Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration No. 333-153281

 

CODDLE CREEK FINANCIAL CORP.
P.O. Box 117
347 North Main Street
Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
(704) 664-4888

 

September 25, 2008

 

Dear Stockholders:

 

You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders of Coddle Creek Financial Corp. to be held at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, on October 30, 2008 at Coddle Creek’s corporate headquarters located at 347 North Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115. At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve an agreement and plan of merger pursuant to which Coddle Creek will be merged with and into First Community Bancshares, Inc.

 

If the merger agreement is approved and the merger is subsequently completed, each outstanding share of Coddle Creek common stock will be converted into the right to receive:

 

 

As of September 22, 2008, there were 610,545 shares of Coddle Creek common stock outstanding.

 

The First Community common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “FCBC.” On September 22, 2008, the closing sale price of a share of First Community common stock was $36.00.

 

The merger cannot be completed unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock vote in favor of approval of the merger agreement at the special meeting. The directors and executive officers of Coddle Creek have agreed to vote their shares of Coddle Creek common stock in favor of the merger. The directors and executive officers of Coddle Creek collectively own approximately 22.5% of the outstanding shares of Coddle Creek.

 

Based on our reasons for the merger described in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, including the fairness opinion issued by our financial advisor, Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett, Inc., our board of directors believes that the merger is fair to you and in your best interests. Accordingly, our board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the merger agreement.

 

The accompanying proxy statement/prospectus gives you detailed information about the special meeting, the merger and related matters. We urge you to read this entire document carefully, including the considerations discussed under “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 14, and the appendices to the accompanying document, which include the merger agreement.

 

Your vote is very important.  Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please take the time to vote by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card or by following the instructions to vote via the Internet or by telephone indicated on the proxy card.

 

We appreciate your continuing loyalty and support, and we look forward to seeing you at the special meeting.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ George W. Brawley, Jr.

 

George W. Brawley, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the First Community common stock to be issued in the merger or determined if this document is accurate or adequate. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The shares of First Community common stock are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any bank or savings association and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

 

This proxy statement/prospectus is dated September 25, 2008 and was first mailed
to stockholders of Coddle Creek on or about September 26, 2008

 

CODDLE CREEK FINANCIAL CORP.
P.O. Box 117
347 North Main Street
Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
(704) 664-4888

 

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on October 30, 2008

 

 

To the stockholders of Coddle Creek Financial Corp.:

 

We will hold a special meeting of stockholders of Coddle Creek Financial Corp. at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, on October 30, 2008, at Coddle Creek’s corporate headquarters located at 347 North Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115, for the following purposes:

 

 

We have fixed the close of business on September 24, 2008 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting. Only holders of Coddle Creek common stock of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting.

 

Our board of directors has determined that the merger agreement is in the best interests of Coddle Creek and its stockholders and unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” approval of the merger agreement.

 

Holders of Coddle Creek common stock have the right to dissent from the merger and assert dissenters’ rights, provided the proper procedures in accordance with Article 13 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act are followed. A copy of Article 13 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act is attached as Appendix C to the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Your vote is very important.  Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please take the time to vote by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card or by following the instructions to vote via the Internet or by telephone indicated on the proxy card.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

/s/ Billy R. Williams

 

Billy R. Williams

Corporate Secretary

 

Mooresville, North Carolina

September 25, 2008

 

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about First Community Bancshares, Inc. from documents that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus by reference but not otherwise accompanying this proxy statement/prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from First Community as follows:

 

First Community Bancshares, Inc.
P.O. Box 989
Bluefield, Virginia 24605-0989
Attention: Robert L. Schumacher, General Counsel
(276) 326-9000

 

You will not be charged for any of these documents that you request. If you would like to request documents, please do so no later than five business days prior to the date of the special meeting, or by October 23, 2008 in order to receive them before the special meeting.

 

For additional information regarding where you can find information about First Community, please see “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 68.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

	•	$19.60 in cash, which is referred to as the “per share cash consideration;” and
	•	0.9046 of a share of First Community common stock, which is referred to as the “exchange ratio,” plus cash in lieu of any fractional share interest.

										Equivalent Market
		First Community				Coddle Creek				Value per Share of
		Common Stock				Common Stock				Coddle Creek
At July 31, 2008		$	35.83			$	21.90			$	52.01
At September 22, 2008		$	36.00			$	45.00			$	52.17

	•	stockholders of Coddle Creek must approve the merger agreement;
	•	First Community and Coddle Creek must receive all required regulatory approvals for the merger and the subsidiary merger, and any waiting periods required by law must have passed;
	•	there must be no law, injunction or order enacted or issued preventing completion of the merger;
	•	the First Community common stock to be issued in the merger must have been approved for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or on any securities exchange on which the First Community common stock may then be listed);
	•	First Community and Coddle Creek must receive a legal opinion confirming the tax-free nature of the merger;
	•	the representations and warranties of each of First Community and Coddle Creek in the merger agreement must be accurate, subject to exceptions that would not have a material adverse effect on First Community or Coddle Creek, respectively;
	•	First Community and Coddle Creek must have complied in all material respects with their respective obligations in the merger agreement;
	•	Mooresville Savings Bank must have entered into a new employment agreement with Dale W. Brawley;
	•	First Community and Mooresville Savings Bank must have entered into settlement agreements with certain executive officers of Coddle Creek;
	•	First Community and certain executive officers and non-employee directors of Coddle Creek must have entered into consulting agreements; and
	•	dissenting shares shall not represent 10% or more of the outstanding Coddle Creek common stock.

	•	if any required regulatory approvals for consummation of the merger are not obtained;
	•	if the merger is not completed by February 27, 2009;
	•	if the stockholders of Coddle Creek do not approve the merger agreement; or
	•	if the other company breaches any of its representations, warranties or obligations under the merger agreement in a manner which would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on it and the breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days of notice of the breach.

	•	each of George W. Brawley, Jr., Dale W. Brawley, and Billy R. Williams currently is a party to an employment agreement with Mooresville Savings Bank. Each of these employment agreements provides that upon a change of control of Mooresville Savings Bank, the officer’s base salary will be increased to include the average of the two previous years’ discretionary bonuses, if any, and such adjusted base salary shall be increased annually thereafter by not less than 6% for the remainder of the term, which is automatically extended for three years. In lieu of receiving any benefits under their respective employment agreements, each of Messrs. G. Brawley, D. Brawley and Williams entered into a settlement agreement with First Community and Mooresville Savings Bank which provides that the current employment agreement between the officer and Mooresville Savings Bank will be terminated at the effective time of the merger and the officer will be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment in settlement of any benefits due to the executive as a result of the merger under his currently existing employment agreement. Pursuant to the terms of their respective settlement agreements, George Brawley will be entitled to receive $834,352, Dale Brawley will be entitled to receive $469,223, and Billy Williams will be entitled to receive $332,387;
	•	as contemplated by the terms of the merger agreement, Mooresville Savings Bank intends to enter into a new employment agreement with Dale W. Brawley pursuant to which Mr. Brawley will continue as an employee of Mooresville Savings Bank (or First Community Bank following the merger) and will be entitled to receive an annual salary of $75,000 and the use of an automobile during the term of the agreement. In addition, at the closing of the merger, Mr. Brawley will receive a payment of $100,000 in consideration for the two-year non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions set forth in his new employment agreement;
	•	as contemplated by the terms of the merger agreement, First Community Bank intends to enter into consulting agreements with George W. Brawley, Jr., Billy R. Williams and each non-employee director of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Brawley’s consulting agreement, he will be entitled to receive a one-time payment of $50,000 plus $6,000 for the relocation of the Mooresville Insurance Agency and the use of an automobile during the term of the consulting agreement. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Williams’ consulting agreement, he will be entitled to receive monthly payments equal to approximately $90,000 in the aggregate over the two-year term of his consulting agreement. In addition, First Community Bank will pay for the medical insurance premiums for Mr. Williams and his spouse for a period of three years and provide the use of an automobile during the term of the agreement. The non-employee directors will be entitled to receive $500 per month (or $6,000 in the aggregate) during the one-year term of their consulting agreements;
	•	under certain deferred compensation plans maintained by Coddle Creek, if a Coddle Creek executive officer or director who participates in the deferred compensation plan is terminated within 24 months following the merger, the starting date for payments due to the executive officer or director under the plan will be accelerated to begin on the date of termination rather than the date of retirement, which currently is age 65. The amounts payable to the executive officers and directors under the plans will not change;
	•	the cash payment to the Coddle Creek executive officers and directors holding outstanding, vested and unexercised stock options to acquire shares of Coddle Creek common stock; and
	•	First Community’s agreement to honor indemnification obligations of Coddle Creek for a period of six years and to maintain Coddle Creek’s existing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for a period of five years following the merger, subject to the terms of the merger agreement.

 

Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Data of First Community

 

Set forth below are highlights from First Community’s audited consolidated financial data at and for the years ended December 31, 2003 through 2007 and from First Community’s unaudited consolidated financial data at and for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year or any other interim period. In the opinion of First Community’s management, this information reflects all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of this data for those dates. You should read this information in conjunction with First Community’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included in First Community’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, which are incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus by reference and from which this information is derived. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 68.

 

 

 

 

Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Data of Coddle Creek

 

Set forth below are highlights from Coddle Creek’s audited consolidated financial data at and for the years ended December 31, 2003 through 2007 and from Coddle Creek’s unaudited consolidated financial data at and for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year or any other interim period. In the opinion of Coddle Creek’s management, this information reflects all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of this data for those dates.

 

 

 

Upon completion of the merger, you will receive cash and shares of First Community common stock in exchange for your shares of Coddle Creek common stock. Prior to deciding whether or not to approve the transaction, you should be aware of and consider the following risks and uncertainties that are applicable to the merger and First Community, in addition to the other information contained in or incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus by reference, including the matters addressed under the caption “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 17. First Community has included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2007 additional risk factors that address its business.

 

Because the exchange ratio is fixed and the market price of First Community’s common stock will fluctuate, you cannot be sure of the market value of the First Community common stock that you will receive in the merger.

 

Upon completion of the merger, each issued and outstanding share of Coddle Creek common stock will automatically be cancelled and converted into the right to receive $19.60 in cash and 0.9046 of a share of First Community common stock. The value of the shares of First Community common stock that you will receive will vary based on the trading price of First Community’s common stock. As of September 22, 2008, the last practicable trading day for which information was available prior to the date of this prospectus/proxy statement, the closing sale price reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market for First Community’s common stock was $36.00.

 

Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors, including general market and economic conditions, changes in the values and perceptions of financial services stocks generally, changes in First Community’s business, operations and prospects, and regulatory considerations. Many of these factors are beyond First Community’s control. Accordingly, at the time of the special meeting, you will not necessarily know or be able to calculate the exact value of the shares of First Community’s common stock you will receive upon completion of the merger. The value of the transaction and each share of Coddle Creek common stock on consummation of the merger may be higher or lower depending on the value of First Community’s common stock on that date. Additionally, the value of the shares of First Community’s common stock received by a Coddle Creek stockholder may decline immediately after, including, as a result of, the completion of the merger.

 

The merger agreement limits Coddle Creek’s ability to pursue alternatives to the merger with First Community, may discourage other acquirers from offering a higher valued transaction to Coddle Creek and may, therefore, result in less value for the Coddle Creek stockholders.

 

The merger agreement contains a provision that, subject to certain limited exceptions, prohibits Coddle Creek from soliciting, negotiating, or providing confidential information to any third party relating to any competing proposal to acquire Coddle Creek or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, if Coddle Creek executes a definitive agreement in respect of, or closes, an acquisition transaction with a third party, the merger agreement provides that Coddle Creek must pay a $1.0 million termination fee to First Community. These provisions of the merger agreement could discourage a potential competing acquirer that might have an interest in acquiring Coddle Creek, even if it were prepared to pay a higher per share price than proposed in the merger agreement.

 

The fairness opinion obtained by Coddle Creek from its financial advisor will not reflect changes in circumstances prior to the merger.

 

Howe Barnes, the financial advisor to Coddle Creek, delivered an oral fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of Coddle Creek on July 22, 2008, which was subsequently confirmed in writing dated as of the same date. The fairness opinion states that, as of the date of the opinion, the merger consideration set forth in the merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of shares of Coddle Creek common stock. However, the fairness opinion does not reflect changes that may occur or may have occurred after the date on which it was delivered, including changes to the operations and prospects of First Community or Coddle Creek, changes in general market and economic conditions, or other changes. Any such changes may alter the relative value of First Community and Coddle Creek.

Directors and officers of Coddle Creek have interests in the merger that are in addition to or different than the interests of stockholders.

 

When considering the recommendation of Coddle Creek’s board of directors, you should be aware that some executive officers and directors of Coddle Creek have interests in the merger that are different from your interests. These arrangements may create potential conflicts of interest. For example, some of Coddle Creek’s executive officers will receive a cash payment upon closing of the merger under the terms of their settlement agreements. These and certain other additional interests of Coddle Creek’s directors and executive officers may cause some of these persons to view the proposed transaction differently than you view it, as a stockholder. See “The Merger — Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger” beginning on page 46.

 

First Community may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger.

 

The success of the merger will depend on, among other things, First Community’s ability to realize anticipated cost savings and to combine the businesses of First Community and Coddle Creek in a manner that does not materially disrupt the existing customer relationships of Coddle Creek or result in decreased revenues resulting from any loss of customers and that permits growth opportunities to occur. If First Community is not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the merger may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.

 

The market price of shares of First Community common stock may be affected by factors which are different from those affecting shares of Coddle Creek common stock.

 

You will receive shares of First Community common stock in connection with the merger. Some of First Community’s current businesses and markets differ from those of Coddle Creek and, accordingly, the results of operations of First Community after the merger may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the results of operations of Coddle Creek. For a discussion of the businesses of First Community and Coddle Creek and of certain factors to consider in connection with those businesses, see “Information About Coddle Creek,” beginning on page 58, “Information About First Community,” beginning on page 57 and the documents incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus by reference concerning First Community and referred to under “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 68.

 

Coddle Creek stockholders will have a reduced ownership and voting interest after the merger and will exercise less influence over management.

 

Following completion of the merger, Coddle Creek stockholders will own approximately 4.6% of First Community’s outstanding shares of common stock after taking into account the sale of certain shares of First Community’s common stock by the ESOP that the ESOP is expected to receive in connection with the merger to settle a loan owed to Coddle Creek by the ESOP. Consequently, Coddle Creek stockholders should expect to exercise less influence over the management and policies of First Community than they currently exercise over the management and policies of Coddle Creek.

 

The merger is subject to the receipt of waivers and approvals from government entities that may not be received, may take longer than expected or impose conditions that are not presently anticipated.

 

Before the merger may be completed, various waivers and approvals must be obtained from the FRB, the OCC, the VA Bureau of Financial Institutions, and the NC Commissioner. There can be no assurance as to whether these regulatory waivers and approvals will be received or the timing of the waivers and approvals. In addition, these governmental entities may impose conditions on the completion of the merger or require changes to the terms of the merger. Neither First Community nor Coddle Creek is obligated to complete the merger if the regulatory approvals received in connection with the completion of the merger include any condition which First Community reasonably determines in good faith would materially reduce the benefits of the merger to such a degree that First Community would not have entered into the merger agreement had such condition been known as of the date of the merger agreement.

If the merger is not completed, Coddle Creek will have incurred substantial expenses without realizing the expected benefits.

 

Coddle Creek has incurred substantial expenses in connection with the merger. The completion of the merger depends on the satisfaction of certain conditions including the approval of Coddle Creek’s stockholders and the approval of state and federal regulatory authorities. We cannot guarantee that these conditions will be met. If the merger is not completed, these expenses could have a material adverse impact on the financial condition of Coddle Creek because they would not have realized the expected benefits.

 

Changes in the accounting method for business combinations may have an adverse impact on the transaction if the transaction is not closed by December 31, 2008.

 

Currently and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and prior, in accordance with SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations”, all acquisition-related costs such as investment banker fees, attorney’s fees and accountant’s fees, as well as contingent consideration to the seller, are capitalized as part of the purchase price and become part of goodwill or allocated to the fair value of other tangible or intangible assets and liabilities.

 

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”, which is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as SFAS 141R, which requires an acquirer to do the following: expense acquisition related costs as incurred and record contingent consideration at fair value at the acquisition date with certain subsequent changes in fair value to be recognized in the income statement. SFAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier application is prohibited. If the acquisition is not completed by December 31, 2008, SFAS 141R may have a material impact on our accounting for this transaction.

 

This proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements by First Community and Coddle Creek within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include information about the consummation and anticipated timing of the merger and the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of First Community and Coddle Creek. In addition, any of the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “projects,” “predicts” and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to, among others, the following factors:

 

 

Management of First Community and Coddle Creek each believes that the forward-looking statements about their respective company are reasonable; however, you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The future results and stockholder values of First Community following completion of the merger may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine these results and values are beyond First Community’s and Coddle Creek’s ability to control or predict.

 

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to First Community or Coddle Creek or any person acting or their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Neither First Community nor Coddle Creek undertakes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or new information after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

This document constitutes a proxy statement and is being furnished to all holders of Coddle Creek common stock in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors of Coddle Creek to be used at a special meeting of stockholders of Coddle Creek to be held on Thursday, October 30, 2008 and any adjournment of the special meeting. The purposes of the special meeting are to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the merger agreement between First Community and Coddle Creek, which provides, among other things, for the merger of Coddle Creek with and into First Community, and a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to the extent necessary to solicit additional votes on the merger agreement.

 

This document also constitutes a prospectus of First Community relating to the First Community common stock to be issued to holders of Coddle Creek common stock upon completion of the merger. Based on the number of shares of Coddle Creek common stock outstanding on the record date for the special meeting and an exchange ratio of 0.9046, approximately 552,300 shares of First Community common stock will be issuable upon completion of the merger.

 

First Community has supplied all of the information contained or incorporated herein by reference relating to First Community, and Coddle Creek has supplied all of the information relating to Coddle Creek.

 

A special meeting of stockholders of Coddle Creek will be held at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at Coddle Creek’s corporate headquarters located at 347 North Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115.

 

The purposes of the special meeting are to consider and approve the merger agreement and to consider and approve a proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement.

 

The close of business on September 24, 2008 has been fixed by Coddle Creek as the record date for the determination of Coddle Creek stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. At the close of business on the record date, there were 610,545 shares of Coddle Creek common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of Coddle Creek common stock entitles the holder to one vote at the special meeting on all matters properly presented at the meeting.

 

Stockholders of record may vote by mail, telephone, via the Internet or by attending the special meeting and voting in person. If you choose to vote by mail, simply mark the enclosed proxy card, date and sign it, and return it in the postage paid envelope provided.

 

If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow in order for your shares to be voted. Also, please note that if the holder of record of your shares is a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the special meeting, you must bring a legal proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee confirming that you are the beneficial owner of the shares.

Any stockholder executing a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted by:

 

 

Attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute revocation of a proxy.

 

Each properly executed proxy returned to Coddle Creek (and not revoked) by a holder of Coddle Creek common stock will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated thereon. If no instructions are indicated, the proxy will be voted “FOR” approval of the merger agreement and “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary to permit further solicitation of proxies on the proposal to approve the merger agreement.

 

 

Participants in the ESOP have the right to direct the ESOP trustees how to vote shares allocated to the participant’s account. ESOP participants will receive with this document an ESOP Participant Voting Instructions form for use in directing the ESOP trustees with regard to the voting of the shares of Coddle Creek common stock allocated to his or her plan account. Shares of common stock held by the ESOP for which no voting instructions are received will not be voted by the trustees which will have the same impact as a vote against the merger. If signed voting instructions are returned with no instructions indicated, those shares allocated to the ESOP participant will be voted “FOR” the proposals at the special meeting. Participants’ voting instructions with respect to shares of common stock held under the ESOP will be held in strict confidence.

 

 

A quorum, consisting of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock, must be present in person or by proxy before any action may be taken at the special meeting. Abstentions will be treated as shares that are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not be counted in the voting on a proposal and this will have the same effect of a vote against the merger proposal.

 

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock is necessary to approve the merger agreement on behalf of Coddle Creek. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders at the meeting is required to approve the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary to permit further solicitation of proxies on the proposal to approve the merger agreement.

 

Any “broker non-votes” submitted by brokers or nominees in connection with the special meeting will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast on a proposal but will be treated as present for quorum purposes. “Broker non-votes” are shares held by brokers or nominees as to which voting instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote those shares and the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power under the applicable New York Stock Exchange rules. Under these rules, the proposals to approve the merger agreement and to adjourn the special meeting are not items on which brokerage firms may vote in their discretion on behalf of their clients if such clients have not furnished voting instructions within ten days of the special meeting. Because the proposal to approve the merger agreement is required to be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock, abstentions and broker “non-votes” will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal to approve the merger agreement at the special meeting. And for the same reason, the failure of a Coddle Creek stockholder to vote by proxy or in person at the special meeting will have the effect of a vote against this proposal. Because of the vote required for the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, abstentions and “broker non-votes” will have no effect on this proposal.

 

The directors and executive officers of Coddle Creek, who collectively own approximately 22.5% of the outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock as of the record date for the special meeting, have entered into shareholder agreements with First Community pursuant to which they have agreed to vote all of their shares in favor of the merger agreement. See “The Merger — Shareholder Agreements” on page 53.

As of the close of business on the record date for the special meeting, First Community did not beneficially own any shares of Coddle Creek common stock.

 

Coddle Creek will pay for the costs of mailing this document to its stockholders, as well as all other costs incurred by it in connection with the solicitation of proxies from its stockholders on behalf of its board of directors. In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, officers and employees of Coddle Creek and its subsidiaries may solicit proxies from stockholders of Coddle Creek in person or by telephone, telegram, facsimile or other electronic methods without compensation other than reimbursement for their actual expenses.

 

Arrangements also will be made with custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons, and Coddle Creek will reimburse such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.

 

The Coddle Creek board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Based on Coddle Creek’s reasons for the merger described in this proxy statement/prospectus, including Howe Barnes’ fairness opinion, the board of directors of Coddle Creek believes that the merger is in the best interests of Coddle Creek’s stockholders and unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the merger agreement. See “The Merger — Coddle Creek’s Reasons for the Merger” beginning on page 23.

 

The following information describes the material aspects of the merger agreement and the merger. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the appendices to this proxy statement/prospectus, including the merger agreement. You are urged to carefully read the appendices in their entirety.

 

Under the terms and conditions set forth in the merger agreement, Coddle Creek will be merged with and into First Community. At the effective time of the merger, each share of common stock of Coddle Creek, no par value per share, outstanding immediately before the effective time of the merger (except as provided below) will, by virtue of the merger and without any action on the part of a Coddle Creek stockholder, be converted into the right to receive:

 

 

As of September 22, 2008, there were 610,545 shares of Coddle Creek common stock outstanding.

 

Shares of Coddle Creek common stock held by Coddle Creek stockholders who have elected dissenters’ rights will not be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration upon consummation of the merger. Stockholders who wish to assert their dissenters’ rights and comply with the procedural requirements of Article 13 of the NCBCA, will be entitled to receive payment of the fair value of their shares in cash in accordance with North Carolina law. For more information regarding the exercise of these rights, see “— Dissenters’ Rights.”

 

After completion of the merger, it is expected that current First Community stockholders will own approximately 95.2% of the combined company and former Coddle Creek stockholders will own

approximately 4.6% of the combined company after taking into account the sale of certain shares of First Community’s common stock by the ESOP that the ESOP is expected to receive in connection with the merger to settle a loan owed to Coddle Creek by the ESOP.

 

Coddle Creek’s board of directors has from time to time engaged with senior management in strategic reviews and has considered ways to enhance Coddle Creek’s performance and prospects in light of competitive and other relevant developments. These strategic reviews have focused on, among other things, the business environment facing financial institutions generally, as well as conditions and ongoing consolidation in the financial services industry. These reviews have also included periodic discussions with respect to potential transactions that would further Coddle Creek’s strategic objectives, and the potential benefits and risks of those transactions, and from time to time have focused on the possibility of a merger with another banking organization. In addition, Coddle Creek’s senior management has had from time to time informal discussions with representatives of other financial institutions regarding the potential benefits and risks of business combination transactions.

 

In March 2008, Coddle Creek’s board of directors, with members of Coddle Creek’s senior management present, met with representatives from Howe Barnes to discuss strategic alternatives available to Coddle Creek. On April 8, 2008, the Coddle Creek board of directors formally engaged Howe Barnes to conduct a limited auction of Coddle Creek and its subsidiary, Mooresville Savings Bank. After being formally engaged, Howe Barnes prepared a Confidential Information Memorandum describing Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank. While preparing the Confidential Information Memorandum, Howe Barnes began to identify potential merger partners for Coddle Creek, primarily those with a presence or interest in Charlotte, North Carolina and surrounding areas.

 

In mid-April 2008, with the consent of Coddle Creek, Howe Barnes contacted 11 prospective merger partners, including First Community. Nine of the prospective merger partners, including First Community, signed confidentiality agreements and received information on Coddle Creek. Of the nine prospective merger partners who received information on Coddle Creek, five parties submitted initial indications of interest to acquire Coddle Creek, including First Community.

 

On or about May 21, 2008, Coddle Creek’s management team met separately with the chief executive officers of two prospective merger partners, one of which was the chief executive officer of First Community. First Community’s chief executive officer and Coddle Creek’s management team generally discussed the strategic visions for Coddle Creek and First Community, the cultures and traditions of their companies and other matters. Shortly thereafter, the Coddle Creek board of directors evaluated the initial indications of interest received through Howe Barnes’ efforts. It determined that the valuation of Coddle Creek, the relative proportions of cash and stock in the merger consideration indicated by First Community, and the general terms contained in First Community’s initial indication of interest were superior to those received from the other companies who submitted initial indications of interest. Accordingly, the Coddle Creek board of directors authorized management to continue to engage in discussions and negotiations with First Community regarding a potential transaction and to commence due diligence.

 

Over the first several days of June 2008, First Community conducted an on-site due diligence review of Coddle Creek. Included in this review were interviews of the senior management team of Coddle Creek by First Community’s senior executives and its advisors. Following the on-site review and during the first two weeks of June 2008, a series of communications occurred in which the senior management teams of Coddle Creek and First Community and their respective advisors participated. On June 16, 2008, Coddle Creek received a revised indication of interest from First Community setting forth the material terms of a potential merger, including the financial terms and the transaction structure. In the revised indication of interest, First Community proposed to purchase each share of Coddle Creek common stock for approximately $49.00 per share as of that date with the merger consideration to be paid in a combination of cash and shares of First Community common stock.

On June 17, 2008, the boards of directors of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank held a special joint meeting at which senior management was present. The purpose of the special joint meeting was to discuss various acquisition proposals received by Howe Barnes in its capacity as the investment advisor to Coddle Creek. Howe Barnes provided an overview of its activities undertaken to date, and the five parties who submitted initial indications of interest, including First Community. Howe Barnes then summarized the course of discussions with First Community, the material terms of First Community’s indication of interest and several aspects of First Community’s proposal that remained to be resolved. Howe Barnes presented to the board of directors detailed financial information with respect to First Community and pro forma data with respect to the potential transaction. After the foregoing presentations and an extended discussion among the participants in the meeting, Howe Barnes orally advised the boards of directors of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank that in its opinion the merger consideration and general terms of the merger were fair to the holders of Coddle Creek common stock from a financial point of view. Also at this meeting, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, L.L.P., Coddle Creek’s legal counsel, which is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as Brooks Pierce, informed the board of directors of Coddle Creek of the legal standards applicable to a decision by the Coddle Creek board of directors to approve a merger of Coddle Creek. After further questions by and discussions among the members of the Coddle Creek board of directors, and consideration of the factors described under “— Coddle Creek’s Reasons for the Merger,” the Coddle Creek board of directors voted unanimously to direct Coddle Creek’s management to move forward with discussions with First Community, with a resolution of the various issues identified by the board of directors of Coddle Creek being a requirement to entering into the letter of intent.

 

After the special joint meeting of the boards of directors of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank, Coddle Creek’s and First Community’s senior management and advisors engaged in additional discussions regarding the various issues to be resolved. After resolving the most important of these issues, Coddle Creek agreed to pursue a proposed transaction exclusively with First Community for the next 45 days under the framework of a revised indication of interest submitted by First Community to Coddle Creek on June 23, 2008. During the remainder of June and through July 2008, Coddle Creek, First Community and their advisors negotiated the definitive documentation associated with and conditions precedent to consummation of a possible merger of Coddle Creek and First Community and their respective banking subsidiaries.

 

On June 26, 2008, representatives of Howe Barnes and Brooks Pierce conducted an on-site due diligence review of First Community. Included with this review were discussions with the senior management team of First Community.

 

On July 22, 2008, the boards of directors of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank held a regularly scheduled joint meeting at which senior management, together with Coddle Creek’s legal and financial advisors, reviewed the discussions and negotiations with First Community regarding the proposed merger and the results of Coddle Creek’s due diligence investigation of First Community. Brooks Pierce presented a draft of the merger agreement to the board of directors of Coddle Creek and discussed its terms as well as several remaining issues relevant to the merger agreement that remained unresolved. After responding to questions from members of the board of directors of Coddle Creek on the merger agreement, Brooks Pierce discussed the terms of the shareholder agreement, the affiliate letter, the bank merger agreement and the various agreements to be entered into by Coddle Creek’s senior management and noted a number of unresolved issues in these ancillary agreements. Howe Barnes presented detailed financial information with respect to the potential transaction and answered questions of the board of directors of Coddle Creek, and rendered an oral opinion that, as of July 22, 2008, the consideration provided in the merger agreement was fair to the holders of Coddle Creek common stock from a financial point of view. This opinion was subsequently confirmed in writing as of the same date. Also at this meeting, Brooks Pierce discussed again with the Coddle Creek board of directors the legal standards applicable to its decision to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. Senior management of Coddle Creek and the board of directors of Coddle Creek reviewed the terms of the proposed merger agreement, and the Coddle Creek board of directors concluded that the proposed transaction with First Community was in the best interests of Coddle Creek and its stockholders. After further questions by and discussion among the members of the Coddle Creek board of directors and consideration of the factors described under “— Coddle Creek’s Reasons for the Merger,” the Coddle Creek

board of directors voted unanimously to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby as being in the best interests of the stockholders of Coddle Creek, subject to resolution of the several specified remaining issues.

 

On July 22, 2008, First Community’s board of directors held a regular meeting at which its management reviewed in detail with the board of directors the terms of the merger agreement. Based upon First Community’s board of directors’ review and discussion of the merger agreement and the relevant factors, described below in “— First Community’s Reasons for the Merger,” First Community’s board of directors unanimously authorized and approved the execution of the merger agreement with Coddle Creek.

 

Following the completion of the meetings of the boards of directors of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank and the First Community board of directors on July 22, 2008, Coddle Creek’s and First Community’s senior management and their respective advisors continued discussions to resolve the remaining issues with respect to the definitive merger agreement. After reaching a resolution on those items, the merger agreement was entered into by Coddle Creek and First Community on July 31, 2008. After the stock market closed on July 31, 2008, First Community and Coddle Creek issued a joint press release publicly announcing the proposed merger.

 

Coddle Creek’s board of directors, at its meeting held on July 22, 2008, considered the merger agreement and determined it to be in the best interests of Coddle Creek and its stockholders. In reaching its determination, the Coddle Creek board of directors consulted with Coddle Creek management, as well as its financial and legal advisors, regarding the financial fairness of the merger and the terms of the merger agreement, and considered a number of factors. Listed below are the material factors that Coddle Creek’s board of directors considered in its decision. The Coddle Creek’s board of directors did not assign any specific or relative weight to the factors listed below and considered all of the factors as a whole in reaching its conclusion to approve the merger agreement.

 

 

 

The Coddle Creek board of directors also considered the following matters associated with the merger in connection with its deliberations of the proposed transaction, including:

 

 

The Coddle Creek board of directors evaluated the factors described above, including asking questions and receiving information from management and its legal and financial advisors, and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by it were in the best interests of Coddle Creek and its stockholders. Accordingly, the Coddle Creek board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and recommends that Coddle Creek stockholders vote “FOR” approval of the merger agreement.

 

First Community entered into the merger agreement with Coddle Creek because, among other things, First Community believes the merger is consistent with its expansion strategy in North Carolina. The acquisition will expand First Community Bank’s banking operations and complement its existing banking network. The Coddle Creek franchise is a natural expansion of First Community’s current North Carolina operations into the Lake Norman region of North Carolina.

 

On July 22, 2008, at a meeting of the Coddle Creek board of directors, Howe Barnes delivered to the Coddle Creek board of directors its opinion, to the effect that, as of that date and based upon and subject to various assumptions, matters considered, and limitations on Howe Barnes’ review described in the opinion, the

shareholder consideration was fair, from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of Coddle Creek. No limitations were imposed by Coddle Creek on Howe Barnes with respect to the investigations made or the procedures followed in rendering its opinion.

 

Coddle Creek retained Howe Barnes to act as its financial advisor in connection with its proposed merger with First Community based upon Howe Barnes’ qualifications, expertise, and reputation advising financial institutions and other companies. As part of its investment banking business, Howe Barnes is regularly engaged in the valuation of banks and bank holding companies, thrifts and thrift holding companies, and various other financial services companies, in connection with merger and acquisitions, initial and secondary offerings of securities, and valuations for other purposes.

 

The full text of Howe Barnes’ written opinion to Coddle Creek’s board of directors, dated July 22, 2008, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and extent of review by Howe Barnes, is attached as Appendix B and is incorporated herein by reference. The fairness opinion should be read carefully and in its entirety. The following summary of Howe Barnes’ opinion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Howe Barnes’ opinion is directed to Coddle Creek’s board of directors and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of Coddle Creek as to how a stockholder should vote with regard to the merger at the special meeting of stockholders described in this proxy statement/prospectus. The opinion addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to the holders of Coddle Creek’s common stock. The opinion does not address the relative merits of the merger or any alternatives to the merger, the underlying decision of Coddle Creek’s board of directors to approve or proceed with or effect the merger, or any other aspect of the merger.

 

Howe Barnes has consented to the inclusion of its opinion and to the inclusion of the summary of its opinion in this proxy statement/prospectus. In giving such consent, Howe Barnes does not concede that it comes within the category of persons whose consent is required under the Securities Act of 1933 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the Commission, thereunder, nor does it concede that it is an expert within the meaning of the term “expert” as used in the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part.

 

In connection with rendering its original opinion, Howe Barnes:

 

 

 

 

The written opinion provided by Howe Barnes to Coddle Creek, dated as of July 22, 2008, was necessarily based upon economic, monetary, financial market, and other relevant conditions as of the date the opinion was rendered. Accordingly, it is important to understand that although subsequent developments may affect its opinion, Howe Barnes does not have any obligation to further update, revise, or reaffirm its opinion.

 

In connection with its review and arriving at its opinion, with the consent of Coddle Creek’s board of directors, Howe Barnes assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the financial information and other pertinent information provided by Coddle Creek and First Community to Howe Barnes for purposes of rendering its opinion. Howe Barnes did not assume any obligation to independently verify any of the information discussed above, including, without limitation, information from published sources, as being complete and accurate. With regard to the financial information, including financial projections it received from Coddle Creek, as well as estimates of cost savings, Howe Barnes assumed that this information reflected the best available estimates and good faith judgments of management as to Coddle Creek’s future performance and that the projections provided a reasonable basis upon which Howe Barnes could formulate its opinion. The forecasts and projections were based upon numerous variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain, including, among others, factors relative to the general economic and competitive conditions Coddle Creek faces. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from those used in the forecasts and projections.

 

Howe Barnes does not purport to be an expert in the evaluation of loan portfolios or the allowance for loan losses with respect to loan portfolios and, accordingly, assumes that Coddle Creek’s allowances and First Community’s allowances were adequate to cover any losses. In addition, Howe Barnes has not reviewed and does not assume any responsibility for any individual credit files and did not make an independent evaluation, appraisal, or physical inspection of the assets or liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of Coddle Creek’s or First Community’s individual properties, nor was Howe Barnes provided with any such appraisals. In rendering its opinion, Howe Barnes expressed no opinions with respect to the amount or nature of any compensation to any officers, directors, or employees of Coddle Creek, or any class of such persons relative to the merger consideration to be received by the holders of the common stock of Coddle Creek in the transaction or with respect to the fairness of any such compensation. In addition, for purposes of rendering its written opinion, Howe Barnes assumed that (i) the merger will be consummated in accordance with the terms set forth in the merger agreement, without any waiver of any of its material terms or conditions, and that obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for the merger will not have an adverse effect on either separate institution or the combined entity, and (ii) the merger will be consummated in a manner that complies in all respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the Exchange Act, and all other applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations.

 

In connection with rendering its opinion to Coddle Creek’s board of directors, Howe Barnes performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses, which are briefly summarized below. Such summaries do not purport to be a complete description of the analyses performed by Howe Barnes. The fact that any specific analysis has been referred to in the summaries below is not meant to indicate that the analysis was given greater weight than any other analysis. Accordingly, the ranges of values resulting from any particular analysis described below should not be taken to be Howe Barnes’ view of Coddle Creek’s or the combined company’s actual value. Moreover, Howe Barnes believes that the analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the analyses and the factors considered, including information presented in tabular form, without considering all of the analyses and factors, could create an incomplete understanding of the process

underlying the analyses and, more importantly, a misleading or incomplete view of its opinion as to fairness from a financial point of view that is based on those analyses.

 

Comparable Transaction Analysis.  Howe Barnes reviewed and compared financial performance and pricing information for the following groups of thrift merger transactions announced in the 24 months ended July 16, 2008, which is referred to in this “— Opinion of Coddle Creek’s Financial Advisor” section of this proxy statement/prospectus as the Comparable Thrift Merger Transactions:

 

 

Pricing ratios for the merger were compared to the Comparable Thrift Merger Transactions median (1) price to book value, (2) price to tangible book value, (3) price to last twelve months which is referred to as the LTM, reported earnings, (4) tangible book value premium to core deposits, and (5) premium paid to market price, which are referred to collectively as the Pricing Ratios, as shown below:

 

 

 

 

In addition, Howe Barnes reviewed a selected group of thrift merger transactions with the targets located in North Carolina and South Carolina. The transactions were announced since January 1, 1999 and had deal values less than $100 million, which is referred to as the Precedent M&A Transactions — Carolinas. The following table represents the Precedent M&A Transactions — Carolinas:

 

 

The following table represents a comparison of the merger to the Precedent M&A Transactions — Carolinas transaction pricing ratios:

 

 

 

 

In addition, Howe Barnes reviewed a selected group of thrift merger transactions with the targets located in the United States. The transactions were announced since January 1, 2005 and had deal values from $10 million to $50 million, which is referred to as the Precedent M&A Transactions — Nationwide. The following table represents the Precedent M&A Transactions — Nationwide:

 

 

The following table represents a comparison of the merger to the Precedent M&A Transactions — Nationwide transaction pricing ratios:

 

 

 

 

Comparable Public Company Analysis.  Howe Barnes analyzed the market performance of several thrift indices, as identified by SNL Financial LC, for the three year period ending July 21, 2008. Howe Barnes analyzed the trading performance of all publicly traded thrifts in the United States with assets less than $250 million, all publicly traded thrifts in the United States with assets less than $500 million, and the SNL Thrift Index. During this period, the index of thrifts with assets less than $250 million decreased 24.2%, the index of thrifts with assets less than $500 million decreased 21.2%, and the SNL Thrift Index decreased 47.4%.

 

In addition, Howe Barnes compared the July 21, 2008 trading multiples of Coddle Creek to the median trading multiples for following selected groups of public thrifts, as defined by SNL Financial LC, which is referred to as the Nationwide Trading Medians:

 

 

 

Coddle Creek’s July 21, 2008 trading multiples were compared to the Nationwide Trading Medians, as shown below: