similar arrangements or commitments in respect of
securities of CNB Bank are authorized, issued, or outstanding which would enable
the holder thereof to purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any class of
capital stock of CNB Bank. No shares of CNB Bank Common Stock are held by CNB
Bank as treasury shares. None of the CNB Bank Common Stock is subject to any
restrictions upon the transfer thereof under the terms of the articles of
association or bylaws of CNB Bank or under the terms of any agreement to which
CNB Bank is a party or under which it is bound.
(d) None of the shares of CNB Common Stock or CNB Bank Common
Stock has been issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any stockholder.
(e) As of the date hereof, to the Knowledge of CNB and CNB
Bank, and except for this Agreement, there are no stockholder agreements, or
other agreements, understandings, or commitments relating to the right of any
holder or beneficial owner of more than 1 percent of the issued and outstanding
shares of any class of the capital stock of either CNB or CNB Bank to vote or to
dispose of his, her, or its shares of capital stock of that entity.
7.10. Certificate and Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Minute
Books. The copies of the certificate or articles of incorporation or association
and all amendments thereto and of the bylaws, as amended, of CNB and each of the
CNB Subsidiaries that have been provided to NBT are true, correct, and complete
copies thereof. The minute books of CNB and each of the CNB Subsidiaries which
have been made available to NBT accurately record, in all material respects, all
material corporate actions of their respective stockholders and boards of
directors (including committees).
7.11. Books and Records. The books and records of each of CNB and each
CNB Subsidiary fairly reflect the transactions to which it is a party or by
which its properties are subject or bound. Such books and records have been
properly kept and maintained and are in compliance in all material respects with
all applicable legal and accounting requirements.
7.12. Regulatory Approvals and Filings, Contracts, Commitments, etc.
Except as set forth in Schedule 7.12 hereto, CNB has made available to NBT:
(a) All regulatory approvals received since January 1, 1995,
of CNB and CNB Bank relating to all bank and nonbank acquisitions or the
establishment of de novo operations;
(b) All material employment retention, or non-competition
contracts and all material CNB Plans accompanied by (i) any agreements,
including trust agreements, embodying such contracts, plans, or arrangements,
(ii) the executed governing documents, including the related trust agreement,
insurance policy and summary plan description for each CNB Plan, if any, (iii)
the most recent and prior two years' actuarial and financial reports if the CNB
Plan constitutes a "qualified plan" under section 401(a) of the Code, and (iv)
the most recent and prior two years' Form 5500 with all schedules, (v) all IRS
rulings and determination letters issued or filed within the past two years and
any open requests for such rulings and letters, (vi) all employee manuals
relating to employment and benefit policies and practices (whether or not
distributed to employees or any of them), and (vii) any actuarial reports and
audits relating to such contracts, plans, and arrangements;
(c) All material contracts, agreements, leases, mortgages, and
commitments to which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary is a party or may be bound; or,
if any of the same be oral, true, accurate, and complete written summaries of
all such oral contracts, agreements, leases, mortgages, and commitments;
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(d) All deeds, leases, contracts, agreements, mortgages, and
commitments to which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary is a party or may be bound and
which relate to land, buildings, fixtures, or other real property upon or within
which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary operates its businesses or is authorized to
operate its businesses, or with respect to which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary has
any application pending for authorization to operate its businesses;
(e) Any pending application, including any documents or
materials related thereto, which has been filed by CNB or CNB Bank with any
federal or state regulatory agency with respect to the establishment of a new
office or the acquisition or establishment of any additional banking or
nonbanking subsidiary; and
(f) All federal, state, and local Tax Returns, including any
amended returns, filed by CNB or any CNB Subsidiary for the years 1997 through
2000, the most recent audit examination of each of CNB and CNB Bank by the IRS,
and all correspondence or other documents with respect to any IRS examination
that has not yet been resolved, the most recent state or local tax agency
examination, if any, of each of CNB and CNB Bank, and all correspondence or
other documents with respect to any state or local taxing authority examination
that has not yet been resolved, and all tax rulings, closing agreements,
settlement agreements, or similar documents with respect to CNB or CNB Bank
received from or entered into with the IRS or any other taxing authority since
January 1, 1991 or that would have continuing effect after the Effective Time.
7.13. Financial Statements. CNB has furnished to NBT the CNB Financial
Statements. Each of the consolidated financial statements included in the CNB
Financial Statements complied as to form in all material respects with GAAP and
the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto and fairly
presented the consolidated financial position of CNB and its subsidiaries as of
its date, and each of the consolidated statements of income, of stockholders'
equity, and of cash flows included in the CNB Financial Statements fairly
presented the results of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows of CNB
and its subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments), in each case in
accordance with GAAP, during the periods involved, except as may be noted
therein.
7.14. Call Reports; Bank Holding Company Reports.
(a) CNB Bank has made available to NBT its Consolidated
Reports of Condition and Consolidated Reports of Income for the calendar
quarters ended March 31, 1998 and thereafter. All of such Consolidated Reports
of Condition and Consolidated Reports of Income, including the related schedules
and memorandum items, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied in all
material respects or, to the extent different from GAAP, accounting principles
mandated by the applicable instructions to such Consolidated Reports of
Condition or Consolidated Reports of Income.
(b) CNB has made available to NBT (i) its annual report on
Form FR Y-6 as filed with the Board of Governors as of December 31, 2000 and
(ii) its semiannual report on Form FR Y-9LP as filed with the Board of Governors
as of December 31, 2000.
7.15. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.
(a) At March 31, 2001, neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary had
any obligation or liability of any nature (whether absolute, accrued,
contingent, or otherwise, and whether due or to become due) which was material,
or which when combined with all similar obligations or liabilities would have
been material, to CNB, except (i) as disclosed in the CNB Financial Statements,
(ii) as set forth on Schedule 7.15 hereto, or (iii) for liabilities incurred by
CNB or CNB Bank in the ordinary course of their business consistent with past
practice.
(b) Since March 31, 2001, neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary
has incurred or paid any obligation or liability that would be material on a
consolidated basis to CNB, except (i) for
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obligations incurred or paid in connection with transactions by it in the
ordinary course of its business consistent with past practices, (ii) as set
forth on Schedule 7.15 hereto, or (iii) as expressly contemplated herein.
7.16. Absence of Certain Developments. Since March 31, 2001, except as
set forth in Schedule 7.16 hereto, each of CNB and each CNB Subsidiary has
conducted its business only in the ordinary course of such business and
consistent with past practices, and there has been (a) no Material Adverse
Effect upon CNB, (b) no declaration, setting aside, or payment by CNB or CNB
Bank of any regular dividend, special dividend, or other distribution with
respect to any class of capital stock of CNB or CNB Bank, other than (i) subject
to the dividend-coordination provisions of section 2.14 of this Agreement,
customary cash dividends paid by CNB whose amounts have not exceeded $0.09 per
share per calendar quarter and the intervals between which dividends have not
been more frequent than past practice and (ii) customary cash dividends paid by
CNB Bank whose amounts have not exceeded past practice and the intervals between
which dividends have not been more frequent than past practice; (c) no
repurchase by CNB of any of its capital stock; and (iv) no material acquisition
or disposition of any asset, nor any material contract outside the ordinary
course of business entered into by CNB or any CNB Subsidiary nor any substantial
amendment or termination of any material contract outside the ordinary course of
business to which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary is a party, nor any other
transaction by CNB or any CNB Subsidiary involving an amount in excess of
$100,000 other than for fair value in the ordinary course of its business.
7.17. Tax Matters. Except as provided in Schedule 7.17 hereto:
(a) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of
CNB or any CNB Subsidiary have been timely filed with the appropriate
governmental agencies in all jurisdictions in which such Tax Returns are
required to be filed, or requests for extensions have been timely filed,
granted, and have not expired. All such filed Tax Returns are complete and
accurate in all material respects and properly reflect Taxes for the periods
covered thereby. All Taxes shown or required to be shown on such filed Tax
Returns have been paid. None of CNB or any CNB Subsidiary has instituted any
refund litigation or received notice of any pending audit examination,
deficiency, or tax claim or any notice of assessment or proposed assessment by
the IRS or any other taxing authority that might result in a determination
adverse to CNB or a CNB Subsidiary, except as adequately reserved against in the
last balance sheet included in the CNB Financial Statements. All Taxes due with
respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded litigation have been
properly accrued or paid.
(b) Neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary has executed an
extension or waiver of any statute of limitations on the assessment or
collection of any Tax due that is currently in effect.
(c) To the extent any Taxes are due from, but have not yet
been paid by, CNB or a CNB Subsidiary for the period or periods beginning
January 1, 2001 or thereafter through and including the Effective Time, adequate
provision on an estimated basis has been made for the payment of such taxes by
establishment of appropriate tax liability accounts on the financial statements
of CNB.
(d) To the knowledge of CNB and CNB Bank, other than liens
arising under the laws of the State of New York with respect to Taxes assessed
and not yet due and payable, there are no tax liens on any of the properties or
assets of CNB or the CNB Subsidiaries.
(e) Except to the extent that any failure is not material, CNB
and CNB Bank (i) have timely filed all information returns or reports required
to be filed with respect to Taxes, (ii) have properly and timely provided to all
Persons, other than taxing authorities, all information reports or other
documents (for example, Form 1099s and Form W-2s) required to be provided to
such Persons under applicable Tax law, and (iii) have exercised due diligence in
obtaining certified taxpayer identification numbers as required under applicable
Tax law.
(f) CNB and the CNB Subsidiaries have in all material respects
satisfied all federal, state, local, and foreign withholding tax requirements
including income, social security, and employment tax withholding.
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(g) Neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary (i) is, or has been, a
member of a group filing a consolidated, combined, or unitary tax return, other
than a group the common parent of which is or was CNB, or (ii) has any liability
for the Taxes of any Person (other than CNB and the CNB Subsidiaries) under
Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign
law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.
7.18. Regulatory Information. CNB and CNB Bank have disclosed to NBT
and NBT Bank the information called for by Item 75 and 76 of the due diligence
request provided to CNB, as such information may be updated from time to time
from the date hereof.
7.19. Reports. Except as set forth in Schedule 7.19 hereto, since
January 1, 1998, each of CNB and each CNB Subsidiary has effected all
registrations and filed all reports and statements, together with any amendments
required to be made with respect thereto, which it was required to effect or
file with (a) the Board of Governors, (b) the OCC, (c) the FDIC, (d) the United
States Department of the Treasury, (e) the SEC, and (f) any other governmental
or regulatory authority or agency having jurisdiction over its operations. No
such registration, report, or document filed with the SEC, including the
financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto, contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. All other such registrations, reports, and
documents were prepared in accordance with the applicable statutes, regulations,
and instructions in existence as of the date of filing of such reports in all
material respects.
7.20. SEC Registered Securities. Other than the CNB Common Stock, the
Series B Floating Rate Capital Securities of CNB Capital Trust I, the Series B
Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures of CNB, and the
CNB Series B Guarantee with respect to Series B Floating Rate Capital
Securities, no equity or debt securities of CNB or any CNB Subsidiary are
registered or required to be registered under the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act.
7.21. Legal Proceedings. Except as disclosed in the CNB Financial
Statements or as set forth on Schedule 7.21 hereto, there is no claim, action,
suit, arbitration, investigation, or other proceeding pending before any court,
governmental agency, authority or commission, arbitrator, or "impartial
mediator" (of which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary has been served with process or
otherwise been given notice) or, to the Knowledge of CNB and CNB Bank,
threatened or contemplated against or affecting it or its property, assets,
interests, or rights, or any basis therefor of which notice has been given,
which, if adversely determined, would be reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect upon CNB.
7.22. Absence of Governmental Proceedings. Except as set forth in
Schedule 7.22 hereto, neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary is a party defendant or
respondent to any pending legal, equitable, or other proceeding commenced by any
governmental agency and, to the Knowledge of CNB and CNB Bank, no such
proceeding is threatened.
7.23. Federal Deposit Insurance.
(a) The deposits held by CNB Bank are insured within statutory
limits by the Bank Insurance Fund of the FDIC pursuant to the provisions of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (12 U.S.C.ss. 1811 et seq.), and CNB
Bank has paid all regular premiums and special assessments and filed all related
reports and statements required under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
(b) CNB Bank is a member of and pays insurance assessments to
the BIF, and its deposits are insured by the BIF. None of the deposits of CNB
Bank are insured by the SAIF, and CNB Bank pays no insurance assessments to the
SAIF.
7.24. Other Insurance. Set forth on Schedule 7.24 are the material
insurance policies maintained by CNB and each CNB Subsidiary. All such policies
of insurance are in full force and effect, and no notice
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of cancellation has been received. All premiums to date have been paid in full.
Neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary is in default with respect to any such policy
which is material to it.
7.25. Labor Matters. Neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary is a party to
or bound by any collective bargaining contracts with respect to any employees of
CNB or the CNB Subsidiaries. Since their respective inceptions there has not
been, nor to the Knowledge of CNB and CNB Bank has there been or is there
threatened, any strike, slowdown, picketing, or work stoppage by any union or
other group of employees against CNB or any CNB Subsidiary or any of its
premises, or any other labor trouble or other occurrence, event, or condition of
a similar character. As of the date hereof, neither CNB nor CNB Bank has
Knowledge of any attempts to organize a collective bargaining unit to represent
any of its employee groups.
7.26. Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Schedule 7.26 attached hereto contains a complete list or
brief descriptions of all material CNB Plans.
(b) Each CNB Plan complies in all material respects with
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable laws.
(c) Each CNB Plan intended to be a qualified plan under the
Code complies with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code in all
material respects and a favorable determination letter has been issued by the
IRS with respect to each such plan, and to the knowledge of CNB, no condition
exists which presents a material risk of any such letter being revoked. Neither
CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary had, as of the date of the last balance sheet
included in the CNB Financial Statements, any material liability under any CNB
Plan which is not reflected on such last balance sheet included in the CNB
Financial Statements (other than such normally unrecorded liabilities under the
CNB Plan for sick leave, holiday, education, bonus, vacation, incentive
compensation, and anniversary awards, provided that such liabilities not
reflected on the last balance sheet included in the CNB Financial Statements are
not material and other than liabilities not required under generally accepted
accounting principles to be reflected on such balance sheet). There have not
been any "prohibited transactions" with respect to any CNB Plan within the
meaning of section 406 of ERISA or, where applicable, section 4975 of the Code,
that would have a Material Adverse Effect, nor does any accumulated funding
deficiency within the meaning of section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code
exist with respect to any CNB Plan. Neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary nor any
entity under common control with CNB under section 414(b), (c), or (m) of the
Code has or had any obligation to contribute to any multiemployer plan (within
the meaning of section 3(37) of ERISA). Except as set forth on Schedule 7.26(c)
hereto, neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary has any obligation to provide retiree
medical or life insurance benefits, except as required by Part 6 of Title I of
ERISA or other applicable law.
(d) To the knowledge of CNB, no action, claim, or demand of
any kind has been brought or threatened by any potential claimant or
representative of such a claimant under any CNB Plan, other than routine claims
for benefits in the ordinary course, where CNB or a CNB Subsidiary may be either
(i) liable directly on such action, claim, or demand; or (ii) obligated to
indemnify any Person or group of Persons with respect to such action, claim, or
demand which is not fully covered by insurance maintained with reputable,
responsible financial insurers or by a self-insured plan.
7.27. Employee Relations. Except as set forth in Schedule 7.27 hereto,
no dispute exists between CNB or any CNB Subsidiary and any of its employee
groups regarding any employee organization, wages, hours, or conditions of
employment which would have a Material Adverse Effect on CNB. Since the
enactment of the WARN Act, neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary has effectuated
(a) a "plant closing" (as defined by the WARN Act) affecting any site of
employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any site of
employment or facility of CNB or any CNB Subsidiary or (b) a "mass layoff" (as
defined by the WARN Act) affecting any site of employment or facility of CNB or
any CNB Subsidiary, nor has CNB or any CNB Subsidiary 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 the
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employees of CNB or the CNB Subsidiaries has suffered an "employment loss" (as
defined in the WARN Act) during the ninety-day period prior to the execution of
this Agreement.
7.28. Fiduciary Activities. CNB Bank is duly qualified and registered
and in good standing in accordance with the laws of each jurisdiction in which
it is required to so qualify or register as a result of or in connection with
its fiduciary or custodial activities as conducted as of the date hereof. CNB
Bank is duly registered under and in compliance with all requirements of the
federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940 as amended, or is exempt from
registration thereunder and from compliance with the requirements thereof. Since
January 1, 1998, CNB Bank has conducted, and currently is conducting, all
fiduciary and custodial activities in all material respects in accordance with
all applicable law.
7.29. Environmental Liability. Except as set forth in Schedule 7.29
hereto:
(a) Neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary is in material
violation of any judgment, decree, order, law, license, rule or regulation
pertaining to environmental matters, including those arising under any
Environmental Law.
(b) Neither CNB, any CNB Subsidiary, nor, to the Knowledge of
CNB and CNB Bank, any borrower of CNB or of any CNB Subsidiary has received
notice that it has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency as a potentially responsible party under CERCLA with respect to a site
listed on the National Priorities List, 40 C.F.R. Part 300 Appendix B, nor has
CNB or any CNB Subsidiary or, to the Knowledge of CNB or CNB Bank, any borrower
of CNB or of any CNB Subsidiary received any notification that any Hazardous
Substance that it has disposed of has been found at any site at which a federal
or state agency is conducting a remedial investigation or other action pursuant
to any Environmental Law.
(c) No portion of the CNB Real Estate has been used by CNB or
any CNB Subsidiary for the handling, processing, storage or disposal of
Hazardous Substances in a manner which violates any Environmental Laws and which
would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on CNB. To the
Knowledge of CNB and CNB Bank, any underground tank or other underground storage
receptacle for Hazardous Substances located on any of the CNB Real Estate
complies with applicable Environmental Laws. In the course of its activities,
neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary has generated or is generating any hazardous
waste on any of the CNB Real Estate in a manner which violates any Environmental
Laws. There has been no material Release of Hazardous Substances by CNB or any
CNB Subsidiary. In addition, to the Knowledge of CNB and CNB Bank, there have
been no such Releases on, upon, or into any real property in the vicinity of any
of the CNB Real Estate that, through soil or groundwater contamination, may be
located on any of such CNB Real Estate.
(d) With respect to the Collateral Real Estate, neither CNB
nor any CNB Subsidiary has since January 1, 1995 received notice from any
borrower thereof or third party, and neither CNB nor CNB Bank has any Knowledge,
that such borrower has generated or is generating any hazardous waste on any of
the Collateral Real Estate in a manner which violates any Environmental Laws or
that there has been any Release of Hazardous Substances by such borrower on,
upon, or into any of the Collateral Real Estate, or that there has been any
Release on, upon, or into any real property in the vicinity of any of the
Collateral Real Estate that, through soil or groundwater contamination, may be
located on any of such Collateral Real Estate.
(e) As used in this section 7.29, each of the terms "CNB" and
"CNB Bank" includes the applicable entity and any Person in which it has an
interest.
7.30. Intangible Property. To the Knowledge of CNB and CNB Bank, each
of CNB and each CNB Subsidiary owns or possesses the right, free of the claims
of any third party, to use all material trademarks, service marks, trade names,
copyrights, patents, and licenses currently used by it in the conduct of its
business. No material product or service offered and no material trademark,
service mark, or similar right used by CNB or any CNB Subsidiary infringes any
rights of any other Person, and neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary has received
any written or oral notice of any claim of such infringement.
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7.31. Real and Personal Property. Except for property and assets
disposed of in the ordinary course of business, and except as set forth in
Schedule 7.31 hereto, each of CNB and each CNB Subsidiary possesses good and
marketable title to and owns, free and clear of any mortgage, pledge, lien,
charge, or other encumbrance or other third party interest of any nature
whatsoever which would have a Material Adverse Effect on CNB, its real and
personal property and other assets, including those properties and assets
reflected in the last balance sheet included in the CNB Financial Statements or
acquired by CNB or any CNB Subsidiary subsequent to March 31, 2001. The leases
pursuant to which CNB and the CNB Subsidiaries lease real or personal property
as lessee are valid and effective in accordance with their respective terms; and
there is not, under any such lease, any material existing default or any event
which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or otherwise, would constitute
a material default. The real and personal property leased by either CNB or any
CNB Subsidiary as lessee is free from any lien, charge, or other encumbrance
created by CNB or any CNB Subsidiary which would have a Material Adverse Effect
on CNB. The material properties and equipment owned or leased as lessee by CNB
and the CNB Subsidiaries are in normal operating condition, free from any known
defects, except such minor defects as do not materially interfere with the
continued use thereof in the conduct of its normal operations.
7.32. Loans, Leases, and Discounts. To the Knowledge of CNB and CNB
Bank, except as described in CNB Bank's document exception reports, each loan,
lease, and discount reflected as an asset of CNB on the last balance sheet
included in the CNB Financial Statements, or acquired since March 31, 2001, is
the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the obligor named therein,
enforceable in accordance with its terms; and no loan, lease, or discount having
an unpaid balance (principal and accrued interest) in excess of $100,000, and no
outstanding letter of credit or commitment to extend credit having a notional
amount in excess of $100,000, is subject to any asserted defense, offset, or
counterclaim to the Knowledge of CNB and CNB Bank.
7.33. Material Contracts. Neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary nor any of
the assets, businesses, or operations of any of them is a party to, or is bound
or affected by, or receives benefits under any material agreement, arrangement,
or commitment not cancelable by it without penalty, other than (a) the
agreements set forth on Schedule 7.33 hereto, and (b) agreements, arrangements,
or commitments entered into in the ordinary course of its business consistent
with past practice, or, if there has been no past practice, consistent with
prudent banking practices.
7.34. Employment and Severance Arrangements. Schedule 7.34 hereto sets
forth all contracts, agreements, and arrangements between CNB or any CNB
Subsidiary and any of its officers, directors, stockholders, consultants, or
other management officials or any officer, director, stockholder, consultant, or
management official of any affiliate if the contract, agreement, or arrangement
provides for (a) severance payments or (b) increased or accelerated compensation
in the event of a change of control with respect to CNB or a CNB Subsidiary or
any other event affecting the ownership, control, or management of CNB or a CNB
Subsidiary.
7.35. Validity of Contracts. All contracts, agreements, leases,
mortgages, or commitments referred to in section 7.12(c) hereof are valid and in
full force and effect on the date hereof.
7.36. Capital Expenditures. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.36
hereto, neither CNB nor any CNB Subsidiary has any outstanding commitments to
make capital expenditures which in the aggregate exceed $50,000.
7.37. Repurchase Agreements. With respect to all agreements pursuant to
which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary has purchased securities subject to an agreement
to resell, it has a valid, perfected first lien or security interest in the
securities securing the agreement, and the value of the collateral securing each
such agreement equals or exceeds the amount of the debt secured by such
collateral under such agreement.
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7.38. Interest Rate Risk Management Instruments.
(a) Schedule 7.38 hereto contains a true, correct, and
complete list of all Derivatives and other interest-rate risk management
arrangements to which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary is a party or by which any of
its properties or assets may be bound.
(b) All Derivatives and other interest rate risk management
arrangements to which CNB or any CNB Subsidiary is a party or by which any of
its properties or assets may be bound were entered into in the ordinary course
of its business and in accordance with prudent banking practice and applicable
rules, regulations, and regulatory policies and with counterparties believed to
be financially responsible at the time and are legal, valid, and binding
obligations enforceable in accordance with their terms and are in full force and
effect. CNB and the CNB Subsidiaries have duly performed in all material
respects all of their respective obligations thereunder to the extent that such
obligations to perform have accrued; and to the Knowledge of CNB and CNB Bank,
there are no breaches, violations, or defaults or allegations or assertions of
such by any party thereunder.
7.39. Accounting and Federal Income Taxation. CNB and CNB Bank are
aware of no reason why the Holding Company Merger will fail to qualify for
"pooling of interests" accounting treatment or as a reorganization under section
368(a) of the Code.
7.40. Brokers and Advisers. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.40
hereto, (a) there are no claims for brokerage commissions, finder's fees, or
similar compensation arising out of or due to any act of CNB or CNB Bank in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or based upon
any agreement or arrangement made by or on behalf of CNB or CNB Bank and (b)
neither CNB nor CNB Bank has entered into any agreement or understanding with
any party relating to financial advisory services provided or to be provided
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.41. Regulatory and Other Approvals. As of the date hereof, neither
CNB nor CNB Bank has Knowledge of any reason why the parties hereto would not be
able to obtain:
(a) all material consents and approvals from all regulatory
agencies having jurisdiction over the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, as are necessary for (i) consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) the continuation after the Effective
Time of the business of CNB and CNB Bank as such business is carried on
immediately prior to the Effective Time, free of any conditions or requirements
which would have a Material Adverse Effect upon NBT; and
(b) all material consents and approvals from all other Persons
and entities whose consent or approval are necessary for (i) consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) the continuation after the
Effective Time of the business of CNB and CNB Bank as such business is carried
on immediately prior to the Effective Time.
8. COVENANTS OF CNB AND CNB BANK.
CNB (on behalf of itself and CNB Bank) and CNB Bank (on behalf of
itself) each hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
8.1. Rights of Access. From the date hereof to the Effective Time, CNB
and CNB Bank will give to NBT and NBT Bank and to their representatives,
including their certified public accountants, KPMG, full access during normal
business hours to all of the properties, documents, contracts, books, and
records of CNB and the CNB Subsidiaries, and such information with respect to
their business affairs and properties as NBT or NBT Bank from time to time may
reasonably request, provided, however, that such access be pursuant to
reasonable notice and any investigation shall be reasonably related to the
transactions contemplated herein and shall not interfere unnecessarily with
normal operations. NBT and NBT Bank shall hold all information furnished by or
acquired from CNB or CNB Bank or representatives pursuant to this Agreement in
confidence to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the provisions of
the Confidentiality Agreements.
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8.2. Monthly and Quarterly Financial Statements; Minutes of Meetings
and Other Materials.
(a) CNB and CNB Bank will continue to prepare all of the
monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial reports to regulatory
authorities for the months and quarterly periods ending between April 1, 2001
and the Effective Time which it customarily prepared during the period between
January 1, 1998 and March 31, 2001 and shall promptly provide NBT with copies of
all such financial statements and reports, which NBT shall hold in confidence to
the extent required by the Confidentiality Agreements. All of such financial
statements and reports, including the related notes, schedules, and memorandum
items, will have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied in all material
respects (except that Consolidated Reports of Condition and Consolidated Reports
of Income required to be filed by CNB Bank under federal law may be prepared in
accordance with the official instructions applicable thereto at the time of
filing).
(b) Except with respect to materials or other information or
portions thereof that are privileged, or with respect to which CNB and CNB Bank
are otherwise legally or contractually prohibited from doing so, CNB and CNB
Bank shall promptly provide NBT with (i) all of its periodic reports to
directors and to stockholders, whether or not such reports were prepared or
distributed in connection with a meeting of the board of directors or a meeting
of the stockholders, prepared or distributed between the date of this Agreement
and the Effective Time, and (ii) all minutes of meetings of its board of
directors and stockholders which meetings take place between the date of this
Agreement and the Effective Time, certified by the secretary or cashier or an
assistant secretary or assistant cashier of CNB or CNB Bank, as the case may be.
(c) From the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, CNB
shall, contemporaneously with its filing with the SEC of any periodic or current
report pursuant to section 13 of the Exchange Act, deliver such report to NBT.
8.3. Extraordinary Transactions. Without the prior written consent of
NBT, neither CNB nor CNB Bank will, on or after the date of this Agreement: (a)
declare or pay any cash dividends or property dividends with respect to any
class of its capital stock, with the exception of (i) subject to the
dividend-coordination provisions of section 2.14 of this Agreement, customary
periodic cash dividends paid by CNB to holders of its common stock in amounts
not exceeding $0.09 per share per calendar quarter and at intervals that are not
shorter than past practice and (ii) customary cash dividends paid by CNB Bank
whose amounts have not exceeded past practice and at intervals that are not
shorter than past practice; (b) declare or distribute any stock dividend,
authorize a stock split, authorize, issue, or make any distribution of its
capital stock or any other securities (except for issuances of CNB Common Stock
(i) upon exercise of stock options outstanding on the date of this Agreement and
(ii) in connection with the CNB Plans or Dividend Reinvestment Plan), or grant
any options to acquire such additional securities; (c) except as set forth in
Schedule 8.3(c) hereto, merge into, consolidate with, or sell or otherwise
dispose of its assets other than in the ordinary course of its business to any
other Person, or enter into any other transaction or agree to effect any other
transaction not in the ordinary course of its business except as explicitly
contemplated herein; (d) convert the charter or form of entity of CNB Bank from
that in existence on the date of this Agreement to any other charter or form of
entity; (e) make any direct or indirect redemption, purchase, or other
acquisition of any of its capital stock except for stock repurchased for use in
its Dividend Reinvestment Plan; (f) except in the ordinary course of its
business or to accomplish the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, make
any contract or agreement, incur any liability or obligation, make any
commitment or disbursement, acquire or dispose of any property or asset, pay or
become obligated to pay any legal, accounting, or miscellaneous other expense,
or engage in any transaction; (g) other than in the ordinary course of business,
subject any of its properties or assets to any lien, claim, charge, option, or
encumbrance; (h) except as set forth in Schedule 8.3(h) hereto, enter into or
assume any one or more commitments to make capital expenditures, any of which
individually or in the aggregate exceed $50,000; (i) except for increases in the
ordinary course of business in accordance with past practices, which together
with all other compensation rate increases do not exceed 4.5 percent per annum
of the aggregate payroll as of June 14, 2001, increase the rate of compensation
of any employee or enter into any agreement to increase the rate of compensation
of any employee; (j) except as provided in this Agreement or the Service and
Noncompetition Agreement among CNB, NBT and Donald L. Brass or as otherwise
required by law, or to
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receive intended tax treatment or benefits, create or modify any pension or
profit sharing plan, bonus, deferred compensation, death benefit, or retirement
plan, or the level of benefits under any such plan, or increase or decrease any
severance or termination pay benefit or any other fringe benefit; or (k) enter
into any employment or personal services contract with any Person, including any
contract, agreement, or arrangement described in section 7.34 hereof, except
directly to facilitate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8.4. Preservation of Business. Except as otherwise provided for by this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or consented to or approved by NBT, each
of CNB and CNB Bank will (a) carry on its business and manage its assets and
properties diligently and substantially in the same manner as heretofore; (b)
use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve its business organization
intact, to keep available its present employees except as otherwise consented to
by NBT, and to preserve its present relationships with customers and others
having business dealings with it; (c) not amend its articles of incorporation or
bylaws; (d) carry out the actions described in Schedule 8.4(d) hereto on or
before the Effective Time; and (e) not grant or expand any stockholders' rights
to dissent from any merger.
8.5. Comfort Letter. At the time of the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, but prior to the mailing of the proxy materials, and at
the Effective Time, CNB shall furnish NBT with a letter from KPMG, in its
capacity as the independent auditors of CNB, in form and substance acceptable to
NBT, stating that (a) they are independent accountants with respect to CNB
within the meaning of the Securities Act and the published rules and regulations
thereunder, (b) in their opinion the consolidated financial statements of CNB
included in the Registration Statement and examined by them comply as to form in
all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
Securities Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder, and (c) a
reading of CNB's audited consolidated financial statements and the latest
available unaudited consolidated financial statements of CNB and unaudited
financial statements of CNB Bank and inquiries of certain officials of CNB and
CNB Bank responsible for financial and accounting matters as to transactions and
events since the date of the most recent consolidated statement of condition
included in their most recent audit report with respect to CNB did not cause
them to believe that (i) such latest available unaudited consolidated financial
statements are not stated on a basis consistent with that followed in CNB's
audited consolidated financial statements or (ii) except as disclosed in the
letter, at a specified date not more than five business days prior to the date
of such letter, there was any change in CNB's capital stock or any change in
consolidated long-term debt or any decrease in the consolidated net assets of
CNB or the consolidated allowance for loan and lease losses of CNB as compared
with the respective amounts shown in the most recent CNB audited consolidated
financial statements. The letter shall also cover such other matters pertaining
to CNB's and CNB Bank's financial data and statistical information included in
the Registration Statement as may reasonably be requested by NBT.
8.6. Affiliates Agreements.
(a) CNB will furnish to NBT (i) a list of all persons known to
CNB who at the date of this Agreement and (ii) if different from the list
required by section 8.6(a)(i), a list of all persons known to CNB who at the
date of the CNB Stockholder Meeting may be deemed to be "affiliates" of CNB
within the meaning of Rule 145 under the Securities Act and for purposes of
qualifying the Holding Company Merger for "pooling of interests" accounting
treatment.
(b) CNB will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each
such "affiliate" of CNB to deliver to NBT on or before the date of this
Agreement (or, in the case of any person who becomes an "affiliate" of CNB after
the date of this Agreement, not later than the earlier of the Effective Time or
the date ten days after such person becomes an "affiliate" of CNB) an Affiliates
Agreement.
8.7. Pooling Treatment. CNB shall deliver to KPMG such certificates or
representations as KPMG may reasonably request to enable it to deliver the
Pooling Letters.
8.8. Stockholders' Meeting. CNB shall hold a meeting of its
stockholders in accordance with the BCL as promptly as possible after the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, to consider and vote upon the
adoption of this Agreement. Subject to its fiduciary duty to stockholders, the
board of directors of CNB shall not withdraw its approval of this Agreement and
shall recommend to its stockholders that it be approved, ratified, and
confirmed.
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8.9. Inconsistent Activities. Unless and until the Holding Company
Merger has been consummated or this Agreement has been terminated in accordance
with its terms, neither CNB nor CNB Bank will authorize or permit any of its
officers, directors, employees or agents to directly or indirectly solicit,
initiate or encourage any inquiries relating to, or the making of any proposal
which constitutes, an Alternative Proposal, or recommend or endorse any
Alternative Proposal, or (except as permitted in clause (i) or clause (ii) below
or the proviso that follows them) otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to
make or implement an Alternative Proposal, or, except to the extent its Board of
Directors determines to be legally required for the discharge of its fiduciary
duties (i) participate in any discussions or negotiations, or (ii) provide third
parties with any nonpublic information, relating to any such inquiry or
proposal; provided, however, that CNB may communicate information about any such
Alternative Proposal to its shareholders if, in the judgment of CNB's Board of
Directors, after consultation with outside counsel, such communication is
necessary in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to CNB's shareholders
required under applicable law. CNB will take all actions necessary or advisable
to inform the appropriate individuals or entities referred to in the first
sentence hereof of the obligations undertaken herein. CNB will notify NBT
promptly if any such inquiries or Alternative Proposals are received by, any
such information is requested from, or any such negotiations or discussions are
sought to be initiated or continued with, CNB, and CNB will promptly inform NBT
in writing of all of the relevant details with respect to the foregoing.
8.10. Subsequent Events. Until the Effective Time, each of CNB and CNB
Bank will immediately advise NBT and NBT Bank in a detailed written notice of
any fact or occurrence or any pending or threatened occurrence of which it
obtains Knowledge and which (if existing and known at the date of the execution
of this Agreement) would have been required to be set forth or disclosed in or
pursuant to this Agreement which (if existing and known at any time prior to or
at the Effective Time) would make the performance by CNB or CNB Bank of a
covenant contained in this Agreement impossible or make such performance
materially more difficult than in the absence of such fact or occurrence, or
which (if existing and known at the time of the Effective Time) would cause a
condition to NBT's or NBT Bank's obligations under this Agreement not to be
fully satisfied.
8.11. New York Taxes.
(a) No later than the fifth business day before the
anticipated Effective Time, CNB and CNB Bank shall (i) pay all fees and taxes
(including penalties and interest) administered by the department of taxation
and finance of the State of New York which are due and payable as of the date of
such payment or which are anticipated to become due and payable between such
date and the anticipated Effective Time, and (ii) file a cessation franchise tax
report (estimated or final) through the anticipated Effective Time.
(b) CNB and CNB Bank shall timely prepare and file any
declaration or filing necessary to comply with any transfer tax statutes that
require any such filing before the Effective Time.
8.12. Section 16. CNB shall, reasonably promptly following the date
hereof, provide to NBT a list of (a) the directors and officers (as such terms
are used under section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of
the SEC thereunder) of CNB, (b) the number of shares of NBT Common Stock and
options thereon expected to be received pursuant to the Merger, as appropriate,
by each such officer or director at the Effective Time on account of shares of
CNB Common Stock, and options thereon, reasonably expected to be held by such
directors and officers immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (c) a
description of the material terms of such options. Prior to the Effective Time,
(a) the CNB Board of Directors shall take such actions consistent with the SEC's
interpretive guidance to approve the disposition of CNB Common Stock, and
options thereon, by each director and officer of CNB for purposes of Rule
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16b-3(e) such that the deemed "sale" of such CNB Common Stock and options
thereon by such persons pursuant to the Merger shall be exempt from liability
pursuant to section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and (b) the NBT Board of
Directors shall take such action consistent with the SEC's interpretive guidance
to approve the acquisition of NBT Common Stock by each director and officer of
NBT for purposes of Rule 16b-3(d) under the Exchange Act such that the deemed
"purchase" of such NBT Common Stock, and options thereon, by such persons
pursuant to the Merger shall be exempt from liability pursuant to section 16(b)
of the Exchange Act.
8.13. Actions with Respect to Options. At or prior to the Closing the
Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors of CNB shall have taken all
necessary action to permit the Converted Options issued pursuant to the CNB
Incentive Stock Option Plan, or pursuant to any other stock option plan or
agreement of CNB, to be converted into Replacement Options as provided in
section 2.10 hereof.
9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NBT AND NBT BANK.
NBT (with respect to itself and NBT Bank) and NBT Bank (solely with
respect to itself) each represent and warrant to CNB and CNB Bank as follows:
9.1. Organization, Powers, and Qualification. Each of NBT and each NBT
Subsidiary is a corporation which is duly organized, validly existing, and in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate its properties and
assets, to lease properties used in its business, and to carry on its business
as now conducted. Each of NBT and each NBT Subsidiary owns or possesses in the
operation of its business all franchises, licenses, permits, branch
certificates, consents, approvals, waivers, and other authorizations,
governmental or otherwise, which are necessary for it to conduct its business as
now conducted, except for those where the failure of such ownership or
possession would not have a Material Adverse Effect on NBT. Each of NBT and each
NBT Subsidiary is duly qualified and licensed to do business and is in good
standing in every jurisdiction with respect to which the failure to be so
qualified or licensed would have a Material Adverse Effect on NBT.
9.2. Execution and Performance of Agreement. Each of NBT and NBT Bank
has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to perform its terms. NBT has all requisite corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver the Stock Option Agreement and to perform its
terms.
9.3. Absence of Violations.
(a) Neither NBT nor any NBT Subsidiary is (i) in violation of
its respective charter documents or bylaws, (ii) in violation of any applicable
federal, state, or local law or ordinance or any order, rule, or regulation of
any federal, state, local, or other governmental agency or body, or (iii) in
violation of or in default with respect to any order, writ, injunction, or
decree of any court, or in default under any order, license, regulation, or
demand of any governmental agency, except, in the case of (ii) or (iii), for
such violations or defaults which in the aggregate would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on NBT; and neither NBT nor any NBT Subsidiary has received any
claim or notice of violation with respect thereto.
(b) Neither NBT nor any NBT Subsidiary nor any director or
officer of any of them is a party to any assistance agreement, supervisory
agreement, memorandum of understanding, consent order, cease and desist order or
condition of any regulatory order or decree with or by the Board of Governors,
the OCC, the FDIC, the SEC, any other banking or securities authority of the
United States or the State of New York or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or
any other regulatory agency that relates to the conduct of the business of NBT
or any NBT Subsidiary or their assets; and no such agreement, memorandum, order,
condition, or decree is pending or, to the Knowledge of NBT and NBT Bank,
threatened.
9.4. Compliance with Agreements. Neither NBT nor any NBT Subsidiary is
in violation of any term of any security agreement, mortgage, indenture, or any
other contract, agreement, instrument, lease, or certificate, except for such
violations which in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
NBT.
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9.5. Binding Obligations; Due Authorization. The execution, delivery,
and performance of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement, and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly
authorized by the board of directors of each of NBT and NBT Bank. Other than
approval, ratification and confirmation of this Agreement by the stockholders of
NBT, no other corporate proceedings on the part of either NBT or NBT Bank are
necessary to authorize this Agreement, the Merger, the Stock Option Agreement,
the receipt of the stock options contemplated by the Stock Option Agreement, the
subsequent exercise of the stock options thereby issued, the Bank Merger, and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement, or the carrying out of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of NBT and
NBT Bank and constitutes the valid, legal, and binding obligation of each of NBT
and NBT Bank, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors' rights, to the supervisory and enforcement
powers of applicable regulatory agencies, and to general equity principles. The
Stock Option Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by NBT and
constitutes the valid, legal, and binding obligation of NBT.
9.6. Absence of Default. None of the execution or the delivery of this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, or the compliance with or fulfillment of the
terms hereof or thereof, will (a) conflict with, or result in a material breach
of any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, or constitute a default under
the organizational documents or bylaws of NBT or any NBT Subsidiary; (b)
conflict with, or result in a material breach of the terms, conditions, or
provisions of, or constitute a material violation or default under, or give rise
to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration with respect to, or
result in the creation of any lien, charge, or encumbrance upon any of the
property or assets of NBT or any NBT Subsidiary pursuant to, any material
agreement or instrument under which it is obligated or by which any of its
properties or assets may be bound, including any material lease, contract,
mortgage, promissory note, deed of trust, loan, credit arrangement, or other
commitment or arrangement of it, except for such conflicts, breaches,
violations, defaults, rights of termination, cancellation, or acceleration, or
results described in this section 9.6(b) which in the aggregate would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on NBT; (c) if the Holding Company Merger is approved by
the Board of Governors under the BHC Act, or if the Board of Governors waives
its jurisdiction over the Holding Company Merger, and if the Bank Merger is
approved by the OCC, violate any law, statute, rule, or regulation of any
government or agency to which NBT or any NBT Subsidiary is subject and which is
material to its operations; (d) violate any judgment, order, writ, injunction,
decree, or ruling to which it or any of its properties or assets is subject or
bound; or (e) require any material authorization, consent, approval, or
exemption by any Person which has not been obtained, or any material notice or
filing which has not been given or done, other than approval of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement by, notices to, or filings with the Board of
Governors, the OCC, the SEC, the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,
and the Secretary of State of the State of New York, and filings referred to in
section 8.12 hereof.
9.7. Compliance with BHC Act.
(a) NBT is duly registered as a bank holding company under the
BHC Act. NBT has duly declared its election as a financial holding company under
the BHC Act, and such declaration of election has become effective. All of the
activities and investments of NBT conform to the requirements applicable
generally to financial holding companies under the BHC Act and the regulations
of the Board of Governors adopted thereunder.
(b) To the Knowledge of NBT, no Person, other than NBT, is
registered or is required to be registered as a bank holding company under the
BHC Act by virtue of its control over NBT Bank or over any Person that directly
or indirectly has control over NBT Bank.
9.8. Capital Structure.
(a) The authorized capital stock of NBT consists of (i)
2,500,000 shares of NBT Preferred Stock, of which, as of the date of this
Agreement, no shares are issued or outstanding, and (ii)
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50,000,000 shares of NBT Common Stock, of which, as of the date of this
Agreement, 24,914,150 shares have been duly issued and are validly outstanding
and fully paid, and 398,538 shares of NBT Common Stock held by NBT as treasury
shares. Such shares of NBT Preferred Stock and NBT Common Stock are the only
voting securities of NBT authorized, issued, or outstanding as of such date.
(b) None of the shares of NBT Common Stock has been issued in
violation of the preemptive rights of any stockholder.
(c) As of the date hereof, to the Knowledge of NBT and NBT
Bank, and except for this Agreement, there are no stockholder agreements, or
other agreements, understandings, or commitments relating to the right of any
holder or beneficial owner of more than 1 percent of the issued and outstanding
shares of any class of the capital stock of NBT or NBT Bank to vote or to
dispose of his, her or its shares of capital stock of NBT or NBT Bank.
9.9. Books and Records. The books and records of each of NBT and each
NBT Subsidiary fairly reflect the transactions to which it is a party or by
which its properties are subject or bound. Such books and records have been
properly kept and maintained and are in compliance in all material respects with
all applicable legal and accounting requirements.
9.10. Regulatory Approvals and Filings, Contracts, Commitments, etc.
NBT has made available to CNB:
(a) All regulatory approvals received since January 1, 1995,
of NBT and NBT Bank relating to all bank and nonbank acquisitions or the
establishment of de novo operations;
(b) All material employment retention, or non-competition
contracts and all material NBT Plans accompanied by (i) any agreements,
including trust agreements, embodying such contracts, plans, or arrangements,
(ii) the executed governing documents, including the related trust agreement,
insurance policy and summary plan description for each NBT Plan, if any, (iii)
the most recent and prior two years' actuarial and financial reports if the NBT
Plan constitutes a "qualified plan" under section 401(a) of the Code, and (iv)
the most recent and prior two years' Form 5500 with all schedules, (v) all IRS
rulings and determination letters issued or filed within the past two years and
any open requests for such rulings and letters, (vi) all employee manuals
relating to employment and benefit policies and practices (whether or not
distributed to employees or any of them), and (vii) any actuarial reports and
audits relating to such contracts, plans, and arrangements;
(c) All material contracts, agreements, leases, mortgages, and
commitments to which NBT or any NBT Subsidiary is a party or may be bound; or,
if any of the same be oral, true, accurate, and complete written summaries of
all such oral contracts, agreements, leases, mortgages, and commitments;
(d) All deeds, leases, contracts, agreements, mortgages, and
commitments to which NBT or any NBT Subsidiary is a party or may be bound and
which relate to land, buildings, fixtures, or other real property upon or within
which NBT or any NBT Subsidiary operates its businesses or is authorized to
operate its businesses, or with respect to which NBT or any NBT Subsidiary has
any application pending for authorization to operate its businesses;
(e) Except as disclosed in Section 9.10(e) hereto, any pending
application, including any documents or materials related thereto, which has
been filed by NBT or NBT Bank with any federal or state regulatory agency with
respect to the establishment of a new office or the acquisition or establishment
of any additional banking or nonbanking subsidiary; and
(f) All federal, state, and local Tax Returns, including any
amended returns, filed by NBT or any NBT Subsidiary for the years 1997 through
2000, the most recent audit examination of each of NBT and NBT Bank by the IRS,
and all correspondence or other documents with respect to any IRS
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examination that has not yet been resolved, the most recent state or local tax
agency examination, if any, of each of NBT and NBT Bank, and all correspondence
or other documents with respect to any state or local taxing authority
examination that has not yet been resolved, and all tax rulings, closing
agreements, settlement agreements, or similar documents with respect to NBT or
NBT Bank received from or entered into with the IRS or any other taxing
authority since January 1, 1991 or that would have continuing effect after the
Effective Time.
9.11. Financial Statements. NBT has furnished to CNB the NBT Financial
Statements. Each of the consolidated financial statements included in the NBT
Financial Statements complied as to form in all material respects with GAAP and
the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto and fairly
presented the consolidated financial position of NBT and its subsidiaries as of
its date, and each of the consolidated statements of income, of stockholders'
equity, and of cash flows included in the NBT Financial Statements fairly
presented the results of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows of NBT
and its subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments), in each case in
accordance with GAAP, during the periods involved, except as may be noted
therein.
9.12. Nasdaq Reporting. Trading of NBT Common Stock is reported on the
Nasdaq National Market.
9.13. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.
(a) At March 31, 2001, neither NBT nor any NBT Subsidiary had
any obligation or liability of any nature (whether absolute, accrued,
contingent, or otherwise, and whether due or to become due) which was material,
or which when combined with all similar obligations or liabilities would have
been material, to NBT, except (i) as disclosed in the NBT Financial Statements,
(ii) as set forth on Schedule 9.13 hereto, or (iii) for liabilities incurred by
NBT or NBT Bank in the ordinary course of their business consistent with past
practice.
(b) Since March 31, 2001, neither NBT nor any NBT Subsidiary
has incurred or paid any obligation or liability that would be material on a
consolidated basis to NBT, except (i) for obligations incurred or paid in
connection with transactions by it in the ordinary course of its business
consistent with past practices, (ii) as set forth on Schedule 9.13 hereto, or
(iii) as expressly contemplated herein.
9.14. Absence of Certain Developments. Since March 31, 2001, there has
been (i) no Material Adverse Effect upon NBT and (ii) no declaration, setting
aside, or payment by NBT of any regular dividend, special dividend, or other
distribution with respect to any class of capital stock of NBT, other than,
subject to the dividend-coordination provisions of section 2.14 of this
Agreement, customary cash dividends paid by NBT whose amounts have not exceeded
$0.17 per share per calendar quarter and the intervals between which dividends
have not been more frequent than past practice.
9.15. Conduct of Business. Since March 31, 2001, each of NBT and each
NBT Subsidiary has conducted its business only in the ordinary course of such
business and consistent with past practice.
9.16. Tax Matters.
(a) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of
NBT or any NBT Subsidiary have been timely filed with the appropriate
governmental agencies in all jurisdictions in which such Tax Returns are
required to be filed, or requests for extensions have been timely filed,
granted, and have not expired. All such filed Tax Returns are complete and
accurate in all material respects and properly reflect Taxes for the periods
covered thereby. All Taxes shown or required to be shown on such filed Tax
Returns have been paid. Except as disclosed in Section 9.16 hereto, none of NBT
or any NBT Subsidiary has instituted any refund litigation or received notice of
any pending audit examination, deficiency, or tax claim or any notice of
assessment or proposed assessment by the IRS or any other taxing
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authority that might result in a determination adverse to NBT or a NBT
Subsidiary, except as adequately reserved against in the last balance sheet
included in the NBT Financial Statements. All Taxes due with respect to
completed and settled examinations or concluded litigation have been properly
accrued or paid.
(b) Neither NBT nor any NBT Subsidiary has executed an
extension or waiver of any statute of limitations on the assessment or
collection of any Tax due that is currently in effect.
(c) To the extent any Taxes are due from, but have not yet
been paid by, NBT or a NBT Subsidiary for the period or periods beginning
January 1, 2001 or thereafter through and including the Effective Time, adequate
provision on an estimated basis has been made for the payment of such taxes by
establishment of appropriate tax liability accounts on the financial statements
of NBT.
(d) To the Knowledge of NBT and NBT Bank, other than liens
arising under the laws of the State of New York or the State of Pennsylvania
with respect to Taxes assessed and not yet due and payable, there are no tax
liens on any of the properties or assets of NBT or the NBT Subsidiaries.
(e) Except to the extent that any failure is not material, NBT
and NBT Bank (i) have timely filed all information returns or reports required
to be filed with respect to Taxes, (ii) have properly and timely provided to all
Persons, other than taxing authorities, all information reports or other
documents (for example, Form 1099s and Form W-2s) required to be provided to
such Persons under applicable Tax law, and (iii) have exercised due diligence in
obtaining certified taxpayer identification numbers as required under applicable
Tax law.
(f) NBT and the NBT Subsidiaries have in all material respects
satisfied all federal, state, local, and foreign withholding tax requirements
including income, social security, and employment tax withholding.
(g) Neither NBT nor any NBT Subsidiary (i) is, or has been, a
member of a group filing a consolidated, combined, or unitary tax return, other
than a group the common parent of which is or was NBT, or (ii) has any liability
for the Taxes of any Person (other than NBT and the NBT Subsidiaries) under
Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign
law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.
9.17. Employee Benefit Plans. Each of the NBT Plans complies in all
material respects with the requirements of applicable law, including ERISA and
the Code. No liability under Title IV of ERISA has been incurred by NBT or any
trade or business, whether or not incorporated, that together with NBT or any
NBT Subsidiary would be deemed a "single employer" under section 414 of the Code
(an "ERISA Affiliate"), that has not been satisfied in full, and no condition
exists that presents a material risk to NBT or any ERISA Affiliate of incurring
any such liability. Full payment has been made, or will be made in accordance
with section 404(a)(6) of the Code of all amounts that NBT or any ERISA
Affiliate is required to pay under section 412 of the Code or under the terms of
the NBT Plans, and no accumulated funding deficiency (within the meaning of
section 412 of the Code) exists with respect to any NBT Plan.
9.18. Reports. Since January 1, 1998, each of NBT and each NBT
Subsidiary has effected all registrations and filed all reports and statements,
together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, which it
was required to effect or file with (a) the Board of Governors, (b) the OCC, (c)
the FDIC, (d) the United States Department of the Treasury, (e) the SEC, and (f)
any other governmental or regulatory authority or agency having jurisdiction
over its operations. No such registration, report, or document filed with the
SEC, including the financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All other such
registrations, reports, and documents were prepared in accordance with the
applicable statutes, regulations, and instructions in existence as of the date
of filing of such reports in all material respects.
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9.19. Legal Proceedings. Except as disclosed in the NBT Financial
Statements or as set forth on Schedule 9.19 hereto, there is no claim, action,
suit, arbitration, investigation, or other proceeding pending before any court,
governmental agency, authority or commission, arbitrator, or "impartial
mediator" (of which NBT or any NBT Subsidiary has been served with process or
otherwise been given notice) or, to the Knowledge of NBT and NBT Bank,
threatened or contemplated against or affecting it or its property, assets,
interests, or rights, or any basis therefor of which notice has been given,
which, if adversely determined, would be reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect upon NBT.
9.20. Absence of Governmental Proceedings. Neither NBT nor any NBT
Subsidiary is a party defendant or respondent to any pending legal, equitable,
or other proceeding commenced by any governmental agency and, to the Knowledge
of NBT and NBT Bank, no such proceeding is threatened.
9.21. Federal Deposit Insurance.
(a) The deposits held by NBT Bank are insured within statutory
limits by the Bank Insurance Fund of the FDIC pursuant to the provisions of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (12 U.S.C.ss. 1811 et seq.), and NBT
Bank has paid all regular premiums and special assessments and filed all related
reports and statements required under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
(b) NBT Bank is a member of and pays insurance assessments to
the BIF, and its deposits are insured by the BIF. None of the deposits of NBT
Bank are insured by the SAIF, and NBT Bank pays no insurance assessments to the
SAIF.
9.22. Labor Matters. Neither NBT nor any NBT Subsidiary is a party to
or bound by any collective bargaining contracts with respect to any employees of
NBT or the NBT Subsidiaries. Since their respective inceptions there has not
been, nor to the Knowledge of NBT and NBT Bank has there been or is there
threatened, any strike, slowdown, picketing, or work stoppage by any union or
other group of employees against NBT or any NBT Subsidiary or any of its
premises, or any other labor trouble or other occurrence, event, or condition of
a similar character. As of the date hereof, neither NBT nor NBT Bank has
Knowledge of any attempts to organize a collective bargaining unit to represent
any of its employee groups.
9.23. Employee Relations. No dispute exists between NBT or any NBT
Subsidiary and any of its employee groups regarding any employee organization,
wages, hours, or conditions of employment which would have a Material Adverse
Effect on NBT.
9.24. Environmental Liability. Except as disclosed in Schedule 9.24
hereto:
Neither NBT nor any NBT Bank has received any written notice
of any legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceeding, claim or action and,
to the Knowledge of NBT and NBT Bank, there is no governmental investigation of
any nature ongoing, in each case that could reasonably be expected to result in
the imposition, on NBT or NBT Bank of any liability arising under any
Environmental Law, which liability would have a Material Adverse Effect on NBT
or NBT Bank; to the Knowledge of NBT or NBT Bank, there are no facts or
circumstances which could reasonably be expected to form the basis for any such
proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation that would impose any
such liability; and neither NBT nor any NBT Bank is subject to any agreement,
order, judgment, decree or memorandum by or with any court, governmental
authority, regulatory agency or third party imposing any such liability.
9.25. Accounting and Federal Income Taxation. NBT and NBT Bank are
aware of no reason why the Holding Company Merger will fail to qualify for
"pooling of interests" accounting treatment or as a reorganization under section
368(a) of
the Code.
9.26. Brokers and Advisers. Other than with respect to MB&D, (a) there
are no claims for brokerage commissions, finder's fees, or similar compensation
arising out of or due to any act of NBT or NBT Bank in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or based upon any
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agreement or arrangement made by or on behalf of NBT or NBT Bank; and (b)
neither NBT nor NBT Bank has entered into any agreement or understanding with
any party relating to financial advisory services provided or to be provided
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
9.27. Regulatory and Other Approvals. As of the date hereof, neither
NBT nor NBT Bank has Knowledge of any reason why the parties hereto would not be
able to obtain:
(a) all material consents and approvals from all regulatory
agencies having jurisdiction over the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, as are necessary for (i) consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) the continuation after the Effective
Time of the business of CNB and CNB Bank as such business is carried on
immediately prior to the Effective Time, free of any conditions or requirements
which would have a Material Adverse Effect upon NBT; and
(b) all material consents and approvals from all other Persons
and entities whose consent or approval are necessary for (i) consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) the continuation after the
Effective Time of the business of CNB and CNB Bank as such business is carried
on immediately prior to the Effective Time.
10. COVENANTS OF NBT AND NBT BANK.
NBT (on behalf of itself and NBT Bank) and NBT Bank (on behalf of
itself) each hereby covenant and agree as follows:
10.1. Rights of Access. From the date hereof to the Effective Time, NBT
shall give to CNB and to its representatives, including its certified public
accountants, KPMG, full access during normal business hours to all of the
properties, documents, contracts, books, and records of NBT and the NBT
Subsidiaries, and such information with respect to their business affairs and
properties as CNB or CNB Bank from time to time may reasonably request,
provided, however, that such access be pursuant to reasonable notice and any
investigation shall be reasonably related to the transactions contemplated
herein and shall not interfere unnecessarily with normal operations. CNB and CNB
Bank shall hold all information furnished by or acquired from NBT or NBT Bank or
representatives pursuant to this Agreement in confidence to the extent required
by, and in accordance with, the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreements.
10.2. Securities Reports. From the date hereof to the Effective Time,
NBT shall, contemporaneously with the filing with the SEC of any periodic or
current report pursuant to section 13 of the Exchange Act, deliver such report
to CNB.
10.3. Pooling Treatment. NBT shall deliver to KPMG such certificates or
representations as KPMG may reasonably request to enable it to deliver the
Pooling Letters.
10.4. Stockholders' Meeting. NBT shall hold a meeting of its
stockholders in accordance with the GCL as promptly as possible after the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, to consider and vote upon the
adoption of this Agreement. Subject to its fiduciary duty to stockholders, the
board of directors of NBT shall not withdraw its approval of this Agreement and
shall recommend to its stockholders that it be approved, ratified, and confirmed
and that the issuance of shares of NBT Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement
be approved.
10.5. Nasdaq Approval. NBT shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
cause the shares of NBT Common Stock to be issued in the Holding Company Merger
to be approved for inclusion on the Nasdaq National Market, subject to official
notice of issuance, prior to the Effective Time.
10.6. Options. At or prior to the Effective Time, NBT shall take all
corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares
of NBT Common Stock for delivery upon exercise of Converted Options assumed by
it in accordance with section 2.10 hereof. As soon as practicable after the
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Effective Time, NBT shall file a registration statement on Form S-8 promulgated
by the SEC under the Securities Act (or any successor or other appropriate form)
with respect to the NBT Common Stock subject to such options and shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the
registration statement or registration statements (and maintain the current
status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as such
options remain outstanding. With respect to those individuals who immediately
prior to the Effective Time are affiliated with CNB and who subsequent to the
Effective Time will be subject to the reporting requirements under section 16(a)
of the Exchange Act, where applicable, NBT shall administer the plans related to
the Converted Option in a manner that complies with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under
the Exchange Act.
10.7. Indemnification.
(a) Following the Effective Time neither NBT nor NBT Bank will
take any action to abrogate or diminish any right accorded under the charter
documents or by-laws of CNB or CNB Bank as they existed immediately prior to the
Effective Time to any person who, at or prior to the Effective Time, was a
director or officer of CNB or CNB Bank to indemnification from or against
losses, expenses, claims, demands, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines,
penalties, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) and amounts
paid in settlement pertaining to or incurred in connection with any threatened
or actual action, suit, claim, or proceeding (whether civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitration, or investigative) arising out of events, matters,
actions, or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time. To the extent
not provided by the foregoing, following the Effective Time and to the extent
permitted by law, all rights to such indemnification accorded under the charter
documents and by-laws of CNB or CNB Bank to any person who, at or prior to the
Effective Time, was a director or officer of CNB or CNB Bank shall survive the
Effective Time and, following the Holding Company Merger and the Bank Merger, to
the extent permitted by law, NBT and NBT Bank will honor such obligations in
accordance with their terms with respect to events, acts, or omissions occurring
prior to the Effective Time.
(b) In the event of any threatened or actual claim, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative,
including, without limitation, any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation in which any person who is now, or has been at any time prior to
the date of this Agreement, or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, a
director or officer of CNB or CNB Bank (the "Indemnified Parties") is, or is
threatened to be, made a party based in whole or in part on, or arising in whole
or in part out of, or pertaining to (i) the fact that he is or was a director,
officer or employee of CNB or CNB Bank, or any CNB Subsidiary or any of their
respective predecessors or (ii) this Agreement, the Plan of Merger, the Option
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, whether in
any case asserted or arising before or after the Effective Time, the parties
hereto agree to cooperate and use their best efforts to defend against and
respond thereto. On and after the Effective Time, NBT shall indemnify and hold
harmless, as and to the fullest extent permitted by law, each such Indemnified
Party against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses
(including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses in advance of the final
disposition of any claim, suit, proceeding or investigation to each Indemnified
Party to the fullest extent permitted by law upon receipt of any undertaking
required by applicable law), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in
connection with any such threatened or actual claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, and in the event of any such threatened or actual claim, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation (whether asserted or arising before or after
the Effective Time), the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel reasonably
satisfactory to them after consultation with NBT.
(c) NBT, from and after the Effective Time will cause the
persons who served as directors or officers of CNB on or before the Effective
Time to be covered by CNB's existing directors' and officers' liability
insurance policy (provided that NBT may substitute therefor policies of at least
the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions which are not less
advantageous than such policy) with respect to acts or omissions resulting from
their service as such on or prior to the Effective Time. Such insurance coverage
shall commence at the Effective Time and will be provided for a period of no
less than six years after the Effective Time. Such insurance coverage shall be
underwritten either by the underwriter of NBT's current directors' and officers'
liability insurance policy or by an insurance company rated at least A+ by A.M.
Best Co. In the event that more than 5% of the aggregate insurance coverage
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provided herein is used in any year during the aforementioned 6-year period, NBT
shall give notice of this fact to all persons who were directors of CNB at the
time of the Closing.
(d) In the event NBT or any of its successors or assigns (i)
consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be the
continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger,
or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and
assets to any person, then, and in each such case, to the extent necessary,
proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of NBT assume
the obligations set forth in this section 10.7.
(e) The provisions of this section 10.7 are intended to be for
the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and their
respective heirs and representatives and shall be in addition to the provisions
regarding indemnification and insurance contained in the GCL, in contracts or
otherwise.
10.8. Subsequent Events. Until the Effective Time, each of NBT and NBT
Bank will immediately advise CNB and CNB Bank in a detailed written notice of
any fact or occurrence or any pending or threatened occurrence of which it
obtains Knowledge and which (if existing and known at the date of the execution
of this Agreement) would have been required to be set forth or disclosed in or
pursuant to this Agreement which (if existing and known at any time prior to or
at the Effective Time) would make the performance by NBT or NBT Bank of a
covenant contained in this Agreement impossible or make such performance
materially more difficult than in the absence of such fact or occurrence, or
which (if existing and known at the time of the Effective Time) would cause a
condition to CNB's or CNB Bank's obligations under this Agreement not to be
fully satisfied.
10.9. Employee Matters.
(a) NBT agrees that except for certain identified individuals
each person who is an employee of CNB, or any CNB Subsidiary, as of the Closing
(individually, a "Continuing Employee" and collectively, the "Continuing
Employees") shall be an employee of NBT or one of its affiliates immediately
following the Closing. After the Closing, each Continuing Employee, while
employed by NBT or one of its affiliates, shall be employed (i) at a base salary
or base hourly wage that is not less than that which such Continuing Employee
was receiving immediately prior to the Closing, and (ii) on terms and conditions
that are no less favorable to the Continuing Employee than those applicable to
other similarly situated employees of NBT and its affiliates; provided, that for
the period from the Closing to the first calendar-year end following the Closing
the terms and conditions currently applicable to such Continuing Employees as
employees of CNB or any CNB Subsidiary shall be applicable and shall be deemed
to satisfy this section 10.9(a)(ii).
(b) During the period from the Effective Time through the last
day of the calendar-year in which the Effective Time falls, the Continuing
Employees shall continue to be covered under the CNB Plans on the terms and
conditions currently applicable to such Continuing Employees under the CNB
Plans. Commencing on the first day of the calendar year following the year in
which the Effective Time falls, NBT shall cause the Continuing Employees, while
employed by NBT or any of its affiliates, to be eligible to participate in NBT
Plans that provide employee benefits (including pension, welfare, incentive or
deferred compensation, severance, stock option plans, vacation pay and other
fringe benefits) that are not less favorable to the Continuing Employees than
those afforded to other similarly situated employees of NBT and its affiliates.
(c) A reasonable period of time prior to the Effective Time,
CNB shall make a good faith determination of the extent to which the Performance
Measurement Goals (as defined in the CNB Financial Corp. Incentive Compensation
Plan (the "ICP")), the Performance Appraisal Objectives (as defined in the ICP),
and any other goals or objectives under the ICP (collectively, the "Performance
Goals") that are applicable to each employee who holds an outstanding Award
under the ICP have been satisfied as of the date of such determination (the
"Determination Date"). In making such determinations CNB shall make such
equitable adjustments to the Performance Goals as it deems appropriate in good
faith to reflect
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the impact of actions taken pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise agreed to by
NBT and CNB. NBT shall pay, or cause to be paid, to each Continuing Employee who
has an outstanding Award under the ICP at the Effective Time, the amount that
would be paid to the Continuing Employee under the Award assuming that the
Performance Goals applicable to such Continuing Employee under the ICP were
satisfied for the entire Award Period at the same level as the Performance Goals
were deemed to be satisfied as of the Determination Date but only if such
Continuing Employee is still in the employ of NBT or any of its affiliates on
the last day of the semi-annual period in which the Effective Time occurs unless
the Continuing Employee's employment has been terminated without cause (as
defined in the ICP) during such period. Such payments shall be made on the first
business day after the last day of the applicable Award Period (as defined in
the ICP), provided that if NBT or one of its affiliates terminates a Continuing
Employee's employment without cause (as defined in the ICP) prior to the last
day of the applicable Award Period, NBT shall pay, or cause to be paid, to the
Continuing Employee on the date of the Continuing Employee's termination of
employment the full amount that would have been paid to the Continuing Employee
had the Continuing Employee remained employed by NBT until the last day of the
Award Period. The provisions of this Section 10.9(c) shall apply notwithstanding
any contrary provisions of the ICP.
(d) NBT shall cause the NBT Plans that cover the Continuing
Employees or any of their dependents or beneficiaries to treat the employment
and service of the Continuing Employees with CNB or any CNB Subsidiary and any
predecessor employers through the Closing as employment and service with NBT and
its affiliates for all purposes (other than for purposes of accrual of benefits,
except to the extent that accruals in respect of employment and service after
the Effective Time are based, in whole or in part, on prior employment or
service, in which case such prior employment and service shall be counted) under
the NBT Plans that cover Continuing Employees. The Continuing Employees and
their dependents and beneficiaries shall not be required for calendar year 2001
(and calendar year 2002 if the Effective Time does not occur prior to January 1,
2002) to satisfy any deductible, co-payment, out-of-pocket maximum or similar
requirements under the NBT Plans that provide medical, dental and other welfare
benefits to the extent of amounts previously credited for such purposes under
the medical, dental and other welfare benefit plans of CNB or CNB Bank that
covered the Continuing Employees prior to the Closing, and any waiting periods,
pre-existing condition exclusions and requirements to show evidence of good
health contained in such NBT Plans shall not apply with respect to the
Continuing Employees and their dependents and beneficiaries except to the extent
they applied under the corresponding CNB Plans. The Continuing Employees shall
be entitled to an appropriate cash payment in lieu of credit under NBT's and its
affiliates' vacation plans or policies for all unused vacation credited to the
Continuing Employees as of the Closing, but shall not carry over vacation
credits as such.
(e) If a Continuing Employee's employment is terminated by NBT
or any of its affiliates without cause (as defined in the ICP) (i) on or prior
to the first anniversary of the Closing, or such later date as may be specified
in the Schedule 10.9(e) hereto, such Continuing Employee shall be entitled to
severance benefits from NBT and its affiliates that are not less than the
severance benefits specified in Schedule 10.9(e) attached hereto, and (ii) after
the first anniversary of the Closing, such Continuing Employee shall be entitled
to severance benefits from NBT and its affiliates in accordance with the
severance plans and policies of NBT and its affiliates, as in effect from
time-to-time thereafter. For purposes of this Section 10.9(e) and Section
10.9(c), a Continuing Employee's voluntary termination of employment shall be
deemed to be a termination of employment by NBT and its affiliates if (i) the
Continuing Employee's employment position with NBT and its affiliates after the
Effective Time is not substantially comparable to the Continuing Employee's
employment position immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) the Continuing
Employee's employment location is more than 25 miles for the Continuing
Employee's employment location immediately prior to the Effective Time, or (ii)
the Continuing Employee's base pay or base hourly wage is reduced below the
Continuing Employee's base pay or base hourly wage in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time.
(f) NBT shall honor all the obligations under those agreements
listed in Schedule 10.9(f) hereto. NBT acknowledges that the closing of the
Holding Company Merger will constitute a "Change of Control" within the meaning
of the stock option agreements entered into between CNB and employees and former
employees of CNB and the CNB Subsidiaries, except as provided on Schedule
10.9(f) hereof.
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10.10. New York Taxes. NBT and NBT Bank shall timely prepare and file
any declaration or filing necessary to comply with any transfer tax statutes
that require any such filing before the Effective Time.
10.11. Comfort Letter. At the time of the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, but prior to the mailing of the proxy materials, and at
the Effective Time, NBT shall furnish CNB with a letter from KPMG, in its
capacity as the independent auditors of NBT, in form and substance acceptable to
CNB, stating that (a) they are independent accountants with respect to NBT
within the meaning of the Securities Act and the published rules and regulations
thereunder, (b) in their opinion the consolidated financial statements of NBT
included in the Registration Statement and examined by them comply as to form in
all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
Securities Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder, and (c) a
reading of NBT's audited consolidated financial statements and the latest
available unaudited consolidated financial statements of NBT and unaudited
financial statements of NBT Bank and inquiries of certain officials of NBT and
NBT Bank responsible for financial and accounting matters as to transactions and
events since the date of the most recent consolidated statement of condition
included in their most recent audit report with respect to NBT did not cause
them to believe that (i) such latest available unaudited consolidated financial
statements are not stated on a basis consistent with that followed in NBT's
audited consolidated financial statements or (ii) except as disclosed in the
letter, at a specified date not more than five business days prior to the date
of such letter, there was any change in NBT's capital stock or any change in
consolidated long-term debt or any decrease in the consolidated net assets of
NBT or the consolidated allowance for loan and lease losses of NBT as compared
with the respective amounts shown in the most recent NBT audited consolidated
financial statements. The letter shall also cover such other matters pertaining
to NBT's and NBT Bank's financial data and statistical information included in
the Registration Statement as may reasonably be requested by CNB.
10.12. Limitation on Other Transactions. From the date hereof until the
Effective Time or until this Agreement otherwise is terminated in accordance
with its terms, NBT will not merge with, acquire all or a substantial portion of
the assets or liabilities of, or acquire control over, any other firm, financial
institution, bank, corporation, or organization except as pursuant to any
agreement in effect prior to the date hereof or as consented to by CNB, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11. CLOSING.
11.1. Place and Time of Closing. Closing shall take place at the
principal executive offices of NBT, 52 South Broad Street, Norwich, New York, or
such other place as the parties choose, commencing at 10:00 a.m., local time, on
the date of the Effective Time, provided that all conditions precedent to the
obligations of the parties hereto to close have then been met or waived.
11.2. Events To Take Place at Closing. At the Closing, the following
actions will be taken:
(a) Such certificates and other documents as are required by
this Agreement to be executed and delivered at or prior to the Effective Time
and have not been so executed and delivered, and such other certificates and
documents as are mutually deemed by the parties to be otherwise desirable for
the effectuation of the Closing, will be so executed and delivered; and then
(b) the Holding Company Merger and the issuance of shares
incident thereto shall be effected; provided, however, that the administrative
and ministerial aspects of the issuance of shares incident to the Holding
Company Merger will be settled as soon thereafter as shall be reasonable under
the circumstances; and, simultaneously with the effectuation of the Holding
Company Merger, the Bank Merger shall be effected.
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12. TERMINATION, DAMAGES FOR BREACH, WAIVER, AND AMENDMENT.
12.1. Termination by Reason of Lapse of Time. This Agreement may be
terminated by any party on or after March 31, 2002, by instrument duly
authorized and executed and delivered to the other parties, unless (a) the
Effective Time shall have occurred on or before such date or (b) the failure of
the Effective Time to have occurred on or before such date has been due to the
failure of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement, or to the failure of
its affiliated party, to perform or observe its covenants and agreements as set
forth herein.
12.2. Grounds for Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by
written notice of termination at any time before the Effective Time (whether
before or after action by stockholders of CNB or NBT):
(a) by mutual consent of the parties hereto;
(b) by NBT, upon written notice to CNB given at any time (i)
if any of the representations and warranties of CNB or CNB Bank contained in
section 7 hereof was materially inaccurate when made or (ii) in the event of a
material breach or material failure by CNB or CNB Bank of any covenant or
agreement of CNB or CNB Bank contained in this Agreement which has not been, or
cannot be, cured within thirty days after written notice of such breach or
failure is given to CNB or CNB Bank, as the case may be, and, in the case of (i)
or (ii), which inaccuracy, breach, or failure, if continued to the Effective
Time, would result in any condition set forth in section 5 hereof not being
satisfied;
(c) by CNB, upon written notice to NBT given at any time (i)
if any of the representations and warranties of NBT or NBT Bank contained in
section 9 hereof was materially inaccurate when made or (ii) in the event of a
material breach or material failure by NBT or NBT Bank of any covenant or
agreement of NBT or NBT Bank contained in this Agreement which has not been, or
cannot be, cured within thirty days after written notice of such breach or
failure is given to NBT or NBT Bank, as the case may be, and, in the case of (i)
or (ii), which inaccuracy, breach, or failure, if continued to the Effective
Time, would result in any condition set forth in section 6 hereof not being
satisfied;
(d) by either NBT or CNB upon written notice given to the
other if a court of competent jurisdiction has issued a final and nonappealable
order prohibiting the Holding Company Merger;
(e) by either NBT or CNB upon written notice given to the
other if any of the approvals referred to in section 4.1 are denied and such
denial has become final and nonappealable;
(f) by either NBT or CNB upon written notice given to the
other if the stockholders of either NBT or CNB shall have voted on and failed to
adopt this Agreement, at the meeting of such stockholders called for such
purpose; or
(g) by either NBT or CNB upon written notice given to the
other if NBT shall have been advised by KPMG that KPMG is unable to deliver its
favorable opinion under section 5.6 of this Agreement, unless the inability of
KPMG to deliver such opinion is due to the action or inaction of the party
seeking to terminate this Agreement or one or more of the affiliates, directors,
officers, or stockholders of that party.
12.3. Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination and
abandonment hereof pursuant to the provisions of section 12.1 or section 12.2,
this Agreement shall become void and have no force or effect, without any
liability on the part of NBT, NBT Bank, CNB, CNB Bank, or their respective
directors or officers or stockholders in respect of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the provisions of sections 13.1, 13.4, 13.5,
13.6, 13.9, 13.10, 13.11, 13.12, 13.13, 13.14, and 13.15 shall survive; (b) if
such termination is a result of the willful material breach or willful material
failure by a party of a covenant or agreement hereunder, such that the
conditions to closing of the terminating party could not be satisfied, such
party who willfully and materially breached or willfully and materially failed
to perform its covenant or agreement shall be liable in the amount of $750,000
to the other party or parties hereto that are not
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affiliated with it (it being understood and agreed for the purposes of the
preceding clause that NBT and NBT Bank are parties that are affiliated with each
other and that CNB and CNB Bank are parties that are affiliated with one
another); and (c) if (i) this Agreement is terminated for any reason specified
in section 12.2(b)(ii) of this Agreement after an Alternative Proposal has been
made, or if CNB or CNB Bank shall not consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement by reason of an Alternative Proposal being or having been
made, and (ii) a definitive agreement with respect to an Alternative Proposal is
executed by CNB or CNB Bank within one year after such termination, then in
addition to any amount payable or paid under section 12.3(b), CNB shall be
liable to NBT for liquidated damages in the further amount of $5,000,000, which
amount will be payable to NBT in immediately available funds within two business
days after such amount becomes due. CNB acknowledges that the agreements
contained in section 12.3(c) are an integral part of the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement and that, without these agreements, NBT would not
enter into this Agreement.
12.4. Waiver of Terms or Conditions. Any of the terms or conditions of
this Agreement may be waived at any time prior to the Effective Time by the
party which is, or whose stockholders are, entitled to the benefit thereof, and
the other parties hereto may rely on the delivery of such a waiver as conclusive
evidence of such judgment and the validity of the waiver.
12.5. Amendment. Anything herein or elsewhere to the contrary
notwithstanding, to the extent permitted by law, this Agreement and the exhibits
hereto may be amended, supplemented, or interpreted at any time prior to the
Effective Time by written instrument duly authorized and executed by each of the
parties hereto; provided, however, that, except as specifically provided herein
or as may be approved by such stockholders, this Agreement may not be amended
after:
(a) the action by stockholders of CNB in any respect that
would change (i) the amount or kind of shares, obligations, cash, property, or
rights to be received in exchange for or on conversion of the CNB Common Stock
or (ii) any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement if the change would
materially adversely affect the stockholders of CNB, or
(b) the action by stockholders of NBT in any respect that
would change (i) the amount or kind of shares, obligations, cash, property, or
rights to be received in exchange for the NBT Common Stock to be delivered in
the Holding Company Merger or (ii) any of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement if the change would materially adversely affect the stockholders of
NBT.
13. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
13.1. Allocation of Costs and Expenses. Except as provided in this
section 13.1, each party hereto shall pay its own fees and expenses, including
the fees and expenses of its own counsel and its own accountants and tax
advisers, incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby. For purposes of this section, (a) the cost of printing the
Joint Proxy Statement shall be apportioned between NBT and CNB based upon the
number of copies each shall request to be printed, (b) the cost of delivering
the Joint Proxy Statement and other material to be transmitted to stockholders
of NBT shall be deemed to be incurred on behalf of NBT, (c) the cost of
delivering the Joint Proxy Statement and other material to be transmitted to
stockholders of CNB shall be deemed to be incurred on behalf of CNB, (d) the
cost of registering under federal and state securities laws the stock of NBT to
be received by the stockholders of CNB shall be deemed to be incurred on behalf
of NBT, and (e) the cost of procuring the tax opinion referred to in section 4.5
of this Agreement shall be deemed to be incurred one-half by NBT and one-half by
CNB.
13.2. Mutual Cooperation.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each
party shall use commercially reasonable efforts, and shall cooperate fully with
the other party, in expeditiously carrying out the provisions of this Agreement
and in expeditiously making all filings and obtaining all necessary
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governmental approvals, and as soon as practicable shall execute and deliver, or
cause to be executed and delivered, such governmental notifications and
additional documents and instruments and do or cause to be done all additional
things necessary, proper, or advisable under applicable law to consummate and
make effective on the earliest practicable date the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(b) As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, NBT and
CNB shall cooperate in the preparation of the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed
to the shareholders of NBT and CNB in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby and to be filed by NBT as part of the
Registration Statement. NBT and CNB shall cooperate in the preparation of the
Registration Statement and shall file with the SEC the Registration Statement
and cause the Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as
practicable after the date hereof. NBT will advise CNB, promptly after it
receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment thereto has become effective or any supplement or
amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order, of the suspension
of qualification of the NBT Common Stock issuable in connection with the Merger
for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threat of any
proceeding for any such purpose, or of any comments or request by the SEC for
the amendment or supplement of the Registration Statement or for additional
information. If at any time prior to the Effective Time any event shall occur
that should be set forth in an amendment of or a supplement to the Registration
Statement or the Joint Proxy Statement, NBT and CNB shall cooperate with each
other in the preparation of any amendment or supplement thereto, and each shall
notify the other of the receipt of any comments of the SEC with respect to the
Registration Statement or the Joint Proxy Statement and of any requests by the
SEC for any amendment or supplement thereto or for additional information, and
shall provide to the other promptly copies of all correspondence between NBT or
CNB, as the case may be, or any of its representatives with respect to the
Registration Statement or the Joint Proxy Statement. NBT shall give CNB and its
counsel the opportunity to review the Registration Statement and all responses
to requests for additional information by and replies to comments of the SEC
before their being filed with, or sent to, the SEC, and NBT shall prepare and
file with the SEC such amendment or supplement as soon thereafter as is
reasonably practicable. Each of CNB and NBT agrees to use its best efforts,
after consultation with the other parties hereto, to respond promptly to all
such comments of and requests by the SEC and to cause (x) the Registration
Statement to be declared effective by the SEC at the earliest practicable time
and to be kept effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Holding
Company Merger, and (y) the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to the holders of
CNB Common Stock and NBT Common Stock entitled to vote at the meetings of the
stockholders of CNB and NBT at the earliest practicable time. NBT shall take all
actions necessary to register or qualify the shares of NBT Common Stock to be
issued in the Merger pursuant to all applicable state "blue sky" or securities
laws and shall maintain such registrations or qualifications in effect for all
purposes hereof.
(c) As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, and
after a reasonable opportunity for review by counsel to CNB, NBT shall submit
any requisite applications for prior approval of, and notices with respect to,
the transactions contemplated herein, to the Board of Governors pursuant to the
BHC Act and the OCC pursuant to the Bank Merger Act, and each of the parties
hereto shall, and they shall cause their respective subsidiaries to, submit any
applications, notices or other filings to any other state or federal government
agency, department or body the approval of which is required for consummation of
the Holding Company Merger and the Bank Merger. NBT will proceed diligently and
in good faith to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals.
(d) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, and
except in each case as may be required by applicable law, no party shall take
any action or omit to take any action which taking of action or omission of
action is intended or may reasonably be expected to result in any of its
representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement being or becoming
untrue in any material respect at any time prior to the Effective Time, or in
any of the conditions to the obligations of any unaffiliated party hereunder not
being satisfied, or in a violation of any provision of this Agreement.
(e) Prior to the Effective Time, the parties shall cooperate,
and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause their respective data
processing service providers to cooperate, to complete all reasonable steps for
an orderly transfer of all applicable data tapes and processing information, and
to facilitate an electronic and systematic conversion of all applicable data
regarding CNB Bank to
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NBT's system of electronic data processing by the next business day following
the Effective Time. Each party shall bear its own costs associated with the
transfer of tapes and information and the conversion of data. Prior to the
Effective Time, CNB Bank will provide all test tapes and reports necessary to
complete the transfer and will provide a test tape and deconversion reports
within fifteen days of the date of this Agreement, a preliminary tape and set of
deconversion reports six weeks prior to the anticipated Effective Time, and an
updated preliminary tape and set of deconversion reports no more than two weeks
prior to the anticipated Effective Time. CNB Bank shall also arrange the
delivery to NBT at the main office of NBT (or at such other location as has been
designated in writing by NBT no later than five business days before the
anticipated Effective Time) no later than 6:00 a.m. Eastern time on the day
immediately following the Effective Time, two duplicate final data processing
conversion file packages and deconversion reports in an industry standard
format.
(f) No party hereto shall take or fail to take, or cause or
permit its Subsidiaries to take or fail to take, or to the best of its ability
permit to be taken or omitted to be taken by any third persons, any action that
would adversely affect the qualification of the Merger for "pooling of
interests" accounting treatment or as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code; provided that nothing herein contained shall
preclude NBT from exercising its rights under the Stock Option Agreement. In the
event that either party has taken any action, whether before, on or after the
date hereof, that would adversely affect such qualification, each party shall
take such action as the other party may reasonably request to cure such effect
to the extent curable without a Material Adverse Effect on either of the
parties.
13.3. Form of Public Disclosures. NBT and CNB shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to agree in advance upon the form and substance of all public
disclosures concerning this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
13.4. Confidentiality. NBT, NBT Bank, CNB, CNB Bank, and their
respective subsidiaries shall use all information that each obtains from the
other pursuant to this Agreement solely for the effectuation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement, or for other
purposes consistent with the intent of this Agreement, including the enforcement
of rights provided under this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement. Neither
NBT, NBT Bank, CNB, CNB Bank, nor their respective subsidiaries shall use any of
such information for any other purpose, including the competitive detriment of
any other party. NBT and NBT Bank, on the one hand, and CNB and CNB Bank, on the
other hand, shall maintain as strictly confidential all information each of them
learns from the other and shall, at any time after termination of this Agreement
in accordance with the terms hereof, upon the request of the other, return
promptly to it all documentation provided by it or made available to third
parties. Each of the parties may disclose such information to its respective
affiliates, counsel, accountants, tax advisers, and consultants, provided that
such parties are advised of the confidential nature of such information and
agree to be bound be the terms of this section 13.4. The confidentiality
agreement contained in this section 13.4 and the Confidentiality Agreements
shall remain operative and in full force and effect, and shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
13.5. Claims of Brokers.
(a) Each of CNB and CNB Bank shall indemnify, defend, and hold
NBT and NBT Bank harmless for, from, and against any claim, suit, liability,
fees, or expenses (including attorneys' fees and costs of court) arising out of
any claim for brokerage commissions, finder's fees, or similar compensation
arising out of or due to any of its or his acts in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or based upon any agreement or
arrangement made by it or on its behalf with respect to NBT or NBT Bank.
(b) Each of NBT and NBT Bank shall indemnify, defend, and hold
CNB and CNB Bank harmless for, from, and against any claim, suit, liability,
fees, or expenses (including attorneys' fees and costs of court) arising out of
any claim for brokerage commissions, finder's fees, or similar compensation
arising out of or due to any of its acts in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or based upon any agreement or
arrangement made by it or on its behalf with respect to CNB or CNB Bank.
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13.6. Information for Applications and Registration Statement.
(a) Each party represents and warrants that all information
concerning it which is included in any statement and application (including the
Registration Statement) made to any governmental agency in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact with respect to such party or omit any material
fact with respect to such party required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements made with respect to such party, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The party so
representing and warranting will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless each of
the others, each of its directors and officers, each underwriter and each
Person, if any, who controls it within the meaning of the Securities Act, for,
from and against any and all losses, claims, suits, damages, expenses, or
liabilities to which any of them may become subject under applicable laws
(including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) and rules and regulations
thereunder and will reimburse them for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any actions
whether or not resulting in liability, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
expenses, liabilities, or actions arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such
application or statement or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein,
or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, but only
insofar as any such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing by the representing and
warranting party expressly for use therein. Each party agrees at any time upon
the request of the other to furnish to the other a written letter or statement
confirming the accuracy of the information provided by it and contained in any
proxy statement, registration statement, report, or other application or
statement, and confirming that the information contained in such document was
furnished expressly for use therein or, if such is not the case, indicating the
inaccuracies contained in such document or draft or indicating the information
not furnished expressly for use therein. The indemnity agreement contained in
this section 13.6(a) shall remain operative and in full force and effect,
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any of the other
parties, and shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated thereby.
(b) To provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances in which the indemnity agreement contained in section 13.6(a) of
this Agreement is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
unenforceable as to any or every party, then the parties in such circumstances
shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages, and liabilities
(including any investigation, legal and other expenses incurred in connection
with, and any amounts paid in settlement of, any action, suit, or proceeding or
any claims asserted) to which any party may be subject in such proportion as the
court of law determines based on the relative fault of the parties.
13.7. Adjustments for Certain Events. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, all prices per share, share amounts, per-share
amounts, and exchange ratios referred to in this Agreement shall be
appropriately adjusted to account for stock dividends, split-ups, mergers,
recapitalizations, combinations, conversions, exchanges of shares or the like,
but not for normal and recurring cash dividends declared or paid in a manner
consistent with the established practice of the payer.
13.8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts each of which shall be deemed to constitute an original, but such
counterparts together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument and to
become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the
parties hereto. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement or
any counterpart hereof to produce or account for the other counterpart.
13.9. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire
understanding of the parties hereto with respect to their commitments to one
another and their undertakings vis-a-vis one another on the subject matter
hereof. Except for the Confidentiality Agreements, any previous agreements or
understandings among the parties regarding the subject matter hereof are merged
into and superseded by
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this Agreement. Except as set forth in sections 10.7 and 10.9, nothing in this
Agreement express or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or
to give any Person other than NBT, NBT Bank, CNB, CNB Bank, and their respective
stockholders any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
13.10. Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Covenants. None of
the representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements in this Agreement or
in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement (other than the Stock
Option Agreement, which shall terminate in accordance with its terms), shall
survive the Effective Time, except for sections 10.6, 10.7, 10.9, 13.6, 13.10,
and those other covenants and agreements contained herein and therein which by
their terms apply in whole or in part after the Effective Time.
13.11. Interpretation. Article titles, headings to sections and any
table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not
intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation hereof. The
schedules and exhibits referred to herein shall be construed with and as an
integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth
verbatim herein. As used herein, "include," "includes" and "including" are
deemed to be followed by "without limitation" whether or not they are in fact
followed by such words or words of like import; "writing," "written" and
comparable terms refer to printing, typing, lithography and other means of
reproducing words in a visible form; references to a Person are also to its
successors and assigns; except as the context may otherwise require, "hereof,"
"herein," "hereunder" and comparable terms refer to the entirety hereof and not
to any particular article, section or other subdivision hereof or attachment
hereto; references to any gender include the other; except as the context may
otherwise require, the singular includes the plural and vice versa; references
to any agreement or other document are to such agreement or document as amended
and supplemented from time to time; references to "article," "section" or
another subdivision or to an "Exhibit" or "Schedule" are to an article, section
or subdivision hereof or an "Exhibit" or "Schedule" hereto. The parties
acknowledge that each party and its counsel have reviewed and revised this
Agreement and that the normal rule of construction to the effect that any
ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed
in the interpretation, construction and enforcement of this Agreement or any
amendment, schedule or exhibit hereto.
13.12. Notices. All notices, consents, waivers, or other communications
which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and deemed to have
been duly given if delivered personally or by messenger or transmitted by
express courier. All communications shall be addressed to the appropriate
address of each party as follows:
If to NBT or NBT Bank:
NBT Bancorp Inc.
52 South Broad Street
Norwich, New York 13815
Attention: Mr. Daryl R. Forsythe
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
With a required copy to:
Brian D. Alprin, Esq.
Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
1667 K Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20006
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If to CNB or CNB Bank:
CNB Financial Corp.
24 Church Street
Canajoharie, New York
Attention: Mr. Donald L. Brass
President
With a required copy to:
Steven Kaplan, Esq.
Arnold & Porter
555 Twelfth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given on the date
delivered, transmitted, or mailed in the manner provided above.
13.13. Availability of Equitable Remedies. Since a breach of the
provisions of this Agreement could not adequately be compensated by money
damages, any party shall be entitled, either before or after the Effective Time,
in addition to any other right or remedy available to it, to an injunction
restraining such breach or threatened breach and to specific performance of any
such provision of this Agreement, and, in either case, no bond or other security
shall be required in connection therewith, and the parties hereby consent to the
issuance of such an injunction and to the ordering of specific performance.
13.14. Choice of Law and Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by,
construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
without giving effect to the principles of conflict of law thereof, except that
the BCL (in the case of CNB) shall govern with respect to the terms and
conditions of the Holding Company Merger, the approval and effectiveness
thereof, and the authorization, cancellation, or issuance of the stock or
options of CNB with respect thereto. The parties hereby designate New Castle
County, Delaware to be the proper jurisdiction and venue for any suit or action
arising out of this Agreement. Each of the parties consents to personal
jurisdiction in such venue for such a proceeding and agrees that it may be
served with process in any action with respect to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated thereby by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, or, in the case of NBT, to its registered agent for service
of process in the State of Delaware. Each of the parties irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, not
to plead any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue
or the convenience of the forum of any action or claim with respect to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby brought in the courts
aforesaid.
13.15. Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
parties and their respective successors and assigns.
-44-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.
NBT BANCORP INC.
By: /s/ Daryl R. Forsythe
-----------------------------------
Daryl R. Forsythe
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
NBT BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Daryl R. Forsythe
-----------------------------------
Daryl R. Forsythe
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
CNB FINANCIAL CORP.
By: /s/ Donald L. Brass
-----------------------------------
Mr. Donald L. Brass
President
CNB NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ Donald L. Brass
-----------------------------------
Mr. Donald L. Brass
President and Chief Executive Officer
-45-
APPENDIX B
MCCONNELL, BUDD & ROMANO, INC.
365 South Street
Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Corporate Finance
973-538-1680
August 31, 2001
The Board of Directors
NBT Bancorp Inc.
52 South Broad Street
Norwich, New York 13815
The Board of Directors:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to the shareholders of NBT Bancorp Inc. ("NBT") of the Fixed
Exchange Ratio governing the exchange of shares of common stock of NBT (together
with their associated rights) for shares of common stock of CNB Financial Corp.
("CNB") in connection with the proposed acquisition of CNB by NBT. The
Transaction will be completed pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Agreement") dated June 19, 2001 by and between NBT and CNB. Pursuant to the
Agreement, CNB will merge with and into NBT and NBT will be the surviving
corporation.
As is set forth with more specificity in the Agreement, at the
Effective Time, each outstanding share of CNB common stock, except for shares
held by NBT and its subsidiaries or by CNB (in both cases, other than shares
held in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts previously contracted),
will be converted into and exchangeable for 1.20 shares of NBT common stock
(subject to adjustment under certain defined circumstances). The exchange ratio
referenced is a fixed exchange ratio and consequently the market value of the
consideration to be received by the CNB stockholder will fluctuate with changes
in NBT's stock price. The Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain
conditions prior to the Effective Time by the Board of Directors of either
party, based on defined criteria.
McConnell, Budd & Romano, Inc., as part of its investment banking
business, is regularly engaged in the valuation of bank holding companies and
banks, thrift holding companies and thrifts and their securities in connection
with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwriting, private placements,
competitive bidding processes, market making as a NASD market maker, secondary
distributions of listed securities and valuations for corporate, estate and
other purposes. Our experience and familiarity with NBT includes having worked
since October 20, 1994 as a financial advisor to NBT on a variety of projects
including on three previous acquisitions and specifically includes our
participation in the process and negotiations leading up to the proposed Merger
with CNB. In the course of our role as financial advisor to NBT in connection
with the Merger, we have received a fee for our services and will receive an
additional fee, contingent on the consummation of the Merger.
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the Merger Agreement as
well as participated in its negotiation. We have also reviewed certain publicly
available business, financial and shareholder information relating to NBT and
its subsidiaries and to CNB and its subsidiaries. In addition we have reviewed
certain confidential financial information provided to us by both NBT and CNB
pertaining to their respective business plans and projections.
In connection with the foregoing, we have (i) reviewed the merger
agreement dated June 19, 2001 by and between NBT and CNB, (ii) reviewed the
joint proxy statement/prospectus to which this letter is an exhibit (in
substantially the form sent to shareholders), (iii) reviewed NBT's Annual
Reports on form 10-K for the three calendar years ended December 31, 1998, 1999
and 2000 and NBT's annual reports for 1998, 1999 and 2000 and NBT's quarterly
report on form 10-Q for the first calendar quarter of 2001. In addition,
we have reviewed CNB's annual reports on form 10-k for 1998, 1999 and 2000,
CNB's annual reports to shareholders for 1998, 1999 and 2000 and CNB's quarterly
report on form 10-Q for the first calendar quarter of 2001. In addition, with
respect to both NBT and CNB we have reviewed certain internal financial
information and financial forecasts, relating to the business, earnings, cash
flows, assets and prospects of the respective companies furnished to McConnell,
Budd & Romano, Inc. by NBT and CNB, have held discussions with members of the
senior management and Board of NBT concerning the past and current results of
operations of NBT, its current financial condition and management's opinion of
its future prospects. We have also considered the past and current results of
operations of CNB, its current financial condition and management's opinion of
its future prospects. We have also reviewed the historical record of reported
prices, trading volume and dividend payments for both NBT and CNB and have
considered the current state of and future prospects for the economy of New York
(based primarily on our observations and anecdotal information) generally and
the relevant market areas for NBT and CNB in particular. We have reviewed
specific merger analysis models employed by McConnell, Budd & Romano, Inc. to
evaluate potential business combinations of financial institutions and we have
reviewed the reported financial terms of selected recent business combinations
in the banking industry; and performed such other studies and analyses as
McConnell, Budd & Romano, Inc. considered appropriate under the circumstances
associated with this particular transaction.
In the course of our review and analysis we considered, among other
things, such topics as the historical and projected future contributions of
recurring earnings by the parties, the anticipated future EPS results for the
parties on both a combined and stand-alone basis, the potential to realize
significant recurring operating expense reductions and the impact thereof on
projected future EPS, the relative capitalization and capital adequacy of each
of the parties, the availability of non-interest income to each of the parties,
the possibility of the generation of new non-interest income for one of the
parties, the relative asset quality and apparent adequacy of the reserve for
loan and lease losses for each of the parties. We also considered the
composition of deposits and the composition of the loan portfolio of each of NBT
and CNB and the potential for the modification of the mix of deposits and loans
for CNB. In addition, we considered the historical trading range, trading
pattern and relative market liquidity of the shares of NBT and of the shares of
CNB.
In the conduct of our review and analysis we have relied upon and
assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the
financial information provided to us by NBT and CNB and/or otherwise publicly
obtainable. In reaching our opinion we have not assumed any responsibility for
the independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or
appraisal of any of the assets or the liabilities of either NBT or CNB, nor have
we been furnished with or obtained from any other source, any current appraisals
of the assets or liabilities of either NBT or CNB. We have also relied on the
management of both NBT and CNB as to the reasonableness of various financial and
operating forecasts and of the assumptions on which they are based, which were
provided to us for use in our analyses.
In the course of rendering this opinion, which is being rendered prior
to the receipt of certain required regulatory approvals necessary before
consummation of the Merger, we assume that no conditions will be imposed by any
regulatory agency in conjunction with its approval of the Merger that will have
a material adverse effect on the results of operations, the financial condition
or the prospects of NBT following consummation of the Merger. We refer the
reader to the section of the proxy statement/prospectus titled Opinions of the
Financial Advisors for more detail with respect to our analysis.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion, that as of
the date of this letter, the Fixed Exchange Ratio is fair to the stockholders of
NBT from a financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
McConnell, Budd & Romano, Inc.
By /s/ David A. Budd
-------------------------------
David A. Budd
Managing Director
August 31, 2001
2
APPENDIX C
CIBC World Markets Corp.
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-856-4000
August 31, 2001
The Board of Directors
CNB Financial Corporation
24 Church Street
Canajoharie, NY 13317
Gentlemen:
You have asked CIBC World Markets Corp. ("CIBC World Markets") to render a
written opinion ("Fairness Opinion") to the Board of Directors as to the
fairness to the shareholders of CNB Financial Corporation ("CNB" or the
"Company"), from a financial point of view, of the exchange ratio contained in
the Agreement and Plan of Merger to be dated as of June 19, 2001 by and among
CNB and NBT Bancorp Inc. ("NBT") (the "Agreement"). The Agreement provides for,
among other things, a transaction whereby the Company will be merged with and
into NBT (the "Merger"). Each outstanding share of the Company's common stock
will be converted into the right to receive 1.2 shares of common stock of NBT
(the "Exchange Ratio").
In arriving at our Fairness Opinion we have reviewed among other things:
(a) the Agreement, dated June 19, 2001;
(b) the Affiliates Agreement, Bank Merger Agreement, Stock Option Agreement,
and the Voting Agreement;
(c) the Company's and NBT's audited consolidated financial statements for the
three years ended December 31, 2000;
(d) the Company's and NBT's unaudited consolidated financial statements for
the three months ended March 31, 2001;
(e) financial projections of the Company and NBT prepared by the Company and
NBT's management including estimates as to the future cost savings
expected to be achieved as a result of the Merger, prepared by and
reviewed with management of the Company and NBT;
(f) the historical market prices and trading volume for the Company's and
NBT's common stock;
(g) the views of senior management of the Company and NBT with respect to the
business and prospects for future growth;
(h) publicly available financial data for companies we deemed comparable to
the Company and NBT;
(i) publicly available financial information for transactions that we deemed
comparable to the Merger;
(j) public information concerning the Company and NBT;
(k) the current market environment generally and the banking environment in
particular; and
(l) such other financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial,
economic and market criteria as we deemed appropriate in this instance.
In rendering our Fairness Opinion we relied upon and assumed, without
independent verification or investigation, the accuracy and completeness of all
of the financial and other information provided to us by the Company, NBT and
their respective employees, representatives and affiliates. With respect to
forecasts of future financial condition and operating results of the Company and
NBT provided to us, we assumed at the direction of the Company's and NBT's
management, without independent verification or investigation, that such
forecasts were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best available
information, estimates and judgement of the Company's and NBT's respective
management. We have neither made nor obtained any independent evaluations or
appraisals of the assets or the liabilities of the Company, NBT or any of their
affiliated entities. We are not experts in the evaluation of allowances for loan
losses or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and we have
neither made an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan
losses of the Company and NBT nor reviewed any individual loan credit files and
express no opinion with respect to such matters. We express no opinion as to the
underlying valuation, future performance or long-term viability of the combined
entity following the Merger, or the price at which NBT common stock will trade
subsequent to the Merger. We have not been asked to consider, and our opinion
does not address, the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any
alternative business strategies that might exist for the Company or the effect
of any other transaction in which the Company might engage. Our opinion is
necessarily based on the information available to us and general economic,
financial and stock market conditions and circumstances as they exist and can be
evaluated by us on the date hereof. It should be understood that, although
subsequent developments may affect this opinion, we do not have any obligation
to update, revise or reaffirm the opinion. We were not asked to, and did not,
solicit indications of interest from any other person regarding a business
combination involving the Company.
You have informed us and we have assumed the Merger will be accounted for as a
pooling of interests under generally accepted accounting principles.
At the direction of representatives of NBT, we also assumed that the final terms
of the Agreement will not vary materially from those set forth in the draft
reviewed by us.
As part of our investment banking business, we are regularly engaged in
valuations of businesses and securities in connection with acquisitions and
mergers, underwritings, secondary distributions of securities, private
placements and valuations for other purposes.
We acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Merger and
to the Board of Directors of the Company in rendering this opinion and will
receive a fee for our services, a portion of which is contingent on the
consummation of the merger. CIBC World Markets has performed investment banking
and other services for the Company in the past and was compensated for such
services. In the ordinary course of its business, CIBC World Markets and its
affiliates may actively trade securities of the Company and NBT for their own
account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold
a long or short position in such securities.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and such other factors as we deem
relevant, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Exchange Ratio
contained in the Agreement is fair to the shareholders of the Company from a
financial point of view. This Fairness Opinion is for the exclusive use of the
Board of Directors of the Company. Neither this Fairness Opinion nor the
services provided by CIBC World Markets in connection herewith may be publicly
disclosed or referred to in any manner by the Company without the prior written
approval by CIBC World Markets. CIBC World Markets consents to the inclusion of
this Fairness Opinion in its entirety and any reference to this Fairness Opinion
in any prospectus, proxy statement or solicitation/recommendation statement, as
the case may be, required to be distributed to the Company's shareholders in
connection with the Merger.
Very truly yours,
/s/ CIBC World Markets Corp.
--------------------------------
CIBC World Markets Corp.
2