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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [   ]

Check the appropriate box:

[X]   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 Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or Sec. 240.14a-12

The Republic Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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

Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):

[ ] No fee required.
[X] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(l) and 0-11.

(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: Common Stock

(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 86,390

(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): $58.00.

(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $5,010,620.00

(5) Total fee paid: $634.85

[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[X] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

(1) Amount previously paid: $634.85

(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: Schedule 13E-3

(3) Filing Party: The Republic Corporation

(4) Date Filed: December 6, 2004

You are cordially invited to attend the special meeting of shareholders of The Republic Corporation, on , 2005 at p.m., local time, at The First National Bank in Trinidad, 100 East Main Street, Trinidad, Colorado. At the special meeting, you will be asked to:


	(i)	ratify the lawful actions of The Republic Corporation taken since March 23, 2001;

	(ii)	consider and vote upon amendments to Republic’s Articles of Incorporation, as follows:


	a)	to amend Article I of the Articles of Incorporation to change the name of The Republic Corporation to become Republic Trinidad Corporation; and

	b)	to amend Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation to provide that Republic’s existence is perpetual, until dissolved, rather than for only fifty (50) years as currently provided.

We are asking you to ratify the lawful actions by our board of directors and management taken in the ordinary course of business since March 23, 2001, when our corporate charter was inadvertently forfeited, as explained in more detail in the proxy statement.

We are also asking for you to approve two amendments to The Republic Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation that are necessary to ensure our continued existence. The amendment to Article I is related to the loss of our corporate charter. As more fully explained in the proxy statement, the amendment to Article I of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation is necessary to change the name of The Republic Corporation to become Republic Trinidad Corporation. The amendment to Article IV is necessary to extend our corporate existence beyond its original expiration date of January 11, 2005. These changes will be effective, subject to shareholder approval, when our management files the appropriate documentation with the Texas Secretary of State.

The merger agreement that we are asking you to approve provides for the merger of Republic Merger Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Republic Corporation, with and into The Republic Corporation, with The Republic Corporation surviving the merger in what is commonly referred to as a “going private” transaction. The proposed merger would reduce the number of shareholders of record to fewer than 100, allowing us to qualify to elect to be taxed as a Subchapter S corporation for federal income tax purposes and to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, thereby avoiding the significant costs and personnel time commitment required with being a public company.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of common stock owned by a shareholder who does not meet the requirements to be a “qualified shareholder” will be converted into cash in the amount of $58.00 per share, and each share of common stock owned by a shareholder who meets the requirements to be a “qualified shareholder” will remain outstanding and continue to represent one share of common stock.

The board of directors believes that the proposals discussed above and in more detail in the proxy statement, including the merger agreement, are in the best interests of our company and shareholders and unanimously recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” each of the proposals, including without limitation the merger agreement, each of which (including each separate amendment to the Articles of Incorporation) must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock.

We urge you to review carefully the enclosed proxy statement that describes the matters to be considered at the special meeting, including the merger agreement, in detail. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, we urge you to sign, date and return the enclosed green proxy sheet as soon as possible in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope supplied for your convenience. On behalf of our board of directors, we appreciate your cooperation and continued support.

A special meeting of the shareholders of The Republic Corporation will be held on , 2005 at p.m., local time, at The First National Bank in Trinidad, 100 East Main Street, Trinidad, Colorado for the following purposes:


	•	To ratify the lawful actions of The Republic Corporation taken since March 23, 2001;

	•	To consider and approve two amendments to Republic’s Articles of Incorporation, as follows:


	•	to amend Article I of the Articles of Incorporation to change the name of The Republic Corporation to become Republic Trinidad Corporation; and

	•	to amend Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation to provide that Republic’s existence is perpetual, until dissolved, rather than for only fifty (50) years as currently provided; and


	•	To consider, approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between The Republic Corporation and Republic Merger Corp. and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

The matters to be considered at the special shareholders’ meeting are more fully discussed in the attached proxy statement, which we urge you to read carefully. A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger is included as Appendix A to the proxy statement.

We have fixed the close of business on , 2005, as the record date for the special meeting. Accordingly, only shareholders of record as of that date are entitled to notice of, to attend and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. As of September 30, 2004 there were 333,725 shares of Republic’s common stock outstanding. The accompanying proxy statement is dated , 2005, and is being first mailed to shareholders on or about , 2005. Dissenting shareholders who comply with the procedural requirements of the Texas Business Corporation Act will be entitled to receive payment of the fair cash value of their shares. We have included a copy of the procedural requirements for dissenting shareholders as Appendix E to the proxy statement.

Shareholders are cordially invited to attend the special meeting in person. Whether planning to attend the special meeting or not, shareholders are urged to complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy and to return it promptly. The enclosed, addressed envelope requires no postage if mailed in the United States. Sending in your proxy will not prevent you from voting your stock at the meeting if you desire to do so, as your proxy is revocable at your option. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, trust or other nominee, you will need a proxy or letter from the broker, trustee or nominee in order to vote those shares personally at the special meeting. Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before it is voted at the special meeting. Proxies may be revoked by delivering to The Republic Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 5340 Weslayan, Houston, Texas 77277, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy, by duly executing and delivering to the Corporate Secretary a subsequently dated proxy relating to the same shares or by attending the special meeting and voting in person, although attendance at the special meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy.

The board of directors of Republic has carefully considered each of the proposals and believes that each is fair to, and in the best interests of, Republic and its shareholders. The board of directors unanimously approved each of the proposals and unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of each of the proposals, including the merger agreement. Your vote is very important. Your prompt response will help reduce proxy solicitation costs, which are paid for by Republic, and will ensure the presence of a quorum at the meeting and that your shares are voted in accordance with your wishes.

We are providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for the special meeting of shareholders and for any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. At the meeting, among other matters, you will be asked to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between The Republic Corporation and Republic Merger Corp.

In this proxy statement, when we refer to “Republic,” “the company,” “our company,” “we,” “our” and “us,” we are referring to The Republic Corporation. When we refer to “the Bank,” we are referring to The First National Bank in Trinidad, Trinidad, Colorado. When we refer to the “merger subsidiary,” we are referring to Republic Merger Corp. Finally, when we refer to “the merger agreement,” we are referring to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 2, 2004, by and between The Republic Corporation and Republic Merger Corp.

The merger is being proposed to enable us to reduce the number of shareholders to fewer than 100 persons, all of whom will be qualified to hold S corporation stock. If the merger is approved by our shareholders and becomes effective, we will be eligible to elect with the Internal Revenue Service to be taxed as a Subchapter S corporation for federal income tax purposes. In addition, we will be eligible to terminate our registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and suspend the filing of annual and periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This document provides you with detailed information about the proposed merger, the other matters to be considered at the special meeting, and certain other information about us. Please see the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information” on page for additional information about us on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This proxy statement and proxy sheet are being mailed to our shareholders beginning on or about , 200 .

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of this transaction, passed upon the merits or fairness of this transaction, or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained in this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

You are not to construe the contents of this proxy statement as legal, business or tax advice. You should consult your own legal counsel, accountants, business advisors and tax advisors as to legal, tax, business and financial aspects of the merger.

SUMMARY INFORMATION

The questions and answers that follow highlight the material information included in this proxy statement and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of the merger, you should read this entire document carefully, as well as the additional documents to which we refer you. The full text of the merger agreement is included as Appendix A to this proxy statement. For your convenience, we have directed your attention in parentheses to the location in this document where you can find a more complete discussion of each item listed below.

Why am I receiving this proxy statement?

We have sent this Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, together with the enclosed green proxy sheet, because our board of directors is soliciting your vote at the special meeting to be held on , 2005. This proxy statement contains important information about the items to be considered at the special meeting, including the “going private” merger transaction, and other information regarding our company. This proxy statement also contains information about our management’s renewal, revival and restoration of Republic’s Certificate of Incorporation pursuant to the Texas Business Corporation Act, and certain required amendments to Republic’s Articles of Incorporation. Please see page of this proxy statement for a more detailed discussion of these issues.

Our board of directors has determined that it is in the best interests of our company and shareholders (i) to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) to make a Subchapter S tax election for our company and banking subsidiary, The First National Bank in Trinidad, in what is commonly referred to as a “going private” transaction. Following the “going private” transaction and our Subchapter S tax election, among other things, we would no longer be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally would not be subject to federal income taxes at the corporate level. To accomplish these objectives, our board of directors has proposed a merger transaction by and between our company and a newly-created Texas corporation and is submitting this transaction for a vote of our shareholders at the special meeting.

We urge you to read the entire proxy statement carefully.

Questions and Answers about the Ratification of Certain Management Acts,

Reinstatement, and the Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation

Why must we ratify actions of our board of directors and management? (see page )

Because our corporate charter was forfeited, and because we continued to act as a corporation and have continued engaging in activities consistent with being a corporation since that date, we are asking that our shareholders ratify those lawful acts as lawful acts taken by Republic as a corporation. The actions of Republic’s management to be ratified by the shareholders include all lawful acts by our board of directors and management taken in the ordinary course of business since March 23, 2001, when our corporate charter was forfeited, as explained in more detail in the proxy statement. We are not asking that the shareholders ratify any acts that may violate state or federal law, nor will ratification of the acts by our shareholders waive any claim or right that shareholders may have with respect to Republic.

Why is the reinstatement necessary? (see page )

In connection with its preparation for the “going private” transaction/ Subchapter S election, management of Republic became aware that its corporate charter had been forfeited because of a misunderstanding regarding its obligation to file franchise tax returns with the Texas Secretary of State. Republic reviewed its franchise taxes each year, but since it owed no franchise taxes, it did not file a franchise tax return as is required under Texas law. Under Texas law, failure to file a franchise tax report, even if no taxes are owed, can result in a forfeiture of a Texas corporation’s charter. As a result of that misunderstanding, Republic’s corporate charter was forfeited by the Texas Secretary of State on March 23, 2001 under section 7.01(B)(1) of the TBCA.

When will the reinstatement become effective? (see page )

The reinstatement of our corporate charter will become effective when management files an application of reinstatement with the Texas Secretary of State. We cannot file an application for reinstatement, however, until we amend our Articles of Incorporation.

Why are the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation necessary? (see page )

As discussed in the preceding paragraph, Republic’s corporate charter was forfeited on March 23, 2001 due to a failure to file franchise tax returns. Management of Republic became aware of this oversight in November 2004. During the time between forfeiture and when Republic became aware of that fact, the corporate name of “The Republic Corporation” was acquired and is being utilized by another entity in Texas. Consequently, Republic must reinstate its corporate charter under a new corporate name that is not substantially, or deceptively, similar to “The Republic Corporation.” Accordingly, management has determined that the Republic’s new name will be “Republic Trinidad Corporation,” and desires to amend Article I of our Articles of Incorporation to reflect this new name. The name change will become effective when we file notice of the name change, along with the application for reinstatement documents, with the Texas Secretary of State.

With respect to the second amendment, when Republic was originally incorporated in 1955 as the Columbia General Investment Corporation, its Articles of Incorporation provided, as was common at the time, for a corporate existence of fifty (50) years from the date the original Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Texas Secretary of State. Our Articles of Incorporation were originally filed on January 11, 1955, which would result in our corporate charter’s expiration on January 11, 2005. Therefore, management of Republic desires to amend the Article IV of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation to provide that Republic’s corporate existence is perpetual unless and until dissolved by Republic or by the Texas Secretary of State.

When will the proposed amendments become effective? (see page )

If approved by our shareholders, we will file Articles of Amendment amending our Articles of Incorporation with the Texas Secretary of State promptly following the special meeting. Upon acceptance of the Articles of Amendment, our name will become Republic Trinidad Corporation, and our existence will be perpetual.

What does the board of directors recommend?

Our board of directors has unanimously approved the amendments to our Articles of Incorporation, and recommends that you vote “For” ratification of certain acts taken since March 23, 2001 and “For” approval of the amendments to our Articles of Incorporation.

Questions and Answers about the Merger

Who are the parties to the proposed merger? (see page )

The Republic Corporation We are a Texas corporation and registered bank holding company which owns all of the outstanding stock of The First National Bank in Trinidad, a national banking association with its main office in Trinidad, Colorado, except for qualifying shares held by directors of the Bank.

Republic Merger Corp. The merger subsidiary is a shell Texas corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic organized solely for the purpose of facilitating this transaction. The merger subsidiary will merge with and into our company and will cease to exist after the merger. The merger subsidiary has no significant assets, liabilities or shareholders’ equity.

Why is the merger being proposed? (see page )

Our board of directors believes that the merger is in the best interests of our company, shareholders and banking community. The merger is being proposed for the following reasons:

• The merger would enable us to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act for the purpose of avoiding the significant costs and personnel time commitment necessary for compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s reporting requirements and the other additional material costs associated with being a reporting company.

• The merger would also enable us to become eligible to be taxed for federal income tax purposes under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of generally eliminating our federal income tax liability at the corporate level as well as the Bank’s state income tax liability.

What are the basic terms of the merger transaction? (see page )

Under the merger agreement, each share of common stock owned by a shareholder who does not meet the requirements to be a “qualified shareholder” will be converted into cash in the amount of $58.00 per share. Each share of common stock owned by a shareholder who meets the requirements to be a “qualified shareholder” will continue to represent one share of common stock.

How was the cash price for shares of our common stock determined? (see page )

We retained The Bank Advisory Group, L.L.C., an independent financial advisor experienced in the financial analysis and valuation of financial institutions, to assist our board of directors in determining a fair price for shares of our common stock. Bank Advisory Group met with our board of directors and made a presentation regarding valuation methodologies for transactions such as the proposed merger and discussed a range of values that it deemed appropriate for our common stock. Following the presentation, the board of directors evaluated the range of values and determined that $58.00 is a fair price to be paid to shareholders entitled to receive cash under the merger agreement. The board considered the presentation made by Bank Advisory Group, the factors underlying the range of values as presented by Bank Advisory Group, and other factors that the board deemed relevant, and determined that $58.00 per share represented a fair value for the cash merger consideration and set the value of the cash consideration to be received under the merger agreement at $58.00 per share.

Subsequently, we engaged Bank Advisory Group to evaluate the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the cash consideration to be paid under the merger agreement. Bank Advisory Group issued an opinion, dated , 200 , to our board of directors that the cash consideration to be received under the merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to our shareholders, including those shareholders who are “unaffiliated shareholders” (i.e., shareholders other than officers, directors and 10% shareholders), those who would receive cash for their shares and those who would remain shareholders following the merger. We have attached a copy of the fairness opinion of Bank Advisory Group as Appendix F to this proxy statement.

Who will be a “qualified shareholder” under the merger agreement? (See page )

Subject to certain exceptions, to be a “qualified shareholder” under the merger agreement, you must satisfy all of the following criteria:

• Either individually or together with your spouse, you must own of record as of the effective time of the merger at least 250 shares of common stock of Republic;

• You must be eligible to be a shareholder of an S corporation under the Internal Revenue Code and deliver to us an executed certificate of eligibility, the form of which is attached as Appendix B to this proxy statement;

• You and your spouse, (or, if a trust, the person(s) treated as the shareholder(s) under the Internal Revenue Code) must consent to our election to become an S corporation by delivering to us an


		executed conformed Internal Revenue Service election form, the form of which is attached as Appendix C to this proxy statement; and

	•	You and your spouse, (and, if a trust, certain other persons) must deliver to us an executed signature page to the Shareholders’ Agreement between our company and shareholders, the form of which is attached as Appendix D to this proxy statement.

As of the date of this proxy statement, approximately 64 of a total 1,810 record shareholders of Republic owned at least 250 shares of common stock. For more information regarding the reasons that our board of directors set the ownership minimum at 250 shares, please see the section titled “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Reasons for ownership minimum,” beginning on page . The 64 shareholders who owned at least 250 shares as of the date of this proxy statement owned approximately 74.11% of our issued and outstanding shares. The 1,746 shareholders who owned fewer than 250 shares owned approximately 25.89% of our issued and outstanding shares.

What is the Shareholders’ Agreement? (See page )

The Shareholders’ Agreement is an agreement between our company and shareholders that is intended to restrict the transfer of shares of our common stock in certain situations that may jeopardize our continuing eligibility as an S corporation. We have attached the form of the Shareholders’ Agreement as Appendix D to this proxy statement.

When will Republic determine whether I am a “qualified shareholder”?

We will determine whether you are a “qualified shareholder” when the merger is completed. The merger will not become effective before :00 .m. on , 2005, which is the deadline for delivering to us a properly executed certificate of eligibility, conformed Internal Revenue Service election form and Shareholders’ Agreement signature page. Accordingly, if you wish to restructure your ownership interest or acquire additional shares of common stock from third parties to obtain the ownership minimum, you should do so no later than .m. on , 2005. After the merger is completed, you will be unable to (i) deliver the required documents described above or (ii) restructure your ownership interest or acquire additional shares of common stock to obtain the ownership minimum, for the purpose of becoming a “qualified shareholder.”

What effects will the merger have on my interest in Republic?

The effects of the merger on your interest will vary depending on whether you receive cash for some or all of your shares and whether you continue to remain a shareholder following the merger.

As to any shares that are exchanged for cash in the merger, you will

• receive cash in the amount of $58.00 per share;

• incur no brokerage costs;

• have no ability to participate in any future potential earnings or growth of the company or any shareholder votes;

• have no ability to reacquire the shares except in a transaction with a third party; and

• likely be required to pay federal and, if applicable, state and local income taxes on the taxable gain or loss from the cash amount received. Each of these items is described more fully in the section titled “Special Factors — Certain effects of the merger on our shareholders — Cashed-out shares.”

As to any shares that are not exchanged for cash in the merger, you will

• retain an ongoing equity interest in the company, including the ability to participate in any future potential earnings and growth;

• experience an increase in your ownership percentage because there will be fewer shares outstanding;

• be required to include your pro rata share of our earnings in calculating your federal income tax liability;

• have decreased access to information regarding our company because our common stock will no longer be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

• have decreased liquidity in your shares; and

• be restricted in your ability to transfer your shares as a result of the Shareholders’ Agreement.

On a pro forma basis, giving effect to the transaction, we expect that our earnings per share will increase as a result of the merger and our book value per share will decrease as a result of the merger. We also expect that the collective share ownership of our directors and executive officers will increase as a result of the merger. Each of these items is described more fully in the section titled “Special Factors — Certain effects of the merger on our shareholders — Remaining shares.” Finally, shareholders who remain shareholders following the merger will also experience the consequences of becoming an S corporation shareholder. These consequences are discussed more completely in the section titled “Consequences of a Subchapter S Election.”

What effects will the merger have on Republic?

We expect that the merger will have the following effects on our company:

• reduction in number of shareholders and outstanding shares;

• increase in pro forma earnings per share and decrease in pro forma book value per share;

• reduction in liquidity of common stock;

• termination of Securities Exchange Act registration;

• elimination of federal income tax liability, with certain exceptions;

• expectation of quarterly distribution to cover estimated taxes; and

• increase in share ownership of executive officers and directors.

May executive officers or directors of Republic have interests in the transaction that are different than mine? (see page )

Our executive officers and directors may have interests in the transaction that are different from your interests as a shareholder, or relationships that may present conflicts of interest, including the following:

• A majority of our directors and executive officers own of record approximately 219,000 shares of our common stock and will be eligible to retain their shares following the merger; and

• Assuming the merger was completed as of the date of this proxy statement and all shareholders owning at least 250 shares of our common stock became “qualified shareholders” (as a majority of our executive officers and directors are eligible to become), the aggregate ownership percentage of our directors and executive officers would have increased from approximately 66% to 88%.

Are there special factors that I should consider in evaluating the proposed merger? (see page )

Yes. In evaluating the merger, we urge you to carefully review the section titled “Special Factors,” beginning on page for a discussion of certain risks and other factors related to the proposed merger and subsequent Subchapter S election.

Am I entitled to dissenters’ rights? (see page )

Under Texas law, you are entitled to dissent from the merger and you may have appraisal rights in connection with the merger. To exercise your dissenters’ rights, you must comply with all procedural requirements of Texas law. A description of the relevant sections of Texas law is provided in “Dissenting Shareholders” on page . We have also attached a copy of the applicable sections of the Texas Business Corporation Act as Appendix E to this proxy statement.

When will the merger be completed?

We are working to complete the merger by , 2005. However, we cannot assure you when or if the merger will occur. We must first obtain the approval of our shareholders at the special shareholders’ meeting and satisfy, or obtain a waiver of, a number of other conditions to the merger that are described more fully in the sections titled “The Proposed Merger — Conditions to consummation of the merger” and “The Proposed Merger — Regulatory approvals,” beginning on pages and , respectively.

What are the tax consequences of the merger to me? (see page )

In general, if you are a “qualified shareholder” and do not receive any cash in the merger, we expect that the merger will be tax-free to you for federal income tax purposes. If you receive cash for your shares, you will likely recognize taxable gain or loss upon your receipt of cash. You should consult with your own tax advisor to determine the particular tax consequences of the merger that are applicable to you.

Should I send in my stock certificates now? (see page )

Do not send in your stock certificates now. When the merger is completed, we will send written instructions to you for use in exchanging your stock certificates for new stock certificates or cash.

May the merger agreement be amended or terminated? (see page )

Yes. The merger agreement may be amended or terminated at any time before the merger is completed upon the mutual written consent of the boards of directors of Republic and the merger subsidiary. With certain exceptions, additional shareholder action is generally not required.

Will there be restrictions on the transfer of my common stock after the merger? (See page )

Yes. Shareholders following the merger will have executed the Shareholders’ Agreement, which is intended to limit their ability to transfer their shares of stock to a person or entity who would jeopardize our continuing eligibility as an S corporation.

What does the board of directors recommend?

Our board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the agreement. The board believes that the transaction is in the best interests of our shareholders, and that the transaction is fair to all of our shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders, those who will receive cash in the merger and those who will retain their shares following the merger. In reaching its decision to recommend and approve the merger proposal, the board considered a number of factors, including the valuation prepared by Bank Advisory Group See “Special Factors — Financial fairness” and “Special Factors — Recommendation of our board of directors” beginning on pages and , respectively. In meeting its fiduciary obligations to Republic, our board of directors has also determined that the proposed merger is in the best interests of the company.

Have Republic’s affiliates considered the fairness of the merger transaction?

Yes. For purposes of this transaction, each of our directors and executive officers, as well as those of Republic Merger Corp., are considered affiliated persons engaged in the “going private” transaction. Accordingly, among other things, each is making a determination of the fairness of the merger transaction. As more fully described in the section titled “Special Factors — Recommendation of our board of directors — Determination of fairness by filing persons,” beginning on page , each of our affiliates has determined that the merger and merger agreement are substantively and procedurally fair to all of our shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders.

How will the merger be funded? (see page )

We expect to fund the cash merger consideration through the issuance of trust preferred securities, prior to the consummation of the merger. We plan on issuing the trust preferred securities through an exemption

from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The trust preferred securities will be senior to the shares of Republic common stock that you own.

Will the merger affect the daily operations of Republic or the Bank? (see page )

We anticipate that the merger will have little effect on the operations of our company or the Bank, each of which will continue its existing operations in substantially the same manner as it now conducts them. The merger will not result in any changes to the board or management of our company or the Bank.

Questions and Answers about the Special Meeting

When and where is the special shareholders’ meeting?

The meeting will be held on , 2005 at :00 .m., local time, at The First National Bank in Trinidad, 100 East Main Street, Trinidad, Colorado.

What is the purpose of the meeting?

At the meeting, you will be asked to (i) ratify certain lawful acts of Republic’s board of directors and management taken since March 23, 2001, (ii) consider and vote upon certain amendments to Republic’s Articles of Incorporation, and (iii) consider and vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement by and between Republic and the merger subsidiary and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

How many votes do I have?

You have one vote for each share of common stock you owned on , 2005, the record date for the special meeting.

How many votes can be cast by all shareholders?

As of the date of this proxy statement, 333,725 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding and held of record by approximately 1,810 shareholders.

How many votes must be present to hold the meeting?

A majority of the votes that can be cast, or at least 170,199 votes, must be present in person or by proxy to hold the meeting. The shares owned by shareholders present at the meeting or represented at the meeting by a properly executed proxy, but who abstained from voting on a particular proposal, and broker non-votes will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote at the shareholders’ meeting for determining whether a quorum exists, but will not be counted as a vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” that proposal.

What happens if the meeting is postponed or adjourned?

Shareholders may be asked to vote upon a proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting. Any adjournment or postponement could be used for the purposes of allowing additional time for soliciting votes from our shareholders to approve and adopt the matters to be considered at the special meeting or to satisfy other conditions to, among other things, the completion of the merger that we elect to satisfy prior to seeking a vote of our shareholders in connection with the proposals. Your proxy will still be good and may be voted at the postponed or adjourned meeting. You will still be able to change or revoke your proxy until it is voted.

What vote is required to approve the proposals and the merger agreement to be considered at the meeting?

Each of the proposals independently must be approved by the affirmative vote at least two-thirds of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock present, in person or by proxy, at the special meeting. Each proposed amendment to Republic’s Articles of Incorporation must be approved separately.

How do I vote?

You may vote by completing and returning a proxy or by voting in person at the meeting. We encourage you to attend the special meeting, and execution of the enclosed proxy will not affect your right to attend the

meeting and vote in person. However, to ensure that your shares are voted in accordance with your wishes and that a quorum is present at the meeting, we urge you to complete, sign and return the enclosed green proxy sheet to us as promptly as possible in the enclosed self-addressed, stamped envelope. Your prompt response will help reduce proxy solicitation costs, which are paid for by us.

Voting by proxy. If you vote by proxy, your proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you return a signed proxy sheet without indicating your vote, your shares will be voted for approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

Voting in person. If you attend the meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy sheet in person or you may vote by completing a ballot which will be available at the special meeting.

Can I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy?

Yes, you may change your vote by delivering to the secretary of the company, prior to the time that the proxy is voted, a written, dated instrument stating that the proxy is revoked or a subsequent proxy that is signed by the person entitled to vote the shares. However, mere attendance at the special meeting will not of itself revoke a proxy.

What if my shares are not registered in my name?

If your shares are registered in “street name” (i.e., in the name of a broker, bank or other record holder), you must either direct the record holder of your shares as to how to vote your shares or obtain a proxy from the record holder to vote at the special meeting. Your broker will not vote your shares for you unless you provide instructions to your broker on how to vote. It is important that you follow the directions provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares.

Who can help answer my questions?

If you have any questions about the special meeting or the merger, or if you need additional copies of the enclosed materials or proxy sheet, you should contact: R. Dean Eisemann, Secretary, The Republic Corporation at 5340 Weslayan, P.O. Box 270462, Houston, Texas 77277. The telephone number is (713) 993-9200.

What do I need to do now?

After you have carefully read this proxy statement, please indicate on the green proxy sheet how you want to vote. Complete, sign, date and return the proxy sheet to us as soon as possible in the enclosed postage-prepaid return envelope so that your shares will be represented and voted at the special meeting.

This proxy statement includes various forward-looking statements about Republic and the Bank that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, projected plans and objectives.

Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may increase,” “may fluctuate” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this proxy statement. You should understand that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement or in the documents that are referenced by this proxy statement, could affect our future results following the merger and could cause results to differ materially from those expected in such forward-looking statements:


	•	the effect of economic conditions and interest rates on a local, state or national basis;

	•	the performance of the businesses of Republic and the Bank following the merger;

	•	the competitive pressures in the financial services industry;

	•	the financial resources of, and products available to, competitors;

	•	changes in laws and regulations to which Republic, the Bank, our customers, competitors and potential competitors are subject, including those related to banking, tax, securities, insurance and labor;

	•	the loss of senior management or operating personnel and the potential inability to hire qualified personnel at reasonable compensation levels; and

	•	opportunities that we may pursue following the merger.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties in addition to the factors described in the section titled “Special Factors,” beginning on page . It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. You should consider the areas of risk described in this proxy statement in connection with any forward-looking statements that may be made by Republic or the Bank or anyone acting for either or both institutions. Except for any ongoing obligations to disclose material information under federal or state securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date of this proxy statement that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statements. The safe harbor provisions of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, do not apply to the merger described in this proxy statement.

The first proposal submitted to the vote of shareholders of Republic concerns the ratification of certain acts by management of Republic. Corporations that are incorporated under the laws of the state of Texas are required to submit franchise tax returns each year regardless of whether any franchise tax is due. The Texas franchise tax is a privilege tax imposed on each corporation and limited liability company chartered or organized in Texas or doing business in Texas.

From 2001 through 2004, management of Republic reviewed Republic’s franchise tax obligations and determined that no tax was due. Consequently, Republic did not file any franchise tax return with the State of Texas for those years. However, even if no franchise tax is due, a Texas corporation must file a franchise tax return in order to keep its corporate charter current. The misunderstanding of Republic’s management resulted in Republic’s corporate charter being forfeited by the Texas Secretary of State on March 23, 2001.

The Texas Business Corporation Act (“TBCA”) provides that the Secretary of State may revoke and forfeit a corporation’s charter when it is established that the corporation has failed to file a required report when due or has failed to pay any fees, franchises taxes, or penalties required by law when those fees, taxes or

When the reinstatement is approved, the corporate existence of the corporation is deemed to have continued uninterrupted from the date of the charter was forfeited, except that reinstatement has no effect on the issue of personal liability of the directors, officers, and agents of the reinstated corporation during the period between dissolution and reinstatement.

In connection with its preparation for the “going private” transaction/ Subchapter S election, management of Republic became aware of this oversight and loss of its corporate charter in November 2004. Because our corporate charter was forfeited, and because we continued to act as a corporation and have continued engaging in activities consistent with being a corporation, we are asking that our shareholders ratify those acts as lawful acts taken by Republic as a corporation. The actions of Republic’s management to be ratified by the shareholders include all lawful acts by our board of directors and management taken in the ordinary course of business since March 23, 2001, when our corporate charter was forfeited. We are not asking that the shareholders ratify any acts that may violate state or federal law, nor will ratification of the acts by our shareholders waive any claim or right that shareholders may have with respect to Republic.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the ratification of all lawful acts taken by Republic’s management and board since March 23, 2001 as lawful acts taken by Republic as a corporation. Shares voted “ABSTAIN” and shares not voted will have the same effect as if those shares were voted “AGAINST” ratification.

Republic’s Board of Directors, at a meeting held on , 2004, unanimously adopted resolutions approving each of the proposed amendments to Republic’s Articles of Incorporation. The proposed amendments provide for: (i) amending Article I of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation to change the corporate name of Republic to Republic Trinidad Corporation; and (ii) amending Article IV of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation to provide for a perpetual corporate existence.

The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders approve and adopt the proposed Article I of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation, replacing, in its entirety, the current Article I, as amended, of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation.

The text of Article I of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation, in its current form, is as follows:

The text of proposed Article I of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation, which will replace existing Article I in its entirety, is as follows:

As discussed in the preceding section, Republic’s corporate charter was forfeited due to a failure to file franchise tax returns. Management of Republic learned of the forfeiture of our charter in November 2004. However, during the interim, the corporate name of “The Republic Corporation” was acquired and is being

A failure by our shareholders to approve the proposed amendment to Article I of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation will prevent us from reinstating our corporate charter. As a result, we would need to select a new corporate name and re-solicit proxies. If this Proposal II and the Amendment to Article I of our Articles of Incorporation is not approved by the shareholders, we will not be able to proceed with our “going private” transaction or our Subchapter S election because we will need to reinstate our corporate existence before we can merge with the merger subsidiary. A re-solicitation will add considerable expense and time to the “going private” transaction/ Subchapter S election described under Proposal III in this proxy statement.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the adoption of the proposed Article I of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation to amend and replace existing Article I in its entirety. Shares voted “ABSTAIN” and shares not voted will have the same effect as if those shares were voted “AGAINST” approval of the amendment.

The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders approve and adopt the proposed Article IV of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation, replacing, in its entirety, the current Article IV of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation.

The text of Article IV of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation, in its current form, is as follows:


	“This corporation, unless sooner dissolved, shall exist for fifty (50) years from the date this charter is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Texas.”

The text of proposed Article IV of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation, which will replace existing Article IV in its entirety, is as follows:

When Republic was originally incorporated in 1955 as the Columbia General Investment Corporation, its Articles of Incorporation provided, as was common at the time, for a corporate existence of fifty (50) years from the date the original Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Texas Secretary of State. Our Articles of Incorporation were originally filed on January 11, 1955, which would result in our corporate charter’s expiration on January 11, 2005. Therefore, our board of directors desires to amend the Article IV of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation to provide that Republic’s corporate existence is perpetual unless and until dissolved by Republic or by the Texas Secretary of State.

A failure by our shareholders to approve the proposed amendment to Article IV of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation will prevent us from retaining our corporate charter. As result, we would need to reincorporate and re-solicit proxies. If this Proposal II and the amendment to Article IV is not approved by the shareholders, we will not be able to proceed with our “going private” transaction or your Subchapter S election because we would no longer have a corporate existence, and would need to reincorporate before we can merge with the merger subsidiary. A reincorporation, followed by a re-solicitation of proxies, will add considerable expense and time to the “going private” transaction/ Subchapter S election described under Proposal III in this proxy statement.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the adoption of the proposed Article IV of Republic’s Articles of Incorporation to amend and replace existing Article IV in its entirety. Shares voted “ABSTAIN” and shares not voted will have the same effect as if those shares were voted “AGAINST” approval of the amendment.

The Agreement and Plan of Merger provides for the merger of Republic Merger Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Republic Corporation, with and into The Republic Corporation, with The Republic Corporation surviving the merger in what is commonly referred to as a “going private” transaction. The proposed merger would reduce the number of shareholders of record to fewer than 100, allowing us to qualify to elect to be taxed as a Subchapter S corporation for federal income tax purposes and to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, thereby avoiding the significant costs and personnel time commitment required with being a public company.

In 1996, Congress enacted the Small Business Protection Act. One of the provisions of the Act amended certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code to permit financial institutions that meet certain requirements to be taxed under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code. Since that date, more than 2,000 community banks have elected Subchapter S tax treatment. A corporation taxed under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code is commonly referred to as an “S corporation.” The primary advantage of being an S corporation is that S corporations are generally not subject to federal and, depending on the jurisdiction, state income taxes at the corporate level.

The market for financial services and the regulatory environment in which we and the Bank operate has changed substantially over the past several years. Our industry has undergone substantial consolidation, which has resulted in larger financial institution competitors further increasing their competitive advantage with respect to economies of scale and access to lower cost capital through public capital markets. In addition, following the passage of the Small Business Protection Act, numerous community bank competitors have elected to become Subchapter S corporations, which has generated a competitive advantage to those banks by generally eliminating their federal corporate income tax liability while we continue to incur corporate level taxes. These banks are also avoiding the expenses associated with being a public company. Finally, as court decisions and regulations have expanded the banking powers of credit unions, we have experienced increased competition from these financial institutions, which — like Subchapter S banks — are not subject to federal income taxation. These changes have required our board of directors to reevaluate our long-term business plans and future opportunities in the competitive and highly regulated financial services industry. As a part of this process, the board has been evaluating a Subchapter S election for our company and the Bank.

The Small Business Protection Act also provides that a parent corporation may elect to become an S corporation, treat any wholly-owned subsidiaries as “qualified Subchapter S subsidiaries” and receive beneficial Subchapter S tax treatment for its subsidiaries. Consequently, upon consummation of the merger, we would be able to elect to become an S corporation and elect for the Bank to become a qualified Subchapter S subsidiary. Thereafter, we would generally not be subject to federal income taxes at the corporate level or federal or state income taxes at the Bank level.

Electing to become an S corporation would enable us to realize significant tax savings and improve our profitability, increasing the likelihood that the Bank will remain an independent community bank, which is consistent with our strategic plans.

At the time that we formed our holding company, our number of shareholders triggered a requirement under the federal securities laws that we register our common stock under section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act. By registering our common stock, we became subject to a number of rules and regulations applicable to companies having a class of stock registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are commonly referred to as “reporting companies.”


	•	we are required to file annual reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-KSB, which include audited financial statements, a comprehensive discussion of our financial condition and results of operations, disclosure regarding market risks, information about directors, executive officers and executive compensation, and a description of our business, properties and legal proceedings;

	•	we are required to file quarterly reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-QSB, which include unaudited financial statements for the quarter and year to date, a comprehensive discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the period and year to date, disclosure regarding market risks, and a discussion of our legal proceedings;

	•	we are required to file proxy statements and related materials as required by Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act;

	•	we are required to file current reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K to disclose certain other material developments;

	•	we (along with our officers and directors) are subject to potential civil and criminal liability resulting from violations of the Securities Exchange Act;

	•	we are required to file certain schedules and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to repurchasing shares of our common stock, with certain exceptions; and

	•	we are subject to a number of new requirements and obligations resulting from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including enhanced financial disclosures and requirements regarding the composition of the board of directors and other matters of corporate governance.

The costs associated with compliance with the myriad of rules and regulations applicable to us as a reporting company comprise a material overhead expense. We expect that these costs will continue to increase and become more significant following the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the regulations promulgated under the Act. These costs include:


	•	legal expenses to review Securities and Exchange Commission filings and advise us with respect to compliance;

	•	accounting and auditors’ fees;

	•	costs of printing and mailing the Securities and Exchange Commission documents;

	•	specialized software and other filing costs associated with Securities and Exchange Commission reports and other filings; and

	•	directors’ and officers’ liability insurance premiums.

In addition to the direct costs associated with compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, we are also affected by indirect costs to our business associated with the diversion of employees from core banking operations to compliance activities. While these indirect costs are less susceptible to quantification, management believes these indirect costs are real and material.

The direct and indirect costs of compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations and of being a reporting company have been increasing over the years, and we believe that they will continue to increase, in light of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the additional rules and regulations

Our executive officers — Catherine G. Eisemann and J. E. Eisemann, IV — had informally discussed the possibility of making a Subchapter S election and terminating our Securities Exchange Act registration as early as 2002. After considering the experiences and results over the last few years of other Colorado-based financial institutions and bank holding companies that have elected to become S corporations, as well as the costs of compliance as a reporting company, the burden on management required for compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, and the additional requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our executive officers held internal formal discussions during the summer of 2003 and during early 2004 concerning the possibility of terminating our Securities Exchange Act registration and electing to be taxed as an S corporation for federal income tax purposes. In considering the experience of other bank holding companies that have elected to become Subchapter S corporations since 1996, our executive officers concluded that the elimination of double taxation of corporate earnings has enabled these institutions to strengthen their capital condition to support growth opportunities, become more competitive in pricing loans and deposits and/or increase the distribution rate to shareholders. Our executive officers further concluded that these effects have generally increased their respective competitive positions and enhanced their respective franchise values.

Although our executive officers had generally been aware of the burdens and purported benefits associated with remaining a reporting company, our executive officers believed that the costs of being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission were likely to materially increase as a result of the corporate and regulatory environment at that time and that we had been realizing minimal benefit as a result of our status as a registered company. Furthermore, our executive officers believed that, in order to continue as a reporting company, our existing compliance programs would need to be updated.

Based upon these internal discussions, our executive officers concluded that it should further investigate the benefits and costs associated with making a Subchapter S election and terminating our registration and consult with corporate counsel and our independent accountants in evaluating these matters.

In mid-2004, the board considered and discussed certain of the issues associated with “going private” transactions, including the benefits of, and burdens associated with, remaining a Securities and Exchange Commission reporting company. The board considered the reporting requirements and our other obligations under the Securities Exchange Act, which are described in the initial paragraphs of this section. In addition, the board considered generally each of the items discussed in the section titled “Special Factors — Purposes of and reasons for the merger proposal,” beginning on page . The board also discussed a number of the additional requirements that are being or will be imposed upon us as a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Generally, the newly-enacted provisions relating to audit committees and our independent auditors as well as the increased exposure of our directors and executive officers to criminal and civil liability could increase the cost of being a public company. Although the board of directors and our executive officers were generally aware of the costs associated with remaining a reporting company and the likelihood of cost increases, the actual costs were not presented to the board of directors in connection with its analysis.

In addition, the board considered a proposed Subchapter S election for our company, including (i) the effects on both our company and shareholders of making a Subchapter S election, (ii) the requirements to become an S corporation, (iii) certain tools that we could use to maintain our S corporation election after the election is made, (iv) termination of the S corporation election (voluntarily or inadvertently), and (v) the proposed structure of a transaction to become eligible to make an S corporation election.

Finally, the board considered regulatory issues associated with the transaction including that a repurchase of shares would trigger a regulatory filing with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City as a result of the increase in percentage ownership by our largest shareholder group.

Following the discussion on the costs and benefits of remaining a reporting company and of making a Subchapter S election, the board noted that the transaction would be subject to the review of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the form of a Schedule 13E-3 filing. Our board of directors also discussed the fiduciary duties owed by the board of directors in the context of a transaction such as the proposed merger, including that the transaction be fair, procedurally and substantively, to all shareholders.

The board of directors met once again to discuss a transaction that would enable us to make a Subchapter S election and to terminate our Securities Exchange Act registration. At the meeting, our executive officers presented its internally prepared estimates of the financial impact to our company of a proposed Subchapter S election and a “going private” transaction.

In addition, the board agreed to have a valuation of our common stock prepared to assist the board in determining a fair price for our common stock and to engage a financial advisor to assist the board on valuation methodologies and render a fairness opinion of the cash price determined by the board to be paid in connection with a proposed transaction. After considering the credentials of The Bank Advisory Group, an independent financial advisor experienced in the financial analysis and valuation of financial institutions with significant experience in valuing and advising community banks in the Western United States, the board authorized the engagement of The Bank Advisory Group as the company’s independent financial advisor and directed The Bank Advisory Group to prepare a valuation of our common stock.

Our management evaluated three alternative structures for reducing our shareholder base: a tender offer, a reverse stock split and a merger.

Tender offer. Our board of directors considered an issuer tender offer to repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock to reduce the number of shareholders to fewer than 100. However, the board determined that the results of the tender offer would be unpredictable due to its voluntary nature. Moreover, because a tender offer would be voluntary, the board noted that the transaction could be more expensive and take significantly longer to complete, which could jeopardize our ability to terminate our registration in a timely manner. A tender offer would not provide any assurance that we would be eligible to make a Subchapter S election even after the tender offer because all remaining shareholders would still be required to be eligible S corporation shareholders and to consent to the election. The tender offer process would not afford us the ability to compel an ineligible shareholder to sell his shares or an eligible shareholder to consent to the Subchapter S election. Finally, a tender offer would not provide us with any assurances that we would be able to maintain our Subchapter S election after it is made because the tender offer process would not afford us the ability to require a shareholder to execute the Shareholders’ Agreement. See “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Execution of Shareholders’ Agreement,” beginning on page . Accordingly, our board concluded that an issuer tender offer was not a viable alternative for the proposed transaction.

Reverse stock split. Our board also considered declaring a reverse stock split with cash payments for resulting fractional shares to reduce the number of shareholders to fewer than 100. The involuntary nature of a reverse stock split would give us assurances that the number of shareholders could be reduced to fewer than 100. However, although specific cost estimates were not prepared, our board noted that a reverse stock split would likely require a significantly greater capital commitment to repurchase shares than would a merger because we would be required to pay cash for all fractional shares, including shares owned by those who would remain shareholders following the reverse stock split. In addition, unlike a merger, a reverse stock split would not provide shareholders with statutory dissenters’ rights under Texas law. See “The Proposed Merger — Dissenting shareholders,” beginning on page . Most importantly, however, a reverse stock split would not provide any assurance that we would be eligible to make a Subchapter S election even after the reverse stock split because all remaining shareholders would still be required to be eligible S corporation shareholders and to consent to the election. The reverse stock split process would not afford us the ability to compel an ineligible shareholder to sell his shares or an eligible shareholder to consent to the Subchapter S election. Finally, a reverse stock split would not provide us with any assurances that we would be able to maintain our Subchapter S election after it is made because the reverse stock split process would not afford us the ability to require a shareholder to execute the Shareholders’ Agreement. See “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger —

Merger. Finally, our board considered a merger transaction as a means to reduce the number of shareholders to fewer than 100 and become eligible to make a Subchapter S election. Our board noted that the involuntary nature of the transaction would provide reasonable assurances that the number of shareholders would be reduced to fewer than 100. In addition, the merger could be structured so that only those shareholders who are eligible to hold S corporation stock, consent to the Subchapter S election and execute the Shareholders’ Agreement would be eligible to remain shareholders following the merger. Accordingly, our board concluded that a merger transaction was the most effective alternative to achieve the proposed objectives.

Having concluded that a merger was the most effective structure, the board determined that the burden on management and the expense of the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting and other filing obligations outweighed any benefit from being a reporting company. In addition, the board agreed that making a Subchapter S election would be beneficial to our company and shareholders. Accordingly, after further discussion, the board of directors unanimously resolved to move forward with the transaction to enable us to terminate the registration of our common stock and to elect Subchapter S federal income tax treatment.

Following the board’s decision to move forward with the transaction, Bank Advisory Group made a presentation to our board of directors and delivered its written valuation of our common stock to the board. The analysis performed by Bank Advisory Group is described more completely in the section titled “Financial fairness” beginning on page . The board of directors each had a full and unlimited opportunity to ask and have answered all questions regarding The Bank Advisory Group’s presentation and appraisal, the methodologies utilized by The Bank Advisory Group and the analyses supporting The Bank Advisory Group’s conclusions. Immediately following their discussions with The Bank Advisory Group, the board met privately and made a determination that $58.00 was a fair value to be paid for the shares of common stock to be purchased as a result of the merger. In the board’s determination, the $58.00 price seemed to the board to balance the need to pay a price to the shareholders receiving cash that was high enough to be fair to those shareholders with the need to pay a price that was not so high as to be unfair to those shareholders who would remain shareholders following the proposed transaction.

The board met to consider the structure of the ownership minimum for remaining a shareholder following the proposed merger. The board reviewed the impact of different minimum share ownership levels, including the ownership of at least 1,000, 600, or 250 shares. Initially, the board considered a minimum share ownership level of 600 shares. However, prior to making its determination, President Bush signed into law the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, which increased the number of permissible eligible S corporation shareholders from 75 to 100. As a result, the board decided upon a lower minimum share ownership level of 250 shares to provide more of our existing shareholders an opportunity to retain their share ownership following the merger. See the section titled “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Reasons for ownership minimum,” beginning on page .

The board also directed counsel to prepare and present, for the review of the board, a proxy statement and Schedule 13E-3 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Thereafter, the board requested that The Bank Advisory Group render an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the cash merger consideration to our shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders, those shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those shareholders who would remain shareholders following the merger.

The board was presented with and reviewed a draft of the proposed merger agreement. In addition, the board considered The Bank Advisory Group’s report, dated September, 2004, to the board of directors to the effect that the cash consideration to be paid in the merger transaction, $58.00 per share, is fair from a financial point of view to all of our shareholders, including those shareholders who are not directors or executive officers of Republic, those shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those shareholders who would remain shareholders following the merger. In addition, at that meeting, our board of directors met to consider the draft of the proxy statement. After its review and a discussion, the board approved the merger agreement and the proxy statement and authorized management to execute the merger agreement on behalf of the

The board met again to consider drafts of the filings to be made with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the “going private” transaction, including the Schedule 13E-3 Transaction Statement and the Schedule 14A. After its review and discussion, the board approved the drafts and authorized management to make all necessary filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the proposed transaction.

We have determined to pursue the “going private” transaction at this time, although we have been informally considering the proposed transaction since early 2004, because the board has determined that it has adequately evaluated the alternatives to the proposed transaction and has concluded that the transaction continues to be in the best interests of all of our shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders. In meeting its fiduciary obligations to Republic, our board of directors has also determined that the proposed merger is in the best interests of the company.

In electing to submit the merger agreement to our shareholders for their approval and to recommend that shareholders vote to approve the merger agreement, the board unanimously determined that the merger proposal was fair to all of our shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders, those shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those shareholders who would remain shareholders following the merger. For further discussion on the factors considered by the board, see the section titled “Special Factors — Recommendation of our board of directors,” beginning on page . In making this determination, the board did not utilize the following procedural safeguards:


	•	the merger transaction was not structured to require separate approval by a majority of the unaffiliated shareholders; and

	•	the directors did not retain any unaffiliated representative to act solely on behalf of our unaffiliated shareholders for purposes of negotiating the terms of the merger transaction or to prepare a report regarding the fairness of the transaction.

The board did not consider any other alternatives to the proposed transaction, including a possible sale of our company for a number of reasons. First, no firm offers had been presented to the board and no determination had been made that such a sale would be in the best interests of our shareholders. In addition, our board of directors did not view a sale of our company as a viable alternative because such a transaction would be inconsistent with the board’s belief that it is in the best interest of our company, our employees and the community that we continue to operate as an independent banking organization. The objective of the proposed transaction was not intended to terminate our operations as an independent community banking organization, but rather to enhance our profitability by terminating our reporting obligations and eliminating our federal income tax liability. Our board was under no legal obligation to solicit third party bids and was aware of no firm offers from interested parties at the time it considered the “going private” transaction. Finally, our directors, in their capacities as shareholders, and related parties, owned collectively a sufficient number of shares to prevent shareholder approval of any transaction, such as a merger, that would have caused us to cease to operate as an independent community banking organization. Accordingly, the board considered the $58.00 price to be paid in this transaction to be fair for the reasons described in the section titled “Special Factors — Financial fairness,” beginning on page .

Our board of directors believes that the proposed merger is in the best interests of our company, shareholders and banking community. The merger is being proposed for the following reasons:


	•	to enable us to become eligible to make an election to be taxed for federal income tax purposes as an S corporation for the purpose of generally eliminating our federal income tax liability at the corporate level as well as the Bank’s state income tax liability; and


	•	to enable us to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the purpose of avoiding the significant costs and personnel time commitment necessary for compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s reporting requirements and the other additional material costs associated with being a reporting company.

Election to be taxed as a Subchapter S corporation. The proposed merger will enable us to become eligible to be taxed for federal income tax purposes under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code and related state regulations. The primary advantage of being an S corporation is that S corporations are generally not subject to federal and, depending on the jurisdiction, state income taxes at the corporate level. Electing to become an S corporation would enable us to realize significant tax savings and improve our profitability, increasing the likelihood that our banking subsidiary will remain an independent community bank.

Without Subchapter S tax treatment, a corporation’s earnings that are distributed to its shareholders would be taxed once at the corporate level, at a federal tax rate of up to 35%, and again at the shareholder level, at a federal rate of up to 15%. The combined impact of two levels of tax can be an effective tax rate of approximately 45%. The effective tax rate would be expected to be higher after December 31, 2008 if the recently enacted provisions of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, reducing the maximum tax rate on dividends, are not renewed. If the provisions are not renewed, dividends will be taxed at maximum federal tax rates of 35% after December 31, 2008 and 29.6% after December 31, 2010.

However, because S corporation earnings are generally taxed only at the shareholder level and not at the corporate level, S corporation shareholders generally realize a benefit on every dollar earned and distributed to its shareholders by electing Subchapter S tax treatment.

For further discussion on the consequences of becoming an S corporation, please see the section titled “Consequences of a Subchapter S Election,” beginning on page .

Termination of registration. The proposed merger will also enable us to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act, which the board believes will reduce expenses, save anticipated future costs and create shareholder value. We are aware that the advantages to being a reporting company, including potential investment liquidity and the possibility for use of company securities to raise capital or make acquisitions, may be important to some companies. However, we have not been in a position to take advantage of these benefits and do not expect to be in a position to do so in the foreseeable future.

Despite the fact that we are a Securities and Exchange Commission reporting company, there is no active market for our common stock, and our shareholder base is small as compared to the vast majority of all other reporting companies. Moreover, although we have approximately 1,810 shareholders, approximately 66% of our common stock is owned by five shareholders. We utilize no market makers for our common stock and, as indicated by the number of bona fide sales of our common stock (see page ), the trading volume in our common stock is extremely low. Furthermore, we do not satisfy the requirements for listing on any national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system. In light of this fact, the limited public float in our securities and the limited amount of expected trading activity, management believes that any potential benefit to be realized by utilizing a market maker would be offset by the costs associated with the market maker, including the bid/ask spread. All of these factors have contributed to, or are evidence of, the lack of liquidity in our common stock, and the liquidity of our common stock is not expected to increase in the foreseeable future. As a result of the illiquidity of our common stock, our ability to utilize our common stock as currency to raise capital or make acquisitions is extremely limited.

As discussed above, we incur direct and indirect costs associated with compliance with the filing and reporting requirements imposed on public companies by the Securities and Exchange Commission. These costs include substantial indirect costs as a result of, among other things, the executive time spent to prepare and review such filings. Since we have relatively few executive personnel, these indirect costs can be substantial. Our direct and indirect costs related to being a reporting company were estimated to be approximately $88,000 during 2004, which consists of the following items:

While management expects that we will realize immediate savings following the suspension of our reporting obligations with the Securities and Exchange Commission, management expects greater long-term benefits to be realized through our ability to avoid anticipated cost increases associated with our remaining a reporting company following the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the regulations promulgated under the Act. For example, our accountants have informed us that we should expect an increase of approximately 25% to 45% in our accounting fees, as compared to 2003 fees paid, if we remain a reporting company because of significant increases in time and effort related to the new requirement under the Act that our auditors perform an audit of, and provide an opinion on, our controls over financial reporting and our internal controls, along with increases in insurance, liability and other costs that would be incurred by their firm in connection with the provision of accounting services to a reporting company. Our insurance agents have indicated that we may experience an increase in liability premiums for directors’ and officers’ insurance coverage because of the increased exposure of our company, officers and directors to civil liability under recently enacted securities laws, although management is not aware of the actual amount of the expected increase.

On the other hand, if we terminate the registration of our common stock, we would expect to realize substantial cost savings. We would expect our accounting fees to remain stable or slightly decrease, as compared to 2003 fees paid. Although we would continue to have audited financial statements prepared, accounting fees related to quarterly public reporting requirements would be eliminated. In addition, we would avoid the fee increases described above. Moreover, because substantially all of the legal and consulting fees paid in 2003 were associated with our status as a reporting company, we would expect to eliminate these expenses going forward. Likewise, because internal compliance costs were attributable solely to compliance with public reporting requirements, these costs would be expected to be eliminated.

Finally, the projected reduction in the number of total record shareholders from approximately 1,810 to approximately 64 will also result in reduced expenses and less burden on management because we will have approximately 3% of our current number of shareholders. The decrease in the number of shareholders reduces the volume of communications and amount of postage and related expenses associated with annual report and proxy mailings, and the issuance of dividend checks to, and other communications with, our shareholders. In addition, disclosure to the remaining shareholders would be substantially less complicated as a private company.

Although the exact amount of savings anticipated is not calculable, management expects that the costs and expenses identified in the table above would be reduced in the aggregate by at least 40%. These savings will not begin to be realized until after the proposed transaction has been consummated and we make the appropriate filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is expected to be no sooner than January 1, 2005. In the board’s judgment, the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act yields minimal advantages and, therefore, no sufficient justification exists for the continuing direct and indirect costs of registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Purposes of merger subsidiary and other filing persons. The merger subsidiary was organized as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic for the sole purpose of facilitating the merger transaction. Its directors

The structure and terms of the merger agreement were determined by our current executive officers and board of directors and cannot be considered the result of arm’s-length negotiations between unrelated parties. Accordingly, the board retained The Bank Advisory Group, an independent financial advisor experienced in the financial analysis and valuation of financial institutions, to value the common stock. The cash consideration to be paid for the common stock under the merger agreement was determined by the board of directors, in part, in reliance on The Bank Advisory Group’s valuation. See “Special Factors — Financial fairness,” beginning on page .

The board of directors believes that the merger proposal is fair to, and in the best interests of, all of our shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders, those who will receive cash in exchange for their shares and those who will remain shareholders following the merger. The board of directors also believes that the process by which the merger is to be approved is fair.

The board of directors believes that the merger proposal is fair despite the absence of certain safeguards identified by the Securities and Exchange Commission; namely, that


	•	the board did not retain an unaffiliated representative to act solely on behalf of the unaffiliated shareholders for the purpose of negotiating the terms of the merger agreement or preparing a report covering the fairness of the merger transaction; and

	•	the merger transaction is not structured to require the approval of at least a majority of those shareholders who are not officers and directors or who will receive only cash as a result of the merger.

However, although not required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the board did obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party relating to the fairness of the cash consideration to be paid to certain shareholders under the terms of the merger agreement. As a result of obtaining an independent fairness opinion, the board determined that the cost of obtaining an additional fairness opinion or valuation from another unaffiliated representative for the purpose of negotiating the terms of the merger agreement on behalf of the unaffiliated shareholders would be costly and would not provide any meaningful additional benefit.

Because of the absence of an established trading market for the common stock and the remote possibility that such a market will develop in the future, Republic retained Bank Advisory Group to independently determine the cash fair value of the common stock and to render both the appraisal, also known as the evaluation, and a written fairness opinion as investment bankers as to the fairness of the cash consideration to be received under the merger agreement, from a financial point of view, to all of the shareholders, including those shareholders who are “unaffiliated shareholders,” those who would receive cash for their shares and those who would remain shareholders following the merger. No limitations were imposed by Republic’s board upon Bank Advisory Group with respect to the investigations made or procedures followed in rendering either the evaluation or the fairness opinion.

Bank Advisory Group is a specialized consulting firm focusing on providing stock valuations together with merger and acquisition advisory services exclusively to financial institutions located throughout the United States, or to groups of individuals associated with U.S.-based financial institutions. As part of its line of professional services, Bank Advisory Group specializes in rendering valuation opinions of banks and bank holding companies nationwide. Republic selected Bank Advisory Group, which has not previously performed

In connection with providing the evaluation, Republic’s board specifically instructed Bank Advisory Group to provide Republic with a cash fair value appraisal of the common stock. Because fair value is not defined by statute in Texas, Republic’s board, together with input from Bank Advisory Group, determined that fair value of the common stock for the purposes of the merger would be based on the value of a pro rata share of Republic as a going concern. Bank Advisory Group was instructed that cash fair value should not include any consideration of the impact of the merger on the value of Republic, and that no “minority” or “marketability/liquidity” discounts should be applied. In addition, Bank Advisory Group was instructed that in determining the cash fair value to consider all usual and customary approaches to value, including net asset value, investment value and market value.

In determining cash fair value, Republic’s board further instructed Bank Advisory Group that cash fair value is not intended to be derived from a pro forma sale of Republic but rather assumes that the shareholders are willing to maintain their investment in common stock as though the merger had not occurred. Accordingly, the final determination of value should neither assume a sale of all of the stock of Republic nor include a “control premium,” at least to the extent that such a premium includes value which is derived from operational synergies that are typically available to acquirers involved in community bank merger/acquisition transactions.

As mentioned above, in addition to providing the evaluation, Republic retained Bank Advisory Group to render its fairness opinion. A copy of the fairness opinion of Bank Advisory Group, dated as of , 200 , which sets forth certain assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken by Bank Advisory Group, is attached as Appendix F to this proxy statement. You are urged to read the fairness opinion in its entirety. A copy of the evaluation, which includes a summary of the assumptions made and information analyzed in deriving the fairness opinion, is attached as an exhibit to the Schedule 13E-3 filed by Republic with the SEC and you are urged to read it in its entirety.

The following summary of the procedures and analysis performed, and assumptions used by Bank Advisory Group is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the fairness opinion and evaluation. The fairness opinion is directed to Republic’s board only, is directed only to the financial terms of the merger, and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to how a shareholder should vote at the meeting.

In arriving at its opinion, Bank Advisory Group reviewed and analyzed among other things, the following:


	•	the Agreement and Plan of Merger;

	•	the audited financial statements of Republic for the periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, and interim financial statements for Republic and its banking subsidiary, The First National Bank in Trinidad, Colorado, at and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004;

	•	certain other publicly available financial and other information about Republic;

	•	publicly available information about other banking organizations, the trading markets for their securities and the nature and terms of certain other transactions relevant to Bank Advisory Group’s inquiry;

	•	the competitive and economic outlook for Republic’s trade area;

	•	the book value and financial condition of Republic;

	•	the future earnings and dividend paying capacity of Republic;

	•	previous sales of Republic’s common stock;

	•	the prevailing market prices for selected publicly-traded banking organizations in the Western United States; and


	•	financial terms and price levels, to the extent publicly-available, of selected recent business combinations of companies in the banking industry involving the sale of control. Bank Advisory Group held discussions with senior management of Republic about the past and current operations, financial condition and prospects, as well as the results of Republic’s regulatory examinations.

In conducting its review and in arriving at its opinion, Bank Advisory Group relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information provided to it or publicly available, and did not attempt to independently verify that information. Bank Advisory Group did not make or obtain any evaluations or appraisals of the properties of Republic, nor did it examine any individual loan files. For purposes of the fairness opinion, Bank Advisory Group assumed that the merger will have the tax, accounting and legal effects described in this proxy statement and relied, as to legal matters, exclusively on counsel to Republic and the accuracy of the disclosures set forth in this proxy statement.

As more fully discussed below, Bank Advisory Group considered those financial and other factors as it deemed appropriate under the circumstances, including among others the following: (1) the historical and current financial position and results of operations of Republic, including interest income, interest expense, net interest income, net interest margin, provision for loan losses, non-interest income, non-interest expense, earnings, dividends, internal capital generation, book value, intangible assets, return on assets, return on stockholders’ equity, capitalization, the amount and type of non-performing assets, loan losses and the reserve for loan losses, all as set forth in the financial statements for Republic; and (2) the assets and liabilities of Republic, including the loan portfolio, deposits, other liabilities, historical and current liability sources and costs and liquidity. Bank Advisory Group also took into account its assessment of general economic, market and financial conditions and its experience in other transactions, as well as its experience in securities valuation and its knowledge of the banking industry generally. Bank Advisory Group’s opinion is necessarily based upon conditions as they existed and can be evaluated only on the date of its opinion and the information made available to it through that date.

In connection with rendering its fairness opinion to Republic’s board, Bank Advisory Group performed certain financial analyses, which are summarized below. Bank Advisory Group believes that its analysis must be considered as a whole, and that selecting portions of that analysis and the factors considered therein, without considering all factors and analysis, could create an incomplete view of the analysis and the processes underlying the fairness opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving subjective judgments and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. In its analysis, Bank Advisory Group made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, business and economic conditions, and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Republic. Any estimates contained in Bank Advisory Group’s analysis are not necessarily indicative of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those estimates. Estimates of values of companies do not purport to be appraisals of such companies or necessarily reflect the prices at which those companies or their securities may actually be sold. The forecasts and projections prepared by Bank Advisory Group were based on many variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain, including, without limitation, factors related to general economic and market conditions. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from those set forth in those forecasts and projections.

Bank Advisory Group developed earnings projections for Republic for the years 2004 through 2015. The financial forecasts and projections of Republic prepared by Bank Advisory Group were based on discussions with senior management of Republic, projections provided by Republic, and Bank Advisory Group’s own assessment of general economic, market and financial conditions. Management of Republic reviewed the information provided to Bank Advisory Group for accuracy and completeness of such information and, in light of such reviews, management found the Bank Advisory Group’s reliance on those materials to be reasonable. The board of directors did not review the information provided to Bank Advisory Group, but rather relied on management’s review of such information and management’s assessment that Bank Advisory Group’s reliance upon those materials to be reasonable. Republic’s board did review the evaluation prepared by Bank Advisory Group and found Bank Advisory Group’s financial forecasts and analyses to be reasonable.

In order to determine the fairness of the per share cash consideration to be paid in connection with the merger, Bank Advisory Group considered net asset value, market value, investment value and non-synergistic control approaches, as explained below.

Net Asset Value Method. Net asset value is the value of the net equity of a corporation, including every kind of property and value. This approach normally assumes liquidation on the date of appraisal with recognition of securities gains or losses, real estate appreciation or depreciation and any adjustments to the loan loss reserve, discounts to the loan portfolio or changes in the net value of other assets. As such, it is not the best approach to use when valuing a going concern, because it is based on historical costs and varying accounting methods. Even if the assets and liabilities are adjusted to reflect prevailing prices and yields (which are often of limited accuracy because readily available data is often lacking), it still results in a liquidation value for the concern. Furthermore, since this method does not take into account the values attributable to the going concern, such as the interrelationship among the corporation’s assets, liabilities, customer relations, market presence, image and reputation and staff expertise and depth, little or no weight is given to the net asset value method of valuation.

Market Value Method. Market value is defined as the price at which property would change hands between a willing seller and a willing buyer when both parties have the same information and neither party is acting under compulsion. This definition of value produces a result that could be achieved if the property were to be sold in an arm’s-length transaction. The market value method is frequently used to determine the price of a smaller block of stock when both the quantity and the quality of the “comparable” data are deemed sufficient. However, the relative thinness of the specific market for common stock being appraised may result in the need to review alternative markets for comparative pricing purposes. The “hypothetical” fair value for the shares of a banking organization with a thin market for its stock is normally determined by creating a universe of regional or state publicly-traded common stock values and related financial traits within an appropriate geography, then developing pricing statistics for the appraised banking organization from the pricing characteristics of the regional or state publicly-traded banking organizations. These pricing characteristics form the statistical basis for developing indications of value based on applying the statistics derived from the sample universe to the relevant financial values of the subject company being valued. The statistical values used in this valuation study were: (1) price to tangible book value; (2) price to earnings; and (3) price to assets. The following table illustrates the price multiples and indices for the publicly-traded banking organization in the Western United States.

Bank Advisory Group’s Market Value analysis, however, reflects the fact that (i) certain nonfinancial characteristics for the publicly-traded banking organizations in the Western United States vary substantially from Republic; and (ii) the average financial performance of publicly held banking organizations in the Western United States vary, sometimes significantly, from those of Republic. Because Republic is significantly different from such publicly-traded banking organizations in the Western United States, Bank Advisory Group determined that the preliminary cash fair value per share should be adjusted to account for non-financial differences such as Republic’s (i) higher sensitivity to economic movements, (ii) lack of product, industry, and geographic diversification, (iii) inability to quickly expand into new markets and commensurate lower growth prospects, (iv) comparative competitive disadvantages with regard to technology and corresponding customer diversification, (v) lack of comparable economies of scale/cost disadvantages, (vi) lack of comparable relationships with suppliers and customers, (vii) higher key person management risk, (viii) lack of externally-generated information, including analyst coverage (resulting in less-informed investors),

Investment Value. Investment value is sometimes referred to as the income value or the earnings value. The investment value is frequently defined as an estimate of the present value of future benefits. Another popular investment value method is to determine the level of the current annual benefits and then capitalize one or more of the benefit types using an appropriate capitalization rate, such as an earnings or dividend yield. Based on Bank Advisory Group’s observations of the rates of return typically desired by investors in closely-held community banking organizations, Bank Advisory Group believes that a net present value discount rate of between 11% and 16% (as described below) is an acceptable discount rate considering the risk-return relationship most investors would demand for an investment of this type as of the valuation date.

Another method of valuing a block of stock is the capitalization of dividends approach. Because closely-held banking organizations, such as Republic, typically pay lower dividends per dollar of earnings capacity than do publicly-traded banking organizations, Bank Advisory Group determined that such an analysis was of limited usefulness.

By analyzing the present value of Republic’s earnings projections over 90 years, using a present value discount rate of 11.50% applied to the first ten years of the projection period, a 12.00% discount rate applied to the following ten years, and a 12.50% discount rate applied to the last 70 years, Bank Advisory Group arrived at a present value of $58.00 per share. Alternatively, by using a fixed present value discount rate of 11.50% and then determining the present value of Republic’s earnings projections over 12 years together with the present value of Republic’s projected residual value at the end of the 12-year projection period (which assumed an earnings growth rate of 2%), Bank Advisory Group arrived at a present value of $57.95 per share. Accordingly, given the Investment Values of $58.00 per share calculated utilizing the Present Value in Perpetuity methodology, and $57.95 per share utilizing the Residual Value methodology, Bank Advisory Group concluded an Investment Value Approach cash fair value per share of $58.00 for the common stock. The

Non-Synergistic Control Value. Bank Advisory Group then calculated a cash fair value for a 100% (“control”) position in The Republic Corporation, but excluded that portion of the control premium tied to operational synergies derivable from a hypothetical merger/acquisition transaction. In determining the non-synergistic control value for Republic, Bank Advisory Group utilized the pricing and financial fundamentals corresponding with Western United States banking organizations acquired with a 100% cash form of consideration during the period from January 2003 to September 2004, and having total assets ranging between $100 million and $350 million. Additionally, Bank Advisory Group reviewed the average anticipated cost savings (“operational synergies”) publicly announced by certain acquirers of community banking organizations during the period from January 2003 to September 2004. After considering these “control transactions” and the reasonably anticipated average level of operational synergies, Bank Advisory Group concluded that the Non-Synergistic Control Approach cash fair value per share equaled $63.00 for the common stock. The following table illustrates the price multiples and indices for Republic produced by the $63.00 per share Non-Synergistic Control Approach cash fair value.

After considering the $52.25 per share value derived from the Market Value Approach, the $58.00 per share value using the Investment Value Approach, and the $63.00 per share value derived from the Non-Synergistic Control Approach, and applying several other factors and judgment, the cash fair value per share conclusion for the common stock was determined to be $58.00 per share, excluding the application of any

Each of the Market Value, Investment Value, and Non-Synergistic Control Value approaches, as discussed above and considered in concert, support the fairness of the $58.00 per share offer. Therefore, Bank Advisory Group is of the opinion that the cash consideration to be paid by Republic in connection with the merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to the shareholders of Republic, including those shareholders who are “unaffiliated shareholders,” those who would receive cash for their shares and those who would remain shareholders following the merger. You are encouraged to read the fairness opinion in its entirety. The full text of the fairness opinion is attached as Appendix F to this proxy statement.

We selected The Bank Advisory Group based upon its qualifications, expertise and reputation. The Bank Advisory Group specializes in providing a range of investment banking and financial advisory services to financial institutions and regularly engages in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, competitive biddings, private placements and other corporate transactions. The Bank Advisory Group and its predecessors and affiliates have been actively involved in advising and evaluating community financial institutions for more than thirty years. Neither The Bank Advisory Group nor any of its principals has a present or contemplated future ownership interest in our company or makes a market in the stock of any company, banking or otherwise. We have agreed to pay a fee of approximately $25,000 for its services. No portion of the fee was contingent upon the conclusions reached in the valuation or fairness opinion.

After careful consideration, our board of directors determined that the merger agreement and the merger are fair to, and in the best interests of, our unaffiliated shareholders. In evaluating the merger proposal, our board of directors considered the effect of the merger on unaffiliated shareholders, including those unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash in the merger and those who would retain their shares of common stock in the merger. Our board of directors also believes that the process by which the transaction is to be approved is fair. Accordingly, our board of directors unanimously adopted the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and recommends that our shareholders vote “FOR” the merger proposal at the special meeting. In addition, as of the date of this proxy statement, each member of our board of directors and each of our executive officers advises us that he intends to vote his shares in favor of the merger agreement. Our directors and executive officers owned beneficially, in the aggregate, 219,000 shares of our common stock, or approximately 66% of the shares entitled to vote at the special meeting, as of the date of this proxy statement. See “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Shareholders,” beginning on page .

The board of directors has retained for itself the absolute authority to reject (and not implement) the merger proposal, even after approval by our shareholders, if it determines subsequently that the merger proposal is not then in the best interests of our company and shareholders.

The board of directors considered a number of factors in determining to approve the merger agreement. The board also considered alternative transactions to accomplish the proposed going-private transaction, but ultimately approved the merger proposal. Please see the discussion under “Special Factors — Background of the merger,” beginning on page , for a description of the alternatives considered by the board.

The board considered numerous factors, discussed below, in reaching its decision to recommend the merger to our shareholders and its conclusion as to the fairness of the transaction to unaffiliated shareholders:


	•	Benefits and costs of becoming an S corporation. As discussed above, a primary reason for the merger is to enable us to elect to become an S corporation for federal income tax purposes. Our board considered the benefits of generally eliminating our company’s obligation to pay federal income taxes. In addition, the board considered the benefit to our continuing shareholders of having our corporate earnings taxed only at the shareholder level and, thus, generally eliminating the double taxation of corporate earnings paid to shareholders as dividends. The board also considered the risks of being an S corporation, including that our shareholders would be required to pay taxes on their pro rata share of corporate earnings regardless of whether any distributions are made to them. The board considered certain other consequences of becoming an S corporation, including those described in the section titled “Consequences of a Subchapter S Election,” beginning on page . On balance, however, the board determined that the net benefits expected to be realized by becoming an S corporation were factors tending to support its recommendation to approve the merger.

	•	Benefits and costs of terminating our registration. As discussed above, a primary reason for the merger is to enable us to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act, which management expects to result in immediate cost savings. In addition, management believes that “going private” will enable us to avoid significant cost increases that we anticipate will result from newly enacted federal securities laws and regulations, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our board considered the views of management relating to the immediate and prospective cost savings to be achieved by terminating our registration. The board also considered certain derivative cost savings associated with the proposed transaction, including the decrease in expense and burden of dealing with approximately 1,810 shareholders. The board determined that the positive impact of anticipated cost savings was a factor tending to support its recommendation to approve the merger. The board also considered the possibility that the cost savings associated with “going private” may not be realized as quickly as anticipated or in amounts anticipated and that the reduction in the number of shareholders may result in a reduction in business from those persons who are no longer shareholders. The board determined that the potential loss of business was a factor tending not to support its recommendation to approve the merger. Additionally, the board considered that remaining unaffiliated shareholders would have decreased access to information about our company following the merger although periodic financial information regarding Republic and the Bank would continue to be publicly available from the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. See “Certain effects of the merger on Republic — Termination of Securities Exchange Act registration,” beginning on page . On balance, however, the board determined that the net benefits expected to be realized by terminating our registration were factors tending to support its recommendation to approve the merger.

	•	Financial services industry. The board considered current and prospective industry and economic conditions facing the financial services industry generally, including continuing consolidation in the industry and increasing competition. The board considered the fact that many of our larger competitors have the benefits of operational scale and greater financial resources and that the proposed merger would enable us to reduce overhead expenses and improve our ability to compete, on a relative basis. The board concluded that the positive impact of a reduction in overhead expenses was a factor tending to support its recommendation to approve the merger.


	•	Effects on liquidity. The board considered the effect that the reduction in the number of shareholders and the termination of the registration of our common stock would have on the market for our common stock and the ability of the remaining shareholders to buy and sell shares. The board determined that, even though our common stock is registered, there is, and will continue to be following the merger, only a very limited market for our shares, especially for sales of large blocks of shares. Although we currently have approximately 1,810 shareholders, approximately 66% of our shares are held by five shareholders. The board also considered the absence of any material trading volume (see page ) in our common stock and the lack of a market maker for our shares in determining that our shareholders derived little liquidity, if any, from our status as a reporting company. The reduction in liquidity was a factor that tended not to support the board’s decision to recommend approval of the proposed transaction. However, in light of the fact that our common stock is illiquid at present, the board considered the marginal reduction in liquidity not to be a substantial negative factor.

	•	Cash merger consideration versus recent trades. Our board of directors also considered the sales prices of transactions in our common stock from January 1, 2002 through the date of the September 8, 2004 board meeting. Because there has been only four purchases of our common stock during that period and the number of trades were not material (i.e., the trades in the aggregate involved significantly less than 1% of the issued and outstanding shares), the board did not place material weight on the prices at which the trades were executed. The board noted that the cash merger consideration was approximately 380% higher than the sales prices known to us since January 1, 2002. In light of the valuation performed by Bank Advisory Group, our board found that the trading prices did not reflect accurately the fair value of our common stock. Accordingly, the board did not consider the recent trading history of our common stock in comparison to the cash merger consideration as a factor tending to support or diminish its recommendation to approve the merger and its conclusion as to the fairness of the cash consideration to unaffiliated shareholders, including those unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those who would retain their shares following the merger.

	•	Cash merger consideration versus book value. As of September 30, 2004, the book value per share of our common stock was approximately $56.09. Although book value was a factor, among others, that was considered by the board in determining the cash consideration to be paid in the merger, the board determined it was not directly relevant because book value is a historical number that may not reflect the fair market values of our assets and liabilities. However, the board noted that the per share cash price to be paid in the merger reflected a premium of greater than 4.7% of the book value of our company, as of September 30, 2004.

	•	Earnings. The board reviewed our earnings for the previous three fiscal years. For the three years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, we reported net income of $1,248,760, $1,283,173 and $1,259,284, respectively. The board considered that, as a multiple of 2003 earnings per share, the cash merger consideration represented a multiple of 15 times earnings. The board considered the price-earnings multiple to be consistent with its understanding of price-earnings multiples for the banking industry and, accordingly, considered the cash consideration, in light of the price-earnings multiple indicated, as a factor tending to support its recommendation to approve the merger and its conclusion as to the fairness of the cash consideration to unaffiliated shareholders, including those unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those who would retain their shares following the merger.

	•	Tax consequences. The board considered that the merger would not result in a taxable event for shareholders who retain their shares in the merger, as a majority of our executive officers and directors are entitled to do. The board also considered that, except with respect to unaffiliated shareholders who have acquired their shares in the past twelve months, the cash merger consideration would be taxed as a long-term capital gain for unaffiliated shareholders terminating their actual and constructive stock ownership in the company. The fact that the transaction would not result in a taxable event to shareholders who would retain their shares following the merger contributed to the board’s recommendation and its conclusion as to the fairness of the transaction to unaffiliated shareholders who would retain their shares following the merger. Although the fact that the transaction would result in a taxable event to unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash for their shares as a result of the


		merger was determined by the board to be a negative factor, this factor was mitigated somewhat by the positive factor that the cash consideration to be received by these shareholders would likely receive tax-advantaged long-term capital gains treatment.

	•	Independent valuation. The board engaged Bank Advisory Group to render a range of value “going concern” appraisal of our common stock. Bank Advisory Group’s valuation indicated that, as of September 30, 2004, the range of fair values for our common stock was between $52.25 and $63.00 per share. The board of directors considered the results of the range of value appraisal, the factors underlying the appraisal and the methodologies used in preparing the appraisal. The board considered the results of the independent valuation and the analysis underlying the valuation, which were consistent with the cash merger consideration, to be factors tending to support its recommendation to approve the merger and its conclusion as to the fairness in relation to “going concern” value of the cash consideration to unaffiliated shareholders, including those unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those who would retain their shares following the merger. In determining the fairness of the transaction in relation to the “going concern” value, our board of directors relied upon the factors considered by and the analyses and conclusions set forth in the independent valuation and adopted these factors, analyses and conclusions as its own.

	•	Fairness opinion of Bank Advisory Group. The board considered the oral presentation of Bank Advisory Group to management to the effect that the cash consideration to be paid in the merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to our shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders, shareholders who will receive cash in the merger and those who will retain their shares after the merger. The board also reviewed and considered the financial analyses presented to it in connection with the opinion and adopted Bank Advisory Group’s conclusions and analyses as its own. The board concluded that the analyses performed by Bank Advisory Group should be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses, without considering all factors and analyses, would create an incomplete view of the conclusions reached in the fairness opinion. Please see the section titled “Special Factors — Financial fairness,” beginning on page for more information relating to the fairness opinion and the related financial analyses. Finally, the board considered the conclusions drawn in the draft of the fairness opinion provided by Bank Advisory Group as a factor tending to support its recommendation to approve the merger and its conclusion as to the fairness of the cash consideration to unaffiliated shareholders, including those unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those who would retain their shares following the merger.

	•	Effect on other constituencies. The board considered the effect of the proposed merger on constituencies other than our shareholders, including customers and employees and the community that we serve. The board expects the proposed merger to be transparent to these constituencies and does not expect that the merger will have a material adverse effect on any of these constituencies, either in the short or long term. The board believes that a transaction that had a material adverse effect on any of these constituencies could result in a material adverse effect with respect to our company. Accordingly, the absence of such material adverse effect was a factor tending to support the board’s recommendation to approve the merger.

	•	Opportunity to liquidate shares of common stock. The board considered the opportunity that the merger proposal presents to shareholders who are not “qualified shareholders,” or who simply desire to receive cash for their shares, to liquidate their holdings without incurring brokerage costs, particularly given the illiquid market for our common stock. In doing so, the board considered that the merger consideration to be paid to these persons is all cash, which provides certainty of value and immediate liquidity. The board considered the opportunity to provide liquidity to certain shareholders as a result of the merger as a factor tending to support its recommendation to approve the merger and its conclusion as to the fairness of the cash consideration to unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash in the merger.

	•	No firm offers. The board considered the absence of any firm offers for the acquisition of our company, the fact that the board has no plans to seek the acquisition of our company in the foreseeable future,


		and the opinion that in light of the size of our company and the market in which we operate, it is unlikely that any firm offers would be forthcoming as a factor tending to support its recommendation to approve the merger and its conclusion as to the fairness of the cash consideration to unaffiliated shareholders, including those unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those who would retain their shares following the merger.

	•	Structure of transaction. The board considered that by structuring the transaction as a merger, shareholders who comply with the requirements of the applicable sections of the TBCA would be entitled to dissent from the merger transaction. The board considered that structuring the transaction to provide for dissenters’ rights would be favorable to our company and to shareholders entitled to receive cash for their shares by providing a reasonable method of adjudicating claims related to the fairness of the cash consideration. The board also considered this factor in connection with its conclusion as to the procedural fairness of the transaction to unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash for their shares as a result of the merger.

In connection with its determination, the board did not consider the liquidation value of our company given its determination that the merger consideration represented a premium over book value in light of the following reasons. First, because the vast majority of a financial institution’s assets and liabilities are monetary assets wherein book values generally approximate their fair market values, the liquidation values of these assets and liabilities would generally command material discounts both to fair market value and, accordingly, book value. In addition to the liquidation discounts, because the liquidation of a financial institution is an extremely expensive and time-consuming process involving significant regulatory procedures and numerous regulatory approvals, the costs of the liquidation of a financial institution further reduce any net assets that would otherwise be available to shareholders following liquidation. Accordingly, in light of these factors and because the merger consideration was greater than our book value, the board of directors concluded that the determination of our liquidation value was not material to the financial fairness of the transaction. However, it is not possible to predict with certainty the future value of our assets or liabilities or the intrinsic value that those assets or liabilities may have to a specific buyer that has not been identified. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the liquidation of our assets and liabilities would not produce a higher value than our value as a going concern.

No firm offers of which the board is aware have been made by an unaffiliated person during the preceding two years for (i) the merger or consolidation of our company into or with that person, (ii) the sale or other transfer of all or any substantial part of our assets, or (iii) the purchase of a number of shares of our common stock that would enable the holder to exercise control of our company.

The transaction is not structured so that approval of at least a majority of unaffiliated shareholders is required. Our board of directors determined that any such voting requirement would usurp the power of the holders of more than 67% of our shares present at the meeting to consider and approve the merger agreement as provided under our articles of incorporation. The board also considered such a provision unnecessary in light of the right of shareholders, whether affiliated or unaffiliated, to dissent from the merger if the merger is approved by our shareholders. No unaffiliated representative acting solely on behalf of the shareholders for the purpose of negotiating the terms of the merger proposal or preparing a report covering the fairness of the merger proposal was retained by us or by a majority of directors who are not employees of our company or the Bank. We have not made any provision in connection with the merger to grant unaffiliated shareholders access to our corporate files, because the board determined that this proxy statement, together with our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, provide adequate information for unaffiliated shareholders to make an informed decision with respect to the merger proposal. The board also considered the fact that under Texas corporate law, and subject to certain conditions set forth under Texas law, shareholders have the right to review our relevant corporate records. We also have not made any provision in connection with the merger to provide unaffiliated shareholders with counsel or appraisal services at the company’s expense. The board did not consider these necessary or customary. Furthermore, in rendering its fairness determination, the board of directors concluded that the transaction is fair regardless whether certain procedural safeguards were used, such as the retention of an unaffiliated shareholder representative, because the merger agreement treats all affiliated and unaffiliated shareholders identically. In making the determination of fairness, the board also

considered the other procedural safeguards that were implemented. In that regard, the board noted that an independent financial advisor was engaged by the company and that financial advisor considered and rendered its opinion as to the fairness of the consideration payable in the merger, from a financial point of view, to all unaffiliated shareholders, including those unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those who would retain their shares following the merger. Because the board obtained the valuation and fairness opinion from an unaffiliated entity, the board determined that the cost of obtaining an additional fairness opinion or valuation from another unaffiliated representative would not provide any meaningful additional benefit. After consideration of the factors described above, the board believes that the transaction is fair notwithstanding the absence of such an unaffiliated shareholder approval requirement or unaffiliated representative. The board believes that the transaction is procedurally fair because, after consideration of all aspects of the proposed transaction as described above, all of the directors approved the merger agreement.

Our board of directors concluded that the anticipated benefits of the proposed merger were likely to substantially outweigh the preceding risks. The foregoing discussion of the factors considered by the board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes the material factors considered by our board. In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the merger and the complexity of these matters, our board of directors did not find it useful to, and did not attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to these factors. The board considered all the factors as a whole in reaching its determination. In addition, individual members of our board of directors may have given different weights to different factors. The board collectively made its determination with respect to the merger based on the conclusions reached by its members, in light of the factors that each of them considered appropriate, that the merger is substantively and procedurally fair to, and in the best interests of, our unaffiliated shareholders, including those unaffiliated shareholders who would receive cash for their shares and those who would retain their shares following the merger.

In meeting its fiduciary obligations to Republic, our board of directors has also determined that the proposed merger is in the best interests of the company. In reaching this determination, our board of directors considered all of the factors described in this section.

Determination of fairness of the proposed transaction by filing persons. The merger subsidiary, its directors and executive officers, and our directors and executive officers are considered to be filing persons for purposes of this transaction. These directors and executive officers consist of Catherine G. Eisemann, J.E. Eisemann, IV, Roger Dean Eisemann, George M. Boyd, Jr., and John C. Davis. See the section titled “Management” beginning on page additional information regarding each of these persons. Each of these filing persons believes that the merger agreement and merger are substantively and procedurally fair to, and in the best interests of, all of our shareholders, including unaffiliated shareholders, those who will receive cash for their shares and those who will retain their shares following the merger. In reaching this conclusion, these filing persons relied upon the factors considered by and the analyses and conclusions of our board of directors and adopted these factors, analyses and conclusions as their own. See “Special Factors — Recommendation of our board of directors,” beginning on page . The belief of each of these filing persons is their individual belief and does not constitute investment advice. We believe that each of directors and executive officers intends to vote his or her shares of Republic common stock in favor of the merger proposal.

We expect to fund the cash consideration to be paid in connection with the merger and merger-related expenses through the issuance of up to $8,000,000 of trust preferred securities. We plan on issuing the trust preferred securities as part of a trust preferred securities transaction in which one or more special purpose entities would acquire trust preferred securities by wholly-owned business trusts of middle market financial institutions, including Republic, in a transaction that will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance on one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We anticipate that the securities issued by us in any such transaction would qualify for tier 1 capital treatment for bank regulatory purposes. We cannot give any assurances that such an offering will be successful. The trust preferred securities will be senior to the shares of Republic common stock that you own. As a result, we must pay distributions on the trust preferred securities before any dividends can be paid on Republic stock and, in

Although the exact amount that we will have to pay cannot be determined until the merger is completed, we would have paid an aggregate of approximately $5 million to acquire the shares of our common stock held by shareholders owning fewer than 250 shares if the merger was completed as of the date of this proxy statement. In addition, we expect merger-related expenses to total approximately $125,000. Please see the section titled “The Proposed Merger — Expenses of the merger,” beginning on page , for a description of the fees and expenses that we expect to incur in connection with the merger.

Management believes that the likelihood is remote that the aggregate merger consideration and merger-related expenses will exceed $8,000,000 and has made no alternative financing arrangements or alternative financing plans in the event that we do not consummate the sale of the trust preferred securities described above.

The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to holders of shares of Republic stock that exchange their shares for cash or holders whose shares remain outstanding after the merger. The discussion is based upon information provided by Republic, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, applicable Treasury regulations, existing administrative interpretations and court decisions currently in effect. Any of these authorities could be repealed, overruled or modified at any time after the date of this proxy statement, and any such change could be applied retroactively and could modify the tax consequences discussed herein. This discussion does not address any tax consequences under state, local or foreign laws.

The discussion that follows neither binds nor precludes the Internal Revenue Service from adopting a position contrary to that expressed in this proxy statement, and we cannot assure you that such a contrary position could not be asserted successfully by the Internal Revenue Service or adopted by a court if the positions were litigated. We do not intend to obtain a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or a written opinion from tax counsel with respect to the federal income tax consequences discussed below.

This discussion assumes that you hold your shares of common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code. This discussion does not address all aspects of federal income taxation that may be important to you in light of your particular circumstances (such as the alternative minimum tax provisions) or if you are subject to certain rules, such as those rules relating to:


	•	shareholders who are not citizens or residents of the United States;

	•	financial institutions;

	•	tax-exempt organizations and entities, including individual retirement accounts;

	•	insurance companies;

	•	real estate investment trusts;

	•	regulated investment companies;

	•	estates and trusts;

	•	pass-through entities;

	•	shareholders who hold their shares as part of a straddle, hedge or conversion;


	•	dealers in securities; and

	•	shareholders who acquired their shares of common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or similar derivative securities or otherwise as compensation.

Federal income tax consequences to shareholders who do not receive cash in the merger. If you remain a shareholder following the merger and you receive no cash as a result of the merger, you will not recognize gain or loss as a result of the merger. The merger will not affect the adjusted tax basis or holding period of any shares of common stock that you continue to own following the merger.

Federal income tax consequences to shareholders who receive cash in the merger. The exchange of our common stock for cash under the terms of the merger agreement will be a taxable transaction. Similarly, if you dissent from the merger and receive cash in exchange for your shares under the dissenters’ rights statute, the receipt of cash will be a taxable transaction. The exchange of our common stock for cash will be treated as a redemption under section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code.

In general, under section 302, if you receive cash in exchange for your shares as a result of the merger, you will realize and recognize taxable gain or loss. The gain or loss will be measured by the difference between the amount of cash that you receive, $58.00 per share, and the adjusted tax basis of your shares of common stock. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if you hold your shares as a capital asset within the meaning of section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you will have owned your shares of stock for more than one year at the time the merger is completed. Capital gains recognized by an exchanging individual shareholder generally will be subject to federal income tax at capital gain rates applicable to the shareholder. Currently, for individual taxpayers, long-term capital gains are generally taxed at a maximum 15% federal income tax rate. Short-term capital gains are generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income. Capital gains recognized by an exchanging corporate shareholder will be subject to a maximum federal rate of 35%.

Under certain circumstances, however, the receipt of cash in exchange for shares may be treated as a dividend. The receipt of cash will not be treated as a dividend if the exchange meets one of the following three tests:


	•	the exchange results in a “complete termination” of your equity interest in Republic;

	•	the exchange is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to you; or

	•	the cash received is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to you.

For purposes of these tests, in addition to the shares you actually own, you will be deemed to own constructively certain shares under the constructive ownership rules of section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, the constructive ownership rules under section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code treat a shareholder as owning:


	•	shares of stock owned by certain members of your family, related corporations, partnerships, estates or trusts, and

	•	shares of stock the shareholder has an option to acquire.

Because the constructive ownership rules are complex, you should consult your tax advisor as to the applicability of these rules.

Complete termination test. You will satisfy the “complete termination” test if you completely terminate your direct and constructive ownership interest in Republic. If you would otherwise satisfy the complete termination requirement but for your constructive ownership of shares held by family members, you may, in certain circumstances, be entitled to disregard such constructive ownership. You should check with your own tax advisor as to whether you would be entitled to disregard such constructive ownership and the required filings with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to such a decision.

Substantially disproportionate distribution test. The receipt of cash for your shares will be treated as “substantially disproportionate” with respect to you if immediately after the merger you actually and

Not essentially equivalent to a dividend test. You will satisfy the “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” test if the reduction in your percentage interest in Republic, as described above, constitutes a “meaningful reduction of your proportionate interest” given your particular facts and circumstances. The Internal Revenue Service has indicated in published rulings that a minority shareholder whose relative stock interest is minimal (i.e., less than 1%) and who exercises no control with respect to corporate affairs is considered to have a “meaningful reduction” generally if the shareholder has some reduction in the shareholder’s stock ownership percentage.

If you satisfy one of these three tests, you should recognize gain or loss on the exchange of your stock as a result of the merger, and the merger consideration should not be treated as a dividend. If you do not satisfy one of these three tests, you will be treated as having received a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, which we anticipate will be sufficient to cover the amount of any such dividend. If the merger consideration is treated as a dividend to you, the full amount of the merger consideration will be includible as dividend income, without reduction for the tax basis of your shares. If the exchange is treated as a dividend, your tax basis in the shares sold generally will be added to your tax basis in your remaining shares. However, under proposed rules that will not be effective until promulgated in final Treasury regulations, such unrecovered tax basis may not be transferred to any other shares, but instead generally may give rise to a capital loss either at the time of the redemption, or at a later time, depending on your particular circumstances. To the extent that cash received in exchange for shares is treated as a dividend to a corporate shareholder, the shareholder may be: (i) eligible for a dividends-received deduction (subject to applicable limitations); and (ii) subject to the “extraordinary dividend” provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. To the extent, if any, the cash received by you exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in the shares surrendered and thereafter as a capital gain.

Federal income tax consequences to Republic and the Bank. Neither Republic nor the Bank will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the merger.

Backup withholding. You may be subject to backup withholding on any cash consideration that you receive in connection with the merger. Backup withholding will not apply, however, if you:


	•	furnish to us a correct taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to backup withholding on the substitute Form W-9 or successor form included in the letter of transmittal to be delivered to you following the date of the completion of the merger;

	•	provide a certification of foreign status on Form W-8 or successor form; or

	•	are otherwise exempt from backup withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax but is credited against the federal income tax liability of the taxpayer subject to the withholding. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of a taxpayer’s federal income taxes, that taxpayer may obtain a refund from the Internal Revenue Service.

This discussion is not intended to be a complete analysis or description of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger, and this discussion does not address tax consequences that may vary with, or are contingent on, your individual circumstances. Moreover, this discussion does not address any non-income tax or any foreign, state or local tax consequences of the merger. Accordingly, you are strongly encouraged to consult with your own tax advisor to determine the particular federal, state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences of the merger that are applicable to you.

The merger will have various effects on our company, including those described below.

Reduction in the number of shareholders and outstanding shares We believe that the merger will reduce the number of record shareholders from approximately 1,810 to approximately 64. If the merger was completed as of the date of this proxy statement and all shareholders owning at least 250 shares of our common stock became “qualified shareholders,” we estimate that 86,390 shares of our common stock held by 1,746 shareholders would have been exchanged for cash in the merger. As a result, the number of outstanding shares of our common stock would have been reduced from 333,725 to 247,335.

Effect on per share book value and net income. Because (i) the per share cash merger consideration will be $58.00, (ii) the number of shares of common stock expected to be cashed out as a result of the merger is expected to be approximately 86,390, (iii) our total cost (including estimated expenses) of effecting the merger is expected to be approximately $5.1 million, (iv) as of September 30, 2004, a total of $4,406 in merger-related expenses were reflected on our financial statements, and (v) at September 30, 2004, our aggregate shareholders’ equity was approximately $18,717,671, or approximately $56.09 per share, we expect that, as a result of the merger:


	•	our aggregate shareholders’ equity as of September 30, 2004, will be reduced from approximately $18,717,671 on a historical basis to approximately $13,547,558 on a pro forma basis;

	•	the book value per share of our common stock as of September 30, 2004, will be reduced from approximately $56.09 per share on a historical basis to approximately $54.77 per share on a pro forma basis, or approximately 2.4%; and

	•	net income per share of our common stock for the year ended December 31, 2003, would have increased from $3.74 on a historical basis to $3.78 on a pro forma basis, or approximately 1.1%.

Decrease in shareholders’ equity. We estimate that our shareholders’ equity will decline by approximately $5.1 million upon completion of the merger as a result of the payment of cash merger consideration and merger-related expenses. See “Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information,” beginning on page . However, we do not expect these amounts to have a material adverse effect on our capital adequacy, liquidity, results of operations or cash flow. See the sections titled “Special Factors — Funding the merger” and “The Proposed Merger — Operations of Republic and the Bank following the merger” beginning on pages and , respectively. In addition, we expect that the Bank will remain “well capitalized” for bank regulatory purposes.

Termination of Securities Exchange Act registration. At this time, we are required to file annual, quarterly and periodic reports that provide our shareholders and the general public with information about us. On an annual basis, we are required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission that include audited financial information, a comprehensive discussion of our financial condition and results of operations, disclosure regarding market risks, information about directors, executive officers and executive compensation, and a description of our business, properties and legal proceedings. We are required to file quarterly reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission that include unaudited financial information for the quarter and year to date, a comprehensive discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the period and year to date, and a discussion of our legal proceedings. We are also required to file other reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission to disclose certain other material developments. In addition to our reporting obligations, we are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission all proxy solicitation materials prepared in connection with meetings of our shareholders.

If the merger is completed, we intend to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act. As a result, we would no longer be required to file any of these reports or be subject to a number of other securities laws applicable to reporting companies unless the number of record shareholders of the company increases to 300 or more as of the beginning of any year following termination of our Securities Exchange Act registration. As a bank holding company, we would continue to be required to file certain financial information on a quarterly basis with the Federal Reserve Board, and our banking subsidiary,

Effect on market for shares. Although our common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, there is no established trading market for our common stock, and no market is expected to develop following the merger. In addition, following the merger, we will no longer be a reporting company and the number of shareholders will be substantially reduced. If the merger had been completed as of the date of this proxy statement and all shareholders owning at least 250 shares of our common stock became “qualified shareholders,” the number of shareholders would have been reduced from approximately 1,810 to 64. The absence of an established trading market or a larger shareholder base may restrict your ability to transfer your shares of stock following the merger. Currently, there is minimal liquidity in our shares of common stock and there will be a further reduction in the liquidity of our common stock following the merger. In addition, shares of our common stock will be subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement that each “qualified shareholder” will have signed further eroding shareholder liquidity. Consequently, shareholders following the merger may be unable to liquidate their investment in the company and must be able to bear the economic risk of their investment indefinitely.

Elimination of federal income tax liability. Following the merger, we intend to elect to be taxed as a S corporation, which generally will eliminate our federal income tax liability at the corporate level, subject to limited exceptions. As a result, subject to these limited exceptions, electing Subchapter S federal income tax treatment will enable us generally to avoid double taxation of corporate earnings distributed to our shareholders. As an S corporation, our income will be deemed to accrue ratably to our shareholders throughout the year on a daily basis and our shareholders will be responsible to pay taxes on that income regardless of whether they received any cash distributions from us. See “Consequences of a Subchapter S Election,” beginning on page .

Dividends. We have not paid any dividends or other distributions during the last two years or through the date of this proxy statement in 2004. As an S corporation, we expect to be able to make distributions in amounts sufficient to enable our shareholders to pay their respective income tax liabilities for our earnings. However, we cannot guarantee that we will have the financial ability to make these distributions, or if distributions are made, that the distributions will be sufficient to enable shareholders to pay their respective income tax liabilities for our income. We are not obligated to make distributions. See “Consequences of a Subchapter S Election,” beginning on page , and “Market for Securities and Dividend Information — Dividends — Republic,” beginning on page .

However, even if we cannot make distributions to cover the estimated taxes on our income, each shareholder will be required to include his pro rata share of our net income in calculating his quarterly estimated tax payments and annual tax payments. Under these circumstances, shareholders would be required to recognize taxable income for federal income tax purposes before receiving cash distributions related to that income.

Increased share ownership of executive officers and directors. As a result of the merger, we expect that the collective ownership percentage of our directors and executive officers will increase. As of September 30, 2004, our executive officers and directors beneficially owned approximately 66% of our outstanding common stock. Assuming the merger was completed as of the date of this proxy statement and all shareholders owning at least 250 shares became “qualified shareholders,” the collective ownership interest of our directors and executive officers would have increased to approximately 88%.

Because our executive officers and directors collectively own at least a majority of our common stock, they can control the election of directors and all matters requiring shareholder approval by simple majority

The proposed merger will have the same effects on shareholders regardless of whether they are affiliated or unaffiliated shareholders. The effects of the merger to a shareholder will vary depending on whether the shareholder (i) receives cash for all of his shares, (ii) receives cash for some, but not all, of his shares and remains a shareholder, or (iii) does not receive cash for any of his shares and continues to hold the same number of shares following the merger. Because a shareholder may own shares in more than one capacity (i.e., individually and through an individual retirement account), a shareholder may receive cash for some of his shares while retaining ownership of the remaining shares following the merger. The following sections describe certain of the material effects that we expect to result from the merger with respect to shares that are exchanged for cash and shares that are unaffected by the merger. A shareholder may experience a combination of these effects if he receives cash for some of his shares while retaining ownership of other shares. The effects described below assume that 86,390 shares are exchanged for cash in the merger.

Cashed-out shares. As to shares of our common stock that are exchanged in the merger for the cash merger consideration, shareholders will experience the following effects.


	•	Receipt of cash. Shareholders will receive $58.00 in cash per share, without interest.

	•	No trading costs. Shareholders will be able to liquidate their ownership interest without incurring brokerage fees and costs.

	•	Loss of ownership interest. Shareholders will no longer have any equity or voting interest in Republic and, therefore, will not participate in any future potential earnings or growth of the company or in any shareholder votes.

	•	Reacquisition. Shareholders will be unable to reacquire an ownership interest in Republic unless they acquire shares from a remaining shareholder and such shares will be subject to restrictions on transferability pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement.

	•	Taxes. Shareholders likely will be required to pay federal and, if applicable, state and local income taxes on the taxable gain or loss from the cash amount received in the merger. See “Special Factors — U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger,” beginning on page .

Remaining shares. As to shares of our common stock that are not exchanged in the merger for the cash merger consideration, shareholders will experience the following effects.


	•	Continuing interest. Shareholders will retain an ongoing equity interest in Republic and, therefore, the ability to participate in any future potential earnings or growth.

	•	Increase in percentage interest. Shareholders will experience an increase in their respective ownership percentages because there will be fewer shares outstanding.

	•	Tax liability on pro rata share of earnings. If the merger is completed, we intend to elect to become an S corporation for federal income tax purposes. As an S corporation, our income will be deemed to accrue ratably to our shareholders throughout the year on a daily basis. That is, if you own 10% of the common stock, 10% of the income, expenses, losses and gains will be passed through to you, and you will be liable for the taxes on that amount. Our board of directors anticipates that we will make quarterly distributions to our shareholders to enable them to meet their personal tax obligations for our income. However, we cannot guarantee that we will have the financial ability to make these


		distributions. Even if we cannot make these distributions, each shareholder will be required to include his or her pro rata share of our net income in calculating his or her quarterly estimated tax payments and annual tax payments. Consequently, there could be circumstances where shareholders would be required to recognize taxable income for federal income tax purposes before receiving cash distributions related to that income. This Subchapter S election will have other important tax and non-tax consequences for our company and shareholders. See the sections titled “Special Factors — Certain effects of the merger on Republic — Dividends,” and “Consequences of a Subchapter S Election” beginning on pages and , respectively.

	•	Decreased access to information. If the merger is completed, we intend to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act. As a result, we would no longer be required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Special Factors — Certain effects of the merger on Republic — Termination of Securities Exchange Act registration,” beginning on page .

	•	Decreased liquidity. The liquidity of the shares of our common stock is expected to decrease as a result of the reduction in the number of shareholders from approximately 1,810 to approximately 64. The absence of an established trading market or a larger shareholder base may restrict your ability to transfer your shares of stock following the merger. See “Special Factors — Certain effects of the merger on Republic — Effect on market for shares,” beginning on page .

	•	Reduction in book value per share. Assuming the merger was completed as of September 30, 2004, the book value per share of our common stock as of September 30, 2004, would have been reduced from approximately $56.09 per share on a historical basis to approximately $54.77 per share on a pro forma basis.

	•	Increase in earnings per share. Assuming the merger was completed as of December 31, 2003, our earnings per share would have increased from $3.74 per share on a historical basis as of December 31, 2003 to approximately $3.78 per share on a pro forma basis.

	•	Increased share ownership of executive officers and directors. Assuming the merger was completed as of the date of this proxy statement, the collective ownership interest of our directors and executive officers would have increased from 66% to approximately 88%.

	•	Effects of Subchapter S election. Becoming a shareholder of a Subchapter S corporation will have material tax and non-tax consequences to remaining shareholders. These consequences are described more completely in the section that follows.

	•	Restrictions on transfer. Shareholders will have more limitations on their ability to transfer their shares of common stock than they currently have with respect to their shares. The Shareholders’ Agreement will limit a shareholder’s ability to transfer his or her shares of stock by prohibiting transfers to any person or entity that is not eligible to be a shareholder of an S corporation or who might otherwise jeopardize our status as an S corporation once the election has been made. See “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Execution of Shareholders’ Agreement,” beginning on page . The potential inability to freely transfer your shares may result in liquidity problems depending on a shareholder’s particular financial situation and the potential tax liability that could arise from having to recognize S corporation taxable income before receiving cash distributions related to that income. See “Consequences of a Subchapter S Election,” below.

If the merger is completed, we intend to elect to become an S corporation for federal income tax purposes. This election will have important tax and non-tax consequences for our company and shareholders. The following section discusses certain of these consequences, and we urge you to consider this section carefully in considering the merger proposal.

Double taxation of earnings distributed to shareholders as dividends is avoided. The primary reason for a corporation to become an S corporation for tax purposes is that, with four exceptions discussed below, S corporations are not subject to federal income taxes at the corporate level. As a result, subject to these limited exceptions, electing Subchapter S federal income tax treatment will enable us generally to avoid double taxation of corporate earnings distributed to our shareholders. Without Subchapter S tax treatment, our earnings that are distributed to our shareholders would be taxed once at the corporate level, at a federal tax rate of up to 35%, and again at the shareholder level, at a federal tax rate of up to 15%. The combined impact of two levels of tax can be an effective federal tax rate of approximately 45%. However, because S corporation earnings are generally taxed only at the shareholder level and not at the corporate level, S corporation shareholders generally realize a benefit on every dollar earned and distributed to its shareholders by electing Subchapter S tax treatment.

An S corporation will be subject to federal income taxes at the corporate level in four situations.

1. Built-in gains. Any built-in gains (such as appreciation in the value of the Bank’s facilities, its bond portfolio or its other real estate) in the assets we hold on the date of conversion to Subchapter S status generally will be subject to corporate-level tax if those assets are sold within ten years after conversion. This is not generally expected to be a problem because most of our consolidated assets either do not have built-in gains or will not be sold in the ordinary course of business. However, this can be a consideration if Republic or the Bank were to sell property for a premium (e.g., the sale of a branch), if the Bank were to reposition its bond portfolio and take gains in the process, or if we were to sell the stock of the Bank after we have made the election to be taxed as an S corporation. For example, if we bought a building for $80,000 in 1990, made a Subchapter S election in 2004 when the building was worth $100,000 and sold the building in 2008 for $140,000, we would owe taxes on the $20,000 gain attributable to the period before we became an S corporation. We have no present intention to take any such action. Furthermore, if we were to sell the stock of the Bank, we would generally be required to obtain prior shareholder approval, as long as the stock of the Bank constitutes substantially all of our assets and the sale were not in the ordinary course of business. The corporate level tax on built-in gains will not be imposed after a corporation has been an S corporation for ten years.

2. Change to specific charge-off method. In order to become eligible to be an S corporation, a financial institution that uses the reserve method of accounting for bad debts must change to the specific charge-off method of accounting for bad debts for tax purposes. Because we currently use the reserve method of accounting for bad debts, we intend to file the necessary documents with the Internal Revenue Service to make the change in accounting method following the merger. As a result of the conversion, we generally will be required to restate our reserve for bad debts to zero for federal income tax purposes and include the amount of our reserves in our taxable income ratably over the next four tax years. As of December 31, 2003, our reserve account was approximately $223,804 for income tax purposes. Accordingly, we would include an additional $55,951 per year into our taxable income for the next four years. As a result of the change to the specific charge-off method, we will be subject to a corporate-level tax of approximately $20,000 per year for the next four years on the built-in gain recognized from this change. See “Consequences of a Subchapter S Election — Built-in gains,” above. Our board of directors has determined that the costs of making the election to be taxed as an S corporation is substantially outweighed by the benefits from making the election.

3. Passive investment income. If for any taxable year an S corporation has passive investment income (as such term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code) in excess of 25% of its gross receipts, it may be subject to a corporate level tax at the highest rate on the excess passive investment income. In addition, if we were to have passive investment income in excess of 25% of our gross receipts for three consecutive tax years where C corporation earnings and profits existed, our Subchapter S election would terminate. For these purposes, Treasury regulations generally provide that passive investment income excludes gross receipts directly derived in the ordinary course of a taxpayer’s lending or financing business (e.g., interest income on loans). Our board of directors does not anticipate distributing funds to its shareholders that would be additionally taxable as ordinary income.

4. Prior Subchapter C corporation earnings and profits. Distributions by an S corporation to a shareholder generally are not taxable to the extent of the shareholder’s basis in his S corporation stock. However, if an S corporation has C corporation earnings and profits from prior C corporation years (as we do), future distributions of C corporation earnings and profits by the S corporation to its shareholders may be treated as ordinary income (i.e., dividends). Distributions made by an S corporation are deemed to come first from the S corporation’s “accumulated adjustment account,” which generally tracks the retained earnings of the S corporation over its lifetime. We do not anticipate that we will distribute funds to our shareholders that would be additionally taxable as ordinary income.

Shareholder liability for income taxes on corporate earnings. As an S corporation, our income will be deemed to accrue ratably to our shareholders throughout the taxable year on a daily basis. Consequently, an S corporation is taxed like a partnership. That is, if you own 10% of the common stock, 10% of the income, expenses, losses and gains will be passed through to you and you will be liable for the taxes on that amount. Moreover, separately stated items of income and loss will pass directly through to shareholders, retaining the character of each separately stated item (e.g., capital gain, capital loss). Our board of directors anticipates that we will make quarterly distributions to our shareholders to enable them to meet their personal tax obligations. Please note, however, that we cannot guarantee that we will have the financial ability to make these distributions. For a description of our dividend policy, see “Market for Securities and Dividend Information — Dividends — Republic.” Even if we cannot make these distributions, each shareholder will be required to include his or her pro rata share of the company’s income in calculating his or her quarterly estimated tax payments and annual tax payments. Consequently, there could be circumstances where shareholders would be required to recognize taxable income for federal income tax purposes before receiving cash distributions related to that income.

On or before the date that we file our tax return (Form 1120S) for each taxable year, we will provide to each of our shareholders a completed Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) reflecting the shareholder’s pro rata share of the income, losses, deductions and credits of the company for the most recently completed year.

Losses, if any, are available to shelter shareholder income. If we should incur losses during any taxable year, each shareholder’s pro rata share of the losses generally will be available to offset the shareholder’s income during that year, subject to certain limitations, including the basis rules, the “at risk” rules, and the “passive activity loss” rules.

Adjusted tax basis in common stock will increase by retained earnings. A shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in stock of a C corporation is generally what the shareholder paid for the stock when it was acquired. When the corporation earns and retains profits as shareholders’ equity, the book value and typically the market value of the stock increase, but the shareholder’s tax basis remains the same. When the shareholder subsequently sells his stock, he generally pays federal income taxes on this increase in value over his cost basis at a federal capital gains rate of up to 15% if the stock was held as a capital asset for more than one year. By contrast, a shareholder’s basis in S corporation stock generally will be increased by his pro rata share of the S corporation’s income retained by the corporation as capital (and generally will be decreased by his pro rata share of the S corporation’s losses). Any net increase in basis will reduce the amount of gain on the sale of stock by the shareholder, and any net decrease in basis will increase the amount of gain on such sale. Consequently, shareholders can benefit from S corporation status not only to the extent earnings are distributed as dividends (which would be taxed only once at the shareholder level), but also to the extent earnings are retained (which would increase the taxpayer’s basis in such stock).

Loss of certain tax benefits. The carryforward of net operating losses, minimum tax credits and capital loss carryovers from C corporation status to S corporation status is not permitted, except to offset the payment by the corporation making the election to be taxed as an S corporation of corporate level taxes. We currently have no operating loss carry forwards or tax credits.

Alternative minimum tax. As an S corporation, we would not be subject to the federal corporate alternative minimum tax or the accumulated earnings tax.

Additional record keeping. Finally, record keeping and tax preparation for you will become more complex because you will need to maintain records, for federal income tax purposes, of your adjusted tax basis in your shares of Republic common stock and to report each separately stated item of income and loss individually on your tax returns. For estimated tax purposes, S corporation income should be taken into account on a quarterly basis.

Continuation of business, management and shareholders. Our decision to pursue S corporation status will not materially affect the continuing business or operations of either Republic or the Bank. Each entity will continue to be governed by its articles of incorporation and bylaws, and each of the officers and directors of Republic and the Bank will continue to serve in the positions each now holds. The rights of shareholders generally will be unaffected, except that our shareholders following the merger will have certain additional limitations on their ability to transfer their shares of common stock as a result of the Shareholders’ Agreement.

Prohibition on multiple classes of stock. Among the other criteria discussed in this proxy statement, to qualify for the election to be taxed as an S corporation, a corporation must have only one class of stock outstanding. Differences in voting rights between shares of stock of a corporation are disregarded in determining whether a corporation has more than one class of stock. Our articles of incorporation have authorized only one class of stock, and we have no present plan or intention to issue, a second class of stock in the foreseeable future.

The foregoing does not attempt to describe all of the possible consequences to you of our proposed Subchapter S election. You are strongly urged to consult with your individual tax advisor for a more thorough understanding of the personal tax consequences of the proposed Subchapter S election, based upon your specific circumstances.

The following unaudited pro forma financial information, gives effect to the proposed merger, including the Subchapter S election. This information should be read together with our historical financial information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement. The unaudited pro forma financial information has been prepared on a consolidated basis and assumes that:


	•	the merger occurred as of September 30, 2004 for purposes of the balance sheet, and as of January 1, 2003 for purposes of the statement of income;

	•	a total of 86,390 shares of our common stock was exchanged for cash in the merger at a price of $58.00 per share, or approximately $5 million in the aggregate;

	•	a total of $125,000 in merger-related costs and expenses was incurred in connection with the merger in the year ended December 31, 2003, and $4,406 in the nine month period ended on September 30, 2004 was reversed;

	•	the issuance of $7 million in trust preferred securities; and

	•	none of the anticipated annual cost savings have been realized.

The unaudited pro forma information is for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may have been different had the merger actually taken place at the respective time periods specified. You should not rely on the pro forma financial information as being indicative of our future results.


1)	Cumulative effect of issuance of trust preferred securities, purchases of stock, interest expense on trust preferred securities, merger related costs and reversal of prepaid income taxes due to Subchapter S election, from January 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004. Detailed as follows:


2)	To reverse Deferred Income Tax asset due to Subchapter S election.

3)	Net decrease to Prepaid Income Taxes for reversal of $405,000 in prepaid income taxes less provision for income taxes of $379,000.

4)	Cumulative effect of deferred income taxes payable due to change to the specific charge-off method of accounting for bad debts. Corporate level taxes of approximately $20,000 per year for the next four years will be recognized from this change. Total income tax expense for four years is estimated to be $80,000, less $20,000 of income tax expense in 2003 and $15,000 through September 30, 2004 nets to $45,000 of deferred tax liability.

5)	To record issuance of $7 million of trust preferred securities.

6)	Cumulative effect on minority interest in consolidated subsidiary for credit to income tax expense of $127,418 in 2003 and reversal of provision for income taxes of $379,000 plus $15,000 of built in gains tax through September 30, 2004 multiplied by the minority interest share of 3% ($521,418 * 3% = $15,643).

7)	Cumulative effect on net income from pro forma adjustments of decreasing net income $312,905 in 2003 and increasing net income $153,412 in 2004.

8)	Purchase of 86,390 shares of stock (86,390 shares at $58.00 per share = $5,010,620).


9)	Interest expense on trust preferred securities of $7,000,000 at current 3-month LIBOR rate of 2.20% plus 2.25% for the year.


12)	Effect on minority interest in consolidated subsidiary for credit to income tax expense of $127,418 in 2003 ($127,418 * 3% = $3,823).


13)	Interest expense on trust preferred securities of $7,000,000 at current 3-month LIBOR rate of 2.20% plus 2.25% for 274 days, through September 30, 2004.

14)	Credit for actual merger-related expenses incurred as of September 30, 2004, assumed to be incurred during 2003 for pro forma purposes.

15)	Reversal of income tax provision of $379,000 and to record amortization of deferred income taxes on built in gains of $15,000 through September 30, 2004.

16)	Effect of minority interest in consolidated subsidiary for credit to income tax expense of $394,000 through September 30, 2004 ($394,000 * 3% = $11,820)

Market for Securities. Although our common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, there is no established trading market for our common stock, and no market is expected to develop following the merger. No registered broker/ dealer makes a market in our stock, and our stock is not listed or posted on any stock exchange or automated quotation system. We act as the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

Occasionally, we become aware of trades in our common stock and the prices at which these trades were executed. We are aware of no other trades that have been recorded on our stock transfer books over the most recent ten completed quarters and through the date of this proxy statement. Accordingly, the following table sets forth:


	•	the high and low sales price for repurchases of our common stock during the period indicated for each of the most recent eight completed quarters;

	•	the number of repurchase transactions that occurred during each quarter;

	•	the total number of shares repurchased in those transactions; and

	•	the cash dividends declared on our common stock during each quarter.

The purchaser in each of the transaction referenced in the table above was John C. Davis, a director of Republic and the Bank. Dr. Davis made the purchases while he was a director of the Bank. In addition to transactions of which we are actually aware because they are reflected on our stock transfer books there may be trades of which we are not aware.

Dividends — Republic. Our shareholders are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions out of legally available funds as and when declared by our board of directors, in its sole discretion. Because our investment in the Bank is our only significant investment, our board is committed to distribute cash dividends only at levels that are consistent with the financial condition and business objectives of the Bank. In determining whether or not to make distributions and, if made, the amount of the distributions, the board generally considers many factors, including:


	•	the earnings and earnings potential of our company and the Bank;

	•	our present and anticipated future funding requirements;


	•	our working capital needs;

	•	our general financial condition;

	•	the quality of the assets and the financial condition of the Bank;

	•	any acquisitions or potential acquisitions under examination;

	•	our obligation to maintain the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios at certain levels; and

	•	other laws, regulations and other restrictions on distributions applicable to our company and the Bank.

Historically, we have not paid dividends on our common stock. Following the merger, our dividend policy generally will remain unchanged. However, at the discretion of the board of directors consistent with our current dividend policy, we expect to be able to make distributions to our shareholders on a quarterly basis sufficient to enable them to pay their respective income tax liabilities for our earnings. We cannot guarantee that we will have the financial ability to make these distributions, or if distributions are made, that the distributions will be sufficient to enable shareholders to pay their respective income tax liabilities for our income. We are not obligated to make any distributions.

As a Texas corporation, we are subject to certain restrictions on distributions under the TBCA. Generally, a Texas corporation may make distributions to its shareholders out of its surplus (the excess of its assets over its liabilities and stated capital) or out of its net profits for the then current and preceding fiscal year unless the corporation is insolvent or the distribution would render the corporation insolvent.

As a registered bank holding company, we are also subject to certain restrictions on distributions under applicable banking laws and regulations. Consistent with its policy that bank holding companies should serve as a source of financial strength for their subsidiary banks, the Federal Reserve has stated that, as a matter of prudent banking, a bank holding company generally should not maintain a rate of distributions to shareholders unless its net income available has been sufficient to fully fund the distributions, and the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the bank holding company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, we are subject to certain restrictions on the making of distributions as a result of the requirement that the Bank maintain an adequate level of capital.

As previously discussed, we do not engage or presently intend to engage in separate business activities of a material nature. As a result, our ability to make distributions to our shareholders depends upon the distributions received by us from the Bank. As more fully described below in the section titled “Market for Securities and Dividends Information — Dividends — The Bank,” the Bank is limited in its ability to make distributions.

The ability of the Bank, as a national banking association, to pay dividends is restricted under applicable law and regulations. Pursuant to 12 U.S.C. § 56, a national bank may not pay dividends on its stock from its capital stock and surplus accounts. All dividends on its stock must be paid out of undivided profits. If losses have been sustained at any time by a national bank equal to or exceeding its undivided profits then on hand, no dividend can be paid by the bank. In addition, all dividends must be paid out of net profits then on hand, after deducting expenses, including losses and provisions for loan losses. The payment of dividends out of net profits is further restricted by 12 U.S.C. § 60(a), which limits a national bank when declaring dividends on its shares of stock until its capital surplus equals the amount of capital stock or if the surplus fund does not equal the amount of capital stock, by requiring a portion of the bank’s net income to be transferred to the surplus account each time dividends are declared. For this purpose, “net profits” means the remainder of all earnings from current operations plus actual recoveries on loans and investments and other assets after deducting from

the total thereof all current operating expenses, actual losses and all federal and state taxes. In addition, 12 U.S.C. § 60(b) places a recent earnings limitation on the payment of dividends by a national bank by requiring prior approval by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of a dividend if the total of all dividends declared by a national bank in any year exceeds the total of its net income of that year combined with retained net income of the two preceding years, less any required transfer to surplus. Additionally, under the provisions of 12 U.S.C. § 1818, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has the right to prohibit the payment of dividends by a national bank where such payment is deemed to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency further restricts the ability of national banks to pay any dividends by preventing national banks from including provisions for loan losses in “net profits” and thus reducing the funds available for payment of dividends.

In addition, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, the Bank may not pay any dividend if the Bank is undercapitalized or the payment of the dividend would cause it to become undercapitalized. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation may further restrict the payment of dividends by requiring that a financial institution maintain a higher level of capital than would otherwise be required to be adequately capitalized for regulatory purposes. Moreover, if, in the opinion of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Bank is engaged in an unsound practice (which could include the payment of dividends), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation may require, generally after notice and hearing, that the Bank cease such practice. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe banking practice. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has also issued policy statements providing that insured depository institutions generally should pay dividends only out of current operating earnings.

At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote to approve the merger agreement by and between The Republic Corporation and the merger subsidiary and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. This section describes the material aspects of the proposed merger, including the merger agreement. While we believe that the description covers the material terms of the proposed merger, this summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire document and the other documents referred to in this proxy statement, including the merger agreement attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A, for a more complete understanding of the merger. The discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the merger agreement.

The Republic Corporation. We are an independent, publicly-held bank holding company incorporated under the laws of Texas and based in Houston, Texas.

Our principal activities are providing assistance in the management and coordination of the financial resources of the Bank and providing capital, business development and long-range planning services for the Bank. We derive our revenues primarily from the operations of the Bank in the form of dividends paid to us from the Bank. We may also receive tax benefits from any losses of the Bank.

As of September 30, 2004, on a consolidated basis, we had total assets of approximately $194,762,625, total loans (net of unearned income and allowance for loan and lease losses) of approximately $99,222,084, total deposits of approximately $174,957,378 and shareholders’ equity of approximately $18,717,671. Our principal executive offices are located at 5340 Weslayan, Houston, Texas, and our telephone number is (713) 993-9200.

Republic Merger Corp. The merger subsidiary is a newly-formed Texas corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic organized solely for the purpose of facilitating the proposed transaction. The merger subsidiary will merge with and into our company and will cease to exist after the merger. The merger subsidiary has no significant assets, liabilities or shareholders’ equity and has conducted no material activities other than those incidental to its formation, its negotiation and execution of the merger agreement, and its

The merger has been structured so that, upon consummation of the merger, we will be in a position to (i) terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act, and (ii) elect to be taxed as an S corporation for federal income tax purposes.

To terminate our registration, we must have fewer than 300 record shareholders. To elect to be taxed as an S corporation for federal income tax purposes, we must satisfy certain other criteria, which have been changed due to recently enacted tax legislation. On October 22, 2004, President Bush signed into law the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. That Act changed some of the requirements that must be met for a corporation to be taxed as an S corporation. All of the changes described in this proxy statement are effective for S corporation elections made after December 31, 2004.

The Act increased the total number of shareholders that an S corporation may have from 75 to 100. The Act also provides that members of a family may elect to be treated as a single shareholder for S corporation purposes. In the Act, the term “members of the family” generally means the persons (including spouses) who are related within 6 generations of a common ancestor. The Secretary of the Treasury is given authority in this act to issue regulations interpreting this family aggregation rule. In addition, the Treasury may require the use of a specific form in order for members of a family to be treated as one shareholder for S corporation purposes.

Finally, the Act provides that an individual retirement account, or IRA, can be a shareholder of an S corporation if the S corporation is a bank. The definition of “bank” as used in the Act, however, does not appear to include a bank holding company, such as Republic. Thus, until the Treasury issues regulations interpreting that “bank” includes a bank holding company, there is a risk that an IRA that owns stock in Republic would not be an Eligible Shareholder of an S corporation under the Code.

It is unlikely that the Treasury will issue regulations relating to the Act prior to December 31, 2004. If Republic were to apply the family aggregation rule in counting shareholders for S corporation purposes or treat IRAs owing its common stock to be Eligible Shareholders of an S corporation under the Code, and the Treasury subsequently issues regulations inconsistent with what Republic has done, Republic could be prohibited from electing S corporation status as of January 1, 2005.

As a result, the board of directors of Republic have chosen not to apply the new family aggregation rule or the new IRA eligibility rule unless and until the Treasury has issued regulations interpreting those new rules. However, while Republic considered the 100 shareholder maximum permitted by the new act in structuring the merger and the terms of the Shareholders’ Agreement, it ultimately determined to set its shareholder limit at 75 in order to accommodate future growth plans and to enable it to raise additional capital in the future.

Thus, an S corporation may now have no more than 100 shareholders, all of whom must be individuals who are citizens or residents of the United States (or their estates) or certain types of trusts, and all of whom must consent to the Subchapter S election. Accordingly, we have structured the merger to satisfy criteria to enable Republic to be eligible to be taxed as an S corporation following the merger.


	•	we must have no more than 100 shareholders;

	•	all of our shareholders must be individuals, estates or certain types of trusts; and

	•	all of our shareholders at the time of the election must consent to the Subchapter S election.

We have recently organized Republic Merger Corp. as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic to facilitate the merger transaction. The merger subsidiary will be merged with and into our company in


	•	If you are a “qualified shareholder,” each share of common stock that you own of record will remain outstanding and continue to represent one share of Republic common stock.

	•	If you are not a “qualified shareholder,” each share of common stock that you own of record will be converted into the right to receive a cash payment of $58.00 per share, unless you are entitled and elect to dissent from the merger. If your shares are converted into cash as a result of the merger, you will not have to pay any service charges or brokerage commissions in connection with the merger or payment of the cash consideration. After the merger, you will have no further interest in Republic.

	•	The outstanding share of Republic Merger Corp. common stock will be cancelled in the merger.

Shareholders have the right to dissent from the merger by following the procedures set forth in Article 5 of the Texas Business Corporation Act and receive the fair value of your shares of common stock. For a more complete discussion of the rights of shareholders to dissent from the merger, please read the section entitled “The Proposed Merger — Dissenting shareholders,” beginning on page . We have also included a copy of Article 5 in Appendix E to this proxy statement. As a result of the merger, “qualified shareholders” will own all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Republic.

Criteria to be a “qualified shareholder”. Subject to certain exceptions, which are discussed below, to be a “qualified shareholder” under the merger agreement, you must satisfy all of the following criteria:


	•	Either individually or together with your spouse, you must own of record at least 250 shares of common stock. For more information regarding the reasons that our board of directors set the ownership minimum at 250 shares, please see the section titled “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Reasons for ownership minimum” beginning on page .

	•	You must be eligible under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to be a shareholder of an S corporation and deliver to us an executed certificate of eligibility. The types of shareholders who are eligible to be shareholders of an S corporation are described in the section titled “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Who may be an S corporation shareholder,” beginning on page 63. We have attached a form of certificate of eligibility as Appendix B to this proxy statement. Please see the section titled “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Execution of certificate of eligibility,” beginning on page for more information regarding the eligibility of a shareholder.

	•	You and your spouse (or, if a trust, the person(s) treated as the shareholder(s) under the Internal Revenue Code) must consent to our election to be taxed as an S corporation by delivering to us an executed conformed Internal Revenue Service election form. We have attached a conformed Internal Revenue Service election form and instructions for its execution as Appendix C to this proxy statement. Please see the section titled “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Execution of election form,” beginning on page for more information regarding the execution of the election form.

	•	You and your spouse must deliver to us an executed signature page to the Shareholders’ Agreement. In addition, if you are a trust or your shares are held in usufruct, certain other persons will be required to execute a signature page. We have attached a copy of the Shareholders’ Agreement as Appendix D to this proxy statement. The purpose and terms of the Shareholders’ Agreement and the persons required to execute a signature page are discussed below in the section titled “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Execution of Shareholders’ Agreement,” beginning on page .

Certain exceptions to “qualified shareholder” criteria. In addition to the requirements described above, additional restrictions will apply to certain special classes of shareholders in determining whether those shareholders will be deemed to be “qualified shareholders” for purposes of the merger agreement. Each of the special shareholder classes is discussed below. Accordingly, if you fall into one of shareholder classes discussed below, you should pay particular attention to the additional restrictions that may apply to you.

Co-owned shares. Although individuals are not prohibited under the Internal Revenue Code from owning shares of S corporation stock jointly with other individuals, we have elected not to permit joint ownership of shares of our common stock as a result of the merger, except joint ownership by a husband and a wife. We have made this determination because every co-owner of shares is included as a shareholder for purposes of the shareholder limit for an S corporation, with one exception. A husband and a wife are considered one shareholder, even if they own their shares of common stock jointly. Accordingly, ten individuals could jointly own 250 shares of common stock, thereby satisfying the ownership minimum of 250 shares. However, for purposes of Subchapter S, we would be deemed to have ten shareholders resulting from the jointly held shares. Together with our other shareholders who individually own at least 250 shares, holders of co-owned shares could jeopardize our Subchapter S election. Accordingly, if you own shares of stock jointly with another shareholder other than your spouse (such as your sibling, child or parent), you will receive cash for those shares.

Estates. Although the Internal Revenue Code permits estates to hold S corporation stock, the merger agreement purposefully prohibits estates from becoming “qualified shareholders.” Estates have been excluded from the definition of “qualified shareholder” because of the risks associated with the inadvertent termination of our S corporation election that may result following the constructive termination of an estate under Internal Revenue Service regulations.

Certain trusts. Although the Internal Revenue Code permits certain types of trusts to hold S corporation stock, the merger agreement purposefully prohibits certain of these trusts from becoming “qualified shareholders.” Accordingly, if you are a trust described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(iv) of the Internal Revenue Code, you will be deemed not to be a “qualified shareholder” under the merger agreement. If you are a trust described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(ii) or (iii) of the Internal Revenue Code, you will be deemed not to be a “qualified shareholder” unless you are eligible to be a shareholder of an S corporation under a provision of the Internal Revenue Code other than sections 1361(c)(2)(A)(ii), (iii) and (iv). Finally, if you are an “electing small business trust” having more than two “potential current beneficiaries,” you will be deemed not to be a “qualified shareholder.” The following discussion describes each of the types of prohibited trusts as well as the justification for their exclusion from the definition of “qualified shareholder.”

A trust described under section 1361(c)(2)(A)(iv) of the Internal Revenue Code is a voting trust. This type of trust is an eligible S corporation shareholder, but has been excluded from the definition of “qualified shareholder” because every beneficial owner of a voting trust is included as a shareholder for purposes of the shareholder limit for an S corporation. For example, ten shareholders owning 250 shares each could hold their shares in a voting trust. As the record shareholder, the voting trust would be deemed to own the ownership minimum of 250 shares. However, for purposes of Subchapter S, we would be deemed to have ten shareholders resulting from the voting trust. Together with our other shareholders who individually own at least 250 shares, holders of beneficial interests in the voting trust could jeopardize our Subchapter S election. Accordingly, a voting trust will be deemed not to be a “qualified shareholder.”

A trust described under section 1361(c)(2)(A)(ii) is a trust that was a grantor trust immediately before the death of the deemed owner. This type of trust is an eligible S corporation shareholder, but only for the two-year period beginning on the day of the deemed owner’s death. Accordingly, this type of trust has been excluded from the definition of “qualified shareholder” because of the risk associated with the inadvertent termination of our Subchapter S election by lapse of the two year period following the deemed owner’s death. Accordingly, unless such trust is eligible to be a shareholder of an S corporation under any provision of the Internal Revenue Code other than sections 1361(c)(2)(A)(ii), (iii) and (iv), such trust will be deemed not to be a “qualified shareholder.”

A trust described under section 1361(c)(2)(A)(iii) is a testamentary trust. This type of trust is an eligible S corporation shareholder, but only for the two-year period beginning on the day on which our common stock is transferred to it. Accordingly, this type of trust has been excluded from the definition of “qualified shareholder” because of the risk associated with the inadvertent termination of our Subchapter S election by lapse of the two year period following the transfer of the stock to the trust. Accordingly, unless a testamentary trust is eligible to be a shareholder of an S corporation under any provision of the Internal

Finally, an electing small business trust having more than two “potential current beneficiaries” is an eligible S corporation shareholder, but has been excluded from the definition of “qualified shareholder” because every “potential current beneficiary” of an electing small business trust is included as a shareholder for purposes of the shareholder limit for an S corporation. A “potential current beneficiary” includes any person who at any time during the year is entitled to, or at the discretion of any person may receive, a distribution from the principal or income of the trust. Accordingly, an electing small business trust could hold 250 shares of common stock, sufficient to satisfy the ownership minimum, and have any number of “potential current beneficiaries.” If the electing small business trust had 20 “potential current beneficiaries,” we would be deemed to have 20 shareholders resulting from the electing small business trust for purposes of Subchapter S. Together with our other shareholders who individually own at least 250 shares, “potential current beneficiaries” of the electing small business trust could jeopardize our Subchapter S election. We have determined that limiting the number of “potential current beneficiaries” to two beneficiaries substantially reduces the likelihood that an electing small business trust could jeopardize our Subchapter S election. Accordingly, unless an electing small business trust has no more than two “potential current beneficiaries,” the trust will be deemed not to be a “qualified shareholder.”

Minors. Finally, the merger agreement provides that a minor holding shares of record in his name will be deemed not to be a “qualified shareholder.” A minor may own shares beneficially through a trust, which may be deemed a “qualified shareholder” if it satisfies the terms of the merger agreement described above. However, minors who hold shares of record in their own name have been excluded from the definition of “qualified shareholder” because of the risks associated with the potential inability to enforce the provisions of a Shareholders’ Agreement entered into by or on behalf of a minor. See “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Execution of Shareholders’ Agreement,” beginning on page .

When the ownership minimum will be measured. The determination of the number of shares held by a shareholder will be made at the time the merger becomes effective. The merger will not become effective before :00 .m. on , 2005, which is the deadline for delivering to us a properly executed certificate of eligibility, conformed Internal Revenue Service election form and Shareholders’ Agreement signature page. Accordingly, if you wish to restructure your ownership interest or acquire additional shares of common stock from third parties to obtain the ownership minimum, you should do so no later than :00 .m. on , 2005. After the merger is completed, you will be unable to (i) deliver the required documents described above or (ii) restructure your ownership interest or acquire additional shares of common stock to obtain the ownership minimum, for the purpose of becoming a “qualified shareholder.”

How to determine ownership minimum. For the purpose of determining the number of shares owned by a shareholder, we will determine who is considered to be a record shareholder by reference to the person who is identified as the owner of the shares on the books and records of the corporation, subject to the following additional rules:


	•	Shares held of record by a corporation, a partnership or other organization will be deemed to be owned by the entity or organization as one person and not by its individual shareholders, members or other beneficial owners.

	•	Shares held of record by a trust (other than a grantor trust) or estate or by one or more persons as trustees, executors, guardians, custodians or in other fiduciary capacities with respect to a single trust (other than a grantor trust), estate or account will be deemed to be owned by the trust, estate or account as one person and not by the fiduciary or fiduciaries.

	•	Shares held of record by a grantor trust or by one or more persons as trustees of a grantor trust will be deemed to be owned by the grantor in his individual capacity, unless there are multiple grantors, in which case the shares will be deemed co-owned by the grantors.

	•	Shares held of record in “street name” by a broker, bank or other nominee will be deemed to be owned by the beneficial owner of the shares. Shares held of record in “street name” by a broker, bank or other


		nominee for which we do not receive beneficial ownership information will be deemed to be owned by persons holding fewer than 250 shares of common stock.

The number of shares owned by a record shareholder will be calculated separately from all other record shareholders. This means that if you own shares of record in several capacities, you will not be permitted to combine these shares together for purposes of determining the ownership minimum, except for those shares owned jointly with a spouse. Rather, the shares owned in each capacity will be considered independently. For example, if you own shares in the following forms:


	•	1,000 shares of record in your own name;

	•	300 shares jointly of record with your spouse;

	•	1,500 shares of record in your individual retirement account;

	•	200 shares jointly of record with your child; and

	•	700 shares of record by a corporation that you control.


	•	in your individual retirement account,

	•	jointly with your child, and

	•	by the corporation that you control.

The shares that you own in your own name and the shares you own jointly with your spouse would remain outstanding following the merger. However, if you had restructured your ownership so that the shares held in your individual retirement account (an ineligible shareholder of an S corporation under the Internal Revenue Code), the shares held jointly with your child (co-owned shares) and the shares held in your corporation (an ineligible shareholder of an S corporation under the Internal Revenue Code) were transferred to you in your individual capacity, all of the shares would remain outstanding following the merger.

Reasons for ownership minimum. As discussed above, to become a “qualified shareholder,” you must, among other things, own at least 250 shares of common stock. The 250 share ownership minimum was selected for a number of reasons, including to ensure that:


	•	we would have fewer than 100 shareholders of record, which is the maximum number of shareholders permitted for an S corporation and which would enable us to terminate the registration of our common stock;

	•	our shareholders would have the ability to make limited transfers (e.g., for estate planning purposes or otherwise) of their stock following the merger;

	•	we would have sufficient flexibility to issue stock in the future for corporate purposes, including raising equity capital for our company or the Bank or attracting and retaining qualified employees, directors or executive officers; and

	•	we would have sufficient flexibility to enter into an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger or other acquisition, in the future and issue shares of our common stock to certain shareholders of the target entity without jeopardizing our Subchapter S election.

Out of a total of approximately 1,810 shareholders, approximately 64 shareholders owned of record at least 250 shares of our common stock as of the date of this proxy statement. These shareholders owned, in the aggregate, approximately 74% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock as of the date of this proxy statement.

Our executive officers also considered an ownership minimum of 1,000 shares, which would have resulted in only 14 shareholders, prior to the effects of any repositioning by other shareholders owning fewer than the ownership minimum. Our executive officers also considered an ownership minimum of 600 shares, which would have resulted in 20 shareholders, prior to the effects of any repositioning by other shareholders owning

Who may be an S corporation shareholder. Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code provides that only the following persons are eligible to be shareholders of an S corporation:


	•	an individual who is a United States citizen or resident;

	•	an estate;

	•	a grantor trust that is a United States citizen or resident (a husband and wife owning a trust together are treated as a single owner);

	•	a trust that would have been a grantor trust immediately before the death of the deemed owner and that continues in existence after his or her death for a period of two years;

	•	a trust created by a will for a period of up to two years following the transfer;

	•	an electing small business trust, which is defined under section 1361(e) of the Internal Revenue Code (does not include a foreign trust);

	•	a qualified Subchapter S trust, which is defined under section 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code;

	•	a tax exempt qualified trust, such as an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), created or organized in the United States and forming part of a stock bonus, pension, or profit-sharing plan of an employer for the exclusive benefit of its employees or their beneficiaries, as provided in section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

	•	a tax exempt corporation, community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, as provided in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Non-resident aliens, taxable corporations, partnerships, including limited partnerships, limited liability companies (other than single member limited liability companies) and individual retirement accounts are not eligible to be shareholders of an S corporation. In addition, certain types of trusts are not eligible shareholders. Special rules apply with regard to certain tax-exempt entities, such as section 501(c)(3) corporations.

Execution of certificate of eligibility. If you desire to become a “qualified shareholder,” you will be required to represent that you are eligible to be an S corporation shareholder by executing a certificate of eligibility. We have attached a form of the required certificate of eligibility as Appendix B to this proxy statement. If you are a trust that wishes to become a “qualified shareholder,” you may provide us with a copy of all applicable trust documentation (including executed forms for any election to be made by the trust, either as an electing small business trust or a qualified Subchapter S trust) for our counsel to review at no cost to you. Alternatively, you will be required to provide us with a written legal opinion from a law firm with demonstrable competence in the areas of estate, trust and tax laws, stating that the trust is eligible to be a shareholder of an S corporation and that the terms of the trust will not jeopardize our continuing eligibility as an S corporation. If we do not receive the necessary documentation to determine whether the trust or other entity is a “qualified shareholder,” we intend to make the determination that the trust is not a “qualified shareholder,” even if a fully executed certificate of eligibility is returned to us.

We will determine whether you are eligible to be an S corporation shareholder, and that determination will be final and binding. Upon our request, you may be required to provide additional documentation, certifications and legal opinions to enable us to verify your Subchapter S eligibility.

We have enclosed a blank certificate of eligibility with this proxy statement. If you have not provided evidence to our satisfaction, in our sole discretion, before the merger is completed, which will not occur before :00 .m. on , 2005, that you are eligible to be a shareholder of an S corporation, we

Execution of election form. For a corporation to make an election to be taxed as an S corporation, the Internal Revenue Code requires the written consent of all of the persons treated as shareholders of the corporation. Therefore, to be deemed a “qualified shareholder” under the merger agreement, you and your spouse, if any, must deliver to us an executed conformed Internal Revenue Service Subchapter S Corporation Election Form 2553. A shareholder that is a qualified Subchapter S trust will be required to complete the section titled “Qualified Subchapter S Trust (QSST) Election Under Section 1361(d)(2).” Where the record owner is an individual, that individual will be treated as the shareholder under the Internal Revenue Code. Special rules apply in the case of minors, trusts, and similar entities. We have attached an election form and instructions for its execution as Appendix C to this proxy statement. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the person who would be considered by the Internal Revenue Service to be the holder of your shares. We will file the election forms with the Internal Revenue Service when we make the election to be taxed as an S corporation.

We have enclosed a blank conformed election form and instructions with this proxy statement. If you have not provided a properly executed election form to us before the merger is completed, which will not occur before :00 .m. on , 2005, we intend to make the determination that you are not a “qualified shareholder” under the merger agreement and to pay to you the cash consideration for your shares of common stock.

Execution of Shareholders’ Agreement. In addition to being eligible to be an S corporation at the time we make the Subchapter S election, we must maintain our eligibility as an S corporation thereafter to continue to receive Subchapter S tax treatment (i.e., under current tax statutes, we must continue to have, at all times, no more than 100 shareholders, all of whom must be individuals or qualifying trusts).

The Shareholders’ Agreement is an agreement between our company and the persons who remain shareholders following the merger that restricts the transfer of shares of common stock in certain situations that, in the opinion of our board of directors, could jeopardize our continuing eligibility as an S corporation. Because of the importance to our shareholders and to us of our continued eligibility as an S corporation, the merger agreement provides that for you to become a “qualified shareholder,” you and your spouse, if any, must enter into the Shareholders’ Agreement and deliver to us a fully executed signature page to the Shareholders’ Agreement. If you are a trust, in addition to the trustee executing the Shareholders’ Agreement on behalf of the record holder, each beneficial owner and his or her spouse, if any, will be required to deliver a fully executed signature page to the Shareholders’ Agreement to us. Finally, if your shares are held in usufruct, in addition to executing the Shareholders’ Agreement as the beneficial owner, the naked owner and his or her spouse, if any, will be required to deliver to us a fully executed signature page to the Shareholders’ Agreement. We have included a copy of the Shareholders’ Agreement as Appendix D to this proxy statement.

We have enclosed a duplicate signature page to the Shareholders’ Agreement with this proxy statement. If you have not provided a properly executed Shareholders’ Agreement signature page to us before the merger is completed, which will not occur before .m. on , 2005, we intend to make the determination that you are not a “qualified shareholder” and to pay to you the cash consideration for your shares of common stock.

The Shareholders’ Agreement provides that the shareholders of our company following the merger will not be permitted to transfer their shares of common stock (i) to a person who is not eligible to be a shareholder of an S corporation (see “The Proposed Merger — Structure of merger — Who may be an S corporation shareholder,” on page ); (ii) to certain other persons or entities, including certain trusts and, under certain circumstances, or minors; (iii) to a person who would not own a shareholder slot following the transfer; (iv) if the transfer would cause, or create a material risk of causing, us to become ineligible to be an S corporation; or (v) if the transfer does not otherwise comply with the terms and provisions of the Shareholders’ Agreement, including, among other things, that the transferee (and his or her spouse, if any) agrees in writing to accept the stock subject to all of the terms of the Shareholders’ Agreement. Our board of

If, in the opinion of the board, a proposed transfer of stock is not a permitted transfer, the Shareholders’ Agreement provides that the transferring shareholder will be notified and given the opportunity to (i) maintain ownership of the shares; (ii) locate another person to whom, in the opinion of the board, a transfer of stock would be permitted; (iii) grant the company, first, the remaining shareholders, on a pro rata basis, second, and an assignee or assignees of the company, third, the right to purchase the stock at the price agreed upon by the shareholder and the company or at the “fair value” of the shares. Under the terms of the Shareholders’ Agreement, fair value of a share of stock means the value of a share of stock as determined by a current appraisal of an independent, qualified financial consultant satisfactory to the board, in its sole determination, and using fair market value as the standard of valuation.

In conjunction with the Shareholders’ Agreement, shareholders would be issued slots, the number of which will be determined, in part, by the number of shares of common stock that each shareholder owns. The maximum number of slots available for issuance will be 100, which is equal to the maximum number of shareholders of an S corporation. Issuing slots will allow us to keep the number of shareholders below 100 while permitting certain transfers of common stock. Under the Shareholders’ Agreement, a shareholder may transfer shares of stock only if (i) the transferring shareholder has a slot that may be transferred to the proposed transferee, (ii) the proposed transferee owns a slot by virtue of the fact that he or she is already a shareholder, or (iii) the proposed transferee otherwise obtains a slot prior to the consummation of the proposed transfer. A shareholder who transfers shares of stock may not retain any shares unless he or she also retains a slot. Slotting will not affect a shareholder’s ability to transfer all of his or her shares to a third party because the shareholder can transfer the slot along with the shares. Slotting will not affect a shareholder’ ability to transfer some of his or her shares to another shareholder because, by definition, that transferee shareholder will already have a slot. Slotting will only affect a shareholder’s ability to transfer some of his or her shares to a third party who is not already a shareholder.

Because our common stock will be subject to restrictions on transfer as a result of the Shareholders’ Agreement, the Shareholders’ Agreement provides that a legend will be placed on each stock certificate, noting that the shares are subject to the provisions of the Shareholders’ Agreement. These actions are necessary to comply with applicable law and avoid inadvertent termination of S corporation status.

The foregoing is only a summary of the selected information from the Shareholders’ Agreement and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. We have attached a copy of the Shareholders’ Agreement as Appendix D to this proxy statement and urge you to read the Shareholders’ Agreement carefully.

We will consummate the merger as soon as possible after the special meeting. As soon as practicable after the merger is completed, we will mail to you a transmittal letter and instructions for use in surrendering your stock certificates. When you deliver your stock certificates to us along with the letter of transmittal and any other required documents, your stock certificates will be cancelled and you will be issued, as applicable, a check in the amount of $58.00 per share of common stock that you owned when the merger became effective or new stock certificates representing your shares of common stock with the additional legends required by the Shareholders’ Agreement. In our discretion, we may elect to affix the required legends to the surrendered stock certificates of qualified shareholders and return the surrendered certificates, rather than issue new stock certificates.

When the merger is completed, the shares of common stock owned by each shareholder who is not a “qualified shareholder” will automatically be converted into the right to receive the cash consideration, without any further action on his or her part. If you are not a “qualified shareholder,” you will not be entitled to any dividends or other distributions that are declared after the effective time of the merger, regardless of whether you have surrendered your stock certificates to the company. You will, however, be entitled to any

Shareholders will not receive any interest, and no interest will accrue, on the merger consideration between the date we complete the merger and the date the shareholder receives the merger consideration. No service charge will be payable by shareholders in connection with the cash payments or otherwise, and all expenses will be borne by the company.

We will not be liable to any former shareholder for any amount delivered in good faith to a public official under any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws. If your stock certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, we will issue the consideration due to you under the merger agreement upon receipt of appropriate evidence of the loss, theft or destruction, appropriate evidence of your ownership of the shares, and your indemnification of us. In our discretion, we may also require an indemnity bond.

Please do not surrender your stock certificates until you receive the letter of transmittal.

Our executive officers and directors who are also shareholders will participate in the merger in the same manner and to the same extent as all of the other shareholders. Executive officers and directors of the merger subsidiary who are also shareholders of the company will participate in the merger in the same manner and to the same extent as all of the other shareholders of the company. See “Special Factors — Determination of the terms of the merger” and “Special Factors — Financial fairness,” beginning on page . However, a majority of our directors and executive officers and those of the merger subsidiary own at least 219,000 shares and will, therefore, retain their shares as a result of the merger, unlike many other shareholders who will be required to relinquish their interest in the company as a result of the merger.

In addition, if the merger is completed, the respective ownership percentages of each of the directors and executive officers, as well as each of the other shareholders, who remains a shareholder following the merger, will increase. If the merger was completed as of the date of this proxy statement, and all shareholders owning at least 250 shares of our common stock became “qualified shareholders,” the collective ownership interest of our directors and executive officers would have increased from approximately 66% to approximately 88%. See “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Shareholders,” beginning on page .

If you were a shareholder of our company as of the record date, you may exercise dissenters’ rights in connection with the merger by complying with Articles 5.11, 5.12 and 5.13 of the Texas Business Corporation Act (“TBCA”). By exercising dissenters’ rights, you will be entitled to receive, if the merger is consummated, the “fair value” of the shares of Republic common stock that you owned as of day immediately prior to the date of the special meeting. This value may differ from the value of the consideration that you would otherwise receive in the merger. The following is a summary of the statutory procedures that you must follow in the event you elect to exercise your dissenters’ rights under the TBCA. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Articles 5.11, 5.12 and 5.13 of the TBCA, the text of which is set forth in full in Appendix E to this proxy statement.

How to exercise and perfect your right to dissent. In order to be eligible to exercise your right to dissent from the merger and to receive, upon compliance with the statutory requirements summarized below, the fair value of your shares of Republic common stock as of the day immediately preceding the special meeting, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the merger, you must:


	•	prior to the special meeting, provide Republic with a written objection to the merger that states that you intend to exercise your right to dissent if the merger is consummated and that provides an address to which a notice about the outcome of the vote on the merger may be sent;

	•	not vote your shares of Republic common stock in favor of the merger agreement;


	•	address any written objection with notice of intent to exercise the right of dissent, as follows: Republic Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 5340 Weslayan, Houston, Texas, 77277; and

	•	sign every communication.

In order to exercise properly dissenter’s rights, you must refrain from voting by proxy or in person in favor of the merger agreement. A shareholder who executes and returns an unmarked proxy card will have his or her shares voted “FOR” the merger agreement and, as a consequence thereof, such shareholder will be foreclosed from exercising rights as a dissenting shareholder.

Your demand for payment. If you comply with the items described above and the merger is completed, Republic, as the surviving corporation, will within 10 days of the completion of the merger deliver or mail to all holders of Republic common stock who satisfied the foregoing requirements a written notice that the merger has been completed. You must, within 10 days of the date the notice was sent to you by Republic, send a written demand to Republic for payment of the fair value of your shares of Republic common stock. Such written demand must state the number and class of the shares that you owned as of the record date and your estimate of the fair value of the shares. The fair value of your shares of Republic common stock will be the value of the shares on the day immediately preceding the special meeting, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the merger. If you should fail to make such a demand within the 10 day period, you will lose the right to dissent and will be bound by the terms of the merger agreement. In order to preserve your dissenters’ rights, you must also submit your stock certificates to Republic within 20 days of making a demand for payment with a notation on your stock certificates that such demand has been made. The failure to do so will, at Republic’ option, terminate your rights to dissent and appraisal unless a court of competent jurisdiction for good and sufficient cause shown directs otherwise. Any notice addressed to Republic must be addressed to:

Republic’s action upon receipt of your demand for payment. Within 20 days of receiving your written demand for payment and estimate of the fair value of your shares of Republic common stock, Republic must mail or deliver to you a written notice that either:


	•	accepts the amount declared in the written demand and agrees to pay that amount within 90 days after the effective time of the merger and upon surrender of the certificate representing your shares of Republic common stock; or

	•	states Republic’s estimate of the fair value of the shares and offers to pay the amount of that estimate within 90 days after the effective time of the merger and upon surrender of the certificate representing your shares of Republic common stock and upon receipt of notice within 60 days after the completion of the merger that you agree to accept Republic’s estimate.

Payment of the fair value of yours shares of Republic common stock upon agreement of an estimate. If you and Republic agree upon the fair value of your shares of Republic common stock within 60 days after completion of the merger, Republic will pay the amount of the agreed value to you upon receipt of your duly endorsed share certificates within 90 days of the completion of the merger. Upon payment of the agreed fair value, you will cease to have any interest in such shares.

Commencement of legal proceedings if a demand for payment remains unsettled. If you and Republic have not agreed upon the fair value of your shares of Republic common stock within the 60-day period immediately subsequent to the completion of the merger, then either you or Republic may, within 60 days of the expiration of the 60-day period after the effective time of the merger, file a petition in any court of competent jurisdiction in Harris County, Texas, asking for a finding and determination of the fair value of the shares. If filed by a shareholder, service of the petition must be made upon Republic as the surviving corporation and Republic must within 10 days after service file with the clerk of the court a list with the names

The appraisers may examine the books and records of Republic and are to afford the interested parties a reasonable opportunity to submit pertinent evidence. The appraisers are to make a determination of the fair value upon such examination as they deem proper. The appraisers are to file a report of the value in the office of the clerk of the court, notice of which is to be given to the parties in interest. The parties in interest may submit exceptions to the report, which are to be heard before the court upon the law and the facts. The court is to adjudge the fair value of the shares of the shareholders entitled to payment for their shares and is to direct the payment thereof by Republic as the surviving corporation, together with interest, which is to begin to accrue 91 days after the effective time of the merger. However, the judgment is to be payable only upon and simultaneously with surrender of the certificates representing your shares, duly endorsed. Upon Republic’s payment of the judgment, you will cease to have any interest in the shares. The court is to allow the appraisers a reasonable fee as court costs, and all court costs are to be allotted between the parties in the manner that the court determines to be fair and equitable, with the respective parties to bear their own attorneys’ fees. Any shareholder who has demanded payment for such holder’s shares may withdraw such demand at any time before payment or before any petition has been filed for valuation by the court. A demand may not be withdrawn after payment or, unless Republic consents, after such a petition has been filed in court. After a demand has been withdrawn, the shareholder and all persons claiming under the shareholder will be conclusively presumed to have approved the merger agreement and will be bound by its terms.

Federal income tax consequences. See “Special Factors — U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger,” beginning on page for a discussion on how the federal income tax consequences of your action will change if you elect to dissent from the merger. Shareholders who dissent from the merger and receive fair value will be treated as receiving cash in the merger.

The boards of directors of Republic and the merger subsidiary have unanimously approved the merger agreement and authorized the consummation of the merger, and Republic, as the sole shareholder of the merger subsidiary, has approved the merger. The completion of the merger depends upon a number of events, including:


	•	the approval of the merger agreement by our shareholders;

	•	the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, if any (see “The Proposed Merger — Regulatory approvals,” beginning on page );

	•	the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each of the parties as of the effective date of the merger; and

	•	the satisfaction of certain obligations by the parties as more fully set forth in Articles IV and V of the merger agreement.

The merger agreement may be amended at any time before the merger is consummated by mutual written agreement of the boards of directors of our company and the merger subsidiary, generally without the necessity of further action by our shareholders. However, shareholder approval is required for any modification or amendment that:


	•	changes the amount or kind of consideration that you will receive for your shares;

	•	changes any provision of our articles of incorporation; or


	•	changes any of the terms of the merger agreement if the change would adversely affect your rights as a shareholder.

No amendments or modifications to the merger agreement are presently contemplated. However, if there is any material amendment to the merger agreement before the shareholders’ meeting, we will notify you and provide you with information relating to the amendment prior to the meeting.

The merger agreement may be terminated by the mutual consent in writing of our company and the merger subsidiary at any time before the merger is completed. At this time, the parties have no intention of terminating the merger agreement.

We expect that the merger will become effective at the time set forth in the certificate of merger filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas. The certificate of merger is expected to be filed as soon as practicable following the deadline for delivering to us a properly executed certificate of eligibility, conformed Internal Revenue Service election form and Shareholders’ Agreement signature page, unless all of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the merger have not been satisfied or waived. We are working to complete the merger by March 31, 2005 to avoid any further reporting obligations. However, delays in obtaining shareholder approval could delay completion of the merger. We cannot assure you that all conditions to the merger contained in the merger agreement will be satisfied or waived. See “The Proposed Merger — Conditions to consummation of the merger,” beginning on page .

In addition to shareholder approvals, completion of the merger is subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, if any. As described above, we intend to fund the cash merger consideration and merger-related expenses from the proceeds of the sale of trust preferred securities. The issuance of the trust preferred securities should not require any regulatory approvals.

A bank holding company may not repurchase its own stock without the approval of the Federal Reserve Board if the consideration to be paid, together with the consideration paid for any other repurchases in the preceding twelve months, is equal to 10% or more of its net worth. This requirement, however, does not apply if the holding company is “well-capitalized” after giving effect to the proposed repurchase, “well-managed” and not subject to any unresolved supervisory issues. If the merger was completed as of the date of this proxy statement all shareholders owning at least 250 shares became “qualified shareholders,” the cash merger consideration would have constituted approximately 26.8% of our net worth. However, we do not expect the repurchase of our shares to require the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board because we are “well-managed” and not subject to any unresolved supervisory issues and would expect to be “well-capitalized” after giving effect to the proposed repurchase. See “Special Factors — Funding the merger,” beginning on page .

Finally, under bank regulatory guidelines, any person or group presumed acting in concert with respect to their shares of Republic common stock whose ownership interest exceed 25% of our outstanding shares because of the reduction in our outstanding stock as a result of the merger, would need to file a notice of change in control with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas for prior approval of the increase in percentage ownership as a result of the transaction and to receive approval of that filing. We do not anticipate any change in control filings will be required in connection with the merger.

We are not aware of any other regulatory approvals required for completion of the merger. Should any other regulatory approvals be required, we anticipate, but cannot guarantee, that any and all required regulatory approvals would ultimately be obtained. However, the receipt of any required regulatory approvals would reflect only the view of that regulatory body that the transaction does not contravene applicable law. The approval would not include any evaluation that the transaction is in your best interests. No regulatory approval should be interpreted as an opinion that the regulatory body has considered the adequacy of the terms of the merger or that the merger is favorable to you from a financial point of view. The receipt of any

We estimate that merger-related expenses, consisting primarily of financial advisory fees, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees, fees and expenses of our attorneys and accountants, and other related charges, will total approximately $125,000, assuming the merger is completed. This amount consists of the following estimated fees:

We anticipate that we will account for the purchase of our common stock in the merger as a treasury stock transaction.

Following the merger, we expect the operations and business of Republic and the Bank to continue substantially in the same manner as they are currently being conducted. The executive officers and directors of our company and the Bank immediately prior to the merger will be the executive officers and directors of our company and the Bank after the merger. The corporate existence of neither the company nor the Bank will be affected by the merger, and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the company and the Bank will remain in effect and unchanged by the merger. After the merger is completed, the company and the Bank will continue to be regulated by the same bank regulatory agencies as before the merger, and the Bank’s deposits will continue to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The shares of our common stock converted into cash as a result of the merger will, after the merger, be included in our authorized but unissued shares, and would be available for future issuance in the discretion of our board of directors.

As a result of the payment of the cash merger consideration and merger-related expenses incurred after September 30, 2004, we expect that our equity capital will decline by approximately $5.1 million, assuming that we acquire in the merger only those shares of common stock held by shareholders owning fewer than 250 shares as of common stock. Furthermore, as a result of its issuance of trust preferred securities, Republic may have to rely upon the profitability of the Bank and dividends from the Bank to service the trust preferred securities, which are senior to the common stock shareholders. As is the case with all financial institutions, the profitability of the Bank is subject to the fluctuating cost and availability of money, changes in interest rates and in economic conditions in general. To the extent earnings are necessary to service debt payments on the trust preferred securities, earnings available to pay dividends will decrease. See “Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information,” beginning on page .

We expect to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act following the merger. By terminating our registration, we would not, among other things, be required to prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission annual reports on Form 10-KSB, quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB, proxy statements on Schedule 14A or periodic reports on Form 8-K. For more information on the effects of terminating our registration, please see the section titled “The Proposed Merger — Purposes of and reasons for the merger proposal,” beginning on page . Management expects

In addition to the cost savings expected as a result of the termination of the registration of our common stock, we expect immediate cost savings as a result of the elimination of our federal and the Bank’s federal and state income tax liability. Although we will be required to recapture over the next four years the balance of our tax basis bad debt reserve as a result of use of the specific charge-off method of accounting for bad debts, we expect the Subchapter S tax election to result in a net tax benefit and, accordingly, have a positive impact on our net income.

Other than as described in the proxy statement, we have no current plans or proposals to effect any extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, to sell or transfer any material amount of our assets, to change our board of directors or management, to change materially our indebtedness or capitalization, or otherwise to effect any material change in our corporate structure or business.

If a quorum is present at the meeting, the merger proposal must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock on the record date.

Your board of directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the merger proposal. If you return a signed proxy sheet without indicating your vote with respect to the merger proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” the merger proposal.

We are providing this proxy statement to our shareholders of records as of , 2005, along with proxy card that the board of directors is soliciting for use at the special meeting of shareholders of Republic to be held on , 2005, at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice and at any recess or adjournments thereof. At the special meeting, shareholders will vote on the following matters (i) to ratify certain acts of our board of directors and management taken since March 23, 2001; (ii) to approve two amendments to our Articles of Incorporation; and (iii) to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of , 2005, providing for the merger of the merger subsidiary with and into Republic. A copy of the merger agreement is attached as Appendix A.

You are entitled to vote your common stock if our records show that you held your shares as of the record date, which is , 2005. On the record date, we had 333,725 shares of common stock outstanding, held by approximately 1,810 holders of record. Each share of Republic common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted at the special meeting.

All of our shareholders are invited to attend the special meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of Republic common stock held by a broker, bank or other nominee (i.e., in “street name”), you will need proof of ownership to be admitted to the special meeting. A recent brokerage statement or letter from a bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership. If you want to vote your shares of Republic common stock held in street name in person at the special meeting, you will have to get a written proxy in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee who holds your shares.

Our Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003 on Form 10-KSB and quarterly report for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 are attached to this proxy statement as Appendix H and I, respectively and incorporated by reference in this proxy statement. See “Where You Can Find More Information and “Documents Incorporated by Reference.”

Approval of all three proposals, including the merger agreement and each of the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation separately, requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shares of the Republic common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date. If you do not vote your shares, it will have the same effect as a vote “against” each and all of the proposals. Accordingly, the board of directors urges you to complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed pre-addressed prepaid envelope.

The proposal to adopt the merger agreement is a “non-discretionary” item, meaning that brokerage firms cannot vote shares in their discretion on behalf of a client if the client has not given voting instructions. Accordingly, shares held in street name that have been designated by brokers on proxy cards as not voted with respect to that proposal (“broker non-vote shares”) will not be counted as votes cast on the proposal. Your broker may allow you to deliver your voting instructions via the telephone or the internet. Please see the voting instruction form from your broker. If your shares are not registered in your name, you will need additional documentation from your record holder to vote the shares in person. Shares with respect to which proxies have been marked as abstentions also will not be counted as votes cast on that proposal.

Action on the other proposals, if any, that are properly presented at the special meeting for consideration of the shareholders will be approved if a quorum is present and the votes cast favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action. A quorum will be present if a majority of the outstanding shares of Republic common stock entitled to vote is represented at the special meeting in person or by proxy. Shares with respect to which proxies have been marked as abstentions and broker non-vote shares will be treated as shares present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. The board of directors is not aware of any other business to be presented at the special meeting other than matters incidental to the conduct of the special meeting.

As of the record date, the directors and executive officers of The Republic Corporation beneficially owned a total of approximately 218,997 of the outstanding shares of Republic common stock or approximately 66% of the shares entitled to vote at the special meeting.

The original solicitation will be made by mail. The total expense of such solicitation will be borne by Republic Corporation and will include reimbursement paid to brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding solicitation material regarding the special meeting to beneficial owners. Further solicitation of proxies may be made personally, electronically or by telephone following the original solicitation. All further solicitation will be by regular employees of Republic Corporation, who will not be additionally compensated therefore.

Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before it is voted at the special meeting. Proxies may be revoked by delivering to The Republic Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 5340 Weslayan, Houston, Texas 77277, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy, by duly executing and delivering to the Corporate Secretary a subsequently dated proxy relating to the same shares or by attending the special meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the special meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy).

All shares entitled to vote represented by a properly executed and un-revoked proxy received in time for the special meeting will be voted at the special meeting in accordance with the instructions given, but in the absence of instructions to the contrary, such shares will be voted “FOR” approval of the merger agreement. Proxies that are voted “AGAINST” approval of the merger agreement will not be voted in favor of any motion to adjourn the meeting to solicit more votes in favor of the merger. Persons empowered as proxies will also be

Directors, officers and other employees of Republic or its subsidiaries may solicit proxies personally, by telephone or facsimile or otherwise. None of these people will receive any special compensation for solicitation activities. Republic will arrange with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock held of record by such brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, and Republic will reimburse these record holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

Our management has undertaken the process of reinstating our corporate charter. Our board of directors has approved the amendments to our Articles of Incorporation and the merger agreement, and believes that the amendments and the proposed transaction are fair to and in the best interests of Republic and its shareholders. The board of directors therefore unanimously recommends that the Republic shareholders vote “FOR” (i) ratification of the actions of our board of directors and management taken since March 23, 2001, (ii) approval of each of the amendments to Republic’s Articles of Incorporation; and (iii) approval of the merger agreement.

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of common stock, as of September 30, 2004, by:


	•	each of our principal shareholders;

	•	each of our executive officers;

	•	each of our directors; and

	•	all of our directors and executive officers, as a group.

Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, beneficial ownership includes voting or investment power that is sole or shared. The percentage pre-merger beneficial ownership for the following tables is based upon 333,725 shares of common stock outstanding as of the date of this proxy statement. The percentage post-merger beneficial ownership for the following tables is based upon 247,335 shares of common stock outstanding and assumes the acquisition of all shares of our common stock held by shareholders owning fewer than 250 shares as of the date of the proxy statement.

To our knowledge, unless indicated in the footnotes to the tables and pursuant to applicable community property laws, each person named in the tables has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares

The Bank has had, and expects to have in the future, banking transactions in the ordinary course of business with directors, officers and principal shareholders of Republic and the Bank and their associates, affiliates or members of their immediate families. In all cases, these transactions are and will be made on the same basis and terms as similar transactions made with persons or entities that are not officers, directors or principal shareholders of Republic or the Bank and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or involve a delinquency as to payment of principal or interest or present other unfavorable features. As of the date of this document, none of these loans were categorized as nonaccrual, past due, restructured or potential problem loans. Republic and the Bank expect to continue to enter into transactions in the ordinary course of business on similar terms with officers, directors and principal shareholders of Republic and the Bank, their immediate families and their affiliates.

The Bank has had no other transactions with management or related parties that would require disclosure under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Except as described below, no business relationship that would require similar disclosure exists. As of September 30, 2004, one director, John C. Davis, was indebted to the Bank in the amount of $231,196. These loans were granted to Dr. Davis on the same terms and conditions as are available to other parties not involved as insiders of the Bank or Republic, and are being paid by Dr. Davis as agreed.

Our directors are elected by our shareholders at our annual meeting and hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified. Our executive officers are appointed by our board of directors and hold office at the board’s discretion.

The directors of the Bank are appointed annually by the board of directors of Republic, as sole shareholder of the Bank, and hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified. The executive officers of the Bank are appointed by the board of directors of the Bank and hold office at the board’s discretion.

Republic’s Board of Directors consists of Catherine G. Eisemann, J.E. Eisemann, IV, Roger Dean Eisemann, George M. Boyd, and Dr. John C. Davis. Catherine G. Eisemann is the mother of J.E. and Roger Dean Eisemann and the mother-in-law of George M. Boyd.

Catherine G. Eisemann has been a director of the company for 40 years. Mrs. Eisemann was elected President of company in 1981.

J.E. Eisemann, IV has served as a director of the company for 27 years. Mr. Eisemann has been the Vice-President and Director of the Bank for approximately 26 years. Mr. Eisemann has served as the Chairman of the Board of company and Chairman of the Board for the Bank for approximately 22 years.

Roger Dean Eisemann was elected Secretary and began serving as director of the company in 1982.

George M. Boyd, Jr. was appointed to company’s board on March 18, 2004. Mr. Boyd is the Executive Vice President of The Bank of Texas in Austin, Texas and has served in that position for the past five years.

Dr. John C. Davis was appointed to the company’s board on February 27, 2004. Dr. Davis is the owner/operator of the Rio Cucharas Veterinary Clinic in Walsenburg, Colorado and has owned and operated this business for the past 23 years. Dr. Davis has served as a director on the board of the Bank for approximately 10 years.

The board of directors of the merger subsidiary will consist of Catherine G. Eisemann, J.E. Eisemann, IV, Roger Dean Eisemann, George M. Boyd, and Dr. John C. Davis. Catherine G. Eisemann and J.E. Eisemann, IV will be the executive officers of the merger subsidiary. For additional information concerning the sole director and executive officer of the merger subsidiary, see “Executive officers” above. The business address and telephone number of each director and executive officer listed above is c/o Republic Merger Corp., 5340 Weslayan, P.O. Box 270462, Houston, Texas 77277.

We are not aware of any other matters to be acted upon at the special meeting, other than those described in this proxy statement and procedural matters related to the conduct of the special meeting. If, however, any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the persons named as proxy holders, acting under the proxy, will have discretion to vote on those matters, in accordance with their best judgment. However, your proxy would not confer authority to the persons named in the proxies to vote to postpone or adjourn the special meeting.

We will pay the expenses associated with the special meeting and with preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this proxy statement and the materials used for the solicitation of proxies to be voted at the special meeting. In addition to soliciting proxies through the mails, directors, officers and other employees of our company or the Bank may solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by facsimile. None of these persons will receive additional compensation for their efforts during this solicitation, but may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation. After the original mailing of the proxies and other solicitation materials, we request that brokers, custodians, nominees and other record holders of common stock forward copies of this proxy statement, proxy and solicitation materials to beneficial owners for whom they hold shares.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because the merger is a “going private” transaction, the company and the merger subsidiary have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 with respect to the merger and a Schedule 14A with respect to the proxy solicitation. This proxy statement is a part of the Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement and constitutes a proxy statement of the company for the special meeting. As permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, this proxy statement does not contain all of the information that shareholders can find in the Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement.

You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that we file, including the Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement, at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our public filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the Internet World Wide Web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.

The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this proxy statement. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this proxy statement, except for any information that is superseded by information that is contained directly in this document or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.

This proxy statement incorporates by reference our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2003, and our quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, copies of which are included as Appendix G and Appendix H, respectively, to this proxy statement. Those reports contain important information about our company and its financial condition. We also incorporate by reference any additional documents that we may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act between the date of this document and the

We will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this proxy statement has been delivered, upon request, a copy of all documents incorporated by reference, excluding exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this proxy statement. Requests for copies of documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement should be directed to:


	Roger Dean Eisemann
	The Republic Corporation
	Post Office Box 270462
	Houston, Texas 77277
	Telephone: (713) 993-9200

If you would like to request documents, please do so by , 2005 to receive them before the special meeting. If you request any incorporated documents from us, we will mail them to you promptly by first-class mail or other similar means.

These documents are also included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which you can access electronically at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information that is different from the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement. If anyone does give you different or additional information, you should not rely on it.

This proxy statement is dated , 200 . You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other than that date, and the mailing of this proxy statement to our shareholders will not create any implication to the contrary.

APPENDIX A

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 2nd day of December, 2004, by and between THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (“Company”), and REPUBLIC MERGER CORP., a Texas corporation (“Interim Company”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company is a Texas corporation, having authorized capital stock consisting of 750,000 shares of common stock, par value of $1.00 per share (“Company Stock”), of which 333,725 shares are currently outstanding;

WHEREAS, the Interim Company is a Texas corporation, formed for the sole purpose of facilitating the merger transaction described herein and having authorized capital stock consisting of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Interim Company Stock”), all of which is currently issued and outstanding; and

WHEREAS, the boards of directors of the Interim Company and Company deem it advisable and to the benefit of the Interim Company and Company and their respective shareholders that the Interim Company and the Company participate in a merger (“Merger”) in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Business Corporation Act (“TBCA”), pursuant to which the Interim Company shall merge with and into the Company and the separate corporate existence of the Interim Company shall cease.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises, covenants, and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS

1.01. The Merger.

(a) Merger of the Interim Company and Company. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as such term is defined in Section 1.04 hereof), the Interim Company shall be merged with and into the Company pursuant to the provisions of Article V et seq. of the TBCA.

(b) Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in section 5.06 of the TBCA. Following the Merger, the Company shall continue in existence under the same legal name as it existed immediately prior to the Merger, and the separate corporate existence of the Interim Company shall cease. The offices and facilities of the Company immediately prior to the Merger shall be the offices and facilities of the Company following the Merger. At the Effective Time, all rights, title and interests to all assets of every kind and character owned by the Interim Company shall be allocated to and vested in the Company without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed and without any transfer or assignment, but subject to any existing liens or encumbrances thereon. At the Effective Time, all liabilities and obligations of the Interim Company shall be allocated to and vested in the Company.

(c) Conversion of Company Stock. At the Effective Time by virtue of this Agreement and without any further action on the part of any holder:

(1) Each share of Company Stock owned of record as of the Effective Time (as defined herein) by a Qualified Shareholder (as such term is defined in Section 1.02 hereof) who is not a

Dissenting Shareholder (as such term in defined in Section 1.01(e) hereof) shall remain outstanding and continue at the Effective Time to represent one share of Company Stock; and

(2) Each share of Company Stock owned of record as of the Effective Time by a shareholder of the Company who is not a Qualified Shareholder and not a Dissenting Shareholder shall be canceled and converted into the right to receive $58.00 in cash payable in the form of a Company check.

(d) Conversion of Interim Company Stock. At the Effective Time by virtue of this Agreement and without any further action on the part of any holder, each share of Interim Company Stock shall be canceled.

(e) Dissenting Shareholders. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a shareholder of the Company (“Shareholder”) may dissent from the Merger and exercise his or her appraisal rights pursuant to and subject to the provisions of Article 5.11 through 5.13 of the TBCA.

(f) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be unaffected by the Merger and shall remain in effect thereafter, unless and until amended or repealed as provided by applicable law.

(g) Directors and Officers. The directors and officers of the Company immediately prior to the Merger shall continue as the directors and officers of the Company following the Merger, and each of such persons shall continue to hold office in the manner provided in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, as in effect at that time, or as otherwise provided by law.

(h) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement shall be submitted to a vote of (i) the Shareholders at a meeting duly called by the board of directors of the Company as soon as is practicable following the execution hereof and (ii) the sole shareholder of the Interim Company. Upon approval by the requisite vote of the Shareholders and the approval of the sole shareholder of the Interim Company, this Agreement shall be made effective in the manner provided in Section 1.04 hereof.

1.02. Qualified Shareholder. Except as provided below, a Qualified Shareholder is a Shareholder who: (i) either individually, or with his or her spouse, owns of record at least 250 shares of Company Stock, (ii) is eligible to be a shareholder of a corporation taxed pursuant to Subchapter S (“S Corporation”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”) and executes and delivers to the Company that certain certificate of eligibility (“Certificate of Eligibility”), in the form provided by the Company, (iii) consents (along with his or her spouse) to the election by the Company to be taxed as an S Corporation (“Subchapter S Election”) by executing and delivering to the Company a Conformed Internal Revenue Service Subchapter S Corporation Election Form 2553 (“Election Form”), in the form provided by the Company, (iv) enters into (along with his or her spouse) and delivers to the Company that certain shareholders’ agreement (“Shareholders’ Agreement”), in the form provided by the Company, and (v) delivers any additional documentation, consents or certification that the Company may reasonably request to ensure the Company’s eligibility to qualify for federal income tax treatment under Subchapter S of the Code.

For purposes of this Agreement and the determination of who is a Qualified Shareholder, the following limitations shall apply: If the record holder is a minor, he or she shall be deemed not to be a Qualified Shareholder. A trust described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(ii) or (iii) of the Code shall be deemed not to be a Qualified Shareholder unless the trust is eligible to be a shareholder of an S Corporation under a provision of the Code other than section 1361(c)(2)(A)(ii), (iii) or (iv) of the Code. A trust described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(iv) of the Code shall be deemed not to be a Qualified Shareholder. A Shareholder that is a trust described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(v) of the Code having more than two “potential current

beneficiaries,” as defined in section 1361(e)(2) of the Code, shall be deemed not to be a Qualified Shareholder. A Shareholder will be deemed not to be a Qualified Shareholder as to any shares of Company Stock that the Shareholder owns of record jointly with any person other than the Shareholder’s spouse. Shares of Company Stock held by a trust will be deemed not to be owned by a Qualified Shareholder unless (i) the trust, (ii) each person who is a deemed owner of the trust under the Code (and his or her spouse) and (iii) each beneficial owner of the trust (and his or her spouse) execute a signature page to the Shareholders’ Agreement. All shares held in “street name” shall be deemed to be held by a Shareholder who is not a Qualified Shareholder.

In the event that a Shareholder would satisfy the requirements to be a Qualified Shareholder, except for the fact that the Shareholder does not own of record at least 250 shares of Company Stock, for purposes of satisfying this Agreement, the Shareholder shall also be deemed to own all other shares that the Shareholder owns beneficially in a trust that satisfies the requirements to be a Qualified Shareholder (except for the ownership minimum).

The Company shall have the sole authority to determine whether a Shareholder is a Qualified Shareholder, and that determination, after consultation with counsel, shall be final and binding.

1.03. Exchange Procedures.

(a) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Company (acting as exchange agent) or such other exchange agent as may be appointed by the Company, shall mail to each holder of record of one or more certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time evidenced outstanding shares of Company Stock (“Certificate(s)”), a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the certificates to the Company and which may contain such other terms as determined by the Company), and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the cash consideration set forth in Section 1.01(c) hereof or for certificates with the additional legends as provided therefor by the Shareholders’ Agreement, as applicable.

(b) Upon surrender to the exchange agent of a Certificate for cancellation, together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and such other documents as may be required by the letter of transmittal, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the cash consideration set forth in Section 1.01(c) hereof or certificates with the additional legends as provided therefor by the Shareholders’ Agreement, as applicable.

(c) The Company may withhold any amount otherwise due to a Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement or any future distribution with respect to Company Stock held by a Shareholder if such Shareholders fails to follow the exchange procedures set forth in this Agreement. No interest in respect of the cash consideration set forth in Section 1.01(c) or any other distribution will be paid or will accrue to holders of Certificates pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or otherwise.

(d) In the event that any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Company, the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as the Company or the exchange agent, as applicable, may determine is necessary as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such certificate, the Company or the exchange agent, as applicable, shall deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate the cash consideration set forth in Section 1.01(c) hereof or new Company certificates with the additional legends as provided therefor by the Shareholders’ Agreement, as applicable.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Company, Interim Company or any exchange agent shall be liable to any former Shareholder or holder of a Certificate for any amount delivered in good faith to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

1.04. Effective Time. The Merger will become effective in the manner set forth in the TBCA (“Effective Time”).

1.05. Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall take place at such time and place as the parties may mutually agree.

ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

The Company, as of the Effective Time, hereby represents and warrants to Interim Company as follows:

2.01. Corporate Organization, Authorization, etc. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas and has full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and to own or lease the properties and assets it now owns or holds under lease. The Company has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to the requisite approval of its Shareholders, to consummate the transactions contemplated herein. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, subject to such approval, is a valid and binding agreement of the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to laws relating to creditors’ rights generally.

2.02. Authorized and Outstanding Stock. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 750,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of the date hereof, 333,725 shares of Company Stock were fully paid and outstanding. There are no unsatisfied preemptive rights with respect to the Company Stock.

ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INTERIM COMPANY

The Interim Company, as of the Effective Time, hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:

3.01. Corporate Organization, Authorization, etc. The Interim Company is a Texas corporation and has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to the approval of its sole shareholder, to consummate the transactions contemplated herein. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Interim Company and, subject to such approval, is a valid and binding agreement of the Interim Company in accordance with its terms, subject to laws relating to creditors’ rights generally.

3.02. Authorized and Outstanding Stock. The authorized capital stock of the Interim Company consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of the date hereof, all of the shares of Interim Company Stock is fully paid, validly issued and outstanding. There are no unsatisfied preemptive rights in respect of the Interim Company Stock.

ARTICLE IV
OBLIGATIONS PRIOR AND SUBSEQUENT TO EFFECTIVE TIME

4.01. Filing Requirements. The Interim Company and the Company will promptly comply with all filing requirements that federal, state or local law may impose on the Interim Company or the Company with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.02. Shareholder Approval. Promptly following the execution of this Agreement, the Company and Interim Company shall commence to take such actions as may be necessary to obtain requisite approval of this Agreement by the Shareholders of the Company and the sole shareholder of Interim Company, including, without limitation, the calling of a Shareholders’ meeting and the preparation of proxy or similar materials for a meeting of Shareholders to be held as soon as practicable.

4.03. Further Assurances. Each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such instruments and take such other actions as the other party may reasonably require in order to carry out the intent of this Agreement. Each party shall use its best efforts to perform and fulfill all conditions and obligations on its part to be performed or fulfilled under this Agreement and to effect the Merger in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

5.01. Conditions to the Company’s Obligations. The obligations of the Company to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived by the Company:

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Interim Company set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material as of the Effective Time.

(b) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been approved by the Shareholders in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Performance of Obligations of the Interim Company. The Interim Company shall have performed all obligations and covenants required to be performed by it under this Agreement prior to the Effective Time.

(d) Approvals and Consents. All approvals of applications to public authorities, federal, state or local, and all approvals of private persons, the granting of which is necessary for the consummation of the Merger, for the prevention of the termination of any material right, privilege, license or agreement of, or any material loss or disadvantage to, or the withholding of which might have a material adverse effect on, the business, results of operations, prospects or financial condition of the Interim Company upon the consummation of the Merger, shall have been obtained.

5.02. Conditions to the Interim Company’s Obligations. The obligations of the Interim Company to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived by the Interim Company:

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Effective Time.

(b) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been approved by the sole shareholder of the Interim Company in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Performance of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall have performed all obligations and covenants required to be performed by it under this Agreement prior to the Effective Time.

(d) Approvals and Consents. All approvals of applications to public authorities, federal, state or local, and all approvals of private persons, the granting of which is necessary for the consummation of the Merger, for the prevention of the termination of any material right, privilege, license or agreement of, or any material loss or disadvantage to, or the withholding of which might have a material adverse effect on, the business, results of operations, prospects or financial condition of the Company upon the consummation of the Merger, shall have been obtained, and all statutory waiting periods with respect thereto shall have expired.

ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

6.01. Right of Termination. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time by the mutual consent in writing of the boards of directors of the Company and the Interim Company, whether before or after action thereon by the Shareholders.

6.02. Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this ARTICLE VI, the same shall be of no further force or effect and there shall be no liability by reason of this Agreement or the termination thereof on the part of the Interim Company, the Company or any of the directors, officers, employees, or agents, or shareholders of any of them, except as to any liability for breach of any duty, representation, warranty or obligation under this Agreement arising prior to the date of termination.

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

7.01. Amendment and Modification. To the fullest extent provided by applicable law, this Agreement may be amended, modified and supplemented by written agreement duly authorized by the boards of directors of the Interim Company and the Company at any time prior to the Effective Time; provided that Shareholder approval shall be required for any modification or amendment that alters or changes the amount or kind of consideration to be received in exchange for or on conversion of all or part of the shares of Company Stock.

7.02. Waiver of Compliance. Any failure of the Interim Company or the Company to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be expressly waived (to the extent permitted under applicable law) in writing by the President of the Interim Company or the Company, as the case may be; provided, however, such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.

7.03. Notices. All notices or communications required or permitted to be made hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice or communication and shall be by hand, by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission, receipt confirmed, as follows (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

(a) if given to the Interim Company, at the Interim Company’s mailing address set forth below:

Republic Merger Corp.
5340 Weslayan
P.O. Box 270462
Houston, Texas 77277
Attention: President
Facsimile Number: (719) 846-9888

(b) if given to the Company, at the Company’s mailing address set forth below:

The Republic Corporation
5340 Weslayan
P.O. Box 270462
Houston, Texas 77277
Attention: President
Facsimile Number: (719) 846-9888

(c) if given to a shareholder of the Interim Company or the Company, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Interim Company or the Company, respectively.

Where this Agreement provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by holders shall be filed with the secretary of the Interim Company or the Company, as applicable, but such notice shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

All notices or communications shall be deemed delivered upon actual receipt thereof by the appropriate person if delivered by hand, upon the date of the receipt confirming the delivery if transmitted by facsimile, upon the next business day following deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier service, or upon the third succeeding business day following deposit in the United States mail.

7.04. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. The parties further agree to replace such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.

7.05. Attorneys’ Fees. If any legal action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement, or as a result of any other dispute, in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled.

7.06. Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by the respective parties

hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties; provided, no such consent shall be required for assignment by the Interim Company or the Company to a corporate affiliate. No such assignment shall relieve the Interim Company or the Company of its obligations hereunder.

7.07. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EACH OF THE PARTIES SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES. IN THE EVENT OF A DISPUTE INVOLVING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AGREE THAT VENUE FOR SUCH DISPUTE SHALL LIE IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.

7.08. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

7.09. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement or any provision thereof.

7.10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the other documents referred to herein which form a part hereof, contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings among the parties with respect to such subject matter.

APPENDIX B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY


To:		The Republic Corporation
		5340 Weslayan
		P.O. Box 270462
		Houston, Texas 77277

Attention:		J.E. Eisemann, IV

Gentlemen:

In accordance with the terms of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 2, 2004 (“Agreement”), by and between The Republic Corporation (“Republic”) and Merger Subsidiary Corp. (“Merger Subsidiary”), which provides for the merger of Merger Subsidiary with and into Republic (the “Merger”), I understand that in order to remain a shareholder of Republic after consummation of the Merger, I must be eligible to be a stockholder (an “Eligible Shareholder”) of a corporation which elects to be taxed as an “S corporation” pursuant to subchapter S (“Subchapter S”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

Accordingly, I hereby represent, warrant and certify to Republic as follows:

[CHECK EITHER 1 OR 2 BELOW]:

1. I am eligible to be a shareholder of a corporation organized under Subchapter S of the Code, as I am [CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING]:

(a) An individual, other than a non-resident alien of the United States;

(b) An estate;

(c) A trust, all of which is treated as owned by an individual grantor (who is a United States citizen or United States resident), as described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(i) of the Code. For purposes of such section, a husband and wife owning a trust together are treated as an individual owner;

(d) A trust which would have been described by item (c) above immediately before the death of the deemed owner and which continues in existence after such death, but only for the two year period beginning on the day of the deemed owner’s death, as described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Code;

(e) A trust with respect to stock transferred to it pursuant to the terms of a will for up to two years following the transfer, as described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(iii) of the Code;

(f) An electing small business trust, the interests in which have been acquired by reason of gift, bequest or similar transfer, as described in section 1361(c)(2)(A)(v) of the Code. I understand that an electing small business trust is defined by section 1361(e) of the Code as a trust that (i) does not have as a beneficiary any person other than an individual, an estate, or an organization described in paragraph

(2), (3), (4), or (5) of section 170(c) of the Code (which includes, generally, a tax exempt corporation, trust, or community chest, fund, or foundation created or organized under the law of the United States, any State, the District of Columbia, or any possession of the United States; organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals (paragraph (2) of section 170(c)); a post or organization of war veterans, or an auxiliary unit or society of, or trust or foundation for, any such post or organization, organized in the United States or any of its possessions (paragraph (3) of section 170(c)), a domestic fraternal society, order, or association, operating under the lodge system, but only if such contribution or gift is to be used exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals (paragraph (4) of section 170(c)); and a cemetery corporation owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of its members, or any corporation chartered solely for burial purposes as a cemetery corporation and not permitted by its charter to engage in any business not necessarily incident to that purpose, if such corporation is not operated for profit (paragraph (5) of section 170(c)), (ii) no interest in such trust was acquired by purchase, and (iii) a timely election is made by the trust to be treated as an electing small business trust. I understand that an electing small business trust does not include, however, any qualified subchapter S trust if an election has been made by such trust to be treated as a qualified subchapter S trust, any tax-exempt trust or any charitable remainder annuity trust or charitable remainder unitrust (as defined in section 664(d) of the Code);

I understand that paragraphs (c) through (f) do not apply to foreign trusts;

(g) A qualified Subchapter S trust, which is defined under section 1361(d) of the Code as a trust, the terms of which require that (i) (a) there is only one income beneficiary of the trust, during the lifetime of the current income beneficiary, (b) any corpus distributed during the life of the current income beneficiary may be distributed only to such beneficiary, (c) the income interest of the current income beneficiary in the trust shall terminate on the earlier of such beneficiary’s death or the termination of the trust, and (d) upon the termination of the trust during the life of the current income beneficiary, the trust shall distribute all of its assets to such beneficiary, and (ii) all of the income of the trust is distributed (or required to be distributed) currently to one individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

(h) An entity described in section 1361(c)(6) of the Code, referred to in section 401(a) of the Code, and generally described as a tax exempt qualified trust created or organized in the United States and forming part of a stock bonus, pension, or profit-sharing plan of an employer for the exclusive benefit of its employees or their beneficiaries, and in compliance with section 401(a) of the Code; or

(i) An entity described in section 1361(c)(6) of the Code, referred to in section 501(c)(3) of the Code, and generally described as a tax exempt corporation, community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, as provided in section 501(c)(3) of the Code.

I make the foregoing representation after consultation with my tax advisors. [NOTE, IF YOU HAVE CHECKED ANY OF ITEMS (c), (d), (e), (f) OR (g), YOU MUST ENCLOSE A COPY OF THE

TRUST (AND EXECUTED FORMS FOR ANY ELECTION TO BE MADE BY THE TRUST TO HOLD SUBCHAPTER S STOCK) AND AN OPINION OF COUNSEL WITH DEMONSTRABLE COMPETENCE IN ESTATE, TRUST AND TAX LAWS THAT THE TRUST IS AN ELIGIBLE S CORPORATION SHAREHOLDER. IF YOU HAVE CHECKED EITHER ITEM (h) OR (i), YOU MUST ENCLOSE THE MOST RECENT DETERMINATION LETTER FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX EXEMPT STATUS OF THE ENTITY ALONG WITH AN OPINION OF COUNSEL WITH DEMONSTRABLE COMPETENCE IN TAX LAW THAT THE ENTITY IS AN ELIGIBLE S CORPORATION SHAREHOLDER.]

2. I have not determined whether I am eligible to be a shareholder of a corporation organized under Subchapter S of the Code. I have enclosed herewith copies of all trust or other organizational documentation (including executed forms for any election to be made by any trust, either as an electing small business trust or a qualified Subchapter S trust, or determination letters with respect to any tax exempt entity) for Republic’s counsel to review in order to make a determination regarding whether I am an Eligible Shareholder.

I understand that due to the importance to Republic and its shareholders of Republic’s continuing eligibility as an S corporation, Republic reserves the right to require such other documentation, certifications and legal opinions as Republic and its counsel may deem appropriate to verify Subchapter S eligibility. I further understand that if I have not provided evidence satisfactory to Republic, in its sole discretion, before the close of business on , 200 , that I am an Eligible Shareholder, then Republic intends to make the determination that I am not an Eligible Shareholder and my shares of Republic common stock will be cancelled and converted into solely the right to receive the merger consideration as provided in the Agreement.

I understand that the representations made herein will be relied upon by Republic in determining whether I am an Eligible Shareholder. I understand the meaning and legal consequences of the representations made herein, and I agree to indemnify and hold harmless Republic from and against any and all loss, damage or liability due to or arising out of any misrepresentation made by me herein.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certificate of Eligibility as of the day of 200 .


IF A TRUST OR OTHER ENTITY:				IF AN INDIVIDUAL (and spouse if jointly held):


(Name of Entity)				(Signature)

By:

(Signature and Title)				(Print Name)

APPENDIX C

FORM OF CONFORMED IRS ELECTION FORM

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHAREHOLDERS CONSENT

TO SUBCHAPTER S ELECTION BY

THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE EXECUTING AND
COMPLETING THE ATTACHED ELECTION FORM

Background

For a corporation to become an S corporation, each shareholder is required to consent to the corporation’s Subchapter S election by signing Item K on Form 2553 and providing the information in Items J, L, M and N of Form 2553, or by signing a separate statement attached to Form 2553. The Republic Corporation (“Company”) has elected to use this separate statement which has been conformed to the appropriate items of Form 2553 (“Election Form”). In order for you to validly complete this Election Form, the following information will be required: (i) your name (and the name of your spouse, if any); (ii) your address; (iii) your taxpayer identification number (as well as the taxpayer identification number of your spouse, if any); (iv) the number of shares of Company stock that you will own following the merger, which is equal to the number of shares of stock of the Company you currently own; (v) the date(s) on which you acquired your shares; and (vi) the date on which your taxable year ends (most shareholders use the calendar year, i.e., 12/31). You and your spouse, if you are married, must sign this Election Form under penalties of perjury.

Rules for Who Must Consent

The following rules apply in determining the persons required to consent to the Company’s Subchapter S election:

(1) Spouses. If you are married, you and your spouse must consent to the election.

(2) Minor. The consent of a minor should be made by the legal representative of the minor (or by a natural or adoptive parent of the minor if no legal representative has been appointed).

(3) Estates. The consent of an estate must be made by an executor or an administrator thereof, or by any other fiduciary appointed by testamentary instrument or appointed by the court having jurisdiction over the administration of the estate.

(4) Trusts. In the case of a grantor trust, a testamentary trust, a Qualified Subchapter S Trust (“QSST”) or an Electing Small Business Trust (“ESBT”) (each trust discussed more fully below), only the person treated as the shareholder for purposes of section 1361(b)(1) of the Code (i.e., the shareholder counting rules) must consent to the election. If the Company stock is to be held by a trust, both husband and wife must consent to any election if either the husband or the wife has an interest in the trust property. Before proceeding with completion of this Election Form, you must have previously provided a copy of the governing trust document(s), including any amendment(s), to the Company for the Company’s and its counsel’s review.

(a) Grantor trust. In the case of a grantor trust, the grantor of the trust (and not the trust itself) is treated as the shareholder. As a result, the grantor and his or her spouse, if any, generally are required to consent to the election.

(b) Testamentary trust. In the case of a testamentary trust, the estate is treated as the shareholder. As a result, the proper representative of the estate (see discussion at (3) above with respect to estates) is required to consent to the election.

(c) QSST. In the case of a QSST, the income beneficiary of the trust is treated as a shareholder. As a result, the income beneficiary and his or her spouse, if any, generally are required to consent to the election.

(d) ESBT. In the case of an ESBT, each potential current beneficiary of the trust is treated as a shareholder (however, if for any period there is no potential current beneficiary of the trust, then the trust is treated as a shareholder during such period). Nevertheless, the IRS has issued guidance which indicates that only the trustee of the trust is required to consent to the election.

How the Consent is Made

All owners or deemed owners (including spouses of owners) as described above must complete and execute this Election Form.

Special S Corporation Election Procedures for Trusts

In addition to requiring the necessary consents as discussed above, the IRS also requires that particular types of trusts follow additional election procedures and, due to the complications inherent here, we urge you to contact the Company if you have any questions.

QSST Election. For a QSST, the trust must make an election, called a QSST election. The form for making the necessary QSST election is provided on Page 2 of this Election Form and must be completed by the income beneficiary of the QSST.

ESBT Election. For an ESBT, the trust must make an election, called an ESBT election. Due to the complexities of an ESBT election, please contact R. Dean Eisemann, and he will direct you to the Company’s counsel for assistance in this regard.

Further Questions

If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please call J.E. Eisemann, IV, at (713) 993-9200.

Shareholders Consent to Election Under Subchapter S
THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION
To be filed with IRS Form 2553

Under penalties of perjury, we declare that we consent to the election of The Republic Corporation (the “Company”) to be an S corporation under section 1362(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. We have examined this consent statement, including accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of our knowledge and belief, it is true, correct and complete. We understand that this consent is binding and may not be withdrawn after the Company has made a valid election. Pursuant to Treasury Regulation section 1.1362-6(b), the following information is submitted:

Name of Corporation: The Republic Corporation

Address: 5340 Weslayan, P. O. Box 270462, Houston, Texas 77277

Employer Identification Number: 74-0911766


*Deemed Owners:*	Shareholder	Spouse
Name:

Address:



Social Security #:

Number of Shares:

Dates Shares Acquired:

Tax Year Ends:	12/31	12/31

Dated this day of , 200_.


IF A TRUST OR OTHER ENTITY:		IF AN INDIVIDUAL:


(Name of Entity)		(Signature of Shareholder)

By:

		(Signature of Spouse)
Name:
Title:

Qualified Subchapter S Trust (QSST) Election Under Section 1361(d)(2)

Income beneficiary’s name and address:


Social Security Number:

Trust’s name and address:


Employer identification number:

Date on which stock of the corporation was transferred to the trust (month, day, year):

In order for the trust named above to be a QSST and thus a qualifying shareholder of the S corporation for which this Form 2553 is filed, I hereby make the election under section 1361(d)(2). Under penalties of perjury, I certify that the trust meets the definitional requirements of section 1361(d)(3) and that all other information provided herein is true, correct, and complete.

Signature of income beneficiary or signature and title of legal representative or other qualified person making the election

Date

APPENDIX D

FORM OF SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

THIS SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the day of , 2004, by and between The Republic Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Texas (“Company”), and each of the persons made a party hereto (each a “Shareholder” and collectively the “Shareholders”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders to take steps to support the continued independent ownership and control of the Company and its subsidiary The First National Bank in Trinidad (“Bank”);

WHEREAS, in that regard, the Company and the Shareholders have determined that the Company should elect to be taxed as an “S corporation” under section 1361 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and should make the election on behalf of the Bank to become a qualified Subchapter S subsidiary;

WHEREAS, the Shareholders collectively own all of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company, par value $1.00 per share, and the Shareholders and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement to protect and preserve the Company’s ability to maintain its qualification to be taxed as an S corporation for federal income tax purposes; and

WHEREAS, the Shareholders and the directors of the Company, having considered the provisions of this Agreement, believe that it is in each of their respective best interests to enter into this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Definitions.

(a) “Agreed Price” means the agreed-upon price for the Offered Shares of a Transferring Shareholder that is the result of arm’s-length negotiations between the Transferring Shareholder and the Company or the Exercising Shareholders, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 5.

(b) “Assignee” means an Eligible Shareholder to whom the Company has assigned its Purchase Right pursuant to Section 6.

(d) “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Bank is substantially closed for business.

(e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(f) “Common Stock” means the common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Company or any interest therein.

(g) “Company Reply” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(b).

(h) “Eligible Shareholder” means a person, trust or other entity, that is eligible to be a shareholder of an S Corporation pursuant to the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, a trust created primarily to exercise the voting powers of stock transferred to it as described under section 1361(c)(2)(A)(iv) of the Code (a “Voting Trust”) shall not be an Eligible Shareholder.

(i) “Exercise Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6(c).

(j) “Exercising Shareholder” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6(d).

(k) “Fair Value” of a share of Common Stock means the appraised value of the Common Stock as determined by the most recent (not older than 12 months) appraisal by an independent, qualified investment banking firm or financial consultant satisfactory to the Board in its sole discretion, using such valuation methodologies as the appraiser deems reasonable.

(l) “Number of Shareholders” means the number of shareholders of the Company at any time, calculated for an S Corporation as provided in section 1361 of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(m) “Offered Shares” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(a).

(n) “Permitted Transfer” means any Transfer that is made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and is not a Prohibited Transfer, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

(o) “Prohibited Transfer” means any Transfer that (i) would not comply with the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) would be to a party that is not an Eligible Shareholder, (iii) would be to one or more parties who would not own a Shareholder Slot as described in Section 7 hereof following the Transfer, or (iv) would cause, or would create a material risk of causing, the Company to be ineligible to be an S Corporation. The determination of what constitutes a Prohibited Transfer shall be made in the sole discretion of the Board and shall be conclusive for all purposes. In making such determination, the Board may require representations, documentation, legal opinions and other information and assurances with respect to any Proposed Transfer and the Proposed Transferee(s) and may consult with counsel. For purposes of this definition and without limiting its discretion hereunder, the Board may determine that a proposed Transfer that would increase the Number of Shareholders to more than the number that is equal to approximately 87% of the maximum number of shareholders permissible for an S Corporation (after rounding down to the nearest whole number) would, for that reason alone, create a material risk of causing the Company to be ineligible to be an S Corporation and is, therefore, a Prohibited Transfer.

(p) “Proposed Transfer” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(a).

(q) “Proposed Transferee” means, with respect to any proposed Transfer, the party to whom the Transferring Shareholder’s shares of Common Stock are proposed to be transferred.

(r) “Pro Rata Basis” means according to a calculation whereby the number of shares of Common Stock owned by the affected Shareholder is divided by the number of shares of Common Stock owned by all Exercising Shareholders times the Offered Shares subject to the Purchase Right.

(s) “Purchase Price” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6(a).

(t) “Purchase Right” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.

(u) “Purchase Right Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6(d).

(v) “S Corporation” means an “S corporation” within the meaning of section 1361 of the Code.

(w) “Shareholder Reply” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.

(x) “Transfer” means any disposition of Common Stock or any interest in Common Stock including, without limitation, by sale, gift, bequest or devise or pursuant to agreement or settlement, or by operation of law or as a result of a court order or proceeding (including, by way of example and not limitation, bankruptcy and divorce), and shall specifically include a Transfer to a Voting Trust, a Transfer from a trust to a beneficiary of such trust, or a pledge of or grant of a security interest in Common Stock. A Transfer shall be deemed to have occurred upon the entry of a decree of divorce of a Shareholder. For purposes of this definition, upon the death of a Shareholder, a Transfer shall not be deemed to have occurred with respect to Common Stock solely by reason of the appointment of an executor, administrator or personal representative to administer the estate of the deceased Shareholder, provided that the shares of Common Stock continue to be held by the estate of the deceased Shareholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any disposition of such Common Stock from the estate of a deceased Shareholder or from a trust, whether by operation of law or court order, shall be deemed to be a Transfer.

(y) “Transfer Date” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6(g).

(z) “Transfer Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3(a).

(aa) “Transferring Shareholder” means a Shareholder proposing to effect a Transfer.

(bb) “Valuation Date” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5(b).

2. Restriction on Transfers.

(a) No Shareholder shall make or effect a Prohibited Transfer of all or any part of such Shareholder’s shares of Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; and no Shareholder shall make or effect any Transfer (including a Permitted Transfer) of all or any part of such Shareholder’s shares of Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Any purported or attempted Transfer not made in compliance with this Agreement shall be void ab initio as against the Company, and the Company will not recognize the purported transferee as a Shareholder of the Company for any purpose, including, without limitation, the accrual or payment of dividends or other distributions and the exercise of voting rights.

(b) Any attempted or purported Transfer of shares of Common Stock by operation of law, by court order or otherwise not in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a Prohibited Transfer, and except as otherwise agreed upon in writing by the Company, the shares subject to such attempted or purported Transfer shall immediately become subject to the Purchase Right procedures set forth in Section 6(a) through 6(g). For purposes of such provisions, the shares subject to such Transfer shall be deemed to be Offered Shares and the Purchase Price shall be the Fair Value of the Offered Shares.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Shareholder for any reason ceases to be an Eligible Shareholder, then immediately and without any action by the Shareholder or any other person, the Shareholder shall be deemed to have sold all of his shares of Common Stock to the Company and such shares shall be immediately transferred to the Company. This sale shall be

deemed to have occurred regardless of whether the Shareholder or the Company has any actual knowledge as of the date of transfer that the Shareholder is no longer an Eligible Shareholder. For purposes of this Section 2(c), the Purchase Price shall be equal to the Fair Value of the shares of Common Stock as of the date the transfer was executed, and the Company shall not be required to pay any interest on the Purchase Price between the date the transfer was executed and the date the Purchase Price is paid.

(d) In the case of a trust created to hold shares of Common Stock for the benefit of a minor, the transfer from the trust to the beneficiary shall be deemed a Prohibited Transfer unless the beneficiary is an Eligible Shareholder and has executed a counterpart of this Agreement. For purposes of such provisions, the trust shall be deemed a Transferring Shareholder, the shares subject to such Transfer shall be deemed to be Offered Shares and the Purchase Price shall be the Fair Value of the Offered Shares.

3. Notice of Proposed Transfer and Action by the Board.

(a) Prior to making or effecting any Transfer (whether to another Shareholder or otherwise), the Transferring Shareholder shall inform the Company by notice in writing, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (“Transfer Notice”), of such Transferring Shareholder’s intent to Transfer (“Proposed Transfer”) all or any portion of his shares (“Offered Shares”) of Common Stock. Such Transfer Notice, which shall be dated and signed by the Transferring Shareholder, shall contain all relevant information regarding the Proposed Transfer including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the name and address of the Proposed Transferee; (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock and slots proposed or intended to be transferred; (iii) all other terms and conditions of the Proposed Transfer; (iv) whether any familial relationships exists between the Proposed Transferee and any other Shareholder; and (v) reasonable detail as to why the Proposed Transfer qualifies as a Permitted Transfer, including evidence sufficient to document that such Proposed Transferee is an Eligible Shareholder and evidence that the Proposed Transfer complies with Section 7 hereof.

(b) Within thirty-five (35) calendar days following receipt of the Transfer Notice, the Company shall advise the Transferring Shareholder in writing substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (“Company Reply”) whether such Proposed Transfer is a Permitted Transfer or a Prohibited Transfer. If the Company Reply is not sent to the Transferring Shareholder within thirty-five (35) calendar days following the Company’s receipt of the Transfer Notice, the Transferring Shareholder may deem the Proposed Transfer to be a Permitted Transfer, provided all remaining provisions of this Agreement are met, including, by way of example and not limitation, the prohibition against making Transfers which would cause, or would create a material risk of causing, the Company to become ineligible to be taxed as an S Corporation.

4. Consummation of Permitted Transfers. If a Proposed Transfer would be a Permitted Transfer, the Company shall deliver a copy of this Agreement to the Proposed Transferee along with a request that the Proposed Transferee execute such Agreement. It shall be a condition precedent to the consummation of a Permitted Transfer that, and no Permitted Transfer shall be effective unless and until, the Company shall have received a counterpart of this Agreement executed by the Proposed Transferee and his spouse, if married (unless the Proposed Transferee is already a Shareholder and the Proposed Transferee and his or her spouse, if married, have previously executed this Agreement). If the Proposed Transferee is a trust, no Permitted Transfer shall be effective unless and until the Company shall have received a counterpart of this Agreement executed by the trust and each beneficial owner of the trust and such beneficial owner’s spouse, if any. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no counterpart of this Agreement shall be required of any party who has previously executed a counterpart of this Agreement. After execution of a counterpart of this Agreement, the Proposed Transferee will thereafter be considered a “Shareholder” for all purposes of this Agreement and, as a result, be bound by the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein. No Permitted Transfer shall be effective if consummated in a manner

materially different, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, from that described in the Transfer Notice and any such purported Transfer shall be void, ab initio, as against the Company and the Proposed Transferee.

5. Prohibited Transfers.

(a) If the Proposed Transfer would be a Prohibited Transfer, then the provisions of this Section 5 and Section 6 shall apply, unless the Transferring Shareholder elects not to pursue any Transfer.

(b) In the case of a Prohibited Transfer, the Company Reply shall advise the Transferring Shareholder of the per share price at which the Company would offer to purchase the Offered Shares as of the date of the Transfer Notice (“Valuation Date”). Within fifteen (15) calendar days following receipt of the Company Reply, the Transferring Shareholder shall advise the Company in writing substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto (“Shareholder Reply”) of his intention to (i) Transfer the Offered Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 6, or (ii) no longer pursue any Transfer. If the Transferring Shareholder elects to transfer the Offered Shares in accordance with Section 6, then the Transferring Shareholder must inform the Company in his Shareholder Reply either of (x) his agreement to accept the price proposed by the Company, or (y) his proposed counteroffer representing a price at which the Transferring Shareholder would be willing to sell the Offered Shares to the Company. If the Transferring Shareholder rejects the price offered by the Company and proposes his counteroffer in the Shareholder Reply, then the Transferring Shareholder and the Company shall have the option to continue to negotiate until the parties reach an Agreed Price; provided, however, that if an Agreed Price is not reached within fifteen (15) calendar days following the Company’s receipt of the Shareholder Reply, then the Fair Value, if one exists, shall be the final price for the Offered Shares. If no Fair Value exists, the parties may agree to have the Fair Value determined, the costs of which shall be borne equally by the Company and the Transferring Shareholder unless otherwise agreed upon in writing prior to such determination. The Fair Value shall be non-negotiable and shall govern for purposes of Section 6 in the event that the Transferring Shareholder desires to pursue the Proposed Transfer. If the Transferring Shareholder and the Company do not elect to have the Fair Value of the Offered Shares determined, or the Transferring Shareholder fails to provide the Shareholder Reply in a timely manner, the Transferring Shareholder will be deemed to be pursuing no longer a Transfer unless or until another Transfer Notice is received in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(a).

6. Purchase Right. If the Transferring Shareholder receives a Company Reply stating that the Proposed Transfer is a Prohibited Transfer and such Transferring Shareholder elects in the Shareholder Reply to Transfer the Offered Shares pursuant to this Section 6, or if the Proposed Transfer is deemed to be a Prohibited Transfer pursuant to this Agreement, then the Company, first, the other Shareholders (i.e., other than the Transferring Shareholder) on a Pro Rata Basis, second, and an Assignee, third, in that order, shall have the right to purchase (“Purchase Right”) the Offered Shares on the following terms and conditions:

(a) The purchase price for the Offered Shares (“Purchase Price”) shall be the Agreed Price or the Fair Value, as the case may be, less any cash distributions with respect to the Offered Shares that are paid or payable after the Valuation Date to Shareholders of record as of a date prior to the Transfer Date (as defined in Section 6(g)). If a stock dividend or stock split becomes payable after the Purchase Price is determined but before the Transfer Date, any shares received by the Transferring Shareholder because of such stock split or stock dividend with respect to the Offered Shares shall be treated as part of the Offered Shares being transferred.

(b) If a reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation occurs after the Purchase Price is determined but before the Transfer Date, the shares received as result of such occurrence with respect to the Offered Shares shall be treated the same as the Offered Shares being transferred.

(c) If the Company determines to exercise its Purchase Right with respect to all of the Offered Shares, then the Company shall deliver to the Transferring Shareholder notice of its exercise of its Purchase Right substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto (“Exercise Notice”). The Exercise Notice shall specify (i) the Purchase Price for the Offered Shares, (ii) the place where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the Purchase Price, (iii) the estimated time required by the Company to make the funds for the Purchase Price available to the Transferring Shareholder and (iv) the form in which such funds will be made available to the Transferring Shareholder.

(d) If the Company determines not to exercise its Purchase Right with respect to any or all of the Offered Shares, the Company shall promptly provide the remaining Shareholders with notice thereof, which notice shall include the number of Offered Shares that may be purchased and the Purchase Price for such shares, in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto (“Purchase Right Notice”). Any Shareholder desiring to exercise his Purchase Right (“Exercising Shareholder”) shall notify the Company within fifteen (15) calendar days following the date of the Purchase Right Notice and shall specify the number of such remaining Offered Shares such Exercising Shareholder wishes to acquire (which number may be more than his pro rata share). If fewer than all of the remaining Shareholders are Exercising Shareholders, the number of shares that each Exercising Shareholder may purchase will be allocated on a pro rata basis among the Exercising Shareholders up to the number of shares that such Exercising Shareholder indicates he is willing to purchase in response to the Purchase Right Notice. If fractional shares would be issued as a result of an Exercising Shareholder acquiring his pro rata share, such fractional share will be rounded down to the next whole share; provided, however, that the Board shall have the discretion to round up for those Exercising Shareholders whose fractional interest is nearest to a whole share in order that the largest number of Offered Shares may be purchased. If the Company and the Exercising Shareholders determine not to exercise their Purchase Rights with respect to any or all of the Offered Shares, the Company may thereafter promptly assign its Purchase Right with respect to such remaining Offered Shares to an Assignee. The Company shall thereafter determine the allocation of such Offered Shares to be purchased by the Company, if any, the Assignee, if any, and/or the Exercising Shareholders, if any (“Purchased Shares”).

(e) Within ninety (90) calendar days following the Company’s receipt of the Shareholder Reply, the Company shall deliver to the Transferring Shareholder the Exercise Notice indicating whether any parties exercised their Purchase Rights and specifying the number of Purchased Shares that each party will acquire (“Allocated Shares”), the Purchase Price, the Transfer Date and the place where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the Purchase Price; provided, however, that any lapse of time due to an appraisal to calculate the Fair Value shall be disregarded in the computation of time frames in this Agreement.

(f) If any of the Offered Shares remain unallocated following the exercise of all Purchase Rights, the Exercise Notice shall specify the number of Offered Shares that have not been so allocated. The Transferring Shareholder will thereafter have the option to (i) Transfer the Allocated Shares and retain the rest, or (ii) not Transfer any of the Offered Shares. The Transferring Shareholder shall advise the Company in writing of his election within fifteen (15) calendar days following receipt of the Exercise Notice. If the Transferring Shareholder does not notify the Company to the contrary, the Transferring Shareholder will be deemed to elect to Transfer the Allocated Shares and retain the rest. In the event that the Transferring Shareholder does not Transfer any or all of the Offered Shares as set forth in this Section 6, such shares may not be Transferred under the Proposed Transfer, and such shares will thereafter remain subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

(g) The effective date of the Transfer of the Allocated Shares (“Transfer Date”) shall occur at a mutually agreeable time within fifteen (15) calendar days following the date of the Exercise Notice; provided, however, that if the Company or an Exercising Shareholder is prevented from consummating the purchase of the Allocated Shares on the Transfer Date because of any action or threatened action by any court, regulatory agency or governmental authority or because any required approval by any court, regulatory agency or governmental authority has not been obtained, then the Transfer Date shall be delayed until a date mutually agreed upon by the Transferring Shareholder, the Company, the Exercising Shareholder(s), if any, and/or the Assignee, if one, which date is not more than fifteen (15) calendar days after any such actions or threatened actions are withdrawn or resolved and all such approvals have been obtained. The Company and each party who exercised his Purchase Right shall use all reasonable best efforts to obtain any necessary regulatory approval as promptly as possible. On the Transfer Date, the Transferring Shareholder shall deliver certificates representing the Allocated Shares, free and clear of all claims, liens and encumbrances, and in proper form for transfer to each party who exercised his Purchase Right, and each such party shall pay in cash to the Transferring Shareholder the Purchase Price for the Allocated Shares. All shares transferred shall continue to remain subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

7. Shareholder Slots.

(a) There shall be a number of slots equal to the maximum number of shareholders permitted by law for an S Corporation.

(b) As of the effective time of this Agreement, each person who is deemed to be a shareholder of the Company under section 1361 of the Code shall be allocated at least one slot. (For purposes of determining slots, shares of Common Stock owned by spouses may be aggregated notwithstanding the fact that such shares are held of record as separate property.) Any slots not allocated shall be held by the Company and may be allocated by the Board, from time to time, in its discretion. Shareholders shall have no rights, corporeal or incorporeal, in the slots allocated by the Company, which shall be used only to allocate, from time to time, the ability to Transfer shares of Common Stock. The Board shall also have the authority to require that allocated slots shall revert back to the Company in the event that a Shareholder reduces or terminates his ownership of Common Stock. A notation shall be entered on the stock transfer records of the Company indicating the number of slots held by each Shareholder.

(c) Each person who is deemed to be a shareholder of the Company under section 1361 of the Code must retain at least one slot to remain a shareholder of the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Transferring Shareholder may effect a Proposed Transfer unless (i) the Transferring Shareholder transfers a slot to the Proposed Transferee, (ii) the Proposed Transferee owns a slot by virtue of the fact that the Proposed Transferee is a Shareholder of the Company, or (iii) the Proposed Transferee otherwise acquires a slot prior to consummation of the Proposed Transfer. Only Shareholders of the Company may hold a slot. If a Shareholder transfers all of his or her shares of Company Stock, any slots retained by such Shareholder shall revert to the Company. Shareholders shall not be entitled to any remuneration of any kind or nature in respect of any slots that may revert to, or be reallocated by, the Company.

(d) Upon consummation of any Permitted Transfer and notice to the Company thereof, a notation shall be entered on the stock transfer records indicating the number of slots allocated to the purchaser of such shares and any change in the number of slots held by the Transferring Shareholder(s). The Company shall be entitled to rely exclusively on its records with respect to the number of slots allocated to a Shareholder, and such reliance shall not be affected by any actual or constructive notice

which the Company, or any of its directors, officers or agents, may have to the contrary unless such notice is given in writing to the President or Secretary of the Company in accordance with Section 9.

8. Pledge of Common Stock. For purposes of this Agreement, a pledge or encumbrance of or grant of a security interest in all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock held by any Shareholder shall not be considered a Prohibited Transfer unless the Board determines that the terms of the pledge would cause, or would create a material risk of causing, the Company to be ineligible to be an S Corporation. However, any attempt by a pledgee or secured party to register Common Stock in its own name or in the name of a nominee or to transfer Common Stock to any other party shall be a Transfer subject to all of the provisions of this Agreement. Furthermore, the affected Shareholder shall, not less than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to pledging, encumbering or granting a security interest in any shares of Common Stock, provide notice to the Company of such proposed pledge, encumbrance or other security interest (substantially in the form of Exhibit F), and concurrently with such pledge, encumbrance or grant of a security interest furnish the Company with the pledge or secured party’s agreement in writing (substantially in the form of Exhibit G attached hereto) that any sale or other disposition of such shares of Common Stock shall be subject to all of the restrictions and conditions contained in this Agreement.

9. Notices. Any notice or communication given pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing and may be given by personal delivery, overnight courier, U.S. Mail or registered or certified mail to such party at the address set forth below:

(a) if given to the Company or to an officer thereof, in such officer’s official capacity, at the Company’s mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Company may give notice of to the Shareholders):

The Republic Corporation
5340 Weslayan
Houston, Texas 77277
Attention: President

(b) if given to a Shareholder, at the address set forth in the books and records of the Company.

If notice is given by registered or certified mail, it shall be deemed to have been given and received three (3) Business Days after a registered or certified letter containing such notice, properly addressed with postage prepaid, is deposited in the United States mail; and if given otherwise than by registered or certified mail, it shall be deemed to have been given when delivered to and received by the party to whom addressed. Any notice to the Company shall be directed to the President of the Company unless the notifying party is the President, in which case the notice shall be directed to another duly authorized officer of the Company.

When this Agreement provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Shareholders shall be filed with the Secretary of the Company, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

10. Legends. Each certificate representing shares of Common Stock shall be endorsed with the legends substantially as follows:

On the face of each certificate:

SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS. SEE REVERSE SIDE.

On the back of each certificate:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE TRANSFER AND PLEDGE THEREOF ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF , 2004, BY AND BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND EACH OF ITS SHAREHOLDERS. THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE RECORD HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE ON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CORPORATION AT ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS OR REGISTERED OFFICE.

11. Limitation of Liability; Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by the corporation laws of the State of Texas, as amended from time to time:

(a) no officer or director of the Company shall have any liability to the Shareholders in any way arising from or related to any action taken or determination made under this Agreement, except in the case of the bad faith or willful misconduct of such officer or director; and

(b) the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each officer and director of the Company from and against any liability, claim or expense arising as a result of any action taken or determination made under this Agreement (except in the case of bad faith or willful misconduct of such officer or director) and shall advance expenses incurred by officers or directors in connection with any proceeding relating to any such action or determination.

No repeal or amendment of this Section 11 shall limit its effect with respect to any act or omission of a person occurring prior to such repeal or amendment.

12. Representations and Covenants of Shareholders.

(a) Each Shareholder who is an individual represents and warrants to the Company and to the other Shareholders that such Shareholder exclusively owns, controls and has the power to vote the shares of Common Stock held of record by him and is an Eligible Shareholder. For each Shareholder that is a trust, the undersigned trustee or deemed owner is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of such trust and owns, controls and has all requisite power and authority to bind the trust pursuant to the trust instrument. Such trustee or deemed owner further represents that such Shareholder that is a trust exclusively owns the shares of the Common Stock held of record by such trust and that it is an Eligible Shareholder. Irrespective of the type of shareholder, the undersigned Shareholder agrees to provide to the Company, promptly upon request, evidence sufficient to document that such Shareholder is the exclusive owner and an Eligible Shareholder.

(b) It is the intent of the parties to this Agreement to qualify and to maintain the qualification of the Company as an S Corporation until the Company’s Subchapter S election may be revoked in accordance with applicable law and this Agreement. No Shareholder shall take any action or fail to take any action that, in either case, would terminate the Company’s status as an S Corporation prior to its revocation or result in a Prohibited Transfer.

(c) Each Shareholder shall return his Common Stock certificates to the Company to be endorsed with the legends described in Section 10, or to be replaced with new certificates bearing such legends, after which the Company will return the certificates to the record owners.

(d) Whenever a Transfer is effected pursuant to this Agreement, the Transferring Shareholder and the transferee of such shares shall do all things and execute and deliver all documents and make all transfers as may be necessary to consummate such Transfer in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement including, without limitation, the execution of this Agreement by the transferee so that the transferee becomes a party to this Agreement.

(e) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Shareholder and is a duly, authorized, valid, legally binding and enforceable obligation of the Shareholder. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof, will conflict with, or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under any material agreement, indenture, lien, charge, encumbrance or undertaking to which the Shareholder is a party or such Shareholder’s Common Stock is subject.

(f) Each Shareholder represents, warrants and covenants that such Shareholder shall pay all taxes lawfully due to the State of Texas in connection with the Shareholder’s ownership of Common Stock as and when due, unless the Shareholder is contesting the payment thereof in good faith in accordance with appropriate procedures, and hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and, upon request, defend the Company and each of the other Shareholders from any and all liability, loss, cost, expense, assessment, interest or penalty as a result of the Shareholder’s failure to pay all such taxes due. If the Company is assessed or otherwise made liable for the payment of any taxes, interest and/or penalties due to the State of Texas by a Shareholder or incurs any expenses in connection with any claim involving the foregoing, such Shareholder hereby agrees that the Company may withhold the payment of any and all distributions that may be due to the Shareholder and use those funds to offset any and all of such taxes, interest, penalties or assessments or to reimburse the Company for the payment of such taxes or for any expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing.

(g) In the event of an inadvertent termination of the Company’s status as an S Corporation, unless the Board determines that the Company’s status as an S Corporation should not be continued, the Shareholders agree to use their best efforts to obtain from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a waiver of the terminating event on the grounds of inadvertency. The Shareholders further agree to take such steps, and make such adjustments, as may be required by the IRS pursuant to section 1362(f)(3) and (4) of the Code. If a Shareholder caused the terminating event to occur, he shall bear the expense for procuring the waiver, including the legal, accounting and tax costs of taking such steps, and of making such adjustments as may be required. If the inadvertent termination is not waived by the IRS and the Company’s status as an S Corporation is permanently terminated, the Shareholders agree to make the election under section 1362(e)(3) of the Code upon written request of the Company.

13. Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) This Agreement is applicable to all shares of or beneficial interest in shares of Common Stock now owned or hereafter acquired by any shareholder of the Company, and is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. This Agreement is binding upon and inures to the benefit of each Shareholder and his heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns, and any receiver trustee in bankruptcy or representative of the creditors of each such person. Except as specifically permitted herein, no Shareholder hereto may assign his rights or obligations hereunder. Any assignment in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void. If a

Shareholder ever ceases to be the owner of Common Stock, he shall have no rights hereunder unless and until he again becomes an owner of Common Stock.

(b) If the Company’s election to be taxed as an S Corporation is terminated by revocation under Section 1362(d)(1), this Agreement shall terminate without any further action of the Company or the Shareholders, effective as of the date of such revocation in accordance with applicable law. If the Company’s election to be taxed as an S Corporation is terminated for any other reason, this Agreement shall remain in effect until such time as may be determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 13(b), this Agreement may be amended or terminated only by the written agreement of Shareholders owning at least two-thirds (2/3) of the issued and outstanding Common Stock. The termination of this Agreement shall not relieve any party hereto from any liability for any breach or violation of the Agreement that occurred prior to the termination.

(c) If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be fully severable. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. In lieu of each such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.

(d) The captions, headings and arrangements used in this Agreement are for convenience only and do not in any way affect, limit, amplify or modify the terms and provisions hereof. All references to “Sections” contained herein unless otherwise defined herein, are references to sections of this Agreement. Whenever the singular number is used herein, the same shall include the plural where appropriate, words of any gender shall include each other gender where appropriate, and the word “person” shall include an individual or entity.

(e) By executing this Agreement, the spouse of each Shareholder avows that any community property interest which he or she may have, or may subsequently acquire, in any shares of Common Stock of his or her spouse shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and further consents to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

(f) This Agreement may be executed in a number of counterparts, each of which for all purposes is deemed to be an original. All counterparts so executed by the parties to this Agreement, whether or not such counterpart shall bear the execution of each of the parties, shall be deemed to be and shall be construed as one and the same Agreement. A telecopy or facsimile transmission of a signed counterpart of this Agreement shall be sufficient to bind the party or parties whose signature(s) appear thereon.

(g) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel to enforce any provision of this Agreement, except by written instrument signed by the party charged with such waiver or estoppel.

(h) The parties to this Agreement declare that it is impossible to measure in money the damages that would accrue to a party to this Agreement, his heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives, by reason of a failure to perform any of the provisions of this Agreement. Therefore, if a party to this Agreement, his heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives shall institute any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, any person against

whom such action or proceeding is brought hereby agrees that specific performance may be sought and obtained for any breach of this Agreement, without the necessity of proving actual damages.

(i) In any case where the date fixed for any action or event under this Agreement shall be a day that is not a Business Day, such action or event shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date originally fixed for such action or event (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay).

(j) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EACH OF THE PARTIES SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE LAWS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. IN THE EVENT OF A DISPUTE INVOLVING THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AGREE THAT VENUE FOR SUCH DISPUTE SHALL LIE IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.

(k) This Agreement and the exhibits attached hereto set forth the entire understanding between the parties concerning the subject matter contained herein, supersedes all existing agreements among the parties concerning such subject matter, and may be modified only by a written instrument duly executed by the party to be charged. There are no representations, agreements, arrangements or undertakings, oral or written, between or among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter of this Agreement that are not fully expressed herein.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.


Address:	COMPANY:

5340 Weslayan	THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION
Houston, Texas 77277
Attention: President
	By:

		Catherine G. Eisemann, President

SIGNATURE PAGE TO SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

Date:
Shareholder:


Shares of Common Stock:



				Print Name:

				Address:

If married, the Consent of Spouse must be completed.

CONSENT OF SPOUSE

I, , spouse of , have read the foregoing Shareholders’ Agreement (“Agreement”) relating to shares of Common Stock of The Republic Corporation (“Company”). By signing below, I hereby consent and agree to the terms of such Agreement insofar as my consent and agreement are necessary pursuant to applicable marital property laws or otherwise in order to make such agreement binding and effective as it relates to my spouse, and I agree that all of my interest, if any, in the Common Stock shall be bound by the provisions of the Agreement.

EXHIBIT A TO SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
TRANSFER NOTICE
[Date]

The Republic Corporation
5340 Weslayan
Houston, Texas 77277
Attention: President

Gentlemen:

The undersigned shareholder of The Republic Corporation (“Company”) hereby provides notice of his/her intention to transfer (“Proposed Transfer”) shares of common stock of the Company (“Shares”) in accordance with the requirements of the Shareholders’ Agreement, dated , 2004, as may be amended from time to time, by and between the Company and each of the shareholders of the Company. The terms of the Proposed Transfer are as follows:

1. The name and address of the proposed transferee is:

2. The number of shares and the purchase price for the shares in the proposed transfer is as follows: .

3. The number of slots that are proposed to be transferred with the shares pursuant to this Transfer Notice: .

4. Does the transferor intend to transfer slots to a person other than the transferee? If yes, to whom and how many?

5. The proposed transfer qualifies as a Permitted Transfer because (attach supporting information and indicate whether the proposed transferee already owns a slot or will be transferred a slot in the transfer) .

6. Describe all other terms and conditions of the Proposed Transfer.

[ATTACH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR A TRUST]

7. The names of each beneficiary (present or future) of the trust. If any beneficiary is a minor, please list the date of birth of such minor.


		Sincerely,


		(name of shareholder)

A-1

EXHIBIT B TO SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

COMPANY REPLY

[Date]

[name and address of Transferring Shareholder]

Dear Shareholder:

Reference is hereby made to the Shareholders’ Agreement, dated , 2004, as may be amended from time to time (“Shareholders’ Agreement”), by and between The Republic Corporation (“Company”) and each of the shareholders of the Company. Terms with their initial letter capitalized have the meanings given them in the Shareholders’ Agreement.

The Company is in receipt of your Transfer Notice regarding the Proposed Transfer of share(s) of the common stock of the Company to .

The Company has determined that the Proposed Transfer is a Permitted Transfer. You may consummate the Proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms as outlined in your Transfer Notice and the Shareholders’ Agreement. If there is to be any deviation from the terms of the Proposed Transfer as set forth in your Transfer Notice, you must notify the Company prior to effecting the Transfer. The Proposed Transferee must execute the Shareholders’ Agreement. Any purported transfer of shares without the Proposed Transferee executing the Shareholders’ Agreement shall be null and void, and the Company shall not recognize the Proposed Transferee as a shareholder of the Company.

After consultation with counsel, the Company has determined that the Proposed Transfer is a Prohibited Transfer. The reason the Proposed Transfer is a Prohibited Transfer is set forth in the explanation attached hereto. You now have the option to submit another Transfer Notice in the manner provided in Section 3 of the Shareholders’ Agreement, or to allow the Company and the other parties set forth in the Agreement to exercise their Purchase Right with respect to the shares. If you determine to grant the Company and the other parties their Purchase Right with respect to the shares, please submit your Shareholder Reply so indicating your intention within fifteen (15) calendar days of this Company Reply.

The Company hereby offers to pay $ per share for the shares. [The Fair Value of a share of Common Stock as of the date of the Transfer Notice is $ .]


		Sincerely,


		President, The Republic Corporation

B-1

EXHIBIT C TO SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

SHAREHOLDER REPLY

[Date]

The Republic Corporation
5340 Weslayan
Houston, Texas 77277
Attention: President

Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Shareholders’ Agreement, dated , 2004, as may be amended from time to time, (“Shareholders’ Agreement”), by and between The Republic Corporation (“Company”) and each of the shareholders of the Company. Terms with their initial letter capitalized have the meanings given them in the Shareholders’ Agreement.

The undersigned shareholder of the Company is in receipt of the Company Reply with respect to the Proposed Transfer of my shares of Common Stock pursuant to which the Board has determined that the Proposed Transfer would be a Prohibited Transfer. In accordance with the Shareholders’ Agreement, I hereby elect the following:

To allow the Company and the other parties set forth in the Agreement the right to exercise their Purchase Right with respect to such shares [at the price offered in the Company Reply, or at a price of $ per share].

Not to pursue any transfer of such shares at this time.


		Sincerely,


		Shareholder

C-1

EXHIBIT D TO SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

EXERCISE NOTICE

[Date]

[name and address of shareholder]

Dear Shareholder:

The Company and/or the other Shareholders have determined to exercise their Purchase Right with respect to the following Offered Shares set forth in your Transfer Notice:

shares to be purchased by the Company

shares to be purchased by the other Shareholders (see attached list for the name of each Shareholder and the number of shares to be acquired by each).

shares to be purchased by the Company’s Assignee.

Certificates representing the shares to be purchased, duly endorsed or accompanied by stock powers duly executed by the record holder of the shares for transfer, should be sent to the Company at the address set forth below on or before . The Company and/or the other Shareholders will issue to you a check in the amount of the total purchase price promptly upon its receipt of the certificates in sufficient form for transfer. If your stock certificates have been lost, please notify the undersigned immediately.


		Sincerely,


		President, The Republic Corporation

D-1

EXHIBIT E TO SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

PURCHASE RIGHT NOTICE

To the Shareholders of The Republic Corporation:

The Company has received a Transfer Notice from a Shareholder desiring to sell his/her shares of Common Stock, a copy of which is attached hereto. With respect to the Proposed Transfer, the following Offered Shares are available for subscription:

shares of Common Stock at a Purchase Price of $ per share.

If you wish to subscribe for some or all of these shares, please so indicate below, execute this Purchase Right Notice and return this notice to the Company at the address set forth below.

I wish to subscribe to purchase Offered Shares.

I do not wish to subscribe to purchase any Offered Shares

TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE COMPANY, WE MUST RECEIVE THIS PURCHASE RIGHT NOTICE NO LATER THAN 15 CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE.


Dated

	Signature:

	Name:

		(please print)

	Sincerely,


	President, The Republic Corporation

E-1

EXHIBIT F TO SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

PLEDGE NOTICE

[Date]

The Republic Corporation
5340 Weslayan
Houston, Texas 77277
Attention: President

Gentlemen:

Pursuant to the provisions of the Shareholders’ Agreement, the undersigned shareholder of the Company hereby notifies the Company of the shareholder’s intention to pledge share(s) of the Common Stock represented by certificate(s) number(s) (“Pledged Share(s)”) to (“Pledgee”). Concurrently with the pledge, the Pledgee has agreed to execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G to the Shareholders’ Agreement that the Pledged Share(s) are subject to the provisions of the Shareholders’ Agreement and will not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of except in accordance with the provisions of the Shareholders’ Agreement.


		Sincerely,


		Shareholder

F-1

EXHIBIT G TO SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND AGREEMENT OF PLEDGEE

The undersigned pledgee (“Pledgee”) of shares of common stock of The Republic Corporation (“Company”) hereby acknowledges that the shares of common stock of the Company pledged or to be pledged to the Pledgee (“Pledged Shares”) are subject to the provisions of that certain Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of , 2004, as may be amended from time to time (“Shareholders’ Agreement”), a copy of which has been furnished to the Pledgee who acknowledges receipt thereof. Pledgee further acknowledges that pursuant to the provisions of the Shareholders’ Agreement, the Pledged Shares are subject to certain restrictions on the sale, transfer or other disposition thereof.

Pledgee hereby agrees (i) to hold the Pledged Shares subject to the Shareholders’ Agreement and the restrictions and conditions contained therein, and (ii) not to sell, transfer or otherwise to dispose of the Pledged Shares except in accordance with the provisions of the Shareholders’ Agreement.

Dated as of this day of , .


		PLEDGEE:



		NAME:
		TITLE (if applicable):

G-1

APPENDIX E

DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS PROVISIONS

Art. 5.11 Rights of Dissenting Shareholders in the Event of Certain Corporate Actions

A. Any shareholder of any domestic corporation shall have the right to dissent from any of the following corporate actions:

(1) Any plan of merger to which the corporation is a party if shareholder approval is required by Article 5.03 or 5.16 of this Act and the shareholder holds shares of a class or series that was entitled to vote thereon as a class or otherwise;

(2) Any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition (not including any pledge, mortgage, deed of trust or trust indenture unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation) of all, or substantially all, the property and assets, with or without good will, of a corporation if special authorization of the shareholders is required by this Act and the shareholders hold shares of a class or series that was entitled to vote thereon as a class or otherwise;

(3) Any plan of exchange pursuant to Article 5.02 of this Act in which the shares of the corporation of the class or series held by the shareholder are to be acquired.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section A of this Article, a shareholder shall not have the right to dissent from any plan of merger in which there is a single surviving or new domestic or foreign corporation, or from any plan of exchange, if: (1) the shares held by the shareholder are part of a class or series, shares of which are on the record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to vote on the plan of merger or plan of exchange: (a) listed on a national securities exchange; (b) listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (or successor quotation system) or designated as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or successor entity; or (c) held of record by not less than 2,000 holders; (2) the shareholder is not required by the terms of the plan of merger or plan of exchange to accept for the shareholder’s shares any consideration that is different than the consideration (other than cash in lieu of fractional shares that the shareholder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to be provided to any other holder of shares of the same class or series of shares held by such shareholder; and (3) the shareholder is not required by the terms of the plan of merger or the plan of exchange to accept for the shareholder’s shares any consideration other than: (a) shares of a domestic or foreign corporation that, immediately after the effective time of the merger or exchange, will be part of a class or series, shares of which are: (i) listed, or authorized for listing upon official notice of issuance, on a national securities exchange; (ii) approved for quotation as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or successor entity; or (iii) held of record by not less than 2,000 holders; (b) cash in lieu of fractional shares otherwise entitled to be received; or (c) any combination of the securities and cash described in Subdivisions (a) and (b) of this subsection.

Art. 5.12 Procedure for Dissent by Shareholders as to Said Corporate Actions

A. Any shareholder of any domestic corporation who has the right to dissent from any of the corporate actions referred to in Article 5.11 of this Act may exercise that right to dissent only by complying with the following procedures:

(1) (a) With respect to proposed corporate action that is submitted to a vote of shareholders at a meeting, the shareholder shall file with the corporation, prior to the meeting, a written objection to the action, setting out that the shareholder’s right to dissent will be exercised if the action is effective and giving the shareholder’s address, to which notice thereof shall be delivered or mailed in that event. If the action is effected and the shareholder shall not have voted in favor of the action, the corporation, in the case of action other than a merger, or the surviving or new corporation (foreign or

domestic) or other entity that is liable to discharge the shareholder’s right of dissent, in the case of a merger, shall, within ten (10) days after the action is effected, deliver or mail to the shareholder written notice that the action has been effected, and the shareholder may, within ten (10) days from the delivery or mailing of the notice, make written demand on the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, for payment of the fair value of the shareholder’s shares. The fair value of the shares shall be the value thereof as of the day immediately preceding the meeting, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the proposed action. The demand shall state the number and class of the shares owned by the shareholder and the fair value of the shares as estimated by the shareholder. Any shareholder failing to make demand within the ten (10) day period shall be bound by the action.

(b) With respect to proposed corporate action that is approved pursuant to Section A of Article 9.10 of this Act, the corporation, in the case of action other than a merger, and the surviving or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity that is liable to discharge the shareholder’s right of dissent, in the case of a merger, shall, within ten (10) days after the date the action is effected, mail to each shareholder of record as of the effective date of the action notice of the fact and date of the action and that the shareholder may exercise the shareholder’s right to dissent from the action. The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of this Article and any articles or documents filed by the corporation with the Secretary of State to effect the action. If the shareholder shall not have consented to the taking of the action, the shareholder may, within twenty (20) days after the mailing of the notice, make written demand on the existing, surviving or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, for payment of the fair value of the shareholder’s shares. The fair value of the shares shall be the value thereof as of the date the written consent authorizing the action was delivered to the corporation pursuant to Section A of Article 9.10 of this Act, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the action. The demand shall state the number and class of shares owned by the dissenting shareholder and the fair value of the shares as estimated by the shareholder. Any shareholder failing to make demand within the twenty (20) day period shall be bound by the action.

(2) Within twenty (20) days after receipt by the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, of a demand for payment made by a dissenting shareholder in accordance with Subsection (1) of this Section, the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity shall deliver or mail to the shareholder a written notice that shall either set out that the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity accepts the amount claimed in the demand and agrees to pay that amount within ninety (90) days after the date on which the action was effected, and, in the case of shares represented by certificates, upon the surrender of the certificates duly endorsed, or shall contain an estimate by the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity of the fair value of the shares, together with an offer to pay the amount of that estimate within ninety (90) days after the date on which the action was effected, upon receipt of notice within sixty (60) days after that date from the shareholder that the shareholder agrees to accept that amount and, in the case of shares represented by certificates, upon the surrender of the certificates duly endorsed.

(3) If, within sixty (60) days after the date on which the corporate action was effected, the value of the shares is agreed upon between the shareholder and the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, payment for the shares shall be made within ninety (90) days after the date on which the action was effected and, in the case of shares represented by certificates, upon surrender of the certificates duly endorsed. Upon payment of the agreed value, the shareholder shall cease to have any interest in the shares or in the corporation.

B. If, within the period of sixty (60) days after the date on which the corporate action was effected, the shareholder and the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, do not so agree, then the shareholder or the corporation (foreign or domestic)

or other entity may, within sixty (60) days after the expiration of the sixty (60) day period, file a petition in any court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the domestic corporation is located, asking for a finding and determination of the fair value of the shareholder’s shares. Upon the filing of any such petition by the shareholder, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, which shall, within ten (10) days after service, file in the office of the clerk of the court in which the petition was filed a list containing the names and addresses of all shareholders of the domestic corporation who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity. If the petition shall be filed by the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, the petition shall be accompanied by such a list. The clerk of the court shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of the petition by registered mail to the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity and to the shareholders named on the list at the addresses therein stated. The forms of the notices by mail shall be approved by the court. All shareholders thus notified and the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity shall thereafter be bound by the final judgment of the court.

C. After the hearing of the petition, the court shall determine the shareholders who have complied with the provisions of this Article and have become entitled to the valuation of and payment for their shares, and shall appoint one or more qualified appraisers to determine that value. The appraisers shall have power to examine any of the books and records of the corporation the shares of which they are charged with the duty of valuing, and they shall make a determination of the fair value of the shares upon such investigation as to them may seem proper. The appraisers shall also afford a reasonable opportunity to the parties interested to submit to them pertinent evidence as to the value of the shares. The appraisers shall also have such power and authority as may be conferred on Masters in Chancery by the Rules of Civil Procedure or by the order of their appointment.

D. The appraisers shall determine the fair value of the shares of the shareholders adjudged by the court to be entitled to payment for their shares and shall file their report of that value in the office of the clerk of the court. Notice of the filing of the report shall be given by the clerk to the parties in interest. The report shall be subject to exceptions to be heard before the court both upon the law and the facts. The court shall by its judgment determine the fair value of the shares of the shareholders entitled to payment for their shares and shall direct the payment of that value by the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, together with interest thereon, beginning 91 days after the date on which the applicable corporate action from which the shareholder elected to dissent was effected to the date of such judgment, to the shareholders entitled to payment. The judgment shall be payable to the holders of uncertificated shares immediately but to the holders of shares represented by certificates only upon, and simultaneously with, the surrender to the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, of duly endorsed certificates for those shares. Upon payment of the judgment, the dissenting shareholders shall cease to have any interest in those shares or in the corporation. The court shall allow the appraisers a reasonable fee as court costs, and all court costs shall be allotted between the parties in the manner that the court determines to be fair and equitable.

E. Shares acquired by the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, pursuant to the payment of the agreed value of the shares or pursuant to payment of the judgment entered for the value of the shares, as in this Article provided, shall, in the case of a merger, be treated as provided in the plan of merger and, in all other cases, may be held and disposed of by the corporation as in the case of other treasury shares.

F. The provisions of this article shall not apply to a merger if, on the date of the filing of the articles of merger, the surviving corporation is the owner of all the outstanding shares of the other corporations, domestic or foreign, that are parties to the merger.

G. In the absence of fraud in the transaction, the remedy provided by this Article to a shareholder objecting to any corporate action referred to in Article 5.11 of this Act is the exclusive remedy for the recovery of the value of his shares or money damages to the shareholder with respect to the action. If the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, complies with the requirements of this Article, any shareholder who fails to comply with the requirements of this Article shall not be entitled to bring suit for the recovery of the value of his shares or money damages to the shareholder with respect to the action.

Art. 5.13 Provisions Affecting Remedies of Dissenting Shareholders

A. Any shareholder who has demanded payment for his shares in accordance with either Article 5.12 or 5.16 of this Act shall not thereafter be entitled to vote or exercise any other rights of a shareholder except the right to receive payment for his shares pursuant to the provisions of those articles and the right to maintain an appropriate action to obtain relief on the ground that the corporate action would be or was fraudulent, and the respective shares for which payment has been demanded shall not thereafter be considered outstanding for the purposes of any subsequent vote of shareholders.

B. Upon receiving a demand for payment from any dissenting shareholder, the corporation shall make an appropriate notation thereof in its shareholder records. Within twenty (20) days after demanding payment for his shares in accordance with either Article 5.12 or 5.16 of this Act, each holder of certificates representing shares so demanding payment shall submit such certificates to the corporation for notation thereon that such demand has been made. The failure of holders of certificated shares to do so shall, at the option of the corporation, terminate such shareholder’s rights under Articles 5.12 and 5.16 of this Act unless a court of competent jurisdiction for good and sufficient cause shown shall otherwise direct. If uncertificated shares for which payment has been demanded or shares represented by a certificate on which notation has been so made shall be transferred, any new certificate issued therefor shall bear similar notation together with the name of the original dissenting holder of such shares and a transferee of such shares shall acquire by such transfer no rights in the corporation other than those which the original dissenting shareholder had after making demand for payment of the fair value thereof.

C. Any shareholder who has demanded payment for his shares in accordance with either Article 5.12 or 5.16 of this Act may withdraw such demand at any time before payment for his shares or before any petition has been filed pursuant to Article 5.12 or 5.16 of this Act asking for a finding and determination of the fair value of such shares, but no such demand may be withdrawn after such payment has been made or, unless the corporation shall consent thereto, after any such petition has been filed. If, however, such demand shall be withdrawn as hereinbefore provided, or if pursuant to Section B of this Article the corporation shall terminate the shareholder’s rights under Article 5.12 or 5.16 of this Act, as the case may be, or if no petition asking for a finding and determination of fair value of such shares by a court shall have been filed within the time provided in Article 5.12 or 5.16 of this Act, as the case may be, or if after the hearing of a petition filed pursuant to Article 5.12 or 5.16, the court shall determine that such shareholder is not entitled to the relief provided by those articles, then, in any such case, such shareholder and all persons claiming under him shall be conclusively presumed to have approved and ratified the corporate action from which he dissented and shall be bound thereby, the right of such shareholder to be paid the fair value of his shares shall cease, and his status as a shareholder shall be restored without prejudice to any corporate proceedings which may have been taken during the interim, and such shareholder shall be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions made to shareholders in the interim.

[Letterhead of Bank Advisory Group, L.L.C.]

, 200

Board of Directors
The Republic Corporation
Houston, Texas

Gentlemen:

You have requested that The Bank Advisory Group, L.L.C. act as an independent financial analyst and advisor to the board of directors of The Republic Corporation, Houston, Texas (“Republic”), in connection with an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “agreement”), dated as of December 2, 2004, by and between Republic and Republic Merger Corp., a Texas corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic (the “merger subsidiary”), pursuant to which the merger subsidiary will merge with and into Republic and the separate corporate existence of the merger subsidiary shall cease (the “merger”). In our role as an independent financial analyst, you have requested our opinion with regard to the financial fairness of the $58.00 per share cash consideration to be received under the Agreement and Plan of Merger and as outlined in the Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting of the Shareholders of The Republic Corporation (the “proxy statement”) dated , 200 .

Our understanding is that Republic proposes to consummate the merger pursuant to the following financial terms:

• Each shareholder of Republic common stock who either individually, or with his or her spouse, owns of record fewer than 250 shares of Republic common stock, is not a dissenting shareholder, and is not a “qualified shareholder” as defined in the agreement, shall have the right to receive $58.00 in cash for each share of Republic common stock.

• Each shareholder of Republic common stock who either individually, or with his or her spouse, owns of record at least 250 shares of Republic common stock, is not a dissenting shareholder, and is a “qualified shareholder” as defined in the agreement, will continue to hold the same number of shares after the merger and will receive no cash payment from Republic.

• Shareholders of Republic common stock who wish to dissent from the merger may exercise dissenters’ rights in connection with the merger by complying with Articles 5.11 through 5.13 of the Texas Business Corporation Act, copies of which are attached as Appendix E to the proxy statement.

Draft#1

Board of Directors
The Republic Corporation
December , 200_
Page 2

The Bank Advisory Group, as part of its line of professional services, specializes in rendering valuation opinions of banks and bank holding companies in connection with mergers and acquisitions nationwide. Prior to its retention for this assignment, The Bank Advisory Group had not previously provided financial advisory services to The Republic Corporation, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates.

In connection with this opinion and with respect to Republic, we have reviewed, among other things:

1. Audited consolidated financial statements for Republic, for the periods ended December 31, 2003, and 2002;

2. Consolidated financial statements for Republic presented on form F.R. Y-9C for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 1999 – 2003, as filed with the Federal Reserve System;

3. Parent company only financial statements for Republic presented on form F.R. Y-9LP for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 1999 – 2003, as filed with the Federal Reserve System;

4. Reports of Condition and Income for The First National Bank in Trinidad, Colorado, the sole bank subsidiary of Republic, for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 1999 – 2003, as filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

5. Internal financial statements for Republic and The First National Bank in Trinidad, at and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004;

6. The condition of the commercial banking industry, as indicated in financial reports filed with various federal bank regulatory authorities by all federally-insured commercial banks through September 30, 2004;

7. Certain internal financial analyses and forecasts for The First National Bank in Trinidad prepared by the management of The First National Bank in Trinidad, including projections of future performance;

8. For The First National Bank in Trinidad, certain other summary materials and analyses with respect to its respective loan portfolio, securities portfolio, deposit base, fixed assets, and operations including, but not limited to: (i) a schedule of loans and other assets identified by management as deserving special attention or monitoring given the characteristics of the identified loan/asset together with the local economy, (ii) an analysis concerning the adequacy of the loan loss reserve, (iii) a schedule of “other real estate owned,” including current carrying values and recent appraisals, and (iv) a schedule of securities, detailing book values, market values, and lengths to maturity; and

9. Such other information regarding Republic and The First National Bank in Trinidad that we deemed relevant to this assignment.

In connection with this opinion and with respect to the proposed merger, we further have reviewed, among other things:

Draft#1

Board of Directors
The Republic Corporation
December , 200_
Page 3

1. The proxy statement, in draft form dated November 5, 2004;

2. The Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 2, 2004, as set forth in Appendix A of the proxy statement;

3. The price-to-equity and price-to-earnings multiples of selected banking organizations based in the Western United States that have publicly-traded common stocks, together with the financial performance and condition of such banking organizations;

4. Monthly price levels and related fundamental financial characteristics of all United States banking organizations that have publicly-traded common stock for the prior eighteen months ending September 30, 2004;

5. The financial terms and price levels, to the extent publicly-available, of selected recent business combinations of companies in the banking industry involving the sale of control, together with the financial performance and condition of the selling banking organizations; and

6. Such other information – including financial studies, analyses, investigations, and economic and market criteria – that we deem relevant to this assignment.

Based on our experience, we believe our review of the aforementioned items, among other things, provides a reasonable basis for our opinion, recognizing that we are expressing an informed professional opinion – not a certification of value.

We have relied upon the information provided by the management of Republic, or otherwise reviewed by us, as being complete and accurate in all material respects. Furthermore, we have not verified through independent inspection or examination the specific assets or liabilities of Republic. We have also assumed that there has been no material change in the assets, financial condition, results of operations, or business prospects of Republic since the date of the last financial statements made available to us. We have met with the management of Republic for the purpose of discussing the relevant information that has been provided to us.

Based on all factors that we deem relevant and assuming the accuracy and completeness of the information and data provided to us, The Bank Advisory Group concludes as follows:

• The cash consideration of $58.00 per share to be paid to the shareholders of Republic common stock who hold less than 250 shares of Republic common stock, in accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, is fair, from a financial standpoint, to all of the shareholders of Republic.

This opinion is available for disclosure to the shareholders of Republic. Accordingly, we hereby consent to the reference of this opinion and our Firm in any disclosure materials provided to the shareholders of Republic, including the inclusion of a copy of this opinion in its entirety in the proxy statement.

APPENDIX G

2003 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS ON FORM 10-KSB

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-KSB

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

Commission file number 0-8597

THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION

(Exact name of Small Business Issuer as specified in its charter)


TEXAS		74-0911766
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

5340 Weslayan, P.O. Box 270462
Houston, Texas		77277
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Issuer’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 993-9200

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered
None		None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

750,000 shares Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of which 356,844 are outstanding, including 23,119 held in treasury.
(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-B is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the issuer’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [x]

State the issuer’s revenues for its most recent fiscal year $10,705,937

State the aggregate market value for the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

$1,720,920 as of June 30, 2003

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
NONE

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

The Republic Corporation was chartered in Texas on January 11, 1955 as Columbia General Investment Corporation, to conduct business in mortgage banking. Columbia General Investment Corporation acquired The Republic Corporation in 1960 and shortly thereafter changed its name to The Republic Corporation (the “Company”). Also in 1960, the Company acquired 75% of the outstanding stock of The First National Bank in Trinidad, Colorado (the “Bank”). In 1961, an additional 23% of the Bank stock was purchased by the Company, and since then only qualifying shares for directors of the Bank have been held by other than the Company. Since discontinuing mortgage banking operations in 1963, the Company has carried on no significant operations other than as an advisor to the Bank.

Since its inception, the Bank has placed great emphasis on a strong capital position, liquidity, asset quality through conservative loan underwriting and investment practices and personal attention to customer needs. In delivering banking services to its geographic market, Las Animas County, Colorado, Huerfano County, Colorado and Colfax County, New Mexico, the Bank has strategically placed traditional, full service bank facilities as well as a non-traditional “in-store” bank facility, a loan production/deposit production facility and free standing drive-up ATM facilities. See “Item 2-Properties.” Additionally, the Bank has created and offers high tech products to its customers such as; iBank, a transactional internet banking product, Bankline, a telephone banking product and a VISA CheckCard debit card.

The Company’s strategy for growth (see “Growth Strategy”) is primarily based on the establishment and progressive improvement of access portals, whether they be traditional bank facilities or the non traditional, such as internet banking. This entails a combination of person-to-person, or “high touch” delivery of banking services and non person–to-person, or “high tech,” delivery. Management is of the opinion that both approaches have value, that a growing percentage of the Company’s customer base expects this range of delivery and that an independent community bank can be effective in providing this in the marketplace.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995”

OPERATING STRATEGY

The Company’s strategy as an independent, one-bank holding company has been carried out through operations of the Bank, including its branches. The Bank, under the direction of the Company, emphasizes local relationship banking from small and medium sized businesses and individuals. The Bank’s operating strategies include:

• Personal Attention and Effective Delivery

• Maintaining Asset Quality

• Asset/Liability Management

Personal Attention and Effective Delivery. The Bank’s strategy is one of providing customers with the personal attention that has been an enduring characteristic throughout its history, coupled with effective

delivery of banking services via conveniently placed full service branches, ATM facilities and free, transactional internet banking. The latter is not viewed by management as a departure from the concept of personal service but rather a necessary means of access made more effective by personal service.

The Bank’s advertising is targeted at each of the communities it serves and includes a quarterly, full color newsletter, which includes articles on area businesses and on banking topics and bank products. This newsletter is mailed to each address in the three county market and is posted on the Bank’s website.

Maintaining Asset Quality. The Bank’s lending policy and strategy are rooted in conservative underwriting standards and the avoidance of lending outside of the Bank’s market. This philosophy of lending has generally resulted in low ratios of nonperforming assets to total assets and controllable loan losses. See “Nonperforming Assets.”

The Bank’s investment policy and practices are also conservative, with strict guidelines regarding credit risk. See “Held-to-Maturity Securities.”

Asset/Liability Management. The long term strategy of the Bank in this area is the avoidance of undue interest rate risk. Exposure to interest rate risk arises from volatile interest rates and changes in the Bank’s balance sheet mix. The Bank’s policy is to control the exposure of its earnings to changing interest rates through the maintenance of a mix of assets and liabilities that generate a net interest margin that is least affected by interest rate changes. See “Item 6-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Asset/Liability Management.”

GROWTH STRATEGY

The Company has focused on growth as an independent entity and adopted an internal growth strategy through establishing full-service branches, a loan production/deposit production office and free-standing ATM facilities throughout its three county market area. The Bank’s main office and two existing full service branches are structured to provide complete banking services in each location and each branch is headed by a President or branch manager with responsibility and authority to service the banking and lending needs of local businesses and consumers. The loan production/deposit production office is headed by an office manger with similar responsibility and authority to serve the non-transactional needs of local businesses and consumers, including account opening and loan negotiation and closing. The marketing for each of the outlying locations is semi-autonomous from the Bank’s main office and management has encouraged each location to foster its own geographic identity in order to complement the Bank’s philosophy of being responsive to local customer input rather than the customer being asked to conform to a centralized entity without having the opportunity to give input. Free-standing, drive-up ATM facilities have also been established in each of the counties the Bank serves, providing 24 hour cash withdrawal, deposit and account inquiry and transfer capability. See “Item 2-Properties.” The Bank has additionally committed to an effective delivery of banking services over the internet, a product that is fully operational and is marketed as another “branch” for those customers who opt to bank in this manner.

The primary growth strategy for the Company will be the introduction of new products and facilities in our markets so as to attract a growing share of bank product usage by those who reside or do business locally. To accommodate the Company’s anticipated growth from the new residents in the community, or from existing residents who formerly did their banking elsewhere, management intends to continue to recruit and develop additional high-quality personnel and enhance its internal management systems. Management believes that such personnel and systems are necessary if the Company is to continue its growth strategy without compromising its customer-oriented approach to banking and its commitment to

maximize asset quality. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will achieve its growth objectives.

ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IN MARKET AREAS SERVED

The Company’s principal market for loans and deposits is the three county rural area comprised of Las Animas, and Huerfano Counties, in Colorado and Colfax County, New Mexico. These markets depend primarily on tourism and continued coal-bed methane gas development, an activity that has grown in significance over the past decade. The latter has served to prop up the local economy during the post September 11, 2001 downturn but has also partially re-established the area’s former dependence upon the energy sector. The development of light industry is also marginally successful thus far and capable of expansion, limited only by the scarcity of water resources and a limited skilled labor pool.

Going forward, it is management’s expectation that the economic conditions in the Company’s market will continue to keep pace with the ongoing slow recovery nationally and, to the extent that natural gas prices remain elevated, will continue to be supported by gas development locally. This set of circumstances has yielded a negative loan and deposit growth experience for the Company in the recent past and it is our anticipation that this will persist.

LENDING ACTIVITIES

General. The Bank provides a range of commercial and retail lending services including, but not limited to, commercial business loans, commercial and residential real estate construction loans, commercial and residential real estate mortgage loans, consumer loans, agriculture loans, revolving lines of credit and letters of credit. Currently, the primary focus of the Bank is on residential real estate mortgage and construction loans, largely in response to the recent upsurge in refinancing and housing starts tied to historically low interest rates, and commercial business lending to small area businesses. The Bank places a strong emphasis on asset quality and maintains conservative underwriting standards. The Bank monitors the concentration of its commercial loan portfolio in an effort to avoid over-allocating its funds available for lending to any industry sector.

Loan Portfolio Composition. The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio by type of loan, aggregate dollar amount and percentage of total loans at the dates indicated.

LOAN PORTFOLIO MIX


	December 31,					December 31,
	2003					2002
(Dollars in thousands)	Amount			%		Amount			%
Real estate mortgage	$	82,973			79.7	$	83,928			78.0
Real estate construction		6,915			6.6		3,672			3.4
Commercial and industrial		6,716			6.4		9,676			9.0
Agriculture		1,237			1.2		1,244			1.2
Consumer		7,997			7.7		10,838			10.0
Other		29			0.0		2			0.0

Total		105,867			101.6		109,360			101.6
Less allowance for loan losses		(1,700	)		1.6		(1,700	)		1.6
Loans receivable, net	$	104,167			100.0	$	107,660			100.0

Real Estate Mortgage Loans. Real estate loans are the Bank’s primary focus and the strength of its lending activity. The Bank generally restricts its residential mortgage loans to owner occupied homes located within the Bank’s geographic market area. The Bank adheres to a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 80% on primary residences and 70% on second homes. These loans are typically structured to mature 15 years from the day of making and are amortized for 30 years or less. The Bank requires documentation that supports a strong debt servicing capability and an acceptable credit rating from qualifying applicants. At December 31, 2003, the Bank held approximately $66,328,000, or 79.9%, of total loans secured by finished real property, in loans secured by finished, single family residential property.

The Bank generally restricts its commercial real estate lending activity to local, owner-occupied properties or to local, investor properties that are owned by customers with which the Bank has a satisfactory banking relationship. Commercial real estate loans are generally underwritten with a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 75% and are structured at a daily or annually variable interest rate or a three or five-year fixed rate. The Bank requires personal guarantees on these loans and requires qualifying applicants to have a strong history and prospect of debt servicing capability and an acceptable credit rating. At December 31, 2003, the Bank held approximately $15,935,000, or 19.2%, of total loans secured by finished real property, in loans secured by finished commercial real estate. The primary risks of loans of this type are the borrower’s inability to pay and deterioration of the value of the collateralized property. Management does not believe that the Bank’s existing commercial real estate loan portfolio represents a material risk of loan losses.

Real Estate Construction Loans. The Bank originates single family residential construction loans for owner occupants and typically combines the construction and permanent financing into one contract. The Bank collects interest monthly and charges a fee for conducting periodic construction inspections during the construction phase, which is typically structured to be 6 months in duration.

The Bank also originates single family residential construction loans to builders who have demonstrated a favorable record of performance with the Bank or within the Bank’s geographic market area on both a pre-sold and speculative basis. The Bank typically restricts the latter to no more than one unsold property at any given time and restricts the loan amount to no more than 75% of the finished, appraised value. The Bank also finances construction of commercial properties and typically combines the construction and permanent financing into one contract. The Bank carefully monitors construction draws and inspects each property frequently to insure the work is being completed as specified. Construction inspections are performed by qualified independent contractors.

Commercial and Industrial Loans. The Bank provides a wide range of commercial business loans, including lines of credit for working capital purposes and term loans for the acquisition of equipment and other purposes. Collateral for these loans generally includes inventory, equipment or deposit account balances. Where warranted by the overall financial condition of the borrower, loans may be made on an unsecured basis. The Bank requires personal guarantees and adheres to a maximum loan to value of 70% on equipment and 50% on most types of inventory. Secured loans of this type are typically structured for daily or annually variable interest rates, with equipment financing occasionally structured on three or five year fixed terms. The primary repayment risk on loans of this type is failure of the business due to economic or financial factors, or most typically, because of varying degrees of borrower inexperience.

Consumer Lending. The Bank provides a full range of consumer loans. The primary risk of consumer lending relates to the personal circumstances of the borrower. The Bank requires a documented repayment source that is adequate, seasoned and sustainable and a satisfactory credit rating. In addition to collateral loan-to-value limits set forth in the Bank’s loan policy, the Bank requires junior loan officers to obtain a second opinion from a senior loan officer prior to approval.

Agriculture Loans. While not a significant source of business for the Bank, the Bank occasionally finances livestock acquisition and operating expenses of area ranching entities. All of the livestock loans are structured for annually variable interest rates and either amortize for five to seven years or zero out annually, depending upon the nature of the operation. Livestock inspections are conducted regularly by an independent contractor for the Bank.

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, the Bank enters into various types of transactions that include commitments to extend credit as described in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Bank applies the same credit standards to these commitments as it uses in all its lending activities and has included these commitments in its lending risk evaluations. The Bank’s exposure to credit loss under commitments to extend credit is represented by the amount of unsecured commitments. It is management’s policy not to commit to extend credit at or below market interest rates, except where necessary in addressing troubled debt restructurings.

Credit Authority and Loan Limits. All loans, credit lines and letters of credit are subject to the same approval procedures and amount limitations. These limitations apply to the total outstanding indebtedness of the borrower to the Bank, including indebtedness of any guarantor. Each lender in the Bank has a separate, discretionary lending authority up to limits based on loan or aggregate loan amounts. The Bank’s Loan Committee must approve individual requests in excess of $40,000 for secured loans; $10,000 for unsecured loans and an aggregate of $100,000 with regard to loans made by the Bank’s President or Senior Vice Presidents. The limits are $30,000, $10,000 and $80,000, respectively, for vice presidents and $30,000, $5,000 and $80,000, respectively, for loan officers. The Loan Committee consists of all senior and junior management and all resident, outside directors able to attend weekly meetings. Each committee meeting must be chaired by the Chairman of the Board and voting members of the committee will constitute a quorum, however, one of the voting members must be the Chairman of the Board, President or Senior Vice President of the Bank.

Under federal law, permissible loans to one borrower by the Bank are generally limited to 15% of the Bank’s unimpaired capital, surplus, undivided profits and loan loss reserve (approximately $2,950,000 at December 31, 2003). As a matter of policy, the Bank utilizes a guidepost “house limit” on loans to any borrower of 10% of the Bank’s unimpaired capital, surplus, undivided profits and loan loss reserve (approximately $1,970,000 at December 31, 2003). This limit has not ever been exceeded. The Bank does not have any participations bought or sold in fiscal year 2003 and there were no foreign loans in the same period.

Loan Policy. The Bank’s lending activities are guided by its Loan Policy. This policy is reviewed annually by the Policy Committee, which is a subcommittee of and is tasked by the Bank’s Audit Committee. Reports consisting of recommended changes in the loan policy are submitted to the Bank’s Board of Directors for approval. The Bank supplements its internal supervision and audit of its lending operations with independent examinations performed by professional, experienced loan reviewers and auditors.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS

The Company’s nonperforming assets consist of non-accrual loans, past due loans, restructured loans and foreclosed assets held for sale. The following table sets forth information with respect to these assets at the dates indicated.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS


	December 31			December 31
	2003			2002
(Dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans	$	881		$	2,304
Loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest, but have not been put on a non-accrual basis		—			—
Restructured loans		—			256
Total nonperforming loans	$	881		$	2,560
Foreclosed assets:
Real estate	$	624		$	351
Other	$	20			—
Total nonperforming assets	$	1,525		$	2,911
Ratio of total nonperforming loans to total assets		0.49	%		1.41	%
Ratio of total nonperforming loans to total loans		0.83	%		2.34	%
Ratio of total nonperforming assets to total assets		0.84	%		1.60	%
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total nonperforming loans		192.96	%		66.41	%

Non-accrual and Past Due Loans. The Company’s financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting, including the recognition of interest income on its loan portfolio, unless a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Loans are placed on non-accrual when they became past due 60 days or when there are serious doubts about the collectibility of principal or interest. Amounts received on non-accrual loans, generally are applied interest first and balance to principal, so long as principal collection is reasonably assured. At December 31, 2003, the Company had $881,000 of loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis compared to $2,304,000 at December 31, 2002. Since all loans which reach 60 days past due are placed on non-accural, there were no loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing during 2003.

Restructured loans. By definition, restructured loans are those for which concessions, including the reduction of interest rates below a rate otherwise available to that borrower or deferral of interest or principal, are granted due to the borrower’s weakened financial condition. Interest on restructured loans is accrued at the restructured rates when it is anticipated that no loss of original principal will occur. The Company had no restructured loans at December 31, 2003 and $256,000 at December 31, 2002.

Foreclosed Assets Held for Sale. Assets acquired by foreclosure or in settlement of debt and held for sale are valued at no more than fair value as of the date of foreclosure, less the anticipated cost of selling.

Management periodically reevaluates the value of foreclosed assets held for sale and adjusts the book value if necessary. Gains and losses on sales of foreclosed assets are included in other income. The Bank had foreclosed real estate of approximately $624,000 and a repossessed mobile home at $20,000 on December 31, 2003, and approximately $351,000 in foreclosed real estate on December 31, 2002.

Impaired Loans. Impaired loans, which include non-accrual loans noted above and potential problem loans, where known information about possible credit problems causes management to doubt the ability of such borrowers to comply with contractual repayment terms, total $1,486,000 and $2,560,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. No specific allocation of the allowance for loan losses was made to impaired loans in 2003 and 2002. Interest of $111,585 and $24,343 was recognized on average impaired loans of $1,570,000 and $1,706,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively.

ANALYSIS OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s recognition of the risks of extending credit and its evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio. The allowance is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for anticipated loan losses based on management’s assessment of various factors affecting the loan portfolio, including a review of problem loans, business conditions and loss experience, loan growth, or the absence thereof, and an overall evaluation of the quality of the underlying collateral and holding and disposal costs. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to operations and reduced by loans charged off, net of recoveries. Allowances are provided for individual loans where ultimate collection is considered questionable by management after reviewing the current status of problem loans, including loans that are contractually past due, and considering the net realizable value of the security and of the loan guarantees, if applicable.

Management believes that the Company’s allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover anticipated losses and is in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. It is possible that management will increase the allowance for loan losses or that regulators, when reviewing the Bank’s loan portfolio in the future, may require the Bank to increase such allowance, either of which could adversely affect the Company’s earnings. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company’s actual loan losses will not exceed its allowance.

The following table sets forth information regarding changes in the Company’s allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.

ANALYSIS OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES


	2003			2002
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,700		$	1,612

Charge-offs:
Commercial loans		115			18
Real estate - construction loans		0			0
Real estate - mortgage loans		45			0
Consumer loans		316			363

Total charge-offs		476			381
Recoveries:
Commercial loans		75			24
Real estate - construction loans		0			0
Real estate - mortgage loans		7			0
Consumer loans		120			87

Total recoveries		202			111

Net charge-offs (recoveries)		274			270

Provision for loan losses		274			358

Balance at end of period	$	1,700		$	1,700

Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans		0.25	%		0.24	%
Average loans outstanding during the period	$	108,127		$	110,688

The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses by loan category, based upon management’s assessment of the risk associated with such categories, at the dates indicated and summarizes the percentage of gross loans in each category to total gross loans.

RESERVE FOR LOAN LOSS ALLOCATION


	December 31,					December 31,
	2003					2002
			Percentage					Percentage
			of gross loans					of gross loans
	Amount		in each			Amount		in each
	of		category to			of		category to
(Dollars in thousands)	Allowance		total loans .			Allowance		total loans .
Real estate mortgage	$	231		81.01	%	$	481		76.74	%
Real estate construction		3		3.90	%		0		3.36	%
Commercial and industrial		96		6.34	%		10		8.85	%
Agriculture		0		1.17	%		1		1.14	%
Consumer and other		56		7.58	%		193		9.91	%
Unallocated		1,314		0.00	%		1,015		0.00	%

Total	$	1,700		100.00	%	$	1,700		100.00	%

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

The Bank maintains a securities portfolio comprised of U.S. Government sponsored agency securities, municipal securities and other, miscellaneous investment securities. The Bank’s investment policy also permits the Bank to invest in U.S. Treasury Securities. The Company manages its investment portfolio to (i) maximize safety and soundness, (ii) provide adequate liquidity, (iii) maximize rate of return within the constraints of applicable liquidity requirements (with liquidity taking precedence over return) and (iv) complement asset/liability management policies. The Bank’s Asset and Liability Committee, which is made up of the Bank’s Chairman of the Board and all remaining senior and junior officers and resident, outside directors, oversees the Bank’s investment portfolio with the assistance of the Bank’s Investment Committee, which is made up of the Bank’s Chairman of the Board, the Bank’s Vice President and two outside directors. In assessing the Bank’s exposure to the possibility of any significant increase in market interest rates from the present 45 year low, the Bank’s Asset and Liability Committee has opted at present to keep the average maturities of most of the investment portfolio to less than 2 years. This has caused average yields in the 2003 period to be lower than would have been the case if these same funds had been placed in instruments with longer maturities. The committee, therefore, has chosen to trade some of the Bank’s current earnings in return for a heightened level of preparedness for rising rates. The committee would not likely extend these maturities until such time as market interest rates have moved to a level where there is sufficient room for interest rates to decline and there is a reasonable expectation that they might indeed decline. See “Item 6. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Asset/Liability Management.”

The table below provides the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investment securities at each of the dates indicated.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO COST VS FAIR VALUE


	Year Ended December 31,
	2003				2002				2001
	Amortized				Amortized				Amortized
	Cost		Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)
Held to Maturity:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
U.S. government agencies and corporations		24,365		24,485		20,175		20,682		30,344		30,688
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		2,295		2,593		2,295		2,511		2,295		2,349
Other bonds, notes and securities		663		663		24		24		24		24

Total	$	27,323	$	27,741	$	22,494	$	23,217	$	32,663	$	33,061

The following table provides the carrying values, maturities and weighted average yields of the Company’s investment portfolio on the dates indicated. The yield is computed on a full tax equivalent basis to reflect the effect of tax exempt income earned on municipal obligations in the investment securities portfolio. A 37% tax rate was used.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO MATURITIES AND YIELDS
December 31, 2003


				Due after			Due after
	Due in			one year			five years
	one year			through			through			Due after
	or less			five years			ten years			ten years			Total
(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. treasury securities:
Balance	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Weighted average yield		0	%		0	%		0	%		0	%		0	%
U.S. government agencies and corporations
Balance	$	10,030		$	14,335		$	—		$	—		$	24,365
Weighted average yield		3.46	%		1.70	%		0	%		0	%		2.42	%
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
Balance	$	—		$	—		$	652		$	1,643		$	2,295
Weighted average yield		0	%		0	%		7.25	%		7.89	%		7.71	%
Other bonds, notes and securities
Balance	$	663		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	663
Weighted average yield		2.33	%		0	%		0	%		0	%		2	%
Total:
Balance	$	10,693		$	14,335		$	652		$	1,643		$	27,323
Weighted average yield		3.39	%		1.70	%		7.25	%		7.89	%		2.87	%

The Bank also invests in tax-exempt securities in order to help control taxable income and support community municipal funding needs. Interest paid on tax-exempt securities is non-taxable for ordinary income tax purposes and partially taxable for alternative minimum tax purposes. Management attempts to balance its investments in tax-exempt securities in order to maximize the tax benefits from these investments.

SOURCE OF FUNDS

General. The Bank’s primary source of funds has historically been customer deposits. Scheduled loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and unscheduled loan prepayments, which are influenced by general interest rate levels, interest rates available on other investments, competition, economic conditions and other factors, are not. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in other sources of funds (such as deposit inflows at less than projected levels). Borrowings may also be used on a longer term basis to match the maturity or repricing intervals of assets. In 2003, the Bank became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka (the “FHLB”) through the acquisition of FHLB stock, which totaled $638,800 on December 31, 2003. The minimum number of shares of FHLB stock, which must be held in order to qualify for FHLB membership, is a function of bank asset size and total borrowings from the FHLB, if any. The FHLB currently provides the Bank with access to a collateralized credit line of approximately $61,590,000, as well as a source to sell excess federal funds. To date, the Bank has not taken advantage of its FHLB borrowing capability.

In addition to the Bank’s FHLB borrowing privilege, the Bank has an unsecured federal funds purchase line at Banker’s Bank of the West in Denver, Colorado in the amount of $8,090,000. This source has also remained untapped thus far.

Deposit Activities. The Bank offers a variety of accounts for depositors designed to attract both short-term and long-term deposits. These accounts include certificates of deposit (CD’s), savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, checking and negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) accounts and individual retirement accounts. These accounts generally earn interest at rates established by management based on competitive market factors and management’s desire to increase or decrease total deposits or certain types or maturities of deposits. The Bank has never sought brokered deposits and does not currently intend to do so in the future.

CD’s in the amount of $100,000 or more are considered to be a more volatile and less dependable source of funding. The following table depicts the amount and maturity of these accounts for the dates indicated.

NON CORE DEPOSITS


	December 31
(Dollars in thousands)	2003		2002
CD’s over $100,000 with remaining maturity
Less than three months	$	9,674	$	9,640
Three to six months		6,265		7,507
Over six months to one year		6,506		5,118
Over one year		2,469		1,986

Total	$	24,914	$	24,251

COMPETITION

The Bank primarily competes with seven banks and one savings and loan, each with full service banking facilities located in our 3-county market. The total number of competing offices is presently fourteen, consisting of two main office locations, each owned and operated by community banks affiliated with the same group of tiered holding companies, one main office location owned and operated by a mutually owned savings and loan, six full service branch facilities owned and operated by community banks located in this market or in the region and five full service branch facilities owned and operated by large

out of state, bank holding companies. The Bank also competes for loans, deposits and other services with a number of small credit unions, mortgage bankers, insurance agencies, stock brokers and a number of government agencies. The principal methods of competition in the industry are price (i.e. interest rates and fees), scope and type of services offered and quality of service. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources than this Bank. In addition, by virtue of their larger capital bases, different regulatory environment or affiliation with larger, multi-bank holding companies, some of the banks or entities with which we compete have substantially larger lending limits, more liberal underwriting criteria in the near term or other service functions for their customers which we can not and believe should not offer, or can offer only through correspondents. Management is of the opinion that personal attention, coupled with attractive deposit offering rates and loan terms and a funds management strategy that does not put loan customers at extreme risk of rising interest rates, is the best, long term competitive posture. Additionally, during the past several years, substantial consolidation among financial institutions in Colorado and New Mexico has occurred. Management believes that this consolidation has led to substantial account disruption for small businesses and consumers who fall below the focus threshold for larger banks and which have had their lending relationship at such banks altered or severed. Management further believes that this may lead customers in this market area to seek a relationship with smaller, service oriented, yet technologically capable, institutions such as this Bank.

EMPLOYEES

At December 31, 2003, the Bank had approximately 75 total employees and the Company had 3 employees. The Bank has placed a high priority on selective hiring and technical and customer service training in order to staff the Bank effectively. New hires are selected on the basis of both technical skills and customer service capabilities. None of the Bank’s employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Bank and management believes that its relationship with its employees as a group is good.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

Bank holding companies and banks are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. The information contained in this section summarizes portions of the applicable laws and regulations relating to the supervision and regulation of the Company and its subsidiary. These summaries do not purport to be complete, and they are qualified in their entirety by reference to the particular statutes and regulations described. Any change in applicable law or regulation may have a material effect on the business and prospects of the Company and its subsidiary.

BANK HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION

The Company is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and is registered as such with the Federal Reserve Board. Under the current terms of that Act, activities of the Company, and those of companies which it controls or in which it holds more than 5% of the voting stock, are limited to banking or managing or controlling banks or furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiaries, or any other activity which the Federal Reserve Board determines to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. In making such determinations, the Federal Reserve Board is required to consider whether the performance of such activities by a bank holding company or its subsidiaries can reasonably be expected to produce benefits to the public such as greater convenience, increased competition or gains in efficiency that outweigh the possible adverse effects, such as an undue concentration of resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest or unsound banking practices.

Bank holding companies, such as the Company, are required to file with the Federal Reserve Board certain reports and information and are required to obtain prior approval of the Board to engage in a new activity or to acquire more than 5% of any class of voting stock of any company. Pursuant to the Riegle-Neal Interstate Branching and Efficiency Act of 1994 (“Riegle-Neal Act”), subject to approval by the Federal Reserve Board, bank holding companies are authorized to acquire either control of or substantial assets of, a bank located outside the bank holding company’s home state. These acquisitions are subject to limitations, which are mentioned in the discussion on “Interstate Banking” which follows. The Riegle-Neal Act reaffirms the right of states to segregate and tax separately incorporated subsidiaries of a bank or bank holding company. The Riegle-Neal Act also affects interstate branching and mergers.

The Federal Reserve Board has authorized the acquisition and control by bank holding companies of savings and loan associations and certain other savings institutions without regard to geographic restrictions applicable to acquisition of shares of a bank.

The Federal Reserve Board is authorized to adopt regulations affecting various aspects of bank holding companies. Pursuant to the general supervisory authority of the Bank Holding Company Act and directives set forth in the International Lending Supervision Act of 1983, the Federal Reserve Board has adopted capital adequacy guidelines prescribing both risk-based capital and leverage ratios.

The enactment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the “GLB Act”) repeals sections 20 and 32 of the Banking Act of 1933, allowing new opportunities to be available for banks, other depository institutions, insurance companies and securities firms to enter into combinations that permit a single financial service organization to offer customers a more complete array of financial products and services. To further this goal, the GLB Act amends section 4 of the Act providing a new regulatory framework for regulation through the financial holding company (“FHC”), which will have as its umbrella regulator the Federal Reserve Board. Functional regulation of the FHC’s separately regulated subsidiaries will be conducted by their primary functional regulator. Pursuant to the GLB Act, bank holding companies, subsidiary depository institutions thereof and foreign banks electing to qualify as a FHC must be “well managed,” “well capitalized” and at least rated satisfactory under the Community Reinvestment Act in order for them to engage in new financial activities. The GLB Act provides a federal right to privacy of non-public personal information of individual customers. The GLB Act and Regulation S-P became effective on November 13, 2000 with full compliance mandatory by July 1, 2001.

In October 2001, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 were enacted. These statutes contain law enforcement and regulatory provisions that require the Bank to respond to requests for information or verify information provided from time to time by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

Risk-Based Capital Guidelines. The Federal Reserve Board established risk-based capital guidelines for bank holding companies effective March 15, 1989. The guidelines define Tier I Capital and Total Capital. Tier I Capital consists of common and qualifying preferred shareholders’ equity and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill and 50% (and in some cases up to 100%) of investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries. Total Capital consists of Tier I Capital plus qualifying mandatory convertible debt, perpetual debt, certain hybrid capital instruments, certain preferred stock not qualifying as Tier I Capital, subordinated and other qualifying term debt up to specified limits, and a portion of the allowance for credit losses, less investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and in other designated subsidiaries or other associated companies at the discretion of the Federal Reserve Board, certain intangible assets, a portion of limited-life capital instruments approaching maturity and reciprocal

holdings of banking organizations’ capital instruments. The Tier I component must constitute at least 50% of qualifying Total Capital.

Risk based capital ratios are calculated with reference to risk-weighted assets, which include both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet exposures. The risk-based capital framework contains four risk-weighted categories for bank holding company assets—0%, 20%, 50% and 100%. Zero percent risk-weighted assets include, generally, cash and balances due from Federal Reserve Banks, and obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies. Twenty percent risk –weighted assets include, generally, claims on U.S. Banks and obligations guaranteed by U.S. government sponsored agencies as well as general obligations of states or other political subdivisions of the United States. Fifty percent risk-weighted assets include, generally, loans fully secured by first liens on one-to-four family residential properties, subject to certain conditions. All assets not included in the foregoing categories are assigned to the 100% risk-weighted category, including loans to commercial and other borrowers. As of year end 1992, the minimum required ratio for qualifying Total Capital became 8%, of which at least 4% must consist of Tier I Capital. At December 31, 2003, the Company’s Tier I and Total Capital ratios were 19.54% and 20.79%, respectively.

The current risk-based capital ratio analysis establishes minimum supervisory guidelines and standards. It does note evaluate all factors affecting an organization’s financial condition. Factors which are not evaluated include (i) overall interest rate exposure; (ii) quality and level of earnings; (iii) investment or loan portfolio concentrations; (iv) quality of loans and investments; (v) the effectiveness of loan and investment policies; (vi) certain risks arising from nontraditional activities; and (vii) management’s overall ability to monitor and control other financial and operating risks, including the risks presented by concentrations of credit and nontraditional activities. The capital adequacy assessment of federal bank regulators will, however, continue to include analyses of the foregoing considerations and in particular, the level and severity of problem and classified assets. Market risk of a banking organization—risk of loss stemming from movements in market prices—is not evaluated under the current risk-based capital ratio analysis (and is therefore analyzed by the bank regulators through a general assessment of an organization’s capital adequacy) unless trading activities constitute 10 percent or $1 billion or more of the assets of such organization. Such an organization (unless exempted by the banking regulators) and certain other banking organizations designated by the banking regulators must include in its risk-based capital ratio analysis charges for, and hold capital against, general market risk of all positions held in its trading account and of foreign exchange and commodity positions wherever located, as well as against specific risk of debt and equity positions located in its trading account. Currently, the company and the Bank do not calculate a risk-based capital charge for their market risk.

Minimum Leverage Ratio. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted capital standards and leverage capital guidelines that include a minimum leverage ratio of 3% Tier I Capital to total assets (the “leverage ratio”). The leverage ratio is used in tandem with a risk-based ratio of 8% that took effect at the end of 1992.

The Federal Reserve Board has emphasized that the leverage ratio constitutes a minimum requirement for well-run banking organizations having well-diversified risk, including no undue interest rate exposure, excellent asset quality, high liquidity, good earnings, and a composite rating of 1 under the Interagency Bank Rating System. Banking organizations experiencing or anticipating significant growth, as well as those organizations which do not exhibit the characteristics of a strong, well-run banking organization described above, will be required to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels without significant reliance on intangible assets. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve Board has indicated that it will consider a “tangible Tier I Capital Leverage Ratio” (deducting all intangibles) and other indices of capital strength in evaluating proposals for expansion or new activities. At December 31, 2003, the Company’s Tangible Tier I Capital Leverage Ratio was 9.95%

Other Issues and Developments Relating to Regulatory Capital. Pursuant to such authority and directives set forth in the 1988 Basle Capital Accord, as amended, the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board have issued regulations establishing the capital requirements for banks under federal law. The regulations, which apply to the Bank, establish minimum risk-based and leverage ratios which are substantially similar to those applicable to the Company. As of December 31, 2003, the risk-based and leverage ratio of the Bank exceeded the minimum requirements.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) requires the federal banking regulators to take “prompt corrective action” in respect of banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements and imposes certain restrictions upon banks which meet minimum capital requirements but are not “well capitalized” for purposes of FDICIA. FDICIA established five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” and “critically undercapitalized.” Implementing regulations adopted by the federal banking agencies define the corrective action by the federal banking agencies. A bank may be placed in a capitalization category that is lower than is indicated by its capital position if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters. Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank to a variety of restrictions and enforcement remedies. All insured banks are generally prohibited from making any capital distributions and from paying management fees to persons having control of the bank where such payments would cause the bank to be undercapitalized. Holding companies of significantly undercapitalized, critically undercapitalized and certain undercapitalized banks may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board before paying capital distributions to their shareholders. Moreover, a bank that is not well capitalized is generally subject to various restrictions on “pass through” insurance coverage for certain of its accounts and is generally prohibited from accepting brokered deposits and offering interest rates on any deposits significantly higher than the prevailing rate in its normal market area or nationally (depending upon where the deposits are solicited). Such banks and their holding companies are also required to obtain regulatory approval prior to their retention of senior executive officers. At December 31, 2003, both the Bank and Company were “well capitalized”.

Banks which are classified undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized are required to submit capital restoration plans satisfactory to their federal banking regulator and guaranteed within stated limits by companies having control of such banks (i.e., to the extent of the lesser of five percent of the institution’s total assets at the time it became undercapitalized or the amount necessary to bring the institution into compliance with all applicable capital standards as of the time the institution fails to comply with its capital restoration plan, until the institution is adequately capitalized on average during each of four consecutive calendar quarters), and are subject to regulatory monitoring and various restrictions on their operations and activities, including those upon asset growth, acquisitions, branching and entry into new lines of business and may be required to divest themselves of or liquidate subsidiaries under certain circumstances. Holding companies of such institutions may be required to divest themselves of such institutions or divest themselves of or liquidate nondepository affiliates under certain circumstances. Critically undercapitalized institutions are also prohibited from making payments of principal and interest on debt subordinated to the claims of general creditors as well as to the mandatory appointment of conservator or receiver within 90 days of becoming critically undercapitalized unless periodic determinations are made by the appropriate federal banking agency, with the concurrence of the FDIC, that forbearance from such action would better protect the affected deposit insurance fund. Unless appropriate findings and certifications are made by the appropriate federal banking agency with the concurrence of the FDIC, a critically undercapitalized institution must be placed in receivership if it remains critically undercapitalized on average during the calendar quarter beginning 270 days after the date it became critically undercapitalized.

Other Regulatory and Supervisor Issues. Pursuant to FDICIA, the federal banking agencies have adopted regulations or guidelines prescribing standards for safety and soundness of insured banks and in some instances their holding companies, including standards relating to internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, asset quality, earnings and stock valuation, as well as other operational and managerial standards deemed appropriate by the agencies. Upon a determination by a federal banking agency that an insured bank has failed to satisfy any such standard, the bank will be required to file an acceptable plan to correct the deficiency. If the bank fails to submit or implement an acceptable plan, the federal banking agency may, and in some instances must, issue an order requiring the institution to correct the deficiency, restrict its asset growth or increase its ratio of tangible equity to assets, or imposing other operating restrictions.

FDICIA also contains provisions which, among other things, impose limitations on deposit account balance determinations for the purpose of the calculation of interest, and require the federal banking regulators to prescribe, implement or modify standards for extensions of credit secured by liens on interests in real estate or made for the purpose of financing construction of a building or other improvements to real estate, loans to bank insiders, regulatory accounting and reports, internal control reports, independent audits, exposure on interbank liabilities, contractual arrangements under which institutions receive goods, products or services, deposit account-related disclosures and advertising as well as to impose restrictions on federal reserve discount window advances for certain institutions and to require that insured depository institutions generally be examined on-site by federal personnel at least once every 12 months.

In connection with an institutional failure or FDIC rescue of a financial institution, the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”) grants to the FDIC the right, in many situations, to charge its actual or anticipated losses against commonly controlled depository institution affiliates of the failed or rescued institution (although not against a bank holding company itself).

The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) requires banks to help serve the credit needs in their communities, including credit to low and moderate income individuals and geographies. Should the Company or its subsidiaries fail to adequately serve the community, there are penalties which might be imposed. Corporate applications to expand branches, relocate, add subsidiaries and affiliates and merge with or purchase other financial institutions could be denied. Community groups are encouraged through the regulation to protest applications for any bank subject to this regulation if they feel that the bank is not serving the credit needs of the community in which it serves. The Company and Bank have been deemed by regulators in the past to be “outstanding” in serving their communities. Other, lesser ratings include “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” and “substantial non compliance”.

The nature of the banking and financial services industry, as well as banking regulation, may be further affected by various legislative and regulatory measures currently under consideration. It is impossible to predict whether or in what form these proposals may be adopted in the future and, if adopted, what the effect of their adoption will be on the Company and the Bank.

There are many other regulations requiring detailed compliance procedures which increase costs and require additional time commitments of employees. Regulators and the Congress continue to put in place rules and laws to protect consumers, which have a cumulative additional impact on the cost of doing business. At this point, management cannot completely assess how earnings might be affected by these consumer laws.

INTERSTATE BANKING

Existing laws and various regulatory developments have allowed financial institutions to conduct significant activities on an interstate basis for a number of years. During recent years, a number of financial institutions have expanded their out-of-state activities and various states and the Congress have enacted legislation intended to allow certain interstate banking combinations.

The Riegle-Neal Act dramatically affects interstate banking activities. As discussed previously, the Riegle-Neal Act allows the Federal Reserve Board to approve the acquisition by a bank holding company of control of substantial assets of a bank located outside the bank holding company’s home state. An insured bank may apply to the appropriate federal agency for permission to merge with an out-of-state bank and convert its offices into branches of the resulting bank. States retain the option to prohibit out-of-state mergers if they enacted a statute specifically barring such mergers before June 1, 1997, and such law applies equally to all out-of-state banks.

Interstate mergers authorized by the Riegle-Neal Act are subject to conditions and requirements, the most significant of which include adequate capitalization and management of the acquiring bank or bank holding company, existence of the acquired bank for up to five years before purchase where required under state law, existence of state laws that condition acquisitions on institutions making assets available to a “state-sponsored housing entity,” and limitations on control by the acquiring bank holding company of not more than 10% of the total amount of deposits in insured depository institutions in the United States or not more than 30% of the deposits in insured depository institutions within that state. States may impose lower deposit concentration limits, so long as those limits apply to all bank holding companies equally and Colorado has imposed a 25% limit on such concentrations. Additional requirements placed on mergers include conformity with state law branching requirements and compliance with “host state” merger filing requirements to the extent that those requirements do not discriminate against out-of-state banks or out-of-state bank holding companies.

The Riegle-Neal Act also permits banks to establish and operate a “de novo branch” in any state that expressly permits all out-of-state banks to establish de novo branches in such state, if the law applies equally to all banks. (A “de novo branch” is a branch office of a national bank or state bank that is originally established as a branch and does not become a branch as a result of an acquisition, conversion, merger or consolidation.) Utilization of this authority is conditioned upon satisfaction of most of the conditions applicable to interstate mergers under the Riegle-Neal Act, including adequate capitalization and management of the branching institution, satisfaction with certain filing and notice requirements imposed under state law and receipt of federal regulatory approvals. The States of Colorado and New Mexico currently bar the establishment of “de novo branches” by out-of-state banks, however, the Bank has successfully established a loan production office, a deposit production office, and a remote service unit (ATM) in Raton, New Mexico, as permitted by regulations of the Bank’s primary regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

THE BANK

The Bank is a national bank and a Colorado banking corporation, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and is subject to supervision and regulation by the Comptroller of the Currency and the FDIC. As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to supervision and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.

Dividends paid by the Bank provide substantially all of the cash flow of the Company. As a national bank, the Bank is subject to the dividend restrictions set forth by the Comptroller of the Currency. Under such restrictions, the Bank may not, without prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency, declare dividends in excess of the sum of the current year’s earnings plus the retained earnings from the prior two years. The dividends that the Bank could declare, without the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency, amounted to approximately $3,447,000 as of December 31, 2003. The dividend that was declared and paid in 2003 was $84,000.

DEPOSIT INSURANCE ASSESSMENTS

The FDIC insures deposits of the Bank up to the prescribed limit per depositor through the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF), and the amount of FDIC assessments paid by each BIF member institution is based upon its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other factors. The BIF assessment rate currently ranges from zero to 27 cents per $100 of domestic deposits. The FDIC may increase or decrease the assessment rate and schedule on a semi-annual basis. As of December 31, 2003, the Bank qualified for the lowest BIF assessment rate.

EFFECT ON ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

The policies of regulatory authorities, including the monetary policy of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, have a significant effect on the operating results of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries. Among the means available to the Board of Governors to affect the money supply are open market operations in U.S. Government securities, changes in the discount rate on member bank borrowings, imposing or changing reserve requirements against member bank deposits, and imposing or changing reserve requirements against certain borrowings by banks and their affiliates. These means are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth and distribution of bank loans, investments and deposits, and their use may affect the interest rate charged on loans or paid on deposits.

The Board of Governors’ monetary policies have materially affected the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future. The nature of future monetary policies and the effect of such policies on the business and earnings of the Company and its subsidiary cannot be predicted.

RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE COMPANY

Impact of Interest Rates and General Economic Conditions. The Company’s profitability, like that of most similar financial institutions, depends largely on the Bank’s net interest income, which is the difference between its interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and its interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Accordingly, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition are largely dependent on movements in market interest rates and its ability to manage its assets in response to such movements. The difference between the amount of the total interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities which reprice within a given time period could have a negative effect on the Bank’s net interest income depending on whether such difference was positive or negative and whether interest rates are rising or falling.

Increases in interest rates may reduce demand for loans and, thus, the amount of loan and commitment fees earned by the Bank. In addition, fluctuations in interest rates may also result in disintermediation, which is the flow of funds away from depository institutions into direct investments which pay a higher rate of return, and may affect the value of the Company’s investment securities and other interest earning assets. Because the Bank’s assets consist of some loans with interest rates which change in accordance

with changes in prevailing market rates, if interest rates rise sharply, some of the Bank’s borrowers would be required to make higher interest payments on their loans. Therefore, increases in interest rates may cause the Bank to experience an increase in delinquent loans and defaults to the extent that borrowers are unable to meet their increased debt servicing obligations. In addition, the Bank has a substantial portfolio of fixed rate loans that may be prepaid without significant penalty, so that customers might prepay or refinance them in a period of declining interest rates. That would alter the Bank’s asset liability gap position and ultimately reduce the rates earned on those assets, as cash flow from loan repayments would be reinvested at lower rates.

Results of operations for financial institutions, including the Company, may be materially and adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic conditions, including declines in real estate values, rapid changes in interest rates and the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government. The profitability of the Company depends in part on the spread between the interest rates earned on assets and the interest rates paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. Although management believes that the maturities of the Company’s assets are moderately balanced in relation to maturities of liabilities (asset/liability management), asset/liability management involves estimates as to how changes in the general level of interest rates will impact the yields earned on assets and the rates paid on liabilities. A decrease in interest rate spreads would have a negative effect on the net interest income and profitability of the Company, and we cannot give any assurance that this spread will not decrease. Although the Bank’s market area has received substantial benefit from high natural gas prices and the resulting impact that has had on coal bed methane gas development locally, there can be no assurance that this development will sustain itself. Substantially all of the loans of the Company are to businesses and individuals in this 3 county area, and any significant decline in the economy of this market area could have an adverse impact on the Company. We cannot give any assurances that positive trends or developments discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB will continue or that negative trends or developments will not have a material adverse effect on the Company. See “Item 6 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Growth Risks. The Bank has pursued and intends to continue to pursue an internal growth strategy, the success of which will depend primarily on generating an increasing level of loans and deposits at acceptable risk levels and terms without proportionate increases in noninterest expenses. The Bank has grown by the establishment of new branches, and intends to consider new branching opportunities in the future. See “Item 1. – Growth Strategy.” The Company cannot give any assurance that it will be successful in continuing its internal growth strategy. Also, the level of success of the Company’s growth strategy will depend on maintaining sufficient regulatory capital levels and on continued favorable economic conditions in the Company’s market area.

Competitive Banking Environment. The banking business in the Bank’s market is highly competitive. The Bank competes for loans and deposits with other local, regional and national commercial banks, savings and loan associations, finance companies, money market funds, brokerage houses, credit unions and nonfinancial institutions, any of which have substantially greater financial resources than the Bank. See “Item 1. – Competition.”

Allowance for Loan Losses. Inability of borrowers to repay loans can erode earnings and capital of banks. Like all banks, the Bank maintains an allowance for loan losses to provide for loan defaults and nonperformance. The allowance is based on prior experience with loan losses, as well as an evaluation of the risks in the current portfolio, and is maintained at a level considered adequate by management to absorb anticipated losses. The amount of future losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates, that may be beyond management’s control, and such losses may exceed current estimates. At December 31, 2003, the Bank had nonperforming loans of

$881,000, or .83% of total loans, and an allowance for loan losses of $1,700,000, 192.96% of nonperforming loans. We cannot give any assurance that the Bank’s allowance for loan losses will be adequate to cover actual losses. Future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect results of operations of the Bank. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. An increase in the Bank’s provision for loan losses would negatively affect earnings.

Lending Risks—Credit Quality. A central focus of the Company’s and the Bank’s strategy is the continued development and growth of a diversified loan portfolio, with emphasis on residential loans and commercial business lending to small- and medium-sized businesses. Certain risks are inherent in the lending function, including a borrower’s inability to pay, insufficient collateral coverage and changes in interest rates. Repayment risk on commercial loans is significantly affected by changing economic conditions in a particular geographical area, business or industry which could impair future operating performance. Risks associated with general business loans include changes in general economic conditions which may affect the borrower’s ability to repay as well as underlying collateral values. Installment and other consumer loans are also subject to repayment risk.

Dependence on Key Personnel. The Bank depends on the continued services of J. Ed Eisemann, IV, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph A. Gagliardi, President, Virginia Cusimano, Senior Vice President and Branch Manager and Mary Ann Ghella, Senior Vice President and Consumer Loan Officer. The loss of the services of Mr. Eisemann, Mr. Gagliardi, Mrs. Cusimano or Mrs. Ghella or of certain other key personnel, could adversely affect the Company. Any growth or expansion into areas requiring additional expertise will place increased demands upon Company resources. Such demands would require new management personnel and the development of additional expertise by existing management personnel. The failure to acquire such services or to develop such expertise could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future growth.

Control by Officers and Directors as a Group; Anti-takeover Effect. The Company’s officers and directors own beneficially approximately 65.6% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. As a result, they alone may elect by simple majority the Board of Directors. This may impede the efforts of a third party to acquire control of the Company or to change the Board of Directors of the Company.

Government Regulation and Recent Legislation. The Company and the Bank are subject to extensive federal and state legislation, regulation and supervision which is intended primarily to protect depositors and the Bank Insurance Fund, rather than investors. Recently enacted, proposed and future legislation and regulations designed to strengthen the banking industry have had and may in the future have a significant impact on the banking industry and on the Company. Although some of the legislative and regulatory changes may benefit the Company and the Bank, others may increase their costs of doing business or otherwise adversely affect the Company and the Bank and create competitive advantages for potential non-bank competitors.

We cannot make any assurance that any present or future changes in the laws or regulations applicable to the Company or in their interpretation will not adversely and materially affect the Company.

Economic Conditions and Monetary Policies. Conditions beyond the Company’s and Bank’s control may have a significant impact on the Company’s operations and its net interest income from one period to another. Examples of such conditions include:

• prevailing economic conditions both nationally and in the Bank’s market;

• the quality and level of credit demands by customers;

• fiscal and debt management policies of the federal government, including changes in tax laws;

• the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, including the percentage of deposits that must be held in the form of non-earning cash reserves;

• the introduction and growth of new investment instruments and transaction accounts by non-bank financial competitors; and

• changes in federal rules and regulations governing the payment of interest on deposit accounts.

Potential Liability for Undercapitalized Subsidiary Bank. Under federal law, a bank holding company may be required to guarantee a capital plan filed by an undercapitalized bank or thrift subsidiary with its primary regulator. If the subsidiary defaults under the plan, the holding company may be required to contribute to the capital of the subsidiary bank an amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the bank’s assets at the time it became undercapitalized or the amount necessary to bring the bank into compliance with applicable capital standards. It is, therefore, possible that the Company could be required to contribute capital to the Bank in the event that the Bank becomes undercapitalized.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Bank owns the five story, 1892 vintage First National Bank main building, located in Trinidad, Colorado and occupies the entire 6,500 square foot, first floor and mezzanine. Approximately 14,000 square feet of the upper floors is rentable to small business and professional tenants. In 1990, an additional 5,000 square feet was obtained through the purchase and remodel of an adjacent, two story building of similar vintage. This building was annexed to the main building and used for expansion of the Bank’s loan department. In 2001, a similar sized building adjacent to the annex was acquired for future expansion. The Bank also owns a 1,000 square foot detached facility and parking lot area one block from the Bank’s main offices, which is used for drive-up and walk-in customer services. This property was acquired in 1979 and remodeled and expanded in 1998.

In 1993, the Bank purchased a 1500 square foot, former savings and loan office located in Walsenburg (Huerfano County), Colorado, from the Resolution Trust Corporation. This office was remodeled and occupied as a branch facility and has served as the Bank’s primary base of operations in Huerfano County. This facility was again remodeled and expanded to 2,500 square feet in 2001.

In 1995, the Bank purchased two small, vacant lots, one in Trinidad and the other in La Veta, Colorado. Free-standing, drive-up ATM buildings were installed on these lots, offering 24-hour ATM services.

In 1998, the Bank leased for three, five-year renewable terms a 500 square foot branch location in a Wal-mart superstore, located in Trinidad, Colorado. The bank has operated a branch in this location since then and has exercised its first renewal in 2003 and has two terms remaining. The current monthly rent on this property is $2,605.

Also in 1998, the Bank leased a 1000 square foot office space located in a shopping center in Raton, New Mexico, remodeled the facility, and occupied it as a loan production and deposit production office. The lease runs for five years and is renewable for an additional five-year term. The current monthly rent on this property is $675 and the Bank intends to renew this lease in 2004. The Bank also leased in 1998 a 30 feet by 40 feet portion of the same shopping center parking lot for construction of a drive up ATM and automated night drop. This lease is for $100 per month and runs for 10 years.

The Company believes its existing bank facilities will be adequate to meet the Company’s and Bank’s needs for the foreseeable future. The Company believes that the facilities are adequately covered by insurance.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Periodically and in the ordinary course of business, various claims and lawsuits are brought against the Company, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on properties in which the Company holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to the Company’s business. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from any such pending claims or lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

COMMON STOCK

It is not anticipated that an active market for the Company’s shares will develop and the Company did not repurchase any of its shares in 2003. There were approximately 1,800 shareholders as of the date of this annual report.

DIVIDEND POLICY

The Company’s policy is to retain its earnings to support the growth of its business. The Board of Directors of the Company has not historically declared cash dividends on its Common Stock, and has no current plan to do so. The ability of the Company to pay cash dividends largely depends on the amount of cash dividends paid to it by the Bank. Capital distributions, including dividends, by the Bank are subject to restrictions tied to the Bank’s earnings. See “Item 1. – The Bank.”

ITEM 6. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following commentary provides information about major components of the operations and financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of The Republic Corporation for the periods ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited financial statements and related notes for the same periods. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements show its financial condition and information on a consolidated basis. The Bank is the only operating unit of the Company. The differences between the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and those of the Bank have historically consisted primarily of factors pertaining to holding company expenses and the income tax effect of those expenses.

GENERAL

Our profitability, like that of similar financial institutions, is driven in large part by circumstances in both the local and national economies, which in turn affects the Company’s net interest income and financial stability. Net interest income is the difference between the Company’s interest income on interest-earning assets such as loans and investments, and its interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowings. The Company’s results of operations and financial condition are largely dependent on movements in market interest rates and ability to manage assets and liabilities in response to such movements. Results of operations for the Company, as with other financial institutions, may be materially and adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic conditions, including changes, and the rate of change, in interest rates and the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government in particular. Management is responsible for structuring both the timing of interest bearing asset repricings and the timing of interest bearing liability repricings so that net interest income is ideally at a sufficient level in the current time frame and adequately protected from significant decline in the future. The often unforeseen magnitude and direction of interest rate change can cause a negative earnings impact on the best conceived asset/liability management structure and future results in this area are therefore most appropriately described as probabilities. Another factor in the local and national economies, not entirely unrelated to interest rates, is credit risk and management’s ability to appropriately manage this exposure. Deterioration in either the national economy or in the Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico economies can cause declines in borrower repayment ability and performance and dampen loan demand to an extent that earnings are significantly impacted. The potential for increased loan charge-offs and loan loss provisions in such environments must be taken into account in addition to the possibility of lower net interest income. In the present economic environment, the most significant potential changes for the Company would be a reversal of federal monetary policy that would bring an end to the low interest rates that now prevail as well as any significant decrease in employment levels in Trinidad, Colorado, Walsenburg, Colorado, Raton, New Mexico and the surrounding communities. Either of these events, which may occur in isolation or in concert with one another, could cause a negative effect on net interest income or increase our credit losses above current levels. There can be no assurance going forward that these results will not occur. Lastly, the effective management of technology is a growing factor in the banking industry and plays a role in defining our results as a financial institution. Our results are materially tied to such factors as technology cost, effective delivery of banking services through the use of technology, and the management of risks incidental to the use of technology, including operational risk, reputation risk and information security risk. Specifically, these risks include the potential loss, delay or unauthorized access to or alteration of customer transaction data housed or conveyed via electronic means and the possible negative, public reaction to such events in our markets.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income expressed on a fully tax equivalent basis for December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 remained substantially constant at $7,303,000, $7,319,000 and $7,131,000, respectively. This occurred in spite of unprecedented declines in market interest rates, which had a profound effect on interest earning asset yields and interest bearing liability costs. Net interest spread, the difference between the average tax equivalent yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities also remained consistent in these three periods at 3.78%, 3.72% and 3.64%, respectively. Margin refers to tax equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets and this measure also remained relatively constant in these three periods at 4.26%, 4.17% and 4.44%, respectively.

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated information with regard to average balances of assets and liabilities, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income from interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, resultant yields or costs, net interest income, net

AVERAGE BALANCES AND YIELD OR COST
Years Ended December 31,


	2003								2002								2001
				Interest		Average						Interest		Average						Interest		Average
	Average			Earned or		yield or			Average			Earned or		yield or			Average			Earned or		yield or
	Balance (1)			paid		cost			Balance (1)			paid		cost			Balance (1)			paid		cost
	(Dollars in thousands)								(Dollars in thousands)								(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Loans:
Total loans	$	108,127		$	8,449		7.81	%	$	110,688		$	9,237		8.35	%	$	116,050		$	10,541		9.08	%
Allowance for loan loss		(1,718	)							(1,751	)							(1,607	)
Securities:
Taxable		21,689			731		3.37	%		26,292			1,168		4.44	%		25,550			1,518		5.94	%
Tax exempt on FTE basis		2,295			186		8.09	%		2,295			189		8.24	%		2,295			189		8.24	%
Total securities		23,984					3.82	%		28,587			1,357		4.75	%		27,845			1,707		6.13	%
Federal funds sold		39,186			425		1.08	%		36,194			590		1.63	%		16,879			610		3.61	%
Total interest-earning assets		171,297			9,791		5.72	%		175,469			11,184		6.37	%		160,774			12,858		8.00	%
Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		5,405								5,649								5,269
Other assets		5,116								5,862								5,887
Total noninterest-earning assets		10,521								11,511								11,156
Total assets		180,100								185,229								170,323
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand and money market deposits		38,398			405		1.05	%		53,229			785		1.47	%		46,317			1403		3.03	%
Savings deposits - Other		9,726			85		0.87	%		9,590			134		1.40	%		9,005			216		2.40	%
Time deposits		80,130			1,998		2.49	%		82,733			2,946		3.56	%		76,097			4,108		5.40	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		128,254			2,488		1.94	%		145,552			3,865		2.66	%		131,419			5,727		4.36	%
Noninterest-bearing demand accounts		32,338								21,622								21,906
Total deposits		160,592								167,174								153,325
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities		2,128								1,467								1,619
Total liabilities		162,720								168,641								154,944
Stockholders equity		17,380								16,588								15,379
Total liabilities and stockholders equity		180,100								185,229								170,323
Net interest income					7,303								7,319								7,131
Net interest spread (full tax equivalent basis)							3.78	%							3.72	%							3.64	%
Net interest margin (full tax equivalent basis)							4.26	%							4.17	%							4.44	%
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities							133.56	%							120.55	%							122.34	%
Return on average assets							0.69	%							0.69	%							0.74	%
Return on average equity							7.19	%							7.73	%							8.19	%
Dividend payout ratio							0.00	%							0.00	%							0.00	%
Ratio of average equity to average assets							9.65	%							8.96	%							9.03	%

(1) Average balances are based on daily averages and include nonaccrual loans. Loan fees are included in interest income.

The following table illustrates the changes in the Company’s net interest income due to changes in volume and changes in interest rates on a full tax equivalent basis. Volume refers to the average dollar level of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Changes attributable to the combined effect of volume and interest rate have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to interest rate.

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN COMPONENTS OF NET INTEREST INCOME


	Year Ended December 31, 2003									Year Ended December 31, 2002
	vs.									vs.
	Year Ended December 31, 2002									Year Ended December 31, 2001
	Increase (Decrease)									Increase (Decrease)
	in Net Interest Income									in Net Interest Income
	Due to Changes in: (1)									Due to Changes in: (1)
(Dollars in Thousands)	Volume			Rate			Total			Volume			Rate			Total
Interest-Earning Assets
Loans	$	(214	)	$	(574	)	$	(788	)	$	(444	)	$	(860	)	$	(1,304	)
Investment securities		(219	)		(222	)		(440	)		31			(381	)		(350	)
Federal funds sold		49			(214	)		(165	)		106			(125	)		(19	)
Total interest-earning assets		(383	)		(1,010	)		(1,393	)		(307	)		(1,366	)		(1,673	)
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
Deposits:
Demand and money market deposits		(219	)		(161	)		(380	)		53			(646	)		(593	)
Savings deposits		2			(51	)		(49	)		3			(110	)		(107	)
Time deposits		(93	)		(855	)		(948	)		195			(1,357	)		(1,162	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		(310	)		(1,067	)		(1,377	)		251			(2,113	)		(1,862	)
Total increase in net interest income	$	(74	)	$	58		$	(16	)	$	(558	)	$	747		$	189

(1) This table is calculated on a full tax-equivalent basis.

MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates. The Bank has risk management policies to monitor and limit exposure to market risk as discussed below. See “Asset/Liability Management.” Disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments, which reflect changes in market prices and rates, can be found in Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

The Company’s results of operations depend substantially on its net interest income. Like most financial institutions, the Company’s interest income and cost of funds are affected by general economic conditions and by competition in the marketplace.

The function of asset/liability management is to manage the risk/return relationship between capital adequacy, market risk, liquidity and interest rate risk. To manage these needs of the Bank with regard to proper management of its asset/liability program, the Company’s management has projected the Bank’s needs into the future, taking into consideration cyclical and non-cyclical, historical trends regarding loan demand, deposit flows and interest rate change. The Bank’s Asset and Liability Committee is responsible for establishing procedures that enable the Bank to achieve its goals while adhering to prudent banking practices and existing loan and investment policies.

The excess of the Bank’s interest-earning assets over its existing and anticipated loan balances has generally been placed in federal funds sold and invested in securities when suitable lending opportunities have not been sufficient to use such excess funds. The primary objectives in the overall management of these funds are safety, liquidity, interest-rate risk, pledging for public deposits and yield.

All of the securities held by the Company are designated as held to maturity. While this practice typically serves to impair the Company’s liquidity flexibility in managing these assets, approximately 89% of the book value of these securities as of December 31, 2003 matures within two years.

In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to the risk of loss from changes in interest rates. The majority of this risk has to do with timing differences related to the repricing of assets and liabilities. Under the auspices of the Bank’s Asset and Liability Committee, we analyze and compare these repricing differences and basis point spreads so as to effectively monitor and adjust the inevitable earnings impact of rate changes. The objective, over time, is to minimize this earnings impact in all interest rate environments and not to attempt to anticipate or time the market. The primary tools to accomplish this are absolute pricing level decisions on both sides of the balance sheet, so as to address the imbedded “basis risk”, as well as overt adjustment to the timing of repricing events, so as to address “term risk”, as a matter of policy. The modeling used internally consists of 100 basis point and 400 basis point earnings impact estimates. In our modeling, we attempt to anticipate the effect on net interest income with a 100 and 400 basis point shift up or down in interest rates. The instruments that we typically adjust in the modeling process are loans, securities held to maturity, federal funds sold and deposit liabilities. This model is periodically altered to reflect both management’s ability and intention to make these adjustments and therefore represents an effort to combine mathematical prediction with behavioral probability. Although we believe that we have sufficient tools in place to mitigate the adverse earnings impact caused by interest rate changes, the effect of these changes in any given period may be to negatively impact reported income and interest earned on loans and securities held by the Company. We do not currently invest in derivative financial instruments such as futures, swaps, options, and other financial instruments with similar characteristics and there is currently negligible direct risk of adverse impacts resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices or prices of equity securities.

The following table sets forth the estimated maturity or repricing and the resulting interest rate gap, of the Bank’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at December 31, 2003. The amounts in the table are derived from internal data from the Bank and could be significantly affected by external factors such as changes in prepayment assumptions, early withdrawals of deposits and competition.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY
ESTIMATED MATURITY OR REPRICING
December 31, 2003


	Less Than			Three			One Year
	Three			Months to			to Five			Over Five
(Dollars in thousands)	Months			One Year			Years			Years		Total
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	10,409		$	17,508		$	19,014		$	58,055	$	104,986
Taxable securities		—			10,030			14,335			—		24,365
Tax exempt securities (Municipal Bonds)		—			—			—			2,295		2,295
Federal funds sold		38,225			—			—			—		38,225
Total interest-earning assets	$	48,634		$	27,538		$	33,349		$	60,350	$	169,871
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Time certificates of deposit	$	29,782		$	44,360		$	7,721		$	—	$	81,863
Interest-bearing demand deposits		33,346			—			—			—		33,346
Money market deposits		14,306			—			—			—		14,306
Savings deposits		9,649			—			—			—		9,649
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	87,083		$	44,360		$	7,721		$	0	$	139,164
Interest rate gap	($	38,449	)	($	16,822	)	$	25,628		$	60,350
Cumulative interest rate gap		(38,449	)		(55,271	)		(29,643	)		30,707		30,707

The following table presents at the date indicated (i) the aggregate loans by maturity in each major category of the Company’s loan portfolio and (ii) the aggregate amounts of variable and fixed rate loans that mature after one year. Actual maturities may differ from the contractual maturities shown below as a result of renewals and prepayments.

ESTIMATED LOAN REPRICING
December 31, 2003


	Less Than		One Year to		Over Five
(Dollars in thousands)	One Year		Five Years		Years		Total
Real estate construction	$	6,915	$	—	$	—	$	6,915
Commercial and industrial		3,190		3,357		169		6,716
Agriculture		1,036		164		37		1,237
Total	$	11,141	$	3,521	$	206	$	14,868
Fixed rate loans			$	964	$	206
Floating rate loans				2,557		0
Total			$	3,521	$	206

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

Overview. Net income declined $34,413 in 2003 to $1,248,760 from $1,283,173 in 2002. This represents a decline of approximately 2.7% and is primarily attributable to a $214,341 increase in noninterest expense, partially offset by a $83,804 decline in the provision for loan losses, a $69,213 increase in noninterest income and a reduction in income tax provision of $30,631.

Interest Income. Interest income decreased $1,381,472 to $9,730,865 in 2003 from $11,112,337 in 2002, representing a decline of approximately 12.4%. Interest and fee income on loans declined $787,249, interest income on securities fell $428,264 and interest income on federal funds sold fell $165,959. The decline with respect to loan interest and fees was due to a $2,561,000 decline in average loan balances and a decline in average loan yield to 7.81% from 8.35%. The decline with respect to securities interest was due to a $4,603,000 decline in average holdings and a decline in average securities yield to 3.82% from 4.75%. The decline with respect to federal funds sold interest was due to a decline in average federal funds sold yield to 1.08% from 1.63%, in spite of an increase in average balance of $2,992,000. Contractual repricings, increased commercial loan competition, a brisk level of residential refinancing and declining market interest rates caused the volume and rate driven decline in loan interest and fee income. Declining investment in securities holdings and lower yielding replacements for matured securities caused the volume and rate driven decline in securities income. Further easing of monetary policy caused the rate driven decline in federal funds sold interest income.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $1,376,871 to $2,487,747 for 2003 from $3,864,618 in 2002, representing a decline of approximately 35.6%. All of this interest expense was tied to interest bearing deposits and the decline was due to a $17,298,000 lower average level of deposits of this type and a decline from 2.66% to 1.94% in the average cost of these funds.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $4,601 to $7,243,118 for 2003 from $7,247,719 in 2002, a decline of .06%. While these results are close to being identical, it is noteworthy to consider the magnitude and cause of decline in both interest income and expense. Of the $1,381,472 decline in the total interest income, approximately 73% was caused by the collapse in market interest rates, the remainder being attributable to declining volume. Of the $1,376,871 decline in total interest expense, approximately 77% was caused by the collapse in rates, the remainder by declining balances. The magnitude of these rate-driven phenomena is unprecedented and is a clear byproduct of the policy of extreme monetary ease practiced by the Federal Reserve for the past three years.

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased $69,213 to $975,072 for 2003 from $905,859 for 2002. This was a result of growth in deposit and miscellaneous fee income of $137,831, offset in part by a decline in various other income categories aggregating $68,618.

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $214,341 to $6,006,884 for 2003 from $5,792,543 for 2002. The components of this increase include a $72,377 increase in salaries and employee benefits, a $68,144 increase in data processing costs, a $39,669 increase in professional fees, a $25,463 increase in equipment expense, a $15,593 increase in marketing expense, a $6,051 increase in net occupancy expense, and increases in various other expense categories aggregating

$47,084. These increases were partially offset by a $26,707 decline in depreciation expense, a $23,052 decline in printing and office supplies and a $10,281 decline in FDIC insurance.

Years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001

Overview. Net income increased 23,889 in 2002 to $1,283,173 from $1,259,284 in 2001. This represents an increase of approximately 1.9% and is attributable to a $188,257 increase in net interest income and a $52,644 increase in noninterest income, partially offset by a $111,020 increase in noninterest expense and a $75,571 increase in the provision for loan losses.

Interest Income. Interest income decreased $1,674,230 to $11,112,337 in 2002 from $12,786,567 in 2001, representing a decline of approximately 13.1%. Interest income on loans declined $1,304,493, interest income on securities fell $350,272 and interest income on federal funds sold fell $19,465. The decline with respect to loan interest was due to a $5,362,000 decline in average loan balances and a decline in average loan yield to 8.35% from 9.08%. The decline with respect to securities interest was due to a decline in average securities yield to 4.75% from 6.13%, partially offset by an increase in average securities holdings of $742,000. The decline with respect to federal funds sold interest was due to a decline in average federal funds sold yield to 1.63% from 3.61%, which was not quite offset by an increase in average balance of $19,315,000. Contractual repricings, increased commercial loan competition, a brisk level of residential refinancings and declining market interest rates caused the volume and rate driven decline in loan interest income. Lower yielding replacements for matured securities caused the largely rate driven decline in securities interest income, in spite of the slightly higher average holdings. Further easing of monetary policy caused the rate driven decline in federal funds sold interest income, in spite of the material increase in average holdings.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $1,862,487 to $3,864,618 for 2002 from $5,727,105 in 2001, representing a decline of approximately 32.5%. All of this interest expense was tied to interest bearing deposits and the decline was due to a decline from 4.36% to 2.66% in average cost on these funds, offset partly by a $14,133,000 increase in the average level of deposits of this type.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $188,257 to $7,247,719 for 2002 from $7,059,462 in 2001, an increase of 2.67%. Of this increase, the predominate cause was a disproportionately greater decline in interest rate driven reductions in deposit funding cost in comparison with interest rate driven declines in interest revenue. Approximately 75% of the effect of this rate driven increase in net interest income was negated by volume driven reductions in interest revenue and volume driven increases in deposit funding cost. Approximately 82% of the decline in total interest income was caused by the steep decline in market interest rates. The decline in total interest expense was entirely a result of these market rate declines. The fact that interest rate change played such a dominant role in the reductions in interest income and expense is a clear reflection of the monetary ease that began early in 2001.

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased $52,644 to $905,859 for 2002 from $853,215 for 2001. This was caused by an increase of $32,840 in deposit and miscellaneous fee income and an aggregate increase of $19,804 in other income categories.

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $111,020 to $5,792,543 for 2002 from $5,681,523 for 2001. The components of this increase include a $95,978 increase in salaries and employee benefits, a $69,907 increase in data processing costs, a $45,362 increase in occupancy

expense, a $26,754 increase in depreciation expense, a $17,553 increase in marketing expense, a $14,624 increase in professional fees and a $7,309 increase in FDIC deposit insurance premiums. These increases were partially offset by a $55,012, decline in printing and office supplies, a $44,910 decline in equipment expense and declines in various other expense categories aggregating $66,545.

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

The Company’s provisions for loan losses in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $274,030, $357,834 and $282,263, respectively. These provisions have resulted in a level allowance for loan losses in 2003 of $1,700,000 and a growth in the allowance for loan losses in 2002 by $88,060 from a year-end 2001 level of $1,612,000.

INCOME TAXES

The Company’s income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 was $647,265, $677,896 and $650,956, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND SOURCES OF FUNDS

The primary liquidity source for the Bank continues to be traditional core deposits. Total deposits for December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $162,103,396, $163,775,114 and $161,643,867, respectively. The core component of these totals represented 75.87%, 76.65% and 77.85% of the year-end assets of the Bank. While management is of the opinion that this represents the most stable source of funding for a community bank, growth of deposits, most particularly core growth, can be difficult in some environments, and indeed has been during the reporting periods due to the decline in interest rates to historically low levels, coupled with the effects of a flat economy in the Bank’s geographic markets. Other sources of funding that, as yet, remain untapped include an unsecured federal funds purchase line of $8,090,000 established at Banker’s Bank of the West in Denver, Colorado. Also, the Bank has joined the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka and currently has the ability to obtain secured advances of approximately $61,590,000. These borrowing sources serve as backup funding should traditional deposits prove to be inadequate to support the Bank’s liquidity needs and both are subject to periodic testing to confirm availability.

While all funding must initially emanate from the liability side of the Bank’s balance sheet, near term liquidity needs are usually addressed either through asset reduction or asset reallocation. Due to the nature of its balance sheet and funding strategy, the Bank typically responds to loan growth or deposit withdrawal activity by liquidating an appropriate portion of its holdings of federal funds sold. At December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, the Bank held $38,225,000, $40,750,000 and $21,975,000, respectively, in federal funds sold. An additional funding source from the asset side of the balance sheet can be from loan repayments. At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, net loans were $104,167,354, $107,659, 820 and $111,677,960, respectively. This decline in total loans resulted in the creation of deployable, liquid assets of approximately $3,492,000 and $4,018,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Funds from loan reductions such as these are not as dependable as money market assets but can be used to meet liquidity needs when available. Maturities of investment securities represent the last significant asset source. The net change in par value of investment securities held to maturity during 2003 was an increase of $4,000,000, compared to a decrease of $10,000,000 in 2002 and an increase of $430,092 in 2001. Due to the ongoing necessity to pledge a substantial portion of these securities holdings to the

Colorado Division of Banking in order to collateralize the uninsured portion of public deposits held, the use of maturing instruments of this type for any material purpose other than to respond to requests for withdrawal of public deposits is minimal.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Total stockholder’s equity in the Company increased to $18,025,571 at December 31, 2003 from $16,776,811 at December 31, 2002. This increase was entirely the result of a $1,248,760 increase in retained earnings relating to 2003 net income. At December 31, 2003, stockholder’s equity was 9.9% of total assets, compared to 9.2% of total assets at December 31, 2002. Management presently intends to retain future earnings, if any, to support growth. Accordingly, the Company does not intend to pay cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future.

Federal Reserve Board, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and FDIC guidelines call for a 4% Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets ratio, an 8% total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio and a 4% Tier I leverage ratio in order for these indices to be considered adequate. They must be 6%, 10% and 5%, respectively, in order for the Company or Bank to be considered well capitalized. The actual ratios for the Company were 19.54%, 20.79% and 9.95%, respectively, on December 31, 2003 and 17.43%, 18.69% and 9.12%, respectively, on December 31, 2002. The capital ratios for the Bank only were 19.39%, 20.64% and 9.85%, respectively, on December 31, 2003 and 17.09%, 18.34% and 9.01%, respectively, on December 31, 2002. The following table sets forth the Company’s and the Bank’s capital and capital ratios at December 31, 2003.

REGULATORY CAPITAL


	December 31, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)
Company
Tier I Capital	$	18,125
Total Capital		19,291
Risk-Weighted Assets		92,778
Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets		19.54	%
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets		20.79	%
Leverage Ratio		9.95	%
Bank
Tier I Capital	$	17,975
Total Capital		19,141
Risk-Weighted Assets		92,722
Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets		19.39	%
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets		20.64	%
Leverage Ratio		9.85	%

Bank management is anticipating 2004 capital expenditures of approximately $200,000 in connection with routine equipment replacements and facilities upgrades. The Bank intends to use a portion of its anticipated 2004 income to finance these expenditures.

Management expects that the current capital levels, together with internally generated funds, will be sufficient to support the Company’s operations for the foreseeable future.

EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

The primary impact of inflation on the Company’s operations is increased operating costs. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates generally have a more significant impact on a financial institution’s performance than the effects of general levels of inflation. Although interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and services, increases in inflation generally have resulted in increased interest rates. The effects of inflation, however, can magnify the growth of assets in the banking industry. If inflation were significant, then this would require that equity capital increase at a faster rate than would otherwise be necessary.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

At December 31, 2003, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements with entities unconsolidated with the Company.

“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements which are not historical facts contained in this document are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from projected results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others: general economic conditions, economic conditions in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico area, the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve Board, changes in interest rates, inflation, instability in the financial markets relating to terrorist activities and the response thereto, competition in the banking business, changes in state and federal regulatory regimes applicable to our operations, loan demand, the ability of customers to repay loans, consumer saving habits, employment costs, technology costs, and other risk factors contained herein and detailed elsewhere in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Forward-looking statements” in this document can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology and include statements relating to, among other things, our ability to minimize the adverse impact of interest rate changes and the effect of the economy on the level of non-accruing loans. The statements in “risk-factors” and other statements and disclaimers in this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB constitute cautionary statements identifying important factors, including certain risks and uncertainties, with respect to such forward-looking statements that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements.

Independent Accountants’ Report

Board of Directors and Stockholders
The Republic Corporation
Houston, Texas

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of The Republic Corporation as of December 31, 2003, and the related statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. The financial statements of The Republic Corporation as of December 31, 2002, and for each of the two years then ended, were audited by other accountants whose report dated May 30, 2003 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the 2003 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Republic Corporation as of December 31, 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ BKD, LLP

Colorado Springs, Colorado
January 9, 2004

Independent Auditor’s Report

The Board of Directors
The Republic Corporation

We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of The Republic Corporation as of December 31, 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income and stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ending December 31, 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Republic Corporation at December 31, 2002, and the results of its operations and its cash flows, for each of the two years in the period ending December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Dixon, Waller & Co., Inc.

Dixon, Waller & Co., Inc.
Trinidad, Colorado
May 30, 2003

The Republic Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2003 and 2002

Assets


	2003			2002
Cash and due from banks	$	6,447,762		$	5,781,622
Federal funds sold		38,225,000			40,750,000

Cash and cash equivalents		44,672,762			46,531,622
Held-to-maturity securities		26,659,336			22,470,121
Loans		105,867,354			109,359,880
Less allowance for loan losses		(1,700,000	)		(1,700,060	)

Net loans		104,167,354			107,659,820
Premises and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation)		2,870,061			3,033,582
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank, Topeka Stock		662,800			24,000
Foreclosed assets held for sale, net		644,353			350,977
Interest receivable – loans		570,330			624,047
Deferred income taxes		459,847			488,418
Goodwill		436,079			436,079
Other assets		248,595			324,857

Total assets	$	181,391,517		$	181,943,523

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Demand deposits	$	22,940,048		$	21,052,697
Savings, NOW and money market deposits		57,300,756			60,424,819
Time deposits		81,862,592			82,297,598

Total deposits		162,103,396			163,775,114
Interest payable and other liabilities		724,177			894,475

Total liabilities		162,827,573			164,669,589

Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiary		538,373			497,123

Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $1.00 par value; authorized 750,000 shares; 356,844 shares issued December 31, 2003 and 2002		356,844			356,844
Additional paid-in capital		234,931			234,931

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Republic Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001


	2003		2002		2001
Interest and Dividend Income
Loans, including fees	$	8,449,454	$	9,236,703	$	10,541,196
Securities U.S. Government agencies		739,961		1,168,225		1,518,374
State and political subdivisions		116,843		116,843		116,966
Federal funds sold		424,607		590,566		610,031

Total interest and dividend income		9,730,865		11,112,337		12,786,567

Interest Expense
Deposits		2,487,747		3,864,618		5,727,105

Net Interest Income		7,243,118		7,247,719		7,059,462
Provision for Loan Losses		274,030		357,834		282,263

Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses		6,969,088		6,889,885		6,777,199

Noninterest Income
Service charges on deposit accounts		242,401		228,463		203,475
Other service charges and fees		614,063		490,170		482,318
Other		118,608		187,226		167,422

Total noninterest income		975,072		905,859		853,215

Noninterest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits		2,845,838		2,773,461		2,677,483
Net occupancy expense		366,029		359,978		314,616
Equipment expense		160,603		135,140		180,050
Data processing fees		632,650		564,506		494,599
Professional fees		199,549		159,880		145,256
Marketing expense		240,151		224,558		207,005
Printing and office supplies		155,750		178,802		233,814
Deposit insurance premium		24,707		34,988		27,679
Depreciation		332,279		358,986		332,232
Other		1,049,328		1,002,244		1,068,789

Total noninterest expense		6,006,884		5,792,543		5,681,523

Income Before Income Taxes		1,937,276		2,003,201		1,948,891

Provision for Income Taxes		647,265		677,896		650,956

Income Before Minority Interest		1,290,011		1,325,305		1,297,935

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Republic Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001


	2003			2002			2001
Operating Activities
Net income	$	1,248,760		$	1,283,173		$	1,259,284
Items not requiring (providing) cash Depreciation		332,279			358,986			332,232
Provision for loan losses		274,030			357,834			282,263
Amortization (accretion) of premiums and discounts on securities		(189,215	)		168,994			(247,894	)
Stock dividend		(5,500	)		—			—
Other real estate gains, net		(12,405	)		(2,963	)		—
Deferred income taxes		28,571			(14,448	)		(14,881	)
Loss on sale of subsidiary stock		—			32,153			57,639
Changes in
Interest receivable – loans		53,717			191,864			87,531
Other assets		76,262			78,788			(137,284	)
Interest payable and other liabilities		(129,048	)		(124,621	)		(421,864	)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		1,677,451			2,329,760			1,197,026

Investing Activities
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities		(14,000,000	)		—			(20,430,092	)
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities		10,000,000			10,000,000			20,000,000
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary stock		—			5,000			10,000
Net change in loans		2,667,647			3,532,333			210,192
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank, Topeka Stock		(633,300	)		—			—
Purchase of premises and equipment		(168,758	)		(217,281	)		(873,645	)
Proceeds from the sale of foreclosed assets		269,818			34,691			12,274

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(1,864,593	)		13,354,743			(1,071,271	)

Financing Activities
Net (decrease) increase in demand deposits, NOW and savings accounts		(1,236,712	)		1,330,291			7,751,119
Net (decrease) increase in certificates of deposit		(435,006	)		800,956			4,225,319

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(1,671,718	)		2,131,247			11,976,438

(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents		(1,858,860	)		17,815,750			12,102,193
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year		46,531,622			28,715,872			16,613,679

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	$	44,672,762		$	46,531,622		$	28,715,872

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Republic Corporation (the Company) is a bank holding company for The First National Bank in Trinidad (the Bank) with 97% ownership. The Bank is primarily engaged in providing a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers in Southeastern Colorado and Northeastern New Mexico. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions. The Bank also is subject to the regulation of certain federal and state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company provides community banking services through its subsidiary bank, including such products and services as loans; time deposits, checking and savings accounts. These activities are reported as one operating segment.

			The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

			Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets held for sale, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.

			Management believes that the allowances for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets held for sale are adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans and foreclosed assets held for sale, changes in economic conditions may necessitate revision of these estimates in future years. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowances for loan losses and valuation of foreclosed assets held for sale. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additional losses based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.

The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, cash equivalents consisted of cash due from banks and federal funds sold.

Held-to-maturity securities, which include any security for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recorded as interest income from securities. Realized gains and losses are recorded as net security gains (losses). Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the specific-identification method.

The Company, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) systems, is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of both the FHLB and FRB. The required investment in the common stock is based on a predetermined formula. No ready market exists for the FHLB stock, and it has no quoted market value. Such stock is recorded at cost and reported together in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-offs are reported at their outstanding principal adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Interest income is reported on the interest method. Net deferred loan fees and costs are immaterial and are recognized as income upon receipt. Generally, loans are placed on non-accrual status at sixty days past due and interest is considered a loss, unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection.

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to income. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance is management’s best estimate of probable losses which have been incurred as of the balance sheet date based on management’s evaluation of risk in the portfolio, local economic conditions and historical loss experience.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectibility of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Premises and Equipment

Depreciable assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense using the straight-line, declining balance and other accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Foreclosed Assets Held for Sale

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations are included in net income or expense from foreclosed assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment. If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, a goodwill impairment is indicated and goodwill is written down to its implied fair value. Subsequent increases in goodwill value are not recognized in the financial statements.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the tax effect of differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiary.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is stated at cost. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. The Company has no outstanding potentially dilutive securities. The computation of per share earnings is as follows:


	2003		2002		2001
Net income	$	1,248,760	$	1,283,173	$	1,259,284
Average common shares outstanding		333,725		333,725		333,725

Basic earnings per share	$	3.74	$	3.85	$	3.77

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2002 and 2001 financial statements to conform to the 2003 financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income.

Note 2: Restriction on Cash and Due From Banks

The Company is required to maintain reserve funds in cash and/or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. The reserve required at December 31, 2003 was $2,032,000.

Note 3: Securities

The amortized cost and approximate fair value of held-to-maturity securities are as follows:


			Gross		Gross
			Unrealized		Unrealized		Approximate
	Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
December 31, 2003
U.S. Government agencies	$	24,364,670	$	120,140	$	—	$	24,484,810
State and political subdivisions		2,294,666		298,302		—		2,592,968

	$	26,659,336	$	418,442	$	0	$	27,077,778

December 31, 2002
U.S. Government agencies	$	20,175,250	$	506,900	$	—	$	20,682,150
States and political subdivisions		2,294,871		215,833		—		2,510,704

	$	22,470,121	$	722,733	$	0	$	23,192,854

The amortized cost and approximate fair value of held-to-maturity securities at December 31, 2003, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.


			Approximate
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Within one year	$	10,030,054	$	10,176,250
One to five years		14,334,616		14,308,560
Five to ten years		652,304		726,989
After ten years		1,642,362		1,865,979

Totals	$	26,659,336	$	27,077,778

The carrying value of securities pledged as collateral, to secure public deposits and for other purposes, was $26,659,336 at December 31, 2003, and $22,470,121 at December 31, 2002.

			Impaired loans totaled approximately $1,486,000 and $2,560,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. An allowance for loan losses of $1,200 relates to impaired loans of $9,000, at December 31, 2002. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, impaired loans of $1,486,000 and $2,551,000, respectively, had no specific related allowance for loan losses.

			Interest of $111,585 and $24,343 was recognized on a cash basis on average impaired loans of $1,570,000 and $1,706,000 for 2003 and 2002, respectively.

			Non-accruing loans at December 31, 2003 and 2002 were $880,850 and $2,304,484, respectively.

Major classifications of premises and equipment, stated at cost, are as follows:

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

Note 6: Interest-Bearing Deposits

Interest-bearing time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more were $ 24,913,604 on December 31, 2003 and $ 24,251,094 on December 31, 2002.

At December 31, 2003, the scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit are as follows:


	(Dollars in
	Thousands)
2004	$	74,142
2005		7,720

	$	81,862

Note 7: Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

During 2003 the Bank in connection with their investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka (FHLB) stock of 6,333 shares for $633,300 have an agreement with FHLB to provide advances with a borrowing capacity based on the amount of collateral pledged. As of December 31, 2003, the Bank’s borrowing capacity is approximately $61,590,000. As of and during the year ended 2003, no advances were outstanding. Interest rates will vary depending on the date of advance, maturity and other terms at the time of any advances. The Bank has pledged loans totaling $82,627,059 at December 31, 2003 under the agreement. The Bank received a stock dividend of $5,500 from FHLB during 2003 resulting in a total investment in FHLB stock of $638,800 as of December 31, 2003.

Note 8: Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:


	2003		2002			2001
Taxes currently payable	$	618,694	$	692,344		$	665,837
Deferred income taxes		28,571		(14,448	)		(14,881	)

	$	647,265	$	677,896		$	650,956

A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate to the Company’s actual income tax expense is shown below:


	2003			2002			2001
Computed at the statutory rate (34%)		658,674		$	681,088		$	662,623
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest		(40,120	)		(41,000	)		(40,000	)
Nondeductible expenses		225			12,019			19,597
State income taxes		33,250			36,000			11,000
Other		(4,764	)		(10,211	)		(2,264	)

Actual tax provision	$	647,265		$	677,896		$	650,956

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

The tax effects of temporary differences related to deferred taxes shown on the December 31, 2003 and 2002 consolidated balance sheets are as follows:


	2003			2002
Deferred tax assets
Allowance for loan losses	$	546,193		$	546,215
Deferred tax liabilities
FHLB stock dividend		(2,035	)		—
Accumulated depreciation		(50,271	)		(23,757	)
Reserve for contingencies		(34,040	)		(34,040	)

		(86,346	)		(57,797	)

Net deferred tax asset	$	459,847		$	488,418

Note 9: Regulatory Matters

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgements by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below). Management believes, as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 that the Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

As of December 31, 2003, the most recent notification from the OCC categorized the Company and the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Company’s or the Bank’s category.

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

The Company and the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are also presented in the table.


											To Be Well
											Capitalized
											Under Prompt
						For Capital					Corrective Action
	Actual					Adequacy Purposes					Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
	(Dollars in
	Thousands)
As of December 31, 2003
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	19,291		20.79	%	$	7,422		8	%				N/A
Bank Only	$	19,141		20.64	%	$	7,418		8	%	$	9,272		10	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	18,125		19.54	%	$	3,711		4	%				N/A
Bank Only	$	17,975		19.39	%	$	3,709		4	%	$	5,563		6	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
Consolidated	$	18,125		9.95	%	$	7,363		4	%				N/A
Bank Only	$	17,975		9.85	%	$	7,302		4	%	$	9,128		5	%
As of December 31, 2002
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	18,059		18.69	%	$	7,730		8	%				N/A
Bank Only	$	17,909		18.34	%	$	7,812		8	%	$	9,765		10	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	16,838		17.43	%	$	3,865		4	%				N/A
Bank Only	$	16,683		17.09	%	$	3,906		4	%	$	5,859		6	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
Consolidated	$	16,838		9.12	%	$	7,406		4	%				N/A
Bank Only	$	16,683		9.01	%	$	7,407		4	%	$	9,258		5	%

The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amounts of dividends that it may declare without prior regulatory approval. At December 31, 2003, approximately $3,447,000 of retained earnings were available for dividend declaration without prior regulatory approval.

Note 10: Related Party Transactions

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Bank had loans outstanding to executive officers, directors, significant shareholders and their affiliates (related parties), in the amount of $1,357,823 and $1,243,692, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Bank paid a Director approximately $4,600 for construction loan inspection services.

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

Deposits from related parties held by the Bank at December 31, 2003 and 2002 totaled $1,973,393 and $1,642,764, respectively.

In management’s opinion, such loans and other extensions of credit and deposits were made in the ordinary course of business and were made on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. Further, in management’s opinion, these loans did not involve more than normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.

Note 11: Employee Benefits

The Bank has a retirement savings 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees who have six months of service and have attained the age of 21. Employees may contribute up to 10% of their compensation with the Bank matching 100% of the employee’s contribution up to 2.5% of their compensation. In addition, the plan provides for discretionary contributions as solely determined by the Employer. Employer contributions charged to expense for 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $46,544, $42,994 and $40,668, respectively.

Note 12: Leases

The Company has several noncancellable operating leases, primarily for office space and real estate at two branch locations and equipment that expire over the next 6 years. These leases generally contain renewal options for periods of 5 years. Rental expense for these leases was $59,341, $57,974 and $57,649 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments under operating leases are:


	Operating
	Leases
2004	$	65,268
2005		52,917
2006		52,101
2007		49,390
2008		31,517
Thereafter		400

Total minimum lease payments	$	251,593

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

Note 13: Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments. The fair values of certain of these instruments were calculated by discounting expected cash flows, which method involves significant judgments by management and uncertainties. Fair value is the estimated amount at which financial assets or liabilities could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Because no market exists for certain of these financial instruments, and because management does not intend to sell these financial instruments, the Company does not know whether the fair values shown below represent values at which the respective financial instruments could be sold individually or in the aggregate.


	2003				2002
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	44,673	$	44,673	$	46,532	$	46,532
Held-to-maturity securities		26,659		27,078		22,470		23,193
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses		104,167		108,486		107,660		109,971
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank, Topeka Stock		663		663		24		24
Interest receivable – loans		570		570		624		624
Financial liabilities
Deposits		162,103		162,140		163,775		164,090
Interest payable		662		662		834		834
Unrecognized financial instruments (net of amortization)
Commitments to extend credit		0		0		0		0
Letters of credit		0		0		0		0
Lines-of-credit		0		0		0		0

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

For these short-term instruments, the carrying amount approximates fair value.

Securities

Fair values equal quoted market prices, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is estimated based on quoted market prices of similar securities.

Loans

The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

remaining maturities. Loans with similar characteristics were aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value.

Deposits

The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, NOW accounts and certain money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date i.e., their carrying amount. The fair value of fixed maturity time deposits is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value.

Commitments to Extend Credit, Letters of Credit and Lines-of-Credit

The fair value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair value of letters of credit and lines-of-credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date.

Note 14: Commitments and Credit Risks

Standby Letters of Credit

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Financial standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing and similar transactions. Performance standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee performance of certain customers under non-financial contractual obligations. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.

The Company had total outstanding standby letters of credit amounting to $173,804 and $371,000, at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, with terms ranging from 22 days to 6 years.

Lines-of-Credit

Lines-of-credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Lines-of-credit generally have fixed expiration dates. Since a portion of the line may expire without being drawn upon, the total unused lines do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate. Management uses the same credit policies in granting lines-of-credit as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

At December 31, 2003, the Bank had granted unused lines-of-credit to borrowers aggregating approximately $3,967,000 and $2,495,000 for commercial lines and open-end consumer lines,

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

respectively. At December 31, 2002, unused lines-of-credit to borrowers aggregated approximately $5,658,000.

Other Credit Risks

Additionally, the Company periodically has excess funds, which are loaned to other banks as federal funds sold. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, federal funds sold totaling $38,225,000 and $40,750,000, respectively, were loaned to various banks, as approved by the Board of Directors, with the largest balance at any one bank being $3,000,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002.

Note 15: Significant Estimates and Concentrations

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require disclosure of certain significant estimates and current vulnerabilities due to certain concentrations. Estimates related to the allowance for loan losses are reflected in the footnote regarding loans. Current vulnerabilities due to certain concentrations of credit risk are discussed in the footnote on commitments and credit risk.

Note 16: Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following table presents the unaudited results of operations for the past two years by quarter (in thousands except per share data). See discussion on earnings per share in “Note 1: Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.


	2003								2002
	Fourth		Third		Second		First		Fourth		Third		Second		First
	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
Operations
Net interest income	$	1,926	$	1,790	$	1,796	$	1,731	$	1,967	$	1,780	$	1,735	$	1,766
Provision for loan losses		62		69		54		89		46		70		40		202
Noninterest income		111		280		307		277		153		254		288		211
Noninterest expense		1,738		1,707		1,674		1,576		1,704		1,573		1,647		1,589

Net income	$	237	$	294	$	375	$	343	$	370	$	391	$	336	$	186

Net Income per Share Data
Basic	$	.70	$	.88	$	1.12	$	1.04	$	1.11	$	1.17	$	1.01	$	.56

Balance Sheet
Total assets	$	181,392	$	181,283	$	178,187	$	179,765	$	181,944	$	189,977	$	183,474	$	184,324
Total loans, net		104,167		105,216		107,148		107,589		107,660		108,059		108,919		109,088
Shareholders’ equity		18,026		17,789		17,494		17,120		16,777		16,407		16,016		15,680

The above unaudited financial information reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the results of operations for the interim periods presented.

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

Note 17: Recently issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued several new accounting pronouncements that became effective in the current year ended December 31, 2003.

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45 (FIN 45), Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. FIN 45 elaborates on the disclosures to be made by a guarantor about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued, and it requires the recognition of a liability at fair value by a guarantor at the inception of a guarantee. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of FIN 45 are effective on a prospective basis for all guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN 46). FIN 46 provides guidance with respect to the consolidation of certain variable interest entities (“VIEs”) whereby a VIE must be consolidated by its primary beneficiary if the entity does not effectively disperse risks among the parties involved. The primary beneficiary is the one that absorbs a majority of the expected losses, residual returns, or both as a result of holding variable interests. FIN 46 also requires disclosures for both the primary beneficiary of a VIE and other parties with a significant variable interest in the entity. FIN 46 applies, in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after March 15, 2004, to VIEs in which an enterprise holds a variable interest it acquired before February 1, 2003. The Company has not obtained an interest in a new or existing VIE subsequent to January 31, 2003, and the adoption of FIN 46 is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

Note 18: Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company Only)

The Republic Corporation
Condensed Balance Sheets
December 31, 2003 and 2002


	2003			2002
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	50,470		$	74,494
Investments in subsidiary-equity method		17,874,701			16,622,406
Due from subsidiary		43,796			23,307
Other assets		56,604			56,604

Total assets	$	18,025,571		$	16,776,811

Liabilities	$	—		$	—

Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, par value $1.00; authorized 750,000 shares, issued 356,844 shares issued and outstanding December 31, 2003 and 2002		356,844			356,844
Additional paid-in capital		234,931			234,931
Treasury stock, at cost; Common stock 23,119 shares at December 31, 2003 and 2002		(91,303	)		(91,303	)
Retained earnings		17,525,099			16,276,339

Total stockholders’ equity		18,025,571			16,776,811

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	18,025,571		$	16,776,811

The Republic Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

The Republic Corporation
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001


	2003			2002			2001
Operating Activities
Net income	$	1,248,760		$	1,283,173		$	1,259,284
Items not requiring (providing) cash
Loss on sale of subsidiary stock		—			32,153			57,639
Dividends received from subsidiary		(81,480	)		(54,320	)		(54,460	)
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries		(1,252,295	)		(1,307,913	)		(1,311,042	)
Changes in
Due from subsidiary		(20,489	)		5			1,788

Net cash used in operating activities		(105,504	)		(46,902	)		(46,791	)

Financing Activities
Sale of subsidiary stock		—			5,000			10,000
Dividends received		81,480			54,320			54,460

Net cash provided by financing activities		81,480			59,320			64,460

(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents		(24,024	)		12,418			17,669
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year		74,494			62,076			44,407

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	$	50,470		$	74,494		$	62,076

ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

NONE

ITEM 8A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(A) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Our Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-KSB Annual Report (the “Evaluation Date”), has concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to us would be made known to him by others within our company, particularly during the period in which this Form 10-KSB Annual Report was being prepared.

(B) Changes in internal controls.

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of the most recent evaluation, nor any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in such internal controls requiring corrective actions. As a result, no corrective actions were taken.

PART III

ITEM 9. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Republic Corporation’s Board of Directors consists of Catherine G. Eisemann, J.E. Eisemann, IV, Roger Dean Eisemann, George M. Boyd and Dr. John C. Davis. All directors and officers are U.S. citizens. Catherine G. Eisemann is the mother of J.E. and Roger Dean Eisemann and the mother-in-law of George M. Boyd.


			TERM OF	PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS FOR
NAME AND TITLE	AGE		OFFICE	THE LAST FIVE YEARS
Catherine G. Eisemann		77	40 Years	Catherine G. Eisemann has been a Director of The Republic Corporation for 40 years. Mrs. Eisemann was elected President of The Republic Corporation and began serving December 11, 1981.

J.E. Eisemann, IV		56	27 Years	J.E. Eisemann, IV has served as a Director on The Republic Corporation Board for 27 years. Mr. Eisemann has been the Vice-President and Director of the Subsidiary Bank for approximately 26 years. Mr. Eisemann has served as the Chairman of the Board of The Republic Corporation and Chairman of the Board for the Subsidiary Bank for approximately 22 years.

Roger Dean Eisemann		49	21 Years	Roger Dean Eisemann was elected Secretary and began serving as director of The Republic Corporation in July, 1982.

George M. Boyd		59	Since March, 2004	George M. Boyd was appointed to The Republic Corporation Board on March 18, 2004. Mr. Boyd is the Executive Vice President of The Bank of Texas in Austin, Texas and has served in that position for the past five years.

Dr. John C. Davis		56	Since February, 2004	Dr. John C. Davis was appointed to The Republic Corporation Board on February 27, 2004. Dr. Davis is the owner/operator of the Rio Cucharas Veterinary Clinic in Walsenburg, Colorado and has owned and operated this business for the past 23 years. Dr. Davis has served as a director on the Board of the subsidiary Bank for approximately 10 years.

CODE OF ETHICS

The Company is in the process of adopting a code of ethics applicable to its principal executive and principal financial officer.

FINANCIAL EXPERT

Because the Company does not have a standing audit committee, it has not designated an audit committee financial expert.

ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE


	Annual Compensation
Name & Principal Position	Year		Salary			Bonus			.
J.E. Eisemann, IV Chairman of the		2003	$	90,767	(1)	$	4,000	(2)
Board of the Company, Vice		2002		85,773	(1)		3,735	(2)
President of the Company,		2001		83,573	(1)		5,438	(2)
Chairman of the Board & Vice President of the Subsidiary Bank

Catherine Eisemann President of the		2003	$	30,000			-0-
Company		2002		30,000			-0-
		2001		30,000			-0-


	Restricted		Stock
	Stock		Options/		LTIP		All Other
Name & Principal Position	Awards		SARs(#)		Payouts($)		Compensation
J.E. Eisemann, IV		-0-		-0-		-0-		-0-
Chairman of the Board		-0-		-0-		-0-		-0-
of the Company, Vice		-0-		-0-		-0-		-0-
President of the Company, Chairman of the Board & Vice President of the Subsidiary Bank

Catherine Eisemann		-0-		-0-		-0-		-0-
President of the		-0-		-0-		-0-		-0-
Company		-0-		-0-		-0-		-0-

(1) Includes amounts deferred under Section 401(K) of the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts deferred by Mr. Eisemann were $10,422 in 2001, $11,205 in 2002 and $12,567 in 2003.

(2) Includes amounts deferred under Section 401(K) of the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts deferred by Mr. Eisemann were $0 in 2001, $560 in 2002 and $600 in 2003.

STOCK OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS IN 2003-NONE
AGGREGATED STOCK OPTIONS/SAR EXERCISES IN 2003 AND OPTIONS/SAR
VALUES AS OF DECEMBER 31 2003 - NONE
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS - AWARDS IN 2003 - NONE
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Director fees are not paid to directors of the Company.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF
EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS - NONE
REPORT ON REPRICING OF OPTIONS/SARS - NONE

ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

(a) Security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management.

The following schedule reflects security ownership of persons who are (1) the beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of voting securities of The Republic Corporation, (2) each of the Company’s directors, and (3) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.

Amount and

Nature of

Percent

Name of

Title of

Beneficial

Person

Class

Ownership

Class

Catherine G. Eisemann

Common Stock

193,702

58.0424

3350 McCue, #904
Houston, Texas 77056

Mr. J.E. Eisemann IV

Common Stock

8,700

2.6069

1103 Victoria Square
Trinidad, Colorado 81082

Mr. R. Dean Eisemann

Common Stock

6,500

1.9477

3738 Ella Lee Lane
Houston, Texas 77027

Mr. George M. Boyd

Common Stock

8,700

2.6069

1503 Canoe Brook Dr.
Austin, Texas 78746

Dr. John C. Davis

Common Stock

1,395

.4180

631 Huajatolla Valley Estates Dr.
La Veta, CO 81055

All directors and executive
officers as a group

Common Stock

218,997

65.6220

ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

There have been no transactions with management or other related parties that would require disclosure under current Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Additionally, no business relationships that would require disclosure exist. One director, Dr. John C. Davis, was indebted to the Bank in an aggregate amount of $233,932 at December 31, 2003. These loans were granted to Dr. Davis on the same terms as available to parties not involved as insiders with the Bank or the Company and are being paid as agreed.

ITEM 13. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) List of Exhibits


			3			Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws *

			21			Subsidiary of the Registrant*

						The First National Bank in Trinidad, Colorado. Incorporated in Colorado.

			31.1			Certification of Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

			32.2			Certification of Chief Executive and Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

*Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 23, 1977.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

No reports on Form 8-K have been filed in three months ended December 31, 2003.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES


		2003		2002
Dixon, Waller & Co. Inc. :	Audit Fees	$	-0-	$	15,200
	Audit Related Fees		-0-		-0-
	Tax Fees		4,500		13,880
	All Other Fees		-0-		-0-

BKD, LLP:	Audit Fees	$	46,682	$	-0-
	Audit Related Fees		-0-		-0-
	Tax Fees		-0-		-0-
	All Other Fees		-0-		-0-

Non-Audit Services. The Board of Directors of the Company did not hire either Dixon, Waller & Inc. during their tenure as principal accountant, nor BKD, LLP during their tenure as principal

SIGNATURES

In accordance with Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act, the Small Business Issuer caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


		THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION

		By		/s/ J. E. Eisemann, IV

				J. E. Eisemann, IV Chairman of the Board, Director, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer

		Date		March 30, 2004

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Small Business Issuer and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


		By		/s/ J. E. Eisemann, IV

				J. E. Eisemann, IV Chairman of the Board, Director, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer

		Date		March 30, 2004


		By		/s/ Catherine G. Eisemann

				Catherine G. Eisemann President, Director

		Date		March 30, 2004


		By		/s/ Roger Dean Eisemann

				Roger Dean Eisemann Secretary, Director

		Date		March 30, 2004


		By

				George M. Boyd Director

		Date		March 30, 2004


		By

				Dr. John C. Davis Director

		Date		March 30, 2004

EXHIBIT 31.1

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

I, J. E. Eisemann, IV, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of The Republic Corporation (Small Business Issuer);

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the Small Business Issuer and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Small Business Issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and

c) Disclosed in this annual report any change in the Small Business Issuer’s internal control over financial reporting the occurred during the Small Business Issuer’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Small Business Issuer’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Small Business Issuer’s internal control over the financial reporting and;

5. I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Small Business Issuer’s auditors and audit committee of the Small Business Issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to affect the Small Business Issuer’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Small Business Issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: March 30, 2004		/s/ J. E. Eisemann, IV

		J. E. Eisemann, IV
		Chairman of the Board, Director, Chief Executive Officer,
		Chief Financial and Accounting Officer

EXHIBIT 32.1

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

I, J. E. Eisemann IV, Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of The Republic Corporation (the “Small Business Issuer”), do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the period ended December 31, 2003 of the Small Business Issuer (the “Report”), that to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirement of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results operations of the Small Business Issuer.

This certification is made solely for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and not for any other purpose.


/s/ J. E. Eisemann, IV	Chief Executive and Chief Financial	March 30, 2004
J. E. Eisemann, IV	Officer	Date

APPENDIX H

SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS ON FORM 10-QSB

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-QSB

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2004.		Commission file Number 0-8597

THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION


Texas		74-0911766

(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

5340 Weslayan – P.O. Box 270462, Houston, TX		77277

(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 713-993-9200

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X . No .

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of, October 15, 2004.


Common Stock, $1.00 par value		Shares 333,725

		(excluding 23,119 shares held as treasury shares)

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format.


		Yes No X

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Balance Sheets


	September 30,		December 31,
	2004		2003
	(Unaudited)		(Audited)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	4,804,544	$	6,447,762
Federal funds sold		56,275,000		38,225,000

Cash and cash equivalents		61,079,544		44,672,762
Held-to-maturity securities		28,435,539		26,659,336
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $1,669,402 and $1,700,000 at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003		99,222,084		104,167,354
Premises and equipment, net		2,890,870		2,870,061
Deferred Income Taxes		459,847		459,847
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank, Topeka stock		699,300		662,800
Foreclosed assets held for sale, net		577,747		644,353
Interest receivable – loans		504,922		570,330
Goodwill		436,079		436,079
Other		456,693		248,595

Total assets	$	194,762,625	$	181,391,517


	September 30,			December 31,
	2004			2003
	(Unaudited)			(Audited)
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Deposits
Demand	$	24,083,497		$	22,940,048
Savings, NOW and money market		63,749,815			57,300,756
Time		86,924,066			81,862,592

Total deposits		174,757,378			162,103,396
Interest payable and other liabilities		725,375			724,177

Total liabilities		175,482,753			162,827,573

Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiary		562,201			538,373
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $1.00 par value; authorized 750,000 shares; 333,725 shares issued and outstanding September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003		356,844			356,844
Additional paid-in capital		234,931			234,931
Retained earnings		18,217,199			17,525,099
Treasury stock, at cost
Common Stock; 23,119 shares at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003		(91,303	)		(91,303	)

Total stockholders’ equity		18,717,671			18,025,571

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		194,762,625		$	181,391,517

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Income For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Income

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended.
	Sept. 30,			Sept. 30,			Sept. 30,			Sept. 30,
	2004			2003			2004			2003
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Interest and Dividend Income
Loans, including fees	$	1,893,917		$	2,107,394		$	5,782,178		$	6,402,731
Securities
Taxable		156,345			182,118			458,121			565,713
Tax-exempt		29,208			29,211			87,632			87,632
Federal funds sold		186,892			94,446			393,747			326,907
Other dividends and interest		6,324			0			17,685			0

Total interest and dividend income		2,272,686			2,413,169			6,739,363			7,382,983

Interest Expense
Deposits		585,090			582,183			1,692,462			1,925,464

Net Interest Income		1,687,596			1,830,986			5,046,901			5,457,519

Provision for Loan Losses		(21,453	)		(68,777	)		(131,555	)		(212,089	)

Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses		1,666,143			1,762,209			4,915,346			5,245,430

Noninterest Income
Deposit account service charges		53,766			58,233			165,507			185,906
Other service charges and fees		146,443			163,163			426,057			467,767
Other		35,992			24,476			104,352			95,664

Total noninterest income	$	236,201		$	245,872		$	695,916		$	749,337


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	Sept. 30,			Sept. 30,			Sept. 30,			Sept. 30,
	2004			2003			2004			2003
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits	$	707,835		$	680,559		$	2,104,293		$	2,022,852
Net occupancy expense		130,584			142,072			350,446			363,452
Equipment expense		42,529			22,652			102,439			77,080
Data processing fees		152,894			155,553			459,536			476,544
Professional fees		56,311			67,390			180,341			169,945
Marketing expense		53,675			64,456			147,076			156,320
Printing and office supplies		30,795			46,552			108,898			120,175
Depreciation		82,345			90,582			231,451			245,940
Deposit insurance premium		5,975			5,896			17,949			18,640
Other		282,118			249,815			813,905			711,197

Total noninterest expense		1,545,061			1,525,527			4,516,334			4,362,145

Income Before Income Tax		357,283			482,554			1,094,928			1,632,622
Provision for Income Taxes		112,000			178,000			379,000			587,000

Income Before Minority Interest		245,283			304,554			715,928			1,045,622
Minority Interest in Net Income of Subsidiary		(8,157	)		(10,298	)		(23,828	)		(33,732	)

Net Income	$	237,126		$	294,256		$	692,100		$	1,011,890

Basic Earnings Per Share	$	.71		$	.88		$	2.07		$	3.03

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,


	2004			2003
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Operating Activities
Net income	$	692,100		$	1,011,890
Items not requiring (providing) cash
Depreciation		231,451			245,940
Provision for loan losses		131,555			212,089
Loss on reappraised property		29,075			-0-
Stock dividends		(17,500	)		-0-
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on investments		190,897			(11,419	)
Net (gains)/losses on sale of repossessed assets		18,276			(12,405	)
Changes in
Interest receivable – loans		65,408			(314,244	)
Other assets		(208,098	)		237,520
Interest payable and other liabilities		25,026			(197,678	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		1,158,190			1,171,693

Investing Activities
Net change in loans		4,507,531			1,806,203
Proceeds from maturities held-to-maturity		5,000,000			5,000,000
Purchase of securities held to maturity		(6,967,100	)		(7,000,000	)
Purchase of premises and equipment		(252,260	)		(143,106	)
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank, Topeka Stock		(19,000	)		(633,300	)
Proceeds from the sale of repossessed assets		325,439			245,666

Net cash provided by investing activities		2,594,610			(724,537	)

Financing Activities
Net increase (decrease) in demand deposits, money market, NOW and savings accounts		7,592,508			1,510,932
Net increase (decrease) in certificates of deposit		5,061,474			(2,985,418	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		12,653,982			(1,474,486	)

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents		16,406,782			(1,027,330	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year		44,672,762			46,531,622

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Quarter		61,079,544		$	45,504,292

Supplemental Cash Flows Information
Interest paid		1,673,143		$	2,144,074
Income taxes paid		293,893			573,271
Sale and financing of foreclosed assets		26,000			24,300
Real estate and repossessions acquired in settlement of loans		332,184			427,893

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2004

– Basis of Preparation and Presentation

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by The Republic Corporation, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management necessary for a fair presentation. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary. The condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2003 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of that date. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The Republic Corporation believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading; however, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which are on Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. The results of operations for the interim period may not necessarily be indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

– Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available for common stockholders by the average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period (333,725 shares).

– Reclassification

Certain reclassifications have been made to the September 30, 2003 consolidated statement of income to conform to the September 30, 2004 statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

Our profitability, like that of similar financial institutions, is driven in large part by circumstances in both the local and national economies, which in turn affects the Company’s net interest income and financial stability. Net interest income is the difference between the Company’s interest income on interest-earning assets such as loans and investments, and its interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowings. The Company’s results of operations and financial condition are largely dependent on movements in market interest rates and its ability to manage its assets and liabilities in response to such movements. Results of operations for the Company, as with other financial institutions, may be materially and adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic conditions, including changes, and the rate of change, in interest rates and the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government in particular. Management is responsible for structuring both the timing of interest bearing asset repricings and the timing of interest bearing liability repricings so that net interest income is ideally at a sufficient level in the current time frame and adequately protected from significant decline in the future. The often unforeseen magnitude and direction of interest rate change can cause a negative earnings impact on the best conceived asset/liability management structure and future results in this area are therefore most appropriately described as probabilities. Another factor in the local and national economies, not entirely unrelated to interest rates, is credit risk and management’s ability to appropriately manage this exposure. Deterioration in either the national economy or in the Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico economies can cause declines in borrower repayment ability and performance and dampen loan demand to an extent that earnings are significantly impacted. The potential for increased loan charge-offs and loan loss provisions in such environments must be taken into account in addition to the possibility of lower net interest income. In the present economic environment, the most significant potential changes impacting the Company would be a reversal of federal monetary policy that would bring an end to the low interest rates that now prevail as well as any significant decrease in employment levels in Trinidad, Colorado, Walsenburg, Colorado, Raton, New Mexico and the surrounding communities. Either of these events, which may occur in isolation or in concert with one another, could cause unforeseeable behavioral changes amongst our loan and interest bearing deposit account holders that might result in a temporary reduction in net interest income or an increase in our credit losses. There can be no assurance, going forward, that these results will not occur. Lastly, the effective management of technology is a growing factor in defining our results as a financial institution. Our results are materially tied to such factors as technology cost, effective delivery of banking services through the use of technology, and the management of risks incidental to the use of technology, including operational risk, reputation risk and information security risk. Specifically, these risks include the potential loss, delay or unauthorized access to or alteration of customer transaction data housed or conveyed via electronic means and the possible negative, public reaction to such events in our markets.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

OVERVIEW: The Company reported net income of $692,100 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of 31.6% from net income of $1,011,890 for the same nine month period in 2003. Earnings in the nine month period of 2004 were negatively impacted by a $410,618 decline in net interest income, a $53,421 decline in service charge and other noninterest income and a $154,189 increase in noninterest expense. These negative factors were partially offset by a $80,534 decline in provision for loan loss and a $208,000 decline in income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Net earnings per share was $2.07 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to a $3.03 per share for the comparable 2003 period. The annualized return on quarterly average assets and quarterly average equity was .49% and 5.02%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to .75% and 7.80%, respectively, for the comparable 2003 period.

At September 30, 2004, the Company’s cash and Federal Funds sold had increased approximately $16.4 million, its securities portfolio had increased approximately $1.8 million, its net loan portfolio had decreased approximately $4.9 million and its deposits had increased approximately $12.7 million, all as compared to December 31, 2003.

INTEREST INCOME: Interest and dividend income decreased $643,620, or 8.7%, to $6,739,363 for the period ended September 30, 2004 from $7,382,983 for the comparable 2003 period. This consisted primarily of a decline in loan interest and fee income, which was $620,553 lower in the current period. This decline was largely a result of the steep decline in total loans outstanding from the prior year period of approximately $6 million, and, secondarily, the continuing reduction of aggregate quarterly average loan portfolio yield, which fell from 7.86% to 7.46% over the same period. Increased local competition for a dwindling supply of high quality commercial loans, coupled with a brisk level of interest rate driven residential refinancing into the secondary market, served as principal factors in the loan volume decline. This decline also caused a $24,076, or 17.1% decline in loan fee income. The decline in aggregate loan yield was an end result of declining market interest rates and declining Bank offering rates over the past year and the inevitable effect of scheduled and unscheduled repricings and new loan placements occurring in the lower interest rate environment. Quarterly average aggregate securities yield declined to 2.66% at September 30, 2004 from 3.77% a year ago, an end result of portfolio replacements made during the extremely low market interest rate environment seen in late 2003 and early 2004. Serving to support revenue in this area was a $4 million growth in period end securities holdings from a year ago, as well as $17,685 received in dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka stock, totaling $675,300 at period end, a source that had not yet yielded dividends a year ago. The impact of the initial round of Federal Reserve monetary tightening, consisting of three, 25 basis-point increases in the target Federal Funds rate by period end, coupled with growth in Federal Funds holdings of $17 million over the prior year period, resulted in an increase of $66,840 in interest earned on Federal Funds sold.

INTEREST EXPENSE: Deposit interest expense decreased $233,002, or 12.1%, to $1,692,462 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 from $1,925,464 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. This decline occurred in spite of growth of $12,074,196 in savings, NOW, money market and time deposit balances over the past 12 months. The average interest rate paid on quarterly average interest bearing deposits stood at 1.56% at the end of the nine month period ended September 30, 2004, compared to 1.84% for the same period last year.

NET INTEREST INCOME: Net interest income before provision for loan loss was $5,046,901 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of $410,618, or 7.5%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The principal cause for this decline was the migration in the past 12 months of approximately $6 million in loan assets into significantly lower yielding cash assets at a time when further downward adjustments to deposit offering rates would run counter to current market direction and would likely be met with resistance from traditional savers within the deposit customer base.

NONINTEREST INCOME: Noninterest income fell $53,421, or 7.1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $695,916 from $749,337 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Deposit account service charges were down $20,399, or 11%, and other service charge and fee income was down $41,710, or 8.9%, in the same time frame. Increases in other noninterest income categories of $8,688, or 9.1%, partially offset the decline in fee income.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE: Noninterest expense increased $154,189, or 3.5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $4,516,334 compared to $4,362,145 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. This increase is primarily a result of an increase of $42,848 in operating losses due to check fraud, a $60,416 growth in writedowns and losses incurred on the sale of foreclosed or repossessed collateral, and an increase of $81,441 in salaries and employee benefits, all as compared to the corresponding 2003 period.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE: Income tax expense declined $208,000, or 35.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $379,000 compared to $587,000 in the corresponding 2003 period. This was entirely the result of lower pre tax income in the current period.

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

OVERVIEW: The Company reported net income of $237,126 for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of $57,130, or 19.4%, from net income of $294,256 for the comparable 2003 period. Net income was $.71 per share for the three month period ended September 30, 2004 compared to $.88 per share for the 2003 period. Return on quarterly average assets and quarterly average equity were .50% and 5.10%, respectively, for the three month period ended September 30, 2004, compared to .65% and 6.67%, respectively, for the 2003 period.

INTEREST INCOME: Interest and dividend income decreased $140,483, or 5.8%, to $2,272,686 for the three month period ended September 30, 2004 from $2,413,169 for the comparable 2003 period. The dominant cause for this decline was the $6 million reduction in loan totals from September 30, 2003 to September 30, 2004 and the continued reduction in aggregate quarterly average loan portfolio yield in this period from 7.81% to 7.44%. The continued effect of increased competition for a limited supply of commercial loans and the refinancing of residential loans to secondary market lenders offering lower rates have brought about the decline in loan volume. The reduction in aggregate quarterly average loan yield is a direct result of repricings and originations occurring in the current, low interest rate environment. The $19,452 reduction in securities interest and dividend income in the three month period ended September 30, 2004, compared with the year-ago period, is also a direct result of maturation and reinvestment occurring in a lower, but slowly increasing, interest rate environment than was the case a year ago. September 30, 2004, aggregate quarterly average securities yield fell from 3.56% to 2.63% as a result. The effect of this decline in yield was only partially mitigated by the $4 million growth in securities holdings during the same time frame. The declines in loan and securities interest income in the three months ended September 30, 2004 were partially offset by a $92,446 increase in interest earned on Federal Funds sold, an end result of the $17 million increase in Federal Funds holdings from the prior year period and the effects of three, 25 basis-point increases in the target Federal Funds rate, put into effect on June 30, 2004, August 10, 2004 and September 21, 2004.

INTEREST EXPENSE: Deposit interest expense increased $2,907, in large part due to the $12,074,196 growth in interest bearing deposits over the past year. This growth negated the effect of a decline in the quarterly average rate paid on these deposit accounts from 1.68% in the period ended September 30, 2003 to 1.58% in the current quarter.

NET INTEREST INCOME: Net interest income before provision for loan loss was $1,687,596 for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a decrease of $143,390, or 7.8%, compared to the same time period in 2003. The reinvestment of loan payoffs of $6 million received over the past 12 months into low yielding cash assets, coupled with depositor resistance to significant further reductions in deposit rates, has caused the reduction in net interest income.

NONINTEREST INCOME: Noninterest income fell $9,671, or 3.9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2004 to $236,201 from $245,872 for the three months ended September 30, 2003. Deposit account service charges were down $4,467, or 7.7%, and other service charge and fee income categories were down $16,720, or 10.2%, in the same time frame. Increases in other noninterest income categories of $11,516, or 47.1%, partially offset the decline in fee income.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE: Noninterest expense increased $19,534, or 1.3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2004 to $1,545,061 compared to $1,525,527 in the comparable 2003 period. Increases of $17,206 in operating losses tied to check fraud, $12,344 in costs associated with repossessed autos and $26,941 in writedowns and losses taken on the sale of repossessed and foreclosed collateral were partially offset by smaller reductions in miscellaneous other expense account categories.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE: Income tax expense fell $66,000, or 37.1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2004 to $112,000 from $178,000 in the corresponding 2003 period, a direct result of lower earnings.

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSS

The Company charged $213,795 to the provision for loan loss and added back recoveries of $51,642 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 compared with $393,764 and $181,615, respectively, in the corresponding 2003 period. The ratio of loan loss reserve to total loans was 1.65% at September 30, 2004, compared to 1.59% a year ago. The Company establishes a minimum reserve for loan loss level through the use of an internal risk rating system, which is superimposed over the historical loss experience in this market for loans of different type. This risk rating system grades each individual loan in the portfolio in terms of the borrower’s ability to pay, the borrower’s track record of paying here and elsewhere and the quality of collateral if the loan is secured. As a result of this process, the Company increased the provision by $131,555 and $212,089, respectively, in the periods ending September 30, 2004 and 2003. The average, quarterly net charge off thus far in 2004 is $54,000, compared to $69,000 for all of 2003.

ASSET QUALITY

Nonaccrual loans consist of all loans past due sixty days or more as well as other identified loans where borrower repayment is made less than likely by financial impairment or other adverse circumstance. When payments are received on nonaccruing loans, the interest portion is typically taken into income on a cash basis. If a borrower’s prospects improve and payments are made promptly for at least two quarters, the loan(s) in question will typically be returned to accruing status. Total nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2004 were $1,020,000, compared to $837,000 at September 30, 2003 and $881,000 at December 31, 2003. The increase in the current period is primarily the result of growth in past due and financially impaired commercial real estate loans. There can be no assurance that we will not in following periods increase further the number and amount of loans categorized as nonaccrual. At period-end, there were no restructured loans in the portfolio.

Foreclosed real estate totaled $498,000 at September 30, 2004, compared to $544,000 at September 30, 2004 and $624,000 at December 31, 2003. Repossessed mobile homes and commercial trucks totaled $79,000 in the current period, compared to none at this time last year. The Company is continuing to experience an elevated level of foreclosure and repossession activity in its markets and the over supply of similar property for sale locally causes a quick sale to be difficult to achieve. The marketing and sale of these properties is a management priority at present.

TABLE 1 — PROBLEM ASSETS


(dollars in thousands)	September 30,						December 31,
	2004			2003			2003			2002			2001
Nonaccrual Loans	$	1,020		$	837		$	881		$	2,304		$	1,008
Past-due Loans (90 days or more and still accruing)		-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-
Restructured Loans (still accruing)		-0-			-0-			-0-			256			81

Total problem Loans	$	1,020		$	837		$	881		$	2,560		$	1,089
Foreclosed Assets
Real Estate		498			544			624			351			255
In-Substance foreclosures		-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-			-0-
Other		79			-0-			20			-0-			-0-

Total Problem Assets	$	1,597		$	1,381		$	1,525		$	2,911		$	1,525

Total problem loans as a percentage of total loans		1.0	%		.8	%		.8	%		2.4	%		1.0	%
Total problem assets as a percentage of total loans and foreclosed assets		1.6	%		1.3	%		1.4	%		2.7	%		1.2	%

Increased and more aggressive competition for commercial loans occurring in concert with continued, low interest rate driven residential refinancing has caused loan totals to continue the decline first seen in 2002. In the preceding 12 months, commercial and industrial loans have declined $1,691,000, or 24.1%. Total real estate loans have decreased $3,248,000, or 3.6%, in the same period. Additionally, installment loans to individuals have declined $1,075,000, or 12.9%, in the preceding 12 month period, possibly the result of more stringent underwriting in this area or saturation of our markets with consumer debt of all types. In view of the Company’s posture of continuing to be a conservative lender within its existing geographic markets only, and to the extent that market interest rates that influence loan products remain near the historic low point, this pattern of loan attrition will likely continue.

TABLE 2 — LOAN CONCENTRATIONS


(dollars in thousands)	September 30,				December 31,
	2004		2003		2003		2002		2001
Commercial and Industrial	$	5,334	$	7,025	$	6,716	$	9,676	$	7,424
Agricultural		1,387		1,398		1,237		1,244		1,754
Real Estate-Construction		7,011		6,914		4,130		3,672		3,262
Real Estate-Mortgage		79,908		83,253		85,758		83,928		89,617
Installment loans to Individuals		7,251		8,326		8,026		10,840		11,233

Totals	$	100,891	$	106,916	$	105,867	$	109,360	$	113,290

The total amount of Federal Funds sold held by the Company increased to $56,275,000, or 28.9% of total assets on September 30, 2004 from $38,225,000, or 21.1% of total assets, on December 31, 2003. This increase is a byproduct of the previously mentioned loan decline and deposit increases and brings these totals to a level well above the Bank’s December 31, 2003 peer average of 2.86%. Management has the present intention of increasing interest income by placing a portion of these excess funds further out on the yield curve when and if market rates move in concert with Federal Reserve Policy. In actuality, the two have been substantially decoupled during the past three months, with the yield curve collapsing while the target Federal Funds rate is being elevated.

At September 30, 2004, securities held to maturity totaled $28,435,539, or 14.6% of total assets, compared to $26,659,336, or 14.7% of total assets, at December 31, 2003. These holdings presently consist of $26,141,027 in Federal Home Loan Bank bonds maturing in 19 months or less, and $2,294,512 in municipal bonds with AAA Moody’s ratings.

SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS

In the nine months ended September 30, 2004, deposit increases of $12,653,982 and loan paydowns of $4,507,531 flowed into cash and cash equivalents and securities held to maturity. The latter two asset categories grew $16,406,782 and $1,967,100, respectively, during the same period. While the loan paydowns represent the continuation of a trend that has existed since 2001, the deposit growth has only occurred in 2004 and contrasts with the decline seen throughout 2003. Possible explanations for the deposit growth would include customer response to relatively high deposit offering rates and the more extensive retail delivery options the Bank offers in comparison to local competitors.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity, our ability to respond to deposit withdrawal or loan requests, is higher at September 30, 2004, compared to year-end, 2003. Cash and due from banks, Federal Funds sold and held-to-maturity securities totaled approximately 51% of total liabilities on September 30, 2004, compared with approximately 43.8% on December 31, 2003. This increase is an end result of the deposit growth and declining loan totals seen in the same nine month period. Additional sources of funding that, as yet, remain untapped include an unsecured Federal Funds purchase line of $9,130,000, established at Banker’s Bank of the West in Denver, Colorado. Also, the Bank is now a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka and currently has the ability to obtain advances in excess of $57,000,000. This membership allows the Bank to borrow from the FHLB as an alternative source of funding for loan growth when deposits are not sufficient alone to support such growth or to match fund targeted asset maturities.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY MANAGEMENT

In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to the risk of loss from changes in interest rates. The majority of this risk has to do with timing differences related to the repricing of assets and liabilities. Under the auspices of our asset and liability committee, we analyze and compare these repricing differences and basis point spreads so as to effectively monitor and adjust the inevitable earnings impact of rate changes. The objective, over time, is to minimize this earnings impact in all interest rate environments and not to attempt to anticipate or time the market. The primary tools to accomplish this are absolute pricing level decisions on both sides of the balance sheet, so as to address the embedded “basis risk”, as well as overt adjustment to the timing of repricing events, so as to address “term risk” as a matter of policy. The modeling used internally consists of 100 basis point and 400 basis point earnings impact estimates. In our modeling, we attempt to anticipate the effect on net interest income with a 100 and 400 basis point shift up or down in interest rates. The instruments that we typically adjust in the modeling process are loans, securities held-to-maturity, Federal Funds sold and deposit liabilities. This model is periodically altered to reflect both management’s ability and intention to make these adjustments and therefore represents an effort to combine mathematical prediction with behavioral probability. Although we believe that we have sufficient tools in place to mitigate the adverse earnings impact caused by interest rate change, the effect of these changes in any given period may be to negatively impact reported income and interest earned on securities held by the Company. We do not currently invest in derivative financial instruments such as futures, swaps, options, and other financial instruments with similar characteristics and there is currently negligible direct risk of adverse impacts resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices or prices of equity securities.

TABLE 3 – REPRICING SCHEDULE
September 30, 2004


	3 MO			3-12			1-3			OVER 3
(dollars in thousands)	OR LESS			MONTHS			YEARS			YEARS
RATE SENSITIVE ASSETS
(Assets that can be repriced within X days)
Loans*	$	11,048		$	17,134		$	15,161		$	57,390
Federal Funds Sold		56,275			-0-			-0-			-0-
Taxable Securities** (at par)		5,000			7,000			14,000			-0-
Municipal Bonds (at par)		-0-			-0-			-0-			2,295

TOTAL	$	72,323		$	24,134		$	29,161		$	59,685

RATE SENSITIVE LIABILITIES
(Liabilities that can be repriced within X days)
Time Certificates of Deposit	$	32,239		$	44,035		$	10,650		$	-0-
NOW Accounts		2,133			-0-			-0-			-0-
Super NOW Accounts		36,376			-0-			-0-			-0-
Savings Accounts		10,540			-0-			-0-			-0-
MMDA Accounts		14,701			-0-			-0-			-0-

TOTAL	$	95,989		$	44,035		$	10,650		$	-0-

Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap		($23,666	)		($19,901	)	$	18,511		$	59,685
Cumulative Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap		($23,666	)		($43,567	)		($25,056	)	$	34,629

*		Does not include overdrawn demand deposits of $33 thousand or $126 thousand in overdraft loans.

**		Does not include $24 thousand in Federal Reserve Bank Stock or $675 thousand in FHLB Topeka Stock.

TABLE 4 — INVESTMENT SECURITIES


	CARRYING		UNREALIZED		UNREALIZED		MARKET
(dollars in thousands)	VALUE		GAINS		LOSSES		VALUE
September 30, 2004
Held to Maturity *:
U.S. Treasury Securities		—		—		—		—
Other	$	28,435,539	$	232,080		—	$	28,667,619
December 31, 2003
Held to Maturity *:
U.S. Treasury Securities		—		—		—		—
Other	$	26,659,336	$	418,142		—	$	27,077,478
December 31, 2002
Held to Maturity *:
U.S. Treasury Securities		—		—		—		—
Other	$	22,470,121	$	722,733		—	$	23,192,854

Securities which we have the current ability and intent to hold to maturity. These securities are stated at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, computed by the interest method. Because securities are purchased for investment purposes and quoted market values fluctuate during the investment period, gains and losses are recognized upon disposition or at such time as management determines that a permanent impairment of value has occurred. Cost of securities sold is determined on the specific identification method.

CAPITALIZATION

The Company’s total stockholder’s equity increased $692,100 to $18,717,671 at September 30, 2004 from $18,025,571 at December 31, 2003 as a result of retained earnings from the nine month period ended September 30, 2004. These retained earnings, coupled with the growth in lower risk assets such as Federal Funds sold and held-to-maturity securities and the decline in higher risk assets such as commercial and industrial loans and installment loans to individuals has caused an increase in both risk based capital ratios. The 5.89% growth in average assets year-to-date in 2004 was not matched by positive growth of 4.91% in Tier 1 leverage capital, thereby causing a slight decrease in the Tier 1 leverage capital ratio. All of the Company’s reported capital ratios for September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 far exceeded the Federal Reserve Board’s regulatory minimum and “well capitalized” thresholds.

TABLE 5 – CAPITAL


	*September 30,			December 31,			Regulatory			Well
	2004			2003			Minimum			Capitalized
Tier 1 risk-based capital		20.12	%		19.54	%		4	%		6	%
Tier 1 + Tier 2 risk based capital		21.37	%		20.79	%		8	%		10	%
Tier 1 leverage		9.77	%		9.95	%		4	%		5	%

Estimate

Management is not aware of any regulatory recommendations or other trends, events or uncertainties that would have or would reasonably be likely to have a material effect on liquidity, capital resources or operations of the Company.

“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements which are not historical facts contained in this document are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from projected results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others: general economic conditions, economic conditions in the Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico area, the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve Board, changes in interest rates, inflation, instability in the financial markets either as a response to terrorist activities or otherwise, competition in the banking business, changes in state and federal regulatory regimes applicable to our operations, loan demand, the ability of customers to repay loans, consumer saving habits, employment costs, technology costs, and other risk factors detailed in our Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Forward-looking statements” in this document can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology and include statements relating to, among other things, our ability to minimize the adverse impact of interest rate changes and the effect of the economy on the level of non-accruing loans. The statements in “risk-factors” and other statements and disclaimers in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB constitute cautionary statements identifying important factors, including certain risks and uncertainties, with respect to such forward-looking statements that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements.

ITEM 3: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(A) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Our Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-QSB Quarterly Report (the “Evaluation Date”), has concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to us would be made known to him by others within our company, particularly during the period in which this Form 10-QSB Quarterly Report was being prepared.

(B) Changes in internal controls.

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of the most recent evaluation, nor any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in such internal controls requiring corrective actions. As a result, no corrective actions were taken.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTER TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a) Exhibits

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1 Certification of Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S. C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

b) Reports on Form 8-K

No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the quarter for which this report was filed.

EXHIBIT 31.1

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

I, J. Ed Eisemann, IV, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-QSB of The Republic Corporation (Small Business Issuer);

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Small Business Issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the Small Business Issuer and have:

b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Small Business Issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this quarterly report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report based on such evaluation; and

c) Disclosed in this quarterly report any change in the Small Business Issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Small Business Issuer’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Small Business Issuer’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Small Business Issuer’s internal control over the financial reporting and;

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Small Business Issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date:	October 15, 2004	/s/ J. Ed Eisemann, IV

		J. Ed Eisemann, IV
		Chairman of the Board, Director, Chief Executive Officer,
		Chief Financial and Accounting Officer

EXHIBIT 32.1

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

I, J. Ed Eisemann IV, Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of The Republic Corporation (the “Small Business Issuer”), do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended September 30, 2004 of the Small Business Issuer (the “Report”), that to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirement of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results operations of the Small Business Issuer.

This certification is made solely for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and not for any other purpose.


/s/ J. Ed Eisemann, IV	Chief Executive and	October 15, 2004
	Chief Financial Officer
J. Ed Eisemann, IV		Date

A SIGNED ORIGINAL OF THIS WRITTEN STATEMENT REQUIRED BY SECTION 906, HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION AND WILL BE RETAINED BY THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION AND FURNISHED TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ITS STAFF UPON REQUEST.


	Financial			Price			Price
	Data			Multiples			Indices

Tangible Core Common Equity/ Tangible Assets		6.16	%		2.04	x		12.53
Return on Average Assets (LTM)		0.90	%		15.33	x		13.80
Return on Average Equity (LTM)		13.92	%		NA			NA


Price Multiples:
	Price-to-Tangible Core Common Equity (“TCCE”)	$	52.25		/	$	54.78		=	0.95	x
	Price-to-Earnings (2003)	$	52.25		/	$	3.74		=	13.96	x
	Price-to-Earnings (Est. 2004)	$	52.25		/	$	2.96		=	17.67	x
Price Indices:
	TCCE [(price/ TCCE multiple) x (TCCE/tangible assets)]		0.95	x	*		9.41	%	=	8.97
	Earnings (2003) [(price/earnings multiple) x ROA]		13.96	x	*		0.69	%	=	9.63
	Earnings (Est. 2004) [(price/earnings multiple) x ROA]		17.67	x	*		0.52	%	=	9.19


Price Multiples:
	Price-to-TCCE	$	58.00		/	$	54.78		=	1.06	x
	Price-to-Earnings (2003)	$	58.00		/	$	3.74		=	15.50	x
	Price-to-Earnings (Est. 2004)	$	58.00		/	$	2.96		=	19.61	x
Price Indices:
	TCCE [(price/ TCCE multiple) x (TCCE/tangible assets)]		1.06	x	*		9.41	%	=	9.96
	Earnings (2003) [(price/earnings multiple) x ROA]		15.50	x	*		0.69	%	=	10.69
	Earnings (Est. 2004) [(price/earnings multiple) x ROA]		19.61	x	*		0.52	%	=	10.20


Price Multiples:
	Price-to-TCCE	$	63.00		/	$	54.78		=	1.15	x
	Price-to-Earnings (2003)	$	63.00		/	$	3.74		=	16.83	x
	Price-to-Earnings (Est. 2004)	$	63.00		/	$	2.96		=	21.30	x
Price Indices:
	TCCE [(price/ TCCE multiple) x (TCCE/tangible assets)]		1.15	x	*		9.41	%	=	10.82
	Earnings (2003) [(price/earnings multiple) x ROA]		16.83	x	*		0.69	%	=	11.61
	Earnings (Est. 2004) [(price/earnings multiple) x ROA]		21.30	x	*		0.52	%	=	11.08


Price Multiples:
	Price-to-TCCE	$	58.00		/	$	54.78		=	1.06	x
	Price-to-Earnings (2003)	$	58.00		/	$	3.74		=	15.50	x
	Price-to-Earnings (Est. 2004)	$	58.00		/	$	2.96		=	19.61	x
Price Indices:
	TCCE [(price/ TCCE multiple) x (TCCE/tangible assets)]		1.06	x	*		9.41	%	=	9.96
	Earnings (2003) [(price/earnings multiple) x ROA]		15.50	x	*		0.69	%	=	10.69
	Earnings (Est. 2004) [(price/earnings multiple) x ROA]		19.61	x	*		0.52	%	=	10.20

(1)		Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: Common Stock

(2)		Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 86,390

(3)		Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): $58.00.

(4)		Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $5,010,620.00

(5)		Total fee paid: $634.85

(1)		Amount previously paid: $634.85

(2)		Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: Schedule 13E-3

(3)		Filing Party: The Republic Corporation

(4)		Date Filed: December 6, 2004


	(iii)	consider and vote upon an Agreement and Plan of Merger.


	BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

	ROGER DEAN EISEMANN
	Secretary


SUMMARY INFORMATION		1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		9
PROPOSAL I — RATIFICATION OF CERTAIN ACTS		9
PROPOSAL II — APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION		10
	Description of Proposed Amendments	10
	Proposed Amendment to Article I	10
	Proposed Amendment to Article IV	11
PROPOSAL III — THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER		12
SPECIAL FACTORS		12
	Background of the merger	12
	Purposes of and reasons for the merger proposal	17
	Determination of the terms of the merger	20
	Financial fairness	20
	Recommendation of our board of directors	26
	Funding the merger	31
	U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger	32
	Certain effects of the merger on our shareholders	37
CONSEQUENCES OF A SUBCHAPTER S ELECTION		38
	Tax consequences of Subchapter S tax status	39
	Non-tax consequences of Subchapter S election	41
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION		42
MARKET FOR SECURITIES AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION		49
	Dividends — The Bank	50
THE PROPOSED MERGER		51
	Parties to the merger	51
	Structure of merger	52
	Conversion and exchange of stock certificates	59
	Interest of certain persons in the merger	60
	Dissenting shareholders	60
	Conditions to consummation of the merger	62
	Amendment or termination of the merger agreement	62
	Effective time of the merger	63
	Regulatory approvals	63
	Expenses of the merger	64
	Anticipated accounting treatment	64
	Operations of Republic and the Bank following the merger	64
	Vote required to approve the merger	65
THE SPECIAL MEETING		65
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS		67
	Certain relationships and related transactions	68
MANAGEMENT		69
	General	69
	Directors and Executive officers	69


	Merger subsidiary	69
OTHER BUSINESS		70
COST OF SPECIAL MEETING AND SOLICITATION OF PROXIES		70
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		70
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE		70


APPENDICES:
	AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER	Appendix A
	FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY	Appendix B
	FORM OF CONFORMED IRS ELECTION FORM	Appendix C
	FORM OF SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT	Appendix D
	DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS PROVISIONS	Appendix E
	FAIRNESS OPINION OF THE BANK ADVISORY GROUP, L.L.C.	Appendix F
	2003 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS ON FORM 10-KSB	Appendix G
	SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS ON FORM 10-QSB	Appendix H


	•	The merger would enable us to terminate the registration of our common stock under the Securities Exchange Act for the purpose of avoiding the significant costs and personnel time commitment necessary for compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s reporting requirements and the other additional material costs associated with being a reporting company.

	•	The merger would also enable us to become eligible to be taxed for federal income tax purposes under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of generally eliminating our federal income tax liability at the corporate level as well as the Bank’s state income tax liability.


	•	Either individually or together with your spouse, you must own of record as of the effective time of the merger at least 250 shares of common stock of Republic;

	•	You must be eligible to be a shareholder of an S corporation under the Internal Revenue Code and deliver to us an executed certificate of eligibility, the form of which is attached as Appendix B to this proxy statement;

	•	You and your spouse, (or, if a trust, the person(s) treated as the shareholder(s) under the Internal Revenue Code) must consent to our election to become an S corporation by delivering to us an


	•	receive cash in the amount of $58.00 per share;

	•	incur no brokerage costs;

	•	have no ability to participate in any future potential earnings or growth of the company or any shareholder votes;

	•	have no ability to reacquire the shares except in a transaction with a third party; and

	•	likely be required to pay federal and, if applicable, state and local income taxes on the taxable gain or loss from the cash amount received. Each of these items is described more fully in the section titled “Special Factors — Certain effects of the merger on our shareholders — Cashed-out shares.”


	Sincerely,

	J.E. EISEMANN, IV
	Chairman of the Board


	*The Proposed Amendment*


	*The Proposed Amendment*


	*Election to be Taxed as a Subchapter S Corporation*


	•	retain an ongoing equity interest in the company, including the ability to participate in any future potential earnings and growth;

	•	experience an increase in your ownership percentage because there will be fewer shares outstanding;


	•	be required to include your pro rata share of our earnings in calculating your federal income tax liability;

	•	have decreased access to information regarding our company because our common stock will no longer be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

	•	have decreased liquidity in your shares; and

	•	be restricted in your ability to transfer your shares as a result of the Shareholders’ Agreement.


	•	reduction in number of shareholders and outstanding shares;

	•	increase in pro forma earnings per share and decrease in pro forma book value per share;

	•	reduction in liquidity of common stock;

	•	termination of Securities Exchange Act registration;

	•	elimination of federal income tax liability, with certain exceptions;

	•	expectation of quarterly distribution to cover estimated taxes; and

	•	increase in share ownership of executive officers and directors.


	•	A majority of our directors and executive officers own of record approximately 219,000 shares of our common stock and will be eligible to retain their shares following the merger; and

	•	Assuming the merger was completed as of the date of this proxy statement and all shareholders owning at least 250 shares of our common stock became “qualified shareholders” (as a majority of our executive officers and directors are eligible to become), the aggregate ownership percentage of our directors and executive officers would have increased from approximately 66% to 88%.


	“The period of this corporation’s duration is perpetual.”


Independent auditors		$	44,000
Printing and mailing			9,000
Legal and consulting fees			15,000
Internal compliance costs			20,000

	Total	$	88,000


				Pro Forma			Pro Forma
	Actual			Adjustments			Combined


	Debit (Credit)
Cash and due from banks	$	4,804,544		$	1,377	1)	$	4,805,921
Federal Funds sold		56,275,000			2,375,000	1)		58,650,000

Cash and cash equivalents		61,079,544			2,376,377			63,455,921
Loans (net of allowance)		99,222,084						99,222,084
Held-to-maturity securities		28,435,539						28,435,539
Premises and fixed assets		2,890,870						2,890,870
Deferred Income Taxes		459,847			(459,847	) 2)		0
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank, Topeka stock		699,300						699,300
Foreclosed assets held for sale, net		577,747						577,747
Interest receivable — loans		504,922						504,922
Goodwill		436,079						436,079
Other		456,693			(26,000	) 3)		430,693

Total assets:	$	194,762,625		$	1,890,530		$	196,653,155

Deposits	$	174,757,378					$	174,757,378
Interest payable and other liabilities		725,375			(45,000	) 4)		770,375
Trust Preferred Securities		0			(7,000,000	) 5)		7,000,000

Total liabilities:	$	175,482,753			(7,045,000	)		182,527,753

Minority interest in Consolidated Subsidiary		562,201			(15,643	) 6)		577,844
Common stock		356,844						356,844
Additional paid-in capital		234,931						234,931
Retained earnings		18,217,199			159,493	7)		18,057,706
Less: treasury stock		(91,303	)		5,010,620	8)		(5,101,923	)

Total shareholders’ equity:	$	18,717,671		$	5,170,113		$	13,547,558

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	194,762,625		$	(1,890,530	)	$	196,653,155

Book value per share	$	56.09					$	54.77

No. of shares outstanding		333,725			(86,390	)		247,335


Proceeds from issuance of trust preferred securities — 2003		$	7,000,000
Purchase of stock from shareholders — 2003		$	(5,010,620	)
Reversal of Prepaid Income Taxes — 2003		$	647,265
Interest expense trust preferred securities — 2003		$	(311,500	)
Merger-related expenses — 2003		$	(125,000	)
Interest expense trust preferred securities — 2004		$	(233,174	)
Credit for merger related costs actually incurred — 2004		$	4,406
Reversal of Prepaid Income Taxes — 2004		$	405,000

	Total	$	2,376,377


Reversal of deferred income tax asset		$	459,847
Deferred income taxes on built in gains		$	80,000
Reversal of 2003 income tax expense		$	(647,265	)
Accretion of built in gain tax for 2003		$	(20,000	)

	Total	$	(127,418	)


Description		Amount

Legal fees and expenses		$	65,000
Advisory fees and expenses		$	25,000
Accounting fees and expenses		$	10,000
Filing fees		$	1,000
Printing, solicitation and mailing costs		$	23,000
Miscellaneous expenses		$	1,000

	Total	$	125,000


	Number of Shares		Percent of Class			Percent of Class
Name of Beneficial Owner	Beneficially Owned		(Pre-Merger)			(Post-Merger)

Catherine G. Eisemann		193,702		58.0	%		78.0	%
J.E. Eisemann		8,700		2.6	%		3.5	%
Roger D. Eisemann		6,500		1.9	%		2.6	%
George M. Boyd		8,700		2.6	%		3.5	%
Dr. John C. Davis		1,395		*			*
Directors and executive officers, as a group		218,997		65.6	%		87.6	%


	Positions Held		Principal Occupation
Name (Age as of 12/1/04)	with Republic Corporation		for the Last Five Years

Catherine G. Eisemann (78)		President, Director		Banker
J.E. Eisemann, IV (57)		Vice-President, Director		Banker
Roger Dean Eisemann (50)		Secretary, Director		Banker
George M. Boyd (60)		Director	Banker (Executive Vice-President of The Bank of Texas)
Dr. John C. Davis (57)		Director		Veterinarian


	THE REPUBLIC CORPORATION, a Texas corporation
	By:	/s/ J.E. Eisemann, IV
		J. E. Eisemann, IV, Vice President


	REPUBLIC MERGER CORP., a Texas corporation
	By:	/s/ J.E. Eisemann, IV
		J. E. Eisemann, IV, President

	(a)		Grantor trust. In the case of a grantor trust, the grantor of the trust (and not the trust itself) is treated as the shareholder. As a result, the grantor and his or her spouse, if any, generally are required to consent to the election.

	(b)		Testamentary trust. In the case of a testamentary trust, the estate is treated as the shareholder. As a result, the proper representative of the estate (see discussion at (3) above with respect to estates) is required to consent to the election.

	(c)		QSST. In the case of a QSST, the income beneficiary of the trust is treated as a shareholder. As a result, the income beneficiary and his or her spouse, if any, generally are required to consent to the election.

	(d)		ESBT. In the case of an ESBT, each potential current beneficiary of the trust is treated as a shareholder (however, if for any period there is no potential current beneficiary of the trust, then the trust is treated as a shareholder during such period). Nevertheless, the IRS has issued guidance which indicates that only the trustee of the trust is required to consent to the election.

	1.		Audited consolidated financial statements for Republic, for the periods ended December 31, 2003, and 2002;

	2.		Consolidated financial statements for Republic presented on form F.R. Y-9C for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 1999 – 2003, as filed with the Federal Reserve System;

	3.		Parent company only financial statements for Republic presented on form F.R. Y-9LP for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 1999 – 2003, as filed with the Federal Reserve System;

	4.		Reports of Condition and Income for The First National Bank in Trinidad, Colorado, the sole bank subsidiary of Republic, for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 1999 – 2003, as filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

	5.		Internal financial statements for Republic and The First National Bank in Trinidad, at and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004;

	6.		The condition of the commercial banking industry, as indicated in financial reports filed with various federal bank regulatory authorities by all federally-insured commercial banks through September 30, 2004;

	7.		Certain internal financial analyses and forecasts for The First National Bank in Trinidad prepared by the management of The First National Bank in Trinidad, including projections of future performance;

	8.		For The First National Bank in Trinidad, certain other summary materials and analyses with respect to its respective loan portfolio, securities portfolio, deposit base, fixed assets, and operations including, but not limited to: (i) a schedule of loans and other assets identified by management as deserving special attention or monitoring given the characteristics of the identified loan/asset together with the local economy, (ii) an analysis concerning the adequacy of the loan loss reserve, (iii) a schedule of “other real estate owned,” including current carrying values and recent appraisals, and (iv) a schedule of securities, detailing book values, market values, and lengths to maturity; and

	9.		Such other information regarding Republic and The First National Bank in Trinidad that we deemed relevant to this assignment.

	1.		The proxy statement, in draft form dated November 5, 2004;

	2.		The Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 2, 2004, as set forth in Appendix A of the proxy statement;

	3.		The price-to-equity and price-to-earnings multiples of selected banking organizations based in the Western United States that have publicly-traded common stocks, together with the financial performance and condition of such banking organizations;

	4.		Monthly price levels and related fundamental financial characteristics of all United States banking organizations that have publicly-traded common stock for the prior eighteen months ending September 30, 2004;

	5.		The financial terms and price levels, to the extent publicly-available, of selected recent business combinations of companies in the banking industry involving the sale of control, together with the financial performance and condition of the selling banking organizations; and

	6.		Such other information – including financial studies, analyses, investigations, and economic and market criteria – that we deem relevant to this assignment.


	Respectfully submitted, The Bank Advisory Group, l.l.c.
	By


		PAGE
	PART I
ITEM 1.	BUSINESS		1
ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES		21
ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS		22
ITEM 4.	SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS		22
	PART II
ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS		22
ITEM 6.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.		22
ITEM 7.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		34
ITEM 8.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE		60
ITEM 8A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES		60
	PART III
ITEM 9.	DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS		61
ITEM 10.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION		62
ITEM 11.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT		63
ITEM 12.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS		63
ITEM 13.	EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K		64
ITEM 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES		64
SIGNATURES			66
CERTIFICATIONS


	PAGE
Independent Accountant’s Reports		35
Consolidated Financial Statements
Balance Sheets		37
Statements of Income		39
Statements of Stockholder’s Equity		41
Statements of Cash Flows		42
Notes to Financial Statements		44


			Additional
	Common		Paid-In		Treasury			Retained
	Stock		Capital		Stock			Earnings		Total
Balance, December 31, 2000	$	356,844	$	234,931	$	(91,303	)	$	13,733,882	$	14,234,354
Net income		—		—		—			1,259,284		1,259,284

Balance, December 31, 2001		356,844		234,931		(91,303	)		14,993,166		15,493,638
Net income		—		—		—			1,283,173		1,283,173

Balance, December 31, 2002		356,844		234,931		(91,303	)		16,276,339		16,776,811
Net income		—		—		—			1,248,760		1,248,760

Balance, December 31, 2003	$	356,844	$	234,931	$	(91,303	)	$	17,525,099	$	18,025,571