0001193125-16-569191.txt : 20160429 0001193125-16-569191.hdr.sgml : 20160429 20160429160403 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-16-569191 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 20160429 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20160429 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MIDDLEBURG FINANCIAL CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000914138 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 541696103 STATE OF INCORPORATION: VA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-53995 FILM NUMBER: 161606463 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 111 W WASHINGTON ST STREET 2: C/O MIDDLEBURG BANK CITY: MIDDLEBURG STATE: VA ZIP: 22117 BUSINESS PHONE: 5406876377 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 111 WEST WASHINGTON STREET STREET 2: C/O MIDDLEBURG BANK CITY: MIDDLEBURG STATE: VA ZIP: 22117 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKSHARES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19931027 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SOKOL DAVID L CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001097496 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1111 SOUTH 103RD STREET CITY: OMAHA STATE: NE ZIP: 68124 SC 13D/A 1 d60108dsc13da.htm SC 13D AMENDMENT NO. 2 SC 13D Amendment No. 2

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No. 2)*

 

 

MIDDLEBURG FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

596094102

(CUSIP Number)

David L. Sokol

P.O. Box 4998

Jackson, Wyoming 83001

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

April 29, 2016

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.  ¨

 

 

NOTE: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

 

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 


CUSIP No. 596094102  

 

  1   

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

 

David L. Sokol

  2  

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)

(a)  ¨        (b)  ¨

 

  3  

SEC USE ONLY

 

  4  

SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)

 

PF

  5  

CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)  ¨

 

  6  

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

United States of America

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH:

 

     7    

SOLE VOTING POWER

 

2,103,008

     8   

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

0

     9   

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

2,103,008

   10   

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

0

  11   

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

2,103,008

  12  

CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)  ¨

 

  13  

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 

29.64%(1)

  14  

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)

 

IN

 

(1) Calculated based on 7,094,602 shares of Middleburg Financial Corporation’s (the “Issuer’s”) common stock, par value $2.50 per share, as reported in the Issuer’s first quarter 2016 earnings release filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2016.


Explanatory Note

This Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D is being filed by the undersigned to amend the Schedule 13D filed by the reporting person on March 31, 2016 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 on April 20, 2016, the “Schedule 13D”). This Amendment No. 2 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth.

 

Item 1. Security and Issuer.

No material change.

 

Item 2. Identity and Background.

No material change.

 

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

No material change.

 

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.

Item 4 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“The disclosure in Item 3 is incorporated by reference herein.

The purpose of the acquisition of the Shares of the Issuer beneficially owned by Mr. Sokol was to acquire the Shares for investment purposes in the ordinary course of selling, trading, and investing in securities.

Mr. Sokol has engaged in discussions with the Board of Directors of the Issuer regarding the Issuer’s financial performance and prevailing market trends impacting community banks (including increased competition for customers, costly regulatory compliance and general economic uncertainties). In this regard, on March 31, 2016, Mr. Sokol urged the Board of Directors to initiate a process to explore strategic alternatives to enable the Issuer’s shareholders to realize the full value of their investment in the Issuer. To this end, on March 31, 2016, Mr. Sokol sent a letter to the Board of Directors of the Issuer, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and incorporated by reference herein.

Subsequent to that letter, Mr. Sokol sent another letter to the Board of Directors on April 20, 2016 conveying that he has engaged professional advisors to assist him in realizing the intrinsic value of his investment in the Issuer, and also stating that he may withhold his support for the re-election of the Board’s director slate at the Issuer’s May 4, 2016 annual meeting of shareholders. A copy of Mr. Sokol’s April 20, 2016 letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 5 and incorporated by reference herein.

On April 29, 2016, Mr. Sokol sent another letter to the Board of Directors conveying disappointment in the Issuer’s recent performance and again stating that he intends to withhold his support for the re-election of the Board’s director slate at the Issuer’s May 4, 2016 annual meeting of shareholders. A copy of Mr. Sokol’s April 29, 2016 letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 6 and incorporated by reference herein.


Mr. Sokol intends to review his investment in the Issuer on a continuing basis and, depending on various factors, including the Issuer’s business, affairs, and financial position, other developments concerning the Issuer, the price level of the Issuer’s Shares, conditions in the securities markets and general economic and industry conditions, as well as other investment opportunities available to him, may in the future take such actions with respect to his investment in the Shares as he deems appropriate in light of the circumstances existing from time to time. Such actions may include, without limitation, the purchase of additional Shares in the open market and in block trades, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, or the sale at any time of all or a portion of the Shares now owned or hereafter acquired by him to one or more purchasers. In addition, Mr. Sokol may engage in communications regarding the Issuer with knowledgeable industry or market observers, industry participants, members of the Issuer’s Board of Directors or management, other representatives of the Issuer, or other persons. Such discussions may concern ideas or proposals that, if effected, may result in one or more of the events described in Item 4 of Schedule 13D, including, without limitation, a potential acquisition of the Issuer by an outside third party.

The foregoing description of discussions, intentions, plans, activities, and potential transactions under consideration is subject to termination, evolution, modification, or change at any time, without notice, and there can be no assurance that Mr. Sokol will continue with any discussions or activities, or take any further action with respect to, the matters described above.”

 

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

No material change, except that the 2,103,008 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Sokol now represent 29.64% of the Issuer’s issued and outstanding common stock, calculated based on 7,094,602 shares of common stock, par value $2.50 per share, as reported in the Issuer’s first quarter 2016 earnings release filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2016.

 

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

No material change.

 

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

Item 7 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and supplemented to add a new Exhibit 6 as follows:

Exhibit 6: Letter from David L. Sokol to Members of the Board of Directors of Middleburg Financial Corporation, dated April 29, 2016.


SIGNATURE

After reasonable 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.

 

Date: April 29, 2016  

/s/ David L. Sokol

  David L. Sokol
EX-99.6 2 d60108dex996.htm EX-6 EX-6

Exhibit 6

David L. Sokol

P.O. Box 4998

Jackson, WY 83001-4998

April 29, 2016

Middleburg Financial Corporation

Attention: Members of the Board of Directors

111 West Washington Street

Middleburg, Virginia 20117

Dear Board Members,

Over the last several years, I have attempted to convince you and the management team at Middleburg that we must move more rapidly to improve the financial performance of Middleburg Financial Corporation (“Middleburg”). Middleburg has at various times in the past produced 10 year economic forecasts for the board of directors. These Forecasts included various broad steps that were going to be taken with the stated strategy of: 1) Improving revenue, 2) Improving Productivity, 3) Focusing on reducing Problem Loans, and 4) Getting Middleburg into the top quartile of its peer group in ROAA, ROAE, Efficiency and Net Interest Margin.

While I recognize that forecasting is inherently difficult, particularly the farther out one attempts to project, the performance of Middleburg against such plans has been poor at best. In June 2013, not quite three years ago, you projected 2015 Net Income to be $12.83 million, ROE to be 10.0%, ROA to be 0.94% and EPS to be $1.81. Middleburg missed those targets by nearly 40%. Perhaps even worse, your March 2014 expectations for 2015 missed by 24% and Middleburg did not perform in the top quartile in any of its strategic areas. Also very concerning is that non-performing loans ended 2015 at 2.62%, substantially worse than 2014 and more than double top quartile performance of 1.25%. This non- performing asset percentage is extremely troublesome given that in nearly every presentation Middleburg makes it points out that its service territory is among the best and strongest in the country. One would expect better loan performance in such an area. Middleburg’s March 31, 2016 first quarter results, released at 11:00 am this morning, continues the pattern of under-performance. 16% lower net income in the first quarter of 2016 versus 2015, substantially higher non-interest expense, 36% higher non-performing assets versus the year ago quarter and continued unacceptable returns on average assets of 0.63% and returns on average equity of 6.63%. Even more concerning is your CEO’s quote that “We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter”. It is my understanding from a conversation with your designated Board Member yesterday, that Middleburg’s Board and Management are targeting only $9.3 million of net income for all of 2016. Such a target is extraordinarily disappointing in that you point out in your recent Shareholders letter that absent the $3 million impairment charge in the 4th quarter of 2015 Middleburg would have achieved $9.27 million of net income in 2015. Do you really believe that flat earnings year over year is acceptable? As a shareholder I find both these results, expectations and the Boards leadership unacceptable.

 


 

Page 2

 

I believe that Middleburg’s financial performance shortfalls can be attributed to two fundamental underlying realities. First, proper execution requires much more granular planning and progress measurement if an organization truly intends to move to and stay consistently within top quartile performance. Also, everyone’s incentives must be aligned. Twelve times in your 2016 Proxy Statement you emphasize that the Board and Management’s leadership and compensation are directly aligned with the shareholders. These are nice words, but performance says otherwise. While your strategic initiatives emphasize top quartile performance, your Long Term Equity Incentives only require “average multi-year Return on Average Assets (ROAA) that ranks in the top 50% of our peer group”. In 2015, we missed expectations by 24% and yet management compensation for the top five executives only decreased by 13%. Not much alignment here. Further, as noted on page 16 of the 2016 Proxy, you currently have no stock ownership guidelines for your executives or Board Members. When one removes the unvested restricted stock noted in footnote 4 of the Security Ownership table on page 9 of the Proxy Statement the top executives and the Board Members combined only own 3.5% of the Company’s shares. This averages only 13,000 shares apiece. Given that the average shareholder of record owns 17,000 shares here again we have rather poor alignment. Lastly, in regard to Board oversight and management execution it is critical that the Board holds itself and management accountable for detailed and thorough execution. In the 2015 annual report letter, Mr. Shook makes things sound as though 2015 was a great year when in fact it was rather poor. In his eighth paragraph he states “2015 was a testament to our community. We were pleased with the positive momentum in our overall performance metrics: the Company enjoyed increased earnings, households and deposits.” Not being candid about missing every performance metric outlined will not increase attention to detail going forward. Just as we should honestly reward and compliment over-performance we must be honest about our short comings. In his following paragraphs of his shareholders letter, Mr. Shook points out that if Middleburg had not had to write off $3 million of a $4 million loan in the fourth quarter of 2015, the results would have been better by that amount. No kidding! Unfortunately there is no explanation as to why this loss was necessary nor what is being done to collect what is described as a fraudulent loan, nor what lapses either the lead bank had in their processes or in Middleburg’s. Irrespective of the reason, Middleburg’s performance in 2015 was unacceptable. Loan losses in a bank are part of doing business and should be managed, properly reserved and forecasted. Also in his Shareholder’s letter, Mr. Shook excuses the shortcoming in 2015 revenue from $52.87 million in 2014 to $48.46 million in 2015 as being caused by the sale of Southern Trust Mortgage. This is true and fair. Unfortunately, in the following paragraph, he points out that “non-interest expense for the full year 2015 fell by more than 13.28% compared to full year 2014” but does not point out that virtually this entire expense reduction was also caused by the sale of Southern Trust Mortgage. This omission would give the impression that management had taken steps to lower their non-interest expense by this amount when in fact they did not. A corporation only gets better if they are honest both about their successes and their short-comings. The Board and Management talk about their goals and strategic focus. But such things are just words if not followed up with highly detailed, specific, accountable and measurable plans to achieve each and every goal or focus area. Has the Board asked to see such detailed plans? Is their performance measured and discussed in detail at each monthly Board meeting? The obvious answer is no or the results would reflect real consistent progress.

The second fundamental reason for Middleburg’s shortcomings is the reality that the increased costs of banking caused by new and expanded regulations and laws make scale ever more important. While it is difficult to identify each and every cost and inefficiency which these new laws and regulations create there is no doubt that they disproportionately affect smaller banks like Middleburg. The Company’s 10-K spends several pages discussing these realities. Many people have attempted to estimate the asset size which a small bank must aspire to in order to more acceptably shoulder these new regulatory burdens. It is generally recognized that an asset base of $3 to $6 billion is necessary for a small bank such as Middleburg to compete economically. As I am certain you are aware, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) this past Wednesday approved new accounting rules requiring banks to book loan losses more quickly. How will these new accounting requirements affect Middleburg? Interestingly, when we analyze the ten most likely potential acquirers of Middleburg all of them perform in the top quartile in ROA, ROE, and NPA’s, and as such can far more quickly improve Middleburg’s performance.

 


 

Page 3

 

There are of course three paths which Middleburg could follow in order to grow its asset base to the $3 billion level. The first would be to attempt to grow organically. Over the past five years Middleburg’s compound asset growth rate has been only 2.1% so this is clearly not a realistic option. The second approach would be for Middleburg to grow by acquisition. This approach is in my view unacceptable in that Middleburg’s historic ability to manage acquisitions, such as Southern Trust Mortgage, has proven to be less than successful in addition to the fact that Middleburg itself has not been able to achieve and maintain top quartile performance. Secondly, the ability to make successful acquisitions requires that Middleburg appropriately value and execute such transactions in an accretive way. Otherwise, existing shareholder value is diluted. The third method for Middleburg to achieve a competitive scale is for them to become part of a larger organization through merger or acquisition. The current merger and acquisition climate for such a transaction appears very robust and, given the many positive attributes of Middleburg’s service area, team and balance sheet, such a transaction would appear to provide the highest probability of success for maximizing shareholder value and continuing to serve Middleburg’s customers and communities proactively. It is important to note here that an acquisition of Middleburg will not negatively affect the communities in which Middleburg conducts its business. An acquirer of Middleburg will be paying a premium for the ability to serve such a sound service area and will be highly incentivized to remain an active participant in the community. It is important to remember that Middleburg’s market share in its various service areas ranges from less than 1% to a maximum of 14% and as such they operate in a very competitive market. These communities and Middleburg’s employees will be much better served by a company that is increasingly capable of sustaining an ever increasing regulatory burden and capable of providing highly competitive lending products in a sustainable fashion. Another common concern in a proposed acquisition is that senior management may not be retained by the acquiring company. I have been involved in dozens of acquisitions and it has been my experience that highly effective executives are rarely let go in such a situation. Frankly, good executives are hard to find. However, if such an outcome were to occur the senior team at Middleburg has generous severance contracts if they were to be terminated without cause.

I have been very disappointed that my request for Middleburg’s Board of Directors to form a special committee in order to assess the strategic alternatives available to maximize shareholder value has been ignored. It is my understanding that the Board wishes to act as a group rather than to designate a special committee. I believe that this is a mistake in that at least two Board Members cannot be considered independent for such a purpose. Further, such a large group cannot move expeditiously. I also understand that Sandler O’Neill Partners, L.P. has been hired by the Board as a financial advisor. I would urge that you have your advisor meet with my financial advisor Donnelly, Penman & Partners (“Donnelly”) at the earliest possible convenience. Donnelly’s analysis, based strictly on public information and no accesses to company projections, demonstrates that Middleburg’s stand-alone value falls in the range of $20 to $21 per share and that the potential strategic value of Middleburg to a qualified buyer is substantially higher than the current trading price of approximately $27 per share. It has been a month since I made such a request and in that time the price of Middleburg’s stock has risen by over 30%. Clearly the market and your shareholders think such a request is reasonable and appropriate. All that I have asked for the Board to do is thoroughly compare the strategic alternatives available to Middleburg, including a sale of the company, and openly disclose the outcome of such a review to the shareholders. If the Board actually has a detailed status quo option to growing the company, which includes reasonable assumptions and an actionable plan which can be measured against, and such a plan represents a higher probability of shareholders achieving maximum value I would assume that your shareholders would approve such a plan. Given Middleburg’s past lack of performance I find no justification for the Board denying my request for a thorough strategic review by a special committee. As such, I will be withholding my proxy votes from the nominees of the Board of Directors proposed for election at the Company’s May 4, 2016 Shareholders meeting. While I recognize that this vote will not change the current Board given that no other slate of Directors has been proposed, it will clearly express my vote of no confidence in the current Board.


 

Page 4

 

I appreciate the opportunity to talk at length with your designated Board Member yesterday. Our conversation was open and professional. I am hopeful that the Board will substantially accelerate its process and openly and fairly evaluate each strategic alternative. Your shareholders deserve no less.

Sincerely yours,

/s/ David L. Sokol

David L. Sokol