Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. Schedule 13E-3 09/29/04

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13E-3

RULE 13E-3 TRANSACTION STATEMENT
UNDER SECTION 13(e) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

STURGIS BANCORP, INC.
(Name of the Issuer)

STURGIS BANCORP, INC.
SB MERGER COMPANY
(Names of Persons Filing Statement)

Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)

864087101
(Cusip Number of Class of Securities)

 

Eric L. Eishen
President and CEO
Sturgis Bancorp, Inc.
125 East Chicago Road
P.O. Box 600
Sturgis, MI 49091
(269) 651-9345

Copy to: Gordon R. Lewis
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
111 Lyon Street NW, Suite 900
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2487
(616) 752-2000

With a copy to: John R. Dresser
Dresser, Dresser, Haas & Caywood, P.C.
112 South Monroe Street
Sturgis, MI 49091
(269) 651-3281
       
 

(Name, Address and Telephone Numbers of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
Communications on Behalf of the Persons Filing Statement)

This statement is filed in connection with (check the appropriate box):

A.

[X]

The filing of solicitation materials or an information statement subject to Regulation 14A, Regulation 14C or
   

Rule 13e-3(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("the Exchange Act").

B.

[   ]

The filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933.

C.

[   ]

A tender offer.

D.

[   ]

None of the above.

Check the following box if the soliciting materials or information statement referred to in checking box (a) are preliminary copies:  x

Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the transaction:  o

Calculation of Filing Fee
 

Transaction Valuation

Amount of Filing Fee
 

$588,832 (1)

$74.61

 

(1)

The transaction valuation was determined by multiplying $16.00 per share, the proposed per share cash purchase price for shares that will be eliminated by the merger, by 36,802 shares, the number that the issuer estimates will be eliminated by the merger.
     
 

x

Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Section 240.0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

Amount Previously Paid:  $74.61

Filing Party:   Sturgis Bancorp, Inc.
 

Form or Registration No.:  Preliminary Schedule 14A

Date Filed:  September 29, 2004




RULE 13E-3 TRANSACTION STATEMENT

          This Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 is filed by Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") and SB Merger Company ("SB Merger Co.") in connection with the proposed merger of the Company and SB Merger Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, in which the Company will be the surviving corporation. Upon approval of an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Plan of Merger") by the Company's shareholders, it is expected that the merger will be effected by the filing of a certificate of merger with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

          Pursuant to the Plan of Merger, SB Merger Co. will merge with and into the Company. Each shareholder of the Company holding of record fewer than 500 shares of Common Stock immediately before the effective time of the merger will receive $16.00 per share in cash, without interest, and each shareholder of the Company holding of record 500 or more shares immediately before the effective time of the merger will continue to hold the same number of shares after the merger and will not receive any cash. If the merger is completed, it is expected that the Company will have fewer than 300 shareholders of its Common Stock and will terminate the registration of its Common Stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

          Filed as Exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(2), respectively, are a Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement (the "Proxy Statement") and a form of Proxy that will accompany the Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement will be distributed to the Company's shareholders in connection with a Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November __, 2004, for the purpose of voting on a proposal to approve the Plan of Merger and a proposal to amend the Company's articles of incorporation.

          The Company has securities registered under the Exchange Act and consequently is subject to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act. The Company is filing this Schedule 13E-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission contemporaneously with a preliminary proxy statement filed by the Company pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act.

          In accordance with General Instruction F to Schedule 13E-3, the information set forth in the Proxy Statement (including the appendices thereto) is here incorporated by reference in response to Items 1-14 of Schedule 13E-3, in the manner and to the extent specified below. In addition, the Company has incorporated by reference certain financial information contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as specified below. SB Merger Co. was organized exclusively for the purposes of the merger. It is controlled entirely by the Company and its directors and officers are directors and officers of the Company. It has engaged in no independent analysis of the merger. SB Merger Co. expressly adopts (to the extent relevant) the disclosures, conclusions and analyses of the Company.

This Schedule 13E-3 contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the Plan of Merger, the merger, the Company itself, the economy and the banking industry itself. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "is likely," "plans," "predicts," "projects," variations of such words and similar expressions



(whether contained in this Schedule 13E-3 or incorporated into this schedule by reference) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("risk factors") that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood, and degree of occurrence. Actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted. Risk factors include, but are not limited to, changes in banking laws and regulations; changes in securities and tax laws; changes in governmental and regulatory policy; changes in the national and local economy; changes in costs and other assumptions used in forecasting management's expectations concerning the costs and cost savings associated with the merger; the ability of the Company to implement effectively the merger; and the ability to and speed with which the Company may achieve all cost savings anticipated from the merger. These are representative of the risk factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a forward-looking statement.

Item 1.

Summary Term Sheet.

          The section captioned "SUMMARY" in the Proxy Statement (page 2) is here incorporated by reference.

Item 2.

Subject Company Information.

          (a)  Name and address. The "Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders" and section captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-General" in the Proxy Statement (page 32) are here incorporated by reference.

          (b)  Securities. The section captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-Description of Common Stock" in the Proxy Statement (page 38) is here incorporated by reference.

          (c)  Trading market and price. The section captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-Market for Common Stock and Dividend Information" in the Proxy Statement (pages 37-38) is here incorporated by reference.

          (d)  Dividends. The section captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-Market for Common Stock and Dividend Information" in the Proxy Statement (pages 37-38) is here incorporated by reference.

          (e)  Prior public offerings. None.

          (f)  Prior stock purchases. The section captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-Stock Repurchases" in the Proxy Statement (page 37) is here incorporated by reference.




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Item 3.

Identity and Background of Filing Person.

          (a)  Name and address. The "Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders" and sections captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-General" and "-Directors and Executive Officers" in the Proxy Statement (pages 32 and 33-34, respectively) are here incorporated by reference.

          (b)  Business and background of entities. Not applicable.

          (c)  Business and background of natural persons. The section captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-Directors and Executive Officers." in the Proxy Statement (pages 33-34) is here incorporated by reference.

Item 4.

Terms of the Transaction.

          (a)  Mergers or similar transactions. The sections captioned "THE TRANSACTION-Material Terms," "SPECIAL FACTORS-Reasons for the Merger" and "-Effects of the Merger" and "MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF MERGER" in the Proxy Statement (pages 21-23, 5-6, 6-7 and 28-29, respectively) are here incorporated by reference.

          (c)  Different terms. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Effects of the Merger" in the Proxy Statement (pages 6-7) is here incorporated by reference.

          (d)  Appraisal rights. The section captioned "DISSENTERS' RIGHTS" in the Proxy Statement (pages 26-28) is here incorporated by reference.

          (e)  Provisions for unaffiliated security holders. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Fairness; Recommendation of Board of Directors - Alternatives Considered" in the Proxy Statement (pages 14-15) is here incorporated by reference.

          (f)   Eligibility for listing or trading. Not applicable.

Item 5.

Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements.

          The section captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements" in the Proxy Statement (page 34) is here incorporated by reference.

Item 6.

Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals.

          (b)  Use of securities acquired. The section captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-Use of Securities Acquired and Plans or Proposals" in the Proxy Statement (page 35) is here incorporated by reference.

          (c)  Plans. (1) and (6-8) The sections captioned "THE TRANSACTION-Certain Consequences of the Merger" and "-Termination of Exchange Act Registration" and "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-Use of Securities Acquired



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and Plans or Proposals" and "-Market for Common Stock and Dividend Information" in the Proxy Statement (pages 23-24, 24-25, 35 and 37-38, respectively) are here incorporated by reference.

          (2 - 5)  None.

Item 7.

Purposes, Alternatives, Reasons and Effects.

          (a)  Purposes. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Reasons for the Merger" in the Proxy Statement (pages 5-6) is here incorporated by reference.

          (b)  Alternatives. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Fairness; Recommendation of Board of Directors - Alternatives Considered" in the Proxy Statement (pages 14-15) is here incorporated by reference.

          (c)  Reasons. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Reasons for the Merger" in the Proxy Statement (pages 5-6) is here incorporated by reference.

          (d)  Effects. The sections captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Effects of the Merger," "THE TRANSACTION-Termination of Exchange Act Registration" and "MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF MERGER" in the Proxy Statement (pages 6-7, 24-25 and 28-29, respectively) are here incorporated by reference.

Item 8.

Fairness of the Transaction.

          (a)  Fairness. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Fairness; Recommendation of Board of Directors" in the Proxy Statement (pages 11-15) is here incorporated by reference.

          (b)  Factors considered in determining fairness. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Fairness; Recommendation of Board of Directors" in the Proxy Statement (pages 11-15) is here incorporated by reference.

          (c)  Approval of security holders. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Fairness; Recommendation of Board of Directors" in the Proxy Statement (pages 11-15) is here incorporated by reference.

          (d)  Unaffiliated representative. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Fairness; Recommendation of Board of Directors - Alternatives Considered" in the Proxy Statement (pages 14-15) is here incorporated by reference.

          (e)  Approval of Directors. The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Fairness; Recommendation of Board of Directors" in the Proxy Statement (pages 11-15) is here incorporated by reference.

          (f)  Other offers. Not applicable.




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Item 9.

Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations.

          The section captioned "SPECIAL FACTORS-Opinion of Financial Advisor" in the Proxy Statement (pages 15-21) is here incorporated by reference.

Item 10.

Source and Amounts of Funds or Other Consideration.

          (a)  Source of funds. The section captioned "THE TRANSACTION-Financing of the Merger" in the Proxy Statement (page 24) is here incorporated by reference.

          (b)  Conditions. Not applicable.

          (c)  Expenses. The section captioned "THE TRANSACTION-Financing of the Merger" in the Proxy Statement (page 24) is here incorporated by reference.

          (d)  Borrowed funds. Not applicable.

Item 11.

Interest in Securities of the Subject Company.

          The section captioned "INFORMATION ABOUT STURGIS AND ITS AFFILIATES-Voting Securities and Principal Holders" in the Proxy Statement (pages 35-37) is here incorporated by reference.

Item 12.

The Solicitation or Recommendation.

          The section captioned "INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS" in the Proxy Statement (pages 25-26) is here incorporated by reference.

Item 13.

Financial Statements.

          The sections captioned "SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA" and "PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" in the Proxy Statement (pages 41-49) are here incorporated by reference. In addition, the audited financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 13.1; pages 1-42), and unaudited interim financial statements in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as of and for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 (pages 3-17), are here incorporated by reference. The information incorporated by reference may be accessed electronically at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

Item 14.

Persons/Assets, Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used.

          The section captioned "ADDITIONAL SPECIAL MEETING INFORMATION-Solicitation of Proxies" in the Proxy Statement (pages 31-32) is here incorporated by reference.

Item 15.

Additional Information.

          None.



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Item 16.

Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)

  

Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Preliminary Proxy Statement of Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. for November ___, 2004, Special Meeting of Shareholders (filed with the SEC on September 29, 2004, and here incorporated by reference).
       
 

(a)(2)

  

Form of Proxy for November __, 2004, Special Meeting of Shareholders.

       
 

(c)(1)

  

Valuation Opinion and Report of Financial Consultant.

       
 

(c)(2)

  

Fairness Opinion of Financial Consultant (the form of opinion appears at Appendix C to Exhibit (a)(1), and is here incorporated by reference).
       
 

(f)

  

Description of Dissenters' Rights and Procedures for Exercise (included in the Proxy Statement filed as Exhibit (a)(1), and here incorporated by reference).

       
 

(x)

  

Consent of Independent Accountant. [To be filed with an amendment.]












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SIGNATURE


After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.


 

STURGIS BANCORP, INC.
   
  /s/ Eric L. Eishen
 

Eric L. Eishen
President
   
 

September 29, 2004
   

 

  
   
 

SB MERGER COMPANY
   
  /s/ Eric L. Eishen
 

Eric L. Eishen
President

   
 

September 29, 2004