DEFA14A 1 d51796ddefa14a.htm DEFA14A DEFA14A

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Filed by the Registrant  ☒                             Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

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  Preliminary Proxy Statement
  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
  Definitive Proxy Statement
  Definitive Additional Materials
  Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

CIT GROUP INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

N/A

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

     

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On October 16, 2020, the following communication was made available at CIT Group Inc.’s (“CIT”) website at www.cit.com:

 

LOGO

CIT and First Citizens announce merger to create Top 20 U.S. bank Discover the details


On October 16, 2020, the following communication was made available at CIT’s website at https://www.cit.com/firstcitizens/:

 

LOGO

CIT and First Citizens Creating a Top 20 U.S. Bank


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Press Release CIT and First Citizens announce transformational partnership to create a top-performing commercial bank Learn more Investor Presentation Learn more about the transaction Explore the details


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Explore the details First Citizens Bank forever first’ Get to know First Citizens First Citizens has an extensive retail banking franchise spanning more than 550 branch locations and serving individuals and businesses across 19 states.


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Fquently asked questions Get the answers to your most frequently asked questions. a Why are CIT and First Citizens merging? Together, CIT and First Citizens will be able to leverage their respective strengths to create a Top 20 U.S. bank, providing the scale to drive growth, improve profitability and enhance stakeholder value, all while delivering a broader range of market-leading capabilities for customers. a When will the transaction be completed? We anticipate the transaction will be completed in the first half of 2021, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of each company. Will there be any impact on CIT, CIT Bank or OneWest Bank A accounts as a result of this transaction? We anticipate the transaction will be completed in the first half of 2021, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of each company. a Tell me about First Citizens Bank. First Citizens has an extensive retail banking franchise spanning more than 550 branch locations and serving individuals and businesses across 19 states, with a significant presence in key growth markets across the Southeast. Their franchise includes a full breadth of banking products and services.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the financial condition, results of operations, business plans and future performance of First Citizens and CIT. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “targets,” “designed,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will” or other similar words and expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on First Citizens’ and CIT’s current expectations and assumptions regarding First Citizens’ and CIT’s businesses, the economy, and other future conditions.

Because forward-looking statements relate to future results and occurrences, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances and other factors that are difficult to predict. Many possible events or factors could affect First Citizens’ and/or CIT’s future financial results and performance and could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of First Citizens and/or CIT to differ materially from any anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, (1) the risk that the cost savings, any revenue synergies and other anticipated benefits of the proposed merger may not be realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the condition of the economy and competitive factors in areas where First Citizens and CIT do business, (2) disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed merger and diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities, (3) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the definitive merger agreement between First Citizens and CIT, (4) the risk that the integration of First Citizens’ and CIT’s operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that First Citizens and CIT are otherwise unable to successfully integrate their businesses, (5) the failure to obtain the necessary approvals of the stockholders of First Citizens and/or CIT, (6) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against First Citizens and/or CIT, (7) the failure to obtain required governmental approvals (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed transaction), (8) reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of First Citizens’ and/or CIT’s customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed merger, (9) the failure of any of the closing conditions in the definitive merger agreement to be satisfied on a timely basis or at all, (10) delays in closing the proposed merger, (11) the possibility that the proposed merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (12) the dilution caused by First Citizens’ issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the proposed merger, (13) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions, (14) other factors that may affect future results of CIT and/or First Citizens including changes in asset quality and credit risk, the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth, changes in interest rates and capital markets, inflation, customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices, the impact, extent and timing of technological changes, capital management activities, and other actions of the Federal Reserve Board and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, and (15) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on First Citizens’ and/or CIT’s businesses, the ability to complete the proposed merger and/or any of the other foregoing risks.


Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, each of First Citizens and CIT disclaims any obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments. Further information regarding First Citizens, CIT and factors which could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein can be found in First Citizens’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and in CIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and its other filings with the SEC.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

First Citizens intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register the shares of First Citizens’ capital stock that will be issued to CIT’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. The registration statement will include a joint proxy statement of First Citizens and CIT that also constitutes a prospectus of First Citizens. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of First Citizens and CIT seeking their approval of the proposed merger.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE (AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS) BECAUSE SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FIRST CITIZENS, CIT, THE PROPOSED MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS.

Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by First Citizens or CIT through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or from First Citizens at its website, www.firstcitizens.com, or from CIT at its website, www.cit.com. Documents filed with the SEC by First Citizens will be available free of charge by accessing the “Newsroom” page of First Citizens’ website at www.firstcitizens.com or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone or mail to First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Mail Code: FCC-22, PO Box 27131, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7131, (919) 716-7000, and documents filed with the SEC by CIT will be available free of charge by accessing CIT’s website at www.cit.com under the tab “About Us,” and then under the heading “Investor Relations” or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone or mail to CIT Group Inc., One CIT Drive, Livingston, New Jersey 07039, (866) 542-4847.

Participants in Solicitation

First Citizens, CIT, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of each of First Citizens and CIT in connection with the proposed merger under the rules of the SEC. Certain information regarding the interests of the directors and executive officers of First Citizens and CIT and other persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of First Citizens or of CIT in connection with the proposed merger and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus related to the proposed merger, which will be filed with the SEC. Additional information about First Citizens, the directors and executive officers of First Citizens and their ownership of First Citizens common stock can also be found in First Citizens’ definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2020, and other documents subsequently filed by First Citizens with the SEC. Additional information about CIT, the directors and executive officers of CIT and their ownership of CIT common stock can also be found in CIT’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on April 2, 2020, and other documents subsequently filed by CIT with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources described above.


On October 16, 2020, the following communication was made available at CIT’s website at https://www.cit.com/uploadedFiles/citcom/pages/Landing_pages/FCB/FCB_Brochure_ForeverStrong.pdf:

 

LOGO

A Proud History. A Bright Future. Forever First.® WELCOME TO FIRST CITIZENS BANK FIRST CITIZENS BANK


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First An introduction. Citizens Bank: We’re pleased to introduce you to our company, First Citizens Bank. First Citizens was founded in 1898 in North Carolina. For more than 120 years, we’ve been helping families and businesses make more of their finances. We’ve shared their dreams, helped make budgets work harder and put together financial plans to last them the rest of their lives. We’re known for being careful with our customers’ money and for treating those who choose us with respect and courtesy. Our steadfast commitment to building lasting relationships has made us one of the country’s leading financial institutions for both personal and business customers. This long-term approach along with our competitive product offerings in areas such as business, commercial, institutional banking, wealth management and insurance services are why customers have trusted us with their financial well-being. At First Citizens, we’ve grown through the years by delivering a consistently high level of service and by bringing other banks into our system through select mergers and acquisitions. We believe in providing a satisfying banking experience for our customers and a quality work environment for our associates. We’re proud of the bank we’ve built. And look forward to getting to know you. Frank B. Holding Jr. Chairman and CEO More Over 7,000 than 120 people years. strong. While we began as a small-town bank with a single branch, today’s First Citizens has more than 560 branches from coast to coast. We’re one of the largest family-controlled banks in the United States. And we’ve been led for three generations by the family of our CEO and Chairman, Frank B. Holding, Jr. Founded in 1898 as the Bank of Smithfield (North Carolina) Incorporated in 1929 as First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company by R.P. Holding Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina Total assets of more than $41.5 billion More than 7,000 associates Subsidiary of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCNCA) Add it all up and you have a bank like no other: We combine the resources and capabilities of a national bank with the values that come from starting out as a community bank in North Carolina. This heritage gives us a special understanding of the choices customers face when it comes to the money they earn, save and invest – and our ability to help them choose well. To learn more about First Citizens Bank, please visit us online at firstcitizens.com. 1 Wealth management and insurance services are not available in all areas. Your investments in securities, annuities and insurance are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency and may lose value. They are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by any bank or bank affiliate and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Brokerage and investment advisory services are offered through First Citizens Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. provides investment advisory services.


LOGO

Equal Housing Lender . Member FDIC. Working hard. Planning ahead. Caring for our customers. Forever First. For over 120 years, customers have trusted First Citizens Bank with their money...and their futures. And that’s a trust we’ve taken seriously every day we’ve been in business. To every First Citizens customer, we make a simple promise: We will live and work by the values that have distinguished First Citizens since the day we opened our doors. As we say in our advertising, “Money isn’t everything. But so much depends on what you do with your money.” First Citizens Bank. Forever First. 4300 Six Forks Rd. | Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 1.877.456.7318 | firstcitizens.com FIRST CITIZENS BANK forever first@


Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the financial condition, results of operations, business plans and future performance of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (“First Citizens”) and CIT. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “targets,” “designed,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will” or other similar words and expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on First Citizens’ and CIT’s current expectations and assumptions regarding First Citizens’ and CIT’s businesses, the economy, and other future conditions.

Because forward-looking statements relate to future results and occurrences, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances and other factors that are difficult to predict. Many possible events or factors could affect First Citizens’ and/or CIT’s future financial results and performance and could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of First Citizens and/or CIT to differ materially from any anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, (1) the risk that the cost savings, any revenue synergies and other anticipated benefits of the proposed merger may not be realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the condition of the economy and competitive factors in areas where First Citizens and CIT do business, (2) disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed merger and diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities, (3) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the definitive merger agreement between First Citizens and CIT, (4) the risk that the integration of First Citizens’ and CIT’s operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that First Citizens and CIT are otherwise unable to successfully integrate their businesses, (5) the failure to obtain the necessary approvals of the stockholders of First Citizens and/or CIT, (6) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against First Citizens and/or CIT, (7) the failure to obtain required governmental approvals (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed transaction), (8) reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of First Citizens’ and/or CIT’s customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed merger, (9) the failure of any of the closing conditions in the definitive merger agreement to be satisfied on a timely basis or at all, (10) delays in closing the proposed merger, (11) the possibility that the proposed merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (12) the dilution caused by First Citizens’ issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the proposed merger, (13) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions, (14) other factors that may affect future results of CIT and/or First Citizens including changes in asset quality and credit risk, the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth, changes in interest rates and capital markets, inflation, customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices, the impact, extent and timing of technological changes, capital management activities, and other actions of the Federal Reserve Board and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, and (15) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on First Citizens’ and/or CIT’s businesses, the ability to complete the proposed merger and/or any of the other foregoing risks.


Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, each of First Citizens and CIT disclaims any obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments. Further information regarding First Citizens, CIT and factors which could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein can be found in First Citizens’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and in CIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and its other filings with the SEC.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

First Citizens intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register the shares of First Citizens’ capital stock that will be issued to CIT’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. The registration statement will include a joint proxy statement of First Citizens and CIT that also constitutes a prospectus of First Citizens. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of First Citizens and CIT seeking their approval of the proposed merger and the issuance of First Citizens shares in the proposed merger.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE (AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS) BECAUSE SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FIRST CITIZENS, CIT, THE PROPOSED MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS.

Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by First Citizens or CIT through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or from First Citizens at its website, www.firstcitizens.com, or from CIT at its website, www.cit.com. Documents filed with the SEC by First Citizens will be available free of charge by accessing the “Newsroom” page of First Citizens’ website at www.firstcitizens.com or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone or mail to First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Mail Code: FCC-22, PO Box 27131, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7131, (919) 716-7000, and documents filed with the SEC by CIT will be available free of charge by accessing CIT’s website at www.cit.com under the tab “About Us,” and then under the heading “Investor Relations” or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone or mail to CIT Group Inc., One CIT Drive, Livingston, New Jersey 07039, (866) 542-4847.

Participants in Solicitation

First Citizens, CIT, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of each of First Citizens and CIT in connection with the proposed merger under the rules of the SEC. Certain information regarding the interests of the directors and executive officers of First Citizens and CIT and other persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of First Citizens or of CIT in connection with the proposed merger and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus related to the proposed merger, which will be filed with the SEC. Additional information about First Citizens, the directors and executive officers of First Citizens and their ownership of First Citizens common stock can also be found in First Citizens’ definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2020, and other documents subsequently filed by First Citizens with the SEC. Additional information about CIT, the directors and executive officers of CIT and their ownership of CIT common stock can also be found in CIT’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on April 2, 2020, and other documents subsequently filed by CIT with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources described above.