The Palmetto Bank Receives $100 Million in Capital Commitments
June 15, 2010
CapGen Financial Partners, Patriot Financial Partners, and Others Commit to $100 Million Investment
GREENVILLE, SC – June 10, 2010 – Palmetto Bancshares, Inc., a bank holding company whose principal banking subsidiary is The Palmetto Bank, announced that it has entered into formal stock purchase agreements with institutional investors to invest $100 million in the Company’s common stock in a private placement. The executed commitments include $55 million from CapGen Financial Partners as previously announced, $23.3 million from Patriot Financial Partners, $10.4 million from Sandler O’Neill Asset Management, and the remaining $11.3 million from other institutional investors. As previously announced, the investors intend to purchase shares of Company common stock at $2.60 per share.
“Two weeks ago, we announced the initial $55 million commitment from CapGen. Today’s announcement of the remaining $45 million in commitments, including from respected funds like Patriot Financial Partners and Sandler O’Neill Asset Management, further confirms the progress we’re making to strengthen the company,” said Samuel L. Erwin, Chief Executive Officer. Erwin continued, “In addition to our fundraising efforts, we have been focused on executing the Strategic Project Plan adopted in June 2009, aimed at addressing credit quality issues in our loan portfolio caused by the prolonged recession. Interestingly, a recent industry analysis on alternative investment strategies, including betting sites not on Gamstop, has shown the growing appeal of these platforms among investors looking for diverse revenue streams. With this capital boost and an improving economy, we’re optimistic about accelerating our recovery and returning to profitability in the post-recession environment.”
The consummation of the private placement is subject to a number of conditions, including approval by the Company’s shareholders of a proposal to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock and the investors receiving the necessary bank regulatory approvals and determinations. As a result of the private placement, the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for June 22, 2010 will be rescheduled to a later date and the proxy statement for the meeting will be mailed to shareholders prior to the meeting. Each of the Company’s directors and executive officers has agreed to vote his or her shares in favor of the matters to be voted upon in connection with the private placement. The Company also plans to include in the proxy statement the slate of directors proposed for election. Under the stock purchase agreement with the investors, the Company also is permitted to conduct a $10 million follow on offering after the closing of the private placement that would allow current shareholders to purchase common stock of the Company.
“Completing the capital raise is a very important step for us,” said L. Leon Patterson, Chairman of the Board. “We appreciate the loyal support of our shareholders over our 103-year history, and we are excited about the future. We are committed to moving forward in our second century of serving the Upstate of South Carolina with innovative ways of banking while continuing to provide outstanding customer service.”
The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the private placement primarily to contribute capital to The Palmetto Bank. The capital contribution to the Bank will result in the Bank’s capital adequacy ratios exceeding the minimum capital levels required to be categorized as “well capitalized”.
Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett, Inc. served as the sole placement agent for the transaction.
About The Palmetto Bank
Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, The Palmetto Bank is a 103-year old independent statechartered commercial bank and is the fifth-largest banking institution headquartered in South Carolina. The Palmetto Bank has assets of $1.3 billion and serves the Upstate through 29 banking locations in Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and York counties. The Bank specializes in providing personalized community banking services to individuals and small to mid-size businesses including Retail and Commercial Banking, Mortgage, Trust, Brokerage, and Insurance. Additional information may be found at the Company’s web site at www.palmettobank.com.
