SCHEDULE 14A (RULE 14A-101) INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the registrant [X] Filed by a party other than the registrant [_] Check the appropriate box: [X] Preliminary proxy statement [_] Definitive proxy statement [_] Definitive additional materials [_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 Citadel Holding Corporation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) Citadel Holding Corporation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [_] $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2). [X] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14-6(i)(3). [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [_] 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: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing party: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date filed:
PRELIMINARY COPY CITADEL HOLDING CORPORATION November ___, 1994 Dear Stockholders: Your Board of Directors has recently completed a difficult but necessary restructuring of the Company. Unfortunately, a new group has arrived on the scene -- the Dillon Group -- and this group is now attempting to assert its own agenda and to step in ahead of the interests of those of you who do not hold large quantities of Citadel stock. Your Board urges you to reject these efforts, and to allow management to complete its job. PLEASE PROMPTLY EXECUTE AND MAIL THE BLUE PROXY CARD THAT ACCOMPANIES THESE PROXY MATERIALS. Your Board believes that: . The Dillon-backed proposal to liquidate Citadel would not be in your best interests. Indeed, it may cost your Company millions of dollars. . Dillon's hand-picked director nominees are all young and inexperienced in the management of publicly-traded companies. They have no special knowledge of how to manage your Company's assets. . A vote for the Dillon Group may be a wasted vote, as there is substantial uncertainty as to whether the Dillon Group intends to pursue its proxy solicitation or to vote any proxies it may receive. In making your determination how to vote, your Board believes that you should consider, among other things, the following: - THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSED BY THE DILLON GROUP WOULD BE PARTICULARY DETRIMENTAL TO STOCKHOLDERS WHO ARE NOT BIG MONEY PLAYERS LIKE THE DILLON GROUP. A DISTRIBUTION TO STOCKHOLDERS BY CITADEL OF ITS FIDELITY SHARES WOULD NOT, IN THE VIEW OF YOUR BOARD, BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE TYPICAL CITADEL STOCKHOLDER AT THIS TIME BECAUSE: * IN A LIQUIDATION, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT STOCKHOLDERS WOULD RECEIVE MORE THAN 2/3 OF A SHARE OF FIDELITY STOCK FOR EACH SHARE OF CITADEL STOCK OWNED. AT THE PRESENT TIME, TRANSFERS OF FIDELITY SHARES IN BLOCKS OF LESS THAN 100,000 SHARES ARE PROHIBITED BY FIDELITY'S CHARTER. SINCE THE AVERAGE STOCKHOLDER OWNS FAR LESS THAN 150,000 CITADEL SHARES AND WOULD THEREFORE RECEIVE LESS THAN 100,000 FIDELITY SHARES IN A LIQUIDATION, THE AVERAGE STOCKHOLDER WOULD CURRENTLY BE PROHIBITED FROM SELLING THOSE SHARES. THE DILLON GROUP WOULD RECEIVE OVER 100,000 FIDELITY SHARES. * TODAY, FIDELITY STOCK IS UNLISTED AND HELD EXCLUSIVELY BY LARGE INVESTORS. EVEN AFTER THE MINIMUM 100,000 SHARE TRANSFER REQUIREMENT FOR FIDELITY SHARE TRANSFERS TERMINATES, NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT FIDELITY SHARES WILL BE LISTED OR THAT ANY EFFICIENT MARKET WILL DEVELOP. ACCORDINGLY, SMALL FIDELITY SHAREHOLDINGS MAY SELL AT MATERIAL DISCOUNTS TO THEIR TRUE VALUES. THE FIDELITY STOCK KEPT IN A LARGER BLOCK IN CITADEL'S HANDS WOULD RETAIN THE POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT A BETTER PRICE FROM ANOTHER LARGE INVESTOR WHO MIGHT SEEK A SIGNIFICANT STAKE IN FIDELITY. LIQUIDATION WOULD DESTROY ANY VALUE THAT YOUR COMPANY'S FIDELITY HOLDINGS WOULD HAVE AS A MAJOR BLOCK OF FIDELITY COMMON STOCK. * LIQUIDATION WOULD REQUIRE YOUR COMPANY TO SELL ITS REAL ESTATE ASSETS AT WHAT MAY BE THE BOTTOM OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE MARKET AND BEFORE VALUES HAVE STABILIZED. MANAGEMENT
BELIEVES THAT PREMATURE LIQUIDATION OF ALL REAL ESTATE ASSETS COULD COST YOUR COMPANY SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS. - NOTWITHSTANDING THE ASSERTIONS MADE BY THE DILLON GROUP IN RECENT LITIGATION BROUGHT AGAINST YOUR BOARD THAT YOUR DIRECTORS ARE MOTIVATED BY PERSONAL GREED AND A DESIRE TO ENTRENCH THEMSELVES IN MANAGEMENT, SEVERAL MONTHS AGO YOUR BOARD, ON ITS OWN MOTION AND WITHOUT ANY PRODDING FROM ANY STOCKHOLDER SLASHED ITS OWN COMPENSATION BY MORE THAN 50%. FURTHERMORE, IN AN EFFORT TO CONTROL COSTS, YOUR BOARD DETERMINED NOT TO RENEW THE COMPANY'S DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS LIABILITY INSURANCE. - THE DILLON GROUP'S SLATE OF DIRECTOR NOMINEES ARE APPARENTLY COMMITTED TO A LIQUIDATION OF CITADEL. ASK YOURSELVES WHETHER SUCH A GROUP AND THEIR NOMINEES (WHICH INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS FORMERLY ASSOCIATED WITH T. BOONE PICKENS, A WELL-KNOWN CORPORATE RAIDER KNOWN FOR HIS GREENMAIL TACTICS, AND HIS AFFILIATES) IS REALLY GOING TO LOOK AFTER YOUR INTERESTS WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY COMMITTED TO A COURSE OF ACTION THAT IMPLEMENTS THE WILL OF THEIR PROMOTER, RODERICK DILLON. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE ALL UNDER 40 AND DO NOT REPORT ANY PRIOR EXPERIENCE AS OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC COMPANIES. MOST OF THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE REPORTED NO EXPERIENCE IN MANAGING OR SELLING REAL ESTATE. Furthermore, your Directors have concern as to whether the Dillon Group is being completely candid with you. We believe you should note that: - IN THEIR HASTY EFFORT TO TAKE OVER YOUR COMPANY, THE DILLON GROUP HAS SOUGHT TO AVOID THE REGULATORY APPLICATIONS AND FILINGS REQUIRED BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION BY SEEKING WAIVERS. THUS, NEITHER THE DILLON GROUP NOR ANY OF ITS DIRECTOR NOMINEES HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO APPLY FOR THE REQUISITE APPROVALS OF THE OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION. NO ASSURANCES HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY THE DILLON GROUP THAT THEY WILL EVER BE GRANTED SUCH APPROVALS OR THE WAIVERS THAT THEY APPARENTLY NOW SEEK. - DESPITE RECENT STATEMENTS TO THE PRESS BY THE DILLON GROUP AS TO THEIR VIEW OF THE VALUE OF CITADEL -- STATED BY RODERICK DILLON TO BE AS HIGH AS $9.00 PER SHARE IN LIQUIDATION -- DILLON HAS PRIVATELY ADVISED CITADEL THAT HE WOULD NOT PAY OVER $4.00 FOR CITADEL STOCK AND THAT HE WOULD BE A SELLER AT PRICES FAR BELOW $9.00. AS RECENTLY AS LATE OCTOBER, 1994, DILLON WAS TOUTING CITADEL SHARES IN THE PRESS AT BETWEEN $5 AND $9 PER SHARE, YET HE REFRAINS FROM OPEN MARKET PURCHASES OF CITADEL SHARES AT AVAILABLE PRICES FAR BELOW $5 PER SHARE -- A NOTEWORTHY LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN HIS OWN VALUATION RANGE. - WHEN DILLON WAS OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE FIDELITY STOCK IN THE RESTRUCTURING AT $5.25 PER SHARE, HE DECLINED. WHEN HE WAS ASKED WHETHER HE WOULD BE WILLING, LIKE YOUR COMPANY'S OTHER MAJOR STOCKHOLDER -- CRAIG CORPORATION -- TO LEND MONEY TO YOUR COMPANY TO ASSIST YOUR COMPANY IN MEETING ITS FUNDING NEEDS, HE LIKEWISE DECLINED. Like many other Southern California financial institutions, your Company suffered greatly from plunging California real estate values. This difficult situation was made worse by last January's Northridge earthquake and by the Company's historic position as a Los Angeles area apartment lender. Faced with these realities, your Board has worked diligently to make the best of a bad situation and has succeeded in recapitalizing the Company's critically undercapitalized thrift on terms that compare quite favorably to other recent recapitalizations, such as those of CalFed, Glenfed and Unionfed. However, the job is still only half done. For us to get the most value out of our 16.2% block in Fidelity, we believe that we need either to continue to push Fidelity towards a sale to a third party or to find a buyer or buyers for our Fidelity stock who will be willing to pay a premium for our block position. We are currently working on both of these avenues. The Dillon Group argues for immediate liquidation of your Company. In the press -- but, significantly, not in their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission -- they tell you that Fidelity is worth $10 per share and that the Company would have a liquidation value of as high as $9 per share. They urge that Fidelity shares be immediately distributed to stockholders.
We believe that the Dillon Group is overly optimistic as to value. Dillon's own actions would tend to indicate that he does not really believe these values, as he has declined opportunities to invest in the Company at prices representing less than 50% of his touted values. We believe that a current distribution of the Fidelity stock would benefit only stockholders who, like the Dillon Group, own major blocks of the Company's shares and who can fend for themselves in the absence of any public market for Fidelity shares. It is to be noted that the only current market for Fidelity shares is limited to 100,000 share block trades. There is no commitment or obligation on the part of Fidelity to list its securities or to otherwise promote a public market for its securities. No assurances can be given that smaller share holdings would have the liquidity to avoid the material discounts that are often incurred in trying to dispose of illiquid securities. AT SOME TIME, IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE TO LIQUIDATE THE COMPANY. YOUR BOARD HAS NOT RULED OUT THIS POSSIBILITY. HOWEVER, WE DO NOT THINK THAT THIS TIME WOULD COME UNTIL YOUR BOARD HAS COMPLETED THE JOB OF LIQUIDATING YOUR COMPANY'S HOLDINGS IN FIDELITY AT THE BEST TERMS AVAILABLE AND STABILIZING THE VALUE OF YOUR COMPANY'S REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO. YOUR BOARD APPRECIATES YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT, AND URGES YOU TO PROMPTLY EXECUTE AND MAIL THE BLUE PROXY CARD WHICH ACCOMPANIES THESE PROXY MATERIALS. Sincerely yours, James J. Cotter Chairman of the Board IMPORTANT: If your Citadel shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm or nominee, only they can execute a proxy on your behalf. To ensure that your shares are voted, we urge you to telephone the individual responsible for your account today and direct him or her to execute a proxy on your behalf. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD TODAY.
PRELIMINARY COPY NOVEMBER __, 1994 CITADEL HOLDING CORPORATION NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 12, 1994 To the Stockholders: The 1994 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Citadel Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Citadel"), will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel, 300 South Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, California on December 12, 1994, at 10:00 a.m. local time, subject to adjournment or postponement by the Board of Directors, for the following purposes: 1. To elect five directors to the Board of Directors of Citadel (the "Board of Directors") to serve until the 1995 annual meeting of stockholders; 2. To act upon a proposal to amend Citadel's Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 10,000,000 to 20,000,000 shares; 3. To authorize the Board of Directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the Annual Meeting to a later date; and 4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Only holders of record of the voting stock of Citadel on November 14, 1994 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Prior to the voting thereof, a proxy may be revoked by the person executing such proxy by (i) filing with the Corporate Secretary of Citadel, prior to the commencement of the Annual Meeting, either a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or (ii) by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Citadel shall make available for examination at its principal executive offices located at 600 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California 91203, at least ten days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting, a list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. By order of the Board of Directors, S. CRAIG TOMPKINS Corporate Secretary Glendale, California November __, 1994 YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. TO VOTE YOUR SHARES, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE.
PRELIMINARY COPY NOVEMBER __, 1994 CITADEL HOLDING CORPORATION PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS DECEMBER 12, 1994 GENERAL INFORMATION This proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the "Board" or the "Board of Directors") of Citadel Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Citadel" and, collectively with its subsidiaries, the "Company"), of proxies for use at the 1994 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Citadel (the "Annual Meeting") scheduled to be held at the time and place for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Shares represented by properly executed proxies received by Citadel will be voted at the Annual Meeting in the manner specified therein or, if no instructions are marked on the enclosed proxy card, FOR each of the nominees for director as identified on such card and FOR each of the other proposals on such card. Although management does not know of any other matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, shares represented by valid proxies will be voted by the persons named on the accompanying proxy card in accordance with their respective best judgments with respect to any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Execution of a proxy will not in any way affect a stockholder's right to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, and any person giving a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by (i) filing with the Corporate Secretary of Citadel, prior to the commencement of the Annual Meeting, a duly executed instrument dated subsequent to such proxy revoking the same or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or (ii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. The mailing address of the principal executive offices of Citadel is 600 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California 91203, and its telephone number is (818) 551-7450. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are first being sent to stockholders is November __, 1994. On August 4, 1994, Citadel completed a restructuring and recapitalization transaction (the "Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction"), as a result of which its interest in Fidelity Federal Bank, FSB ("Fidelity") was reduced from 100% to approximately 16.2% and Fidelity was recapitalized with approximately $109 million in new capital. Incident to the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, Citadel's Board of Directors was reduced from eight to five directors. Citadel is a registered Savings and Loan Holding Company. Solicitation of proxies may, under certain circumstances, be subject to compliance with the change of control laws and regulations promulgated by the Office of Thrift Supervision. RECORD DATE AND VOTING Only stockholders of record on November 14, 1994 (the "Record Date"), will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. There were outstanding on the Record Date 6,669,924 shares of Citadel common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock") and 1,329,114 shares of Citadel 3% Cumulative Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock," and together with the Common Stock, the "Voting Stock"). Each share of Voting Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. The holders of the majority of the outstanding shares of Citadel voting securities, whether present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares of Citadel voting securities present in person or represented by 1
proxy at the Annual Meeting. As to Proposal 2 (as defined below, the Charter Amendment), adoption requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Citadel voting securities. As to Proposal 3 (adjournment), adoption requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. With regard to Proposal 1 (election of directors), votes may either be cast in favor of the nominees named herein or be withheld. Votes withheld will not be counted towards a nominee's achievement of a plurality. With regard to Proposal 2, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of votes against the proposal because it requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all outstanding shares of Common Stock and Citadel voting securities. With regard to Proposal 3, abstentions will have the effect of votes against the proposal (but broker non-votes will not have such effect) because the proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. PROXY CONTEST On November 4, 1994, Dillon Investors, L.P. ("Dillon") and certain related persons and entities (the "Dillon Group"), announced that they will solicit proxies from the stockholders of Citadel for election at the Annual Meeting of a slate of directors, which includes persons previously associated with T. Boone Pickens and his affiliated entities, in opposition to the slate nominated by the Board of Directors of Citadel. The Dillon slate consists of Roderick H. Dillon, Jr., Bradley C. Shoup, Timothy K. Kelley, Ralph V. Whitworth and Jordan M. Spiegel (collectively, the "Dillon Nominees"). On November 8, 1994, Dillon filed preliminary proxy materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to solicit proxies for the election of the Dillon Nominees and to oppose the proposed amendment to Citadel's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. Dillon's preliminary proxy materials state that if elected, it is the intention of the Dillon Nominees to propose, subject to their fiduciary duties, that Citadel (i) effect a pro rata distribution (the "Dillon Distribution") to Citadel's stockholders of the Class B shares of Fidelity held by Citadel and (ii) thereafter promptly dissolve and liquidate the remaining assets of Citadel (the "Dillon Liquidation"). YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS STRONGLY OPPOSES THIS EFFORT OF THE DILLON GROUP AND URGES YOU TO REJECT THE DILLON NOMINEES. - THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSED BY THE DILLON GROUP WOULD BE PARTICULARLY DETRIMENTAL TO STOCKHOLDEERS WHO ARE NOT BIG MONEY PLAYERS LIKE THE DILLON GROUP. A DISTRIBUTION TO STOCKHOLDERS BY CITADEL OF ITS FIDELITY SHARES WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE TYPICAL CITADEL STOCKHOLDER AT THIS TIME BECAUSE: * IN A LIQUIDATION, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT STOCKHOLDERS WOULD RECEIVE MORE THAN 2/3 OF A SHARE OF FIDELITY STOCK FOR EACH SHARE OF CITADEL STOCK OWNED. AT THE PRESENT TIME, TRANSFERS OF FIDELITY SHARES IN BLOCKS OF LESS THAN 100,000 SHARES ARE PROHIBITED BY FIDELITY'S CHARTER. SINCE THE AVERAGE STOCKHOLDER OWNS FAR LESS THAN 150,000 CITADEL SHARES AND WOULD THEREFORE RECEIVE LESS THAN 100,000 FIDELITY SHARES IN A LIQUIDATION, THE AVERAGE STOCKHOLDER WOULD CURRENTLY BE PROHIBITED FROM SELLING THOSE SHARES. THE DILLON GROUP WOULD RECEIVE OVER 100,000 FIDELITY SHARES. * TODAY, FIDELITY STOCK IS UNLISTED AND HELD EXCLUSIVELY BY LARGE INVESTORS. EVEN AFTER THE MINIMUM 100,000 SHARE TRANSFER REQUIREMENT FOR FIDELITY SHARE TRANSFERS TERMINATES, NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT FIDELITY SHARES WILL BE LISTED OR THAT ANY EFFICIENT MARKET WILL DEVELOP. ACCORDINGLY, SMALL FIDELITY SHAREHOLDINGS MAY SELL AT MATERIAL DISCOUNTS TO THEIR TRUE VALUES. THE FIDELITY STOCK KEPT IN A LARGER BLOCK IN CITADEL'S HANDS WOULD RETAIN THE POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT A BETTER PRICE FROM ANOTHER LARGE INVESTOR WHO MIGHT SEEK A SIGNIFICANT STAKE IN FIDELITY. LIQUIDATION WOULD DESTROY ANY VALUE THAT THE COMPANY'S FIDELITY HOLDINGS WOULD HAVE AS A MAJOR BLOCK OF FIDELITY COMMON STOCK. * LIQUIDATION WOULD REQUIRE THE COMPANY TO SELL ITS REAL ESTATE ASSETS AT WHAT MAY BE THE BOTTOM OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE MARKET AND BEFORE VALUES HAVE STABILIZED. MANAGEMENT 2
BELIEVES THAT PREMATURE LIQUIDATION OF ALL REAL ESTATE ASSETS COULD COST THE COMPANY SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS. - NOTWITHSTANDING THE ASSERTIONS MADE BY THE DILLON GROUP IN RECENT LITIGATION BROUGHT AGAINST THE BOARD THAT THE DIRECTORS ARE MOTIVATED BY PERSONAL GREED AND A DESIRE TO ENTRENCH THEMSELVES IN MANAGEMENT, SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE BOARD ON ITS OWN MOTION AND WITHOUT ANY PRODDING FROM ANY STOCKHOLDER, SLASHED ITS OWN COMPENSATION BY MORE THAN 50%. FURTHERMORE, IN AN EFFORT TO CONTROL COSTS, THE BOARD DETERMINED NOT TO RENEW THE COMPANY'S DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS LIABILITY INSURANCE. - THE DILLON NOMINEES ARE APPARENTLY COMMITTED TO A LIQUIDATION OF CITADEL. THE DILLON GROUP AND THE DILLON NOMINEES (WHICH INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS FORMERLY ASSOCIATED WITH T. BOONE PICKENS, A WELL-KNOWN CORPORATE RAIDER KNOWN FOR HIS GREENMAIL TACTICS, AND HIS AFFILIATES) ARE ALREADY COMMITTED TO A COURSE OF ACTION THAT IMPLEMENTS THE WILL OF THEIR PROMOTER, RODERICK DILLON. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE ALL UNDER 40 AND HAVE NO REPORTED PRIOR EXPERIENCE AS OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC COMPANIES. MOST OF THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE REPORTED NO EXPERIENCE IN MANAGING OR SELLING REAL ESTATE. - IN THEIR HASTY EFFORT TO TAKE OVER THE COMPANY, THE DILLON GROUP HAS SOUGHT TO AVOID THE REGULATORY APPLICATIONS AND FILINGS REQUIRED BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION BY SEEKING WAIVERS. THUS, NEITHER THE DILLON GROUP NOR ANY OF THE DILLON NOMINEES HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO APPLY FOR THE REQUISITE APPROVALS OF THE OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION. NO ASSURANCES HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY THE DILLON GROUP THAT IT WILL EVER BE GRANTED SUCH APPROVALS OR THE WAIVERS THAT IT APPARENTLY NOW SEEKS. - DESPITE RECENT STATEMENTS TO THE PRESS BY THE DILLON GROUP AS TO ITS VIEW OF THE VALUE OF CITADEL -- STATED BY RODERICK DILLON TO BE AS HIGH AS $9.00 PER SHARE IN LIQUIDATION -- MR. DILLON HAS PRIVATELY ADVISED CITADEL THAT HE WOULD NOT PAY OVER $4.00 FOR CITADEL STOCK AND THAT HE WOULD BE A SELLER AT PRICES FAR BELOW $9.00. AS RECENTLY AS LATE OCTOBER, 1994, MR. DILLON WAS TOUTING CITADEL SHARES IN THE PRESS AT BETWEEN $5 AND $9 PER SHARE, YET HE REFRAINS FROM OPEN MARKET PURCHASES OF CITADEL SHARES AT AVAILABLE PRICES FAR BELOW $5 PER SHARE -- A NOTEWORTHY LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN HIS OWN VALUATION RANGE. - WHEN MR. DILLON WAS OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE FIDELITY STOCK IN THE RESTRUCTURING AND RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTION AT $5.25 PER SHARE, HE DECLINED. WHEN HE WAS ASKED WHETHER HE WOULD BE WILLING, LIKE CITADEL'S OTHER MAJOR STOCKHOLDER -- CRAIG CORPORATION -- TO LEND MONEY TO THE COMPANY TO ASSIST IT IN MEETING ITS FUNDING NEEDS, HE LIKEWISE DECLINED. LITIGATION On November 7, 1994, Dillon commenced an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against Citadel, its directors and Craig Corporation ("Craig") alleging that (i) the 74,300 shares of Citadel common stock issued to Craig on October 21, 1994 were invalidly issued; (ii) the directors improperly changed the record date for the Annual Meeting to permit them to issue additional shares to Craig or others prior to the new record date; and (iii) Citadel intended to issue additional shares to Craig or others for the same purposes described above. The relief sought by Dillon is a declaration that neither the shares of Common Stock issued on October 21, 1994 nor any other shares issued after November 4, 1994 may be voted at the Annual Meeting, and an injunction against issuance of further shares. On November 9, 1994, Dillon applied to the Court of Chancery for a temporary restraining order seeking to enjoin Citadel from issuing additional shares pending further proceedings. After a hearing, the Court denied the application on the ground that Dillon had failed to make an adequate record justifying the relief sought without prejudice to renewal of an application for preliminary relief if additional shares of Citadel are issued. The Court has set January 4, 1995 as the trial date for this action. On November 14, 1994, Dillon amended its complaint to seek recission of the sale of the Preferred Shares and to enjoin the voting of such shares at the Annual Meeting. The amended complaint alleges, among other things that the issuance of the Preferred Shares was in violation of the Board's fiduciary duty as such stock was issued for inadequate consideration and not for a proper purpose. On November 16, 1994, Citadel answered the amended complaint, denying all allegations of wrongdoing alleged by Dillon. Citadel and its directors believe this case is without merit and intend to vigorously defend themselves. As discussed below, the Board of Directors believe that the issuances of shares to Craig are in the best interests of Citadel and its stockholders. Notwithstanding assertions made by the Dillon Group in their lawsuit that the Board of Directors is motivated by self interest and a desire to entrench themselves, several months ago your Board on its own motion reduced director compensation by more than 50%, and, in accordance with its efforts to reduce corporate overhead, determined not to renew their own directors and officers liability insurance. On November 16, 1994, Citadel filed a counterclaim based upon the following events. On November 7, 1994, which was after the directors had fixed November 14, 1994 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, Dillon delivered to Citadel a stockholder consent in an effort to fix an earlier date, November 7, 1994, as the record date for determining the stockholders to participate in a consent solicitation by Dillon to take the following action without a stockholder meeting: (i) remove the directors of Citadel, (ii) install Dillon's slate of directors, and (iii) retroactively, as of November 4, 1994, eliminate indemnification by Citadel of its officers, directors and employees except where such indemnification has been given prior approval by a majority of Citadel stockholders. Citadel's counterclaim asks the Delaware Court of Chancery, now that November 14, 1994 record date for the Annual Meeting has passed, to declare that Delaware law would not permit the removal of Citadel's directors through Dillon's consent procedure prior to the Annual Meeting unless the votes of those entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are considered. Citadel also asks the Court to declare that under Delaware law stockholders of record as of November 7, 1994 may not after the Annual Meeting remove directors that are elected at the Annual Meeting by stockholders of a later record date. The counterclaim also asks the Court to declare that Dillon's proposed amendment purporting to eliminate retroactively the rights of Citadel's officers, directors and employees to indemnification is valid. On November 16, 1994, Citadel filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, against the Dillon Group and the Dillon Nominees seeking injunctive relief against each defendant 3
pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on the ground defendants have failed to disclose and have misrepresented various material facts required to be disclosed in filing with the SEC under Section 13(d). Among other things, the complaint alleges that the Dillon Group and the Dillon Nominees have violated federal law by failing to disclose contracts, arrangements and understandings among them and with others with respect to Citadel stock and failing to disclose the adverse consequences to Citadel and its stockholders resulting from the defendants obtaining control of Citadel and liquidating its assets and the adverse consequences to Citadel and its stockholders of the defendants failing to obtain the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") for their actions. ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK On October 21, 1994, Citadel, after approval by a special committee of independent directors, issued 74,300 shares of its Common Stock, to Craig at a purchase price of $3.85 per share. The transaction provided capital to Citadel and increased Craig's equity stake in Citadel to just above 10%. Because Citadel has remained a registered thrift holding company following the restructuring and recapitalization of Fidelity, acquisition of more than 10% of Citadel's equity can require the approval of the OTS. Craig advised Citadel that it previously received such OTS approval, and that such approval would expire on October 23, 1994 unless Craig's equity interest increased above 10% prior to its expiration. This transaction preserved Craig as a potential source of future equity financing without new OTS approval. S. Craig Tompkins is the President and a director of Craig and James J. Cotter is the Chairman of the Board and a principal stockholder of Craig. ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK Commencing shortly after the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, Citadel began to explore with Craig the possibility of Craig making an additional equity infusion in Citadel for working capital purposes. Citadel formed a special committee (the "Special Committee") of the independent directors of the Board (which included all of the directors other than Messrs. Cotter and Tompkins) to negotiate the terms of such an equity infusion. On November 10, 1994, Citadel issued 1,329,114 shares (the "Preferred Shares") of 3% Cumulative Voting Convertible Preferred Stock to Craig at a price of $3.95 per share. Payment was made in the form of cancellation of $5,250,000 of indebtedness to Craig under a short-term line of credit (the "Craig Facility") that was provided by Craig to Citadel Realty, Inc. ("CRI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citadel, to help finance the acquisition by CRI of Citadel's current real estate holdings from Fidelity at the time of the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction. Citadel believes that at such time no other sources of funds to acquire these properties were available on reasonable terms and that if Craig had not provided such financing, the potential value of these properties would have been lost to Citadel and its stockholders. The Craig Facility is guaranteed by Citadel, which guarantee is secured by a pledge of all of the stock of CRI. The Craig Facility is due and payable in full on August 5, 1995, subject to CRI's right, if it satisfies certain conditions and pays an extension fee, to extend the line for an additional six months to February 5, 1996. Approximately $1,000,000 remains outstanding under the Craig Facility. The members of the Special Committee determined that, without the issuance of the Preferred Shares, Citadel would likely be forced to liquidate its assets, including its shares of Fidelity, under a "distress sale" circumstance to pay the indebtedness under the Craig Facility, thereby reducing prospects for maximizing the value of Citadel's assets. The Special Committee was especially concerned that the lack of a liquid market for Fidelity stock might impede Citadel's ability to maximize its value in a forced disposition to meet Citadel's obligations under the Craig Facility. The Special Committee was also concerned that it might be unable to identify any alternative sources of equity or receive sufficient proceeds from a sale of the Fidelity shares to pay the Craig Facility as the maturity date drew nearer, particularly if there was a further deterioration in Fidelity's financial condition. The conversion of the debt to equity has improved Citadel's cash flow by converting floating rate debt bearing an interest rate of prime plus 3% into a fixed cumulative dividend of 3% (which is not a liability on Citadel's balance sheet), and has expanded Citadel's equity base while reducing Citadel's leverage. The Special Committee received the written opinion of Wedbush Morgan Securities ("Wedbush"), dated November 10, 1994, that, based upon and subject to the matters set forth therein, the consideration received by Citadel for the issuance of the Preferred Shares is fair, from a financial point of view, to the public stockholders of Citadel. In rendering its opinion Wedbush, among other things, compared the financial and stock market information for Citadel with similar information for certain other companies whose securities are publicly traded and considered the likelihood that Citadel could sell the Preferred Shares or a similar security to another purchaser on better terms. Wedbush is an investment banking firm and a member of the New York Stock Exchange and other principal stock exchanges in the United States, and is regularly engaged as part of its business in the valuation of businesses and 4
securities for corporate, estate tax and other purposes in connection with mergers and acquisitions, private placements and negotiated underwritings. A copy of the Wedbush opinion has been filed as an exhibit to Citadel's Current Report on Form 8-K (the "Preferred Stock 8-K") filed with the SEC on November 14, 1994. In retaining Wedbush, the Special Committee noted, among other things, the absence of any prior representation by Wedbush of Craig. Holders of the Preferred Shares will have the right to convert such shares into Common Stock at any time at a conversion ratio based upon the market price of Common Stock, subject to certain limitations. In addition, the Preferred Shares are subject to automatic conversion into Common Stock under certain circumstances if Citadel undertakes a rights offering of Common Stock to its stockholders. Citadel has the option to redeem the Preferred Shares at any time after November 10, 1997 at a premium. Holders of Preferred Shares have the right to require Citadel to purchase their shares at a premium under certain circumstances, including a "Change in Control." A Change in Control is defined as the occurrence of either of the following events: (i) any person, entity or "group" (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and the rules thereunder) other than Craig, and its successors and affiliates, acquires beneficial ownership of over 35% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; or (ii) the directors of the Company as of October 10, 1994 (the "Current Directors"), and any future directors ("Continuing Directors") of the Company who have been elected or nominated by a majority of the Current Directors or the Continuing Directors, cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors. The terms of the Craig Facility also provide Craig with the right to accelerate the indebtedness thereunder upon a change in control. The Preferred Shares vote jointly (not as a separate class) with the Common Stock on most matters, including the election of directors, with each Preferred Share entitled to one vote. Holders of the Preferred Shares will have the opportunity to purchase part of any new issuance of voting securities of Citadel to preserve their respective percentage voting interests. If a court of competent jurisdiction issues any ruling, judgment, injunction, decree or order that prohibits Craig from voting the Preferred Shares at any meeting of Citadel stockholders or pursuant to any written consent of Citadel stockholders, in which vote or consent the Preferred Shares would otherwise be entitled to participate, or invalidates any such vote or consent of such Preferred Shares, then Craig will have the right to rescind its purchase of the Preferred Shares. The Certificate of Designations for the Preferred Shares, establishing the voting powers, preferences and relative rights of the Preferred Shares, and the definitive Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement between Citadel and Craig have been included as exhibits to the Preferred Stock 8-K. REGULATORY ISSUES Under applicable change of control regulations of the OTS, the change in control of a savings and loan holding company or a savings association may only be effectuated with, in essence, the prior approval of the OTS. These change of control regulations apply to proxy and consent solicitations for the election of directors. To Citadel's knowledge, the Dillon Group has not obtained any approval in connection with its current proxy and consent solicitations. Proxies or consents that would enable the holder thereof to elect one-third or more of the board of directors of a savings and loan holding company may not be acquired in the context of a proxy or consent solicitation contest without the prior approval of the OTS or rebuttal of certain presumptions of control. If the Dillon Group were to be successful in its solicitation efforts, its nominees would comprise the entire Citadel Board of Directors. This position would, in the view of Citadel, give the Dillon Group the practical ability to have a material and ongoing influence over the business and affairs of Citadel. The Dillon Group has stated in filings with the SEC that it is seeking interpretative advice and advice regarding enforcement of the OTS' regulations governing acquisitions of control of savings and loan holding companies (the "OTS Control Regulations"). According to such filings, the Dillon Group is requesting a determination by the OTS that the OTS will refrain from initiating or recommending enforcement action against the Dillon Group if it acquires proxies or otherwise obtains votes from stockholders of Citadel enabling it to elect the Dillon Nominees without first filing a change of control or rebuttal of control submission pursuant to the OTS Control Regulations. The Dillon Group has indicated in its filings that if the OTS does not provide the determination 5
it seeks, the Dillon Group may (i) abandon its proxy solicitation, (ii) file a change of control or rebuttal submission with the OTS or (iii) proceed with the proxy solicitation based on its theory that Citadel does not have conclusive or rebuttal control of Fidelity, notwithstanding Citadel's status as a registered savings and loan holding company. Citadel believes that it is the consistent and historic position of the OTS that the OTS must scrutinize and approve in advance any proxy or consent solicitation, such as that of the Dillon Group, that seeks to take control of the board of directors of a savings and loan holding company. In light of the above, it is unclear to Citadel how the Dillon Group can proceed with or effectuate its proxy and consent solicitations without the prior approval of the OTS. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS At the Annual Meeting, stockholders of Citadel will be asked to vote on the election of five directors. The five nominees receiving the highest number of votes at the Annual Meeting will be elected directors of Citadel. To fill these five board positions, the enclosed proxy, unless indicated to the contrary, will be voted FOR the nominees listed below (the "Board Nominees") and on the enclosed proxy card. All directors elected at the Annual Meeting will be elected to one-year terms and will serve until the 1995 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Set forth below are the names of the persons nominated by the Board of Directors for election as directors at the Annual Meeting. Your proxy, unless otherwise indicated, will be voted FOR Messrs. Cotter, Wesson, Geiger, Tompkins and Villasenor. For a description of each nominee's principal occupation and business experience during the last 5 years and present directorships, please see "Directors," below. FIRST BECAME NAME AGE CURRENT OCCUPATION DIRECTOR ---- --- ------------------ -------- James J. Cotter 55 Chairman of the Board of Citadel, Chairman of the Board of 1986 Craig Corporation, and Chairman of the Board of Reading Company. Steve Wesson 37 President and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel 1994 S. Craig Tompkins 43 Secretary/Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of 1993 Citadel, Vice Chairman of the Board of Citadel, President and Director of Craig Corporation, President and Director of Reading Company, and Director of G&L Realty Corp. Peter W. Geiger 66 Financial and marketing consultant, and retired Vice 1990 President and Senior Account Officer of Bank of America Alfred Villasenor, Jr. 63 President of Unisure Insurance Services, Inc., and Director 1987 of Gateway Investment, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity Set forth below is certain information concerning the principal occupation and business experience of each of the individuals named above during the past five years. Mr. Cotter was first elected to the Board in 1986, and resigned in 1988. He was re-elected to the Board in June 1991, named Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of Citadel and Fidelity in October 1991, and named Chairman of the Board of Citadel on June 5, 1992. Mr. Cotter has been Chairman of the Board of Craig Corporation ("Craig") (retail grocery and real estate management) since 1988 and a director of that company since 1985. He is also the Executive Vice President and a director of The Decurion Corporation (motion picture exhibition). Mr. Cotter began his association with The Decurion Corporation in 1969. Mr. Cotter has been the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Townhouse Cinemas Corporation since 1987. Mr. Cotter is the General Partner of James J. Cotter, Ltd., a limited partner in Hecco Ventures I, a California Limited Partnership and a general partner in Hecco Ventures II, a California General Partnership (Hecco I and Hecco II are involved in investment activities), and has been a director of Stater Bros., Inc. (retail grocery) since 1987. Mr. Cotter has served as a director of Reading Company 6
(entertainment and real estate) since 1990 and as the Chairman of the Board of that company since 1991. Craig owns approximately 47% of Reading Company and 50% of Stater Bros., Inc. Mr. Cotter is also the owner and until October 1992 was the President and a director of Cecelia Packing (citrus grower and packer). Mr. Wesson was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on August 5, 1994. Mr. Wesson was initially retained to develop a plan for the disposition by Fidelity and the retention by Citadel of the approximately $500 million in gross book value of the assets ultimately sold to third parties in the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction. From 1989 until he joined the Company in 1993, Mr. Wesson served as CEO of Burton Property Trust Inc., the U.S. real estate subsidiary of The Burton Group PLC. In this position he was responsible for the restructuring and eventual disposal of the company's assets in the U.S. Mr. Wesson succeeds Richard M. Greenwood, who resigned from his positions with Citadel and continues as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity. Mr. Geiger is presently a financial and marketing consultant. He retired as Vice President and Senior Account Officer of Bank of America where he served from 1959 to 1990. His responsibilities at Bank of America included the development, structuring, analysis and negotiation of large corporate financings for major media and entertainment companies. Mr. Tompkins was a partner of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher until March 1993 when he resigned to become President of each of Craig and Reading Company. Mr. Tompkins has served as a Director of each of Craig and Reading Company since February 1993. Mr. Tompkins was elected to the Board of Directors of G&L Realty Corp., a New York Stock Exchange listed Real Estate Investment Trust, in December of 1993, and was elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Citadel in July of 1994. Mr. Villasenor is the President and the owner of Unisure Insurance Services, Incorporated, a corporation which has specialized in life, business life and group health insurance for over 30 years. Mr. Villasenor served on the Board of Directors of ELAR, a reinsurance company from 1990 to 1991. Mr. Villasenor has served as a director of Gateway Investments, Inc., since June 22, 1993. Citadel has been advised by each nominee named in this Proxy Statement that he is willing to be named as such herein and is willing to serve as a director if elected. However, if any of the nominees should be unable to serve as a director, the enclosed proxy will be voted in favor of the remainder of those nominees not opposed by the stockholder on such proxy and may be voted for a substitute nominee selected by the Board of Directors. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE AND REJECT THE DILLON NOMINEES. WHO ARE THE DILLON NOMINEES? The Dillon preliminary proxy materials do not note any prior experience of any Dillon Nominee as an officer or director of a public corporation or note any experience with liquidating a public company. The Dillon Nominees are all between the ages of 32 and 39. The Board of Directors is also concerned about prior ties between the Dillon Nominees and T. Boone Pickens, a well known corporate raider who has been involved with prior greenmail attempts. Mr. Shoup, a partner in Batchelder & Partners, Inc., was a former employee of Mr. Pickens' Mesa Petroleum. David Batchelder was previously President of Mesa Petroleum. Mr. Whitworth was previously an employee of Mesa Limited Partnership and the President of United Shareholders Association. United Shareholders Association was founded by Mr. Pickens, who eventually appointed Mr. Whitworth chief of operations. WHO ARE THE CITADEL NOMINEES? The Citadel Board of Directors consists of individuals with substantial business experience who are familiar with Fidelity and its problems. Dillon's preliminary proxy materials note that Dillon has made an investment of over $3.8 million in Citadel. The Citadel Board of Directors includes individuals associated with stockholders who have invested over $24 million in Citadel and hold approximately 25% of the Voting Stock. 7
ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL A change in control of Citadel that would result from the election of the Dillon Nominees would have certain adverse consequences to Citadel that the Board of Directors does not believe have been addressed by Dillon. Among other things, such a change in control would allow Craig to sell the Preferred Shares back to Citadel and to accelerate the remaining indebtedness under the Craig Facility, resulting in a $6.2 million obligation for Citadel. At the present time Citadel has less than $4 million in liquid assets. The election of the Dillon Nominees will also likely result in Dillon seeking to recoup its proxy costs from Citadel. These costs may be substantial given the litigation and regulatory issues relating to the proxy contest as well as Dillon's undertaking to indemnify the Dillon Nominees. IMMEDIATE LIQUIDATION IS NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CITADEL STOCKHOLDERS Management of Citadel is continuing to evaluate the assets, liabilities and opportunities available to Citadel in order to maximize value for all stockholders of Citadel. The Board of Directors believe that this process involves disposing of its Fidelity shares at the appropriate time so as to achieve the best available price, and to stabilize the value of its real estate portfolio. The Board of Directors believes that for a variety of reasons the Dillon Distribution and the Dillon Liquidation are not in the best interests of the stockholders of Citadel at this time. Stockholders would Receive Illiquid Stock. There is currently only a very ----------------------------------------- limited market for the Fidelity shares and the stockholders of Citadel would therefore have relatively illiquid stock. In addition, upon a transfer of any shares of Fidelity Class B shares by Citadel (which would include a transfer of such shares to the stockholders of Citadel in the Dillon Distribution) to any person that is not an affiliate of Citadel, such transferred shares will automatically be converted into Class A Shares. Until the filing by Fidelity of its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1994, which is not expected to occur until late March 1995, the shares of Class A Common Stock may be transferred only in blocks of 100,000 or more. Therefore, only the large Citadel stockholders, such as Dillon, will be permitted to transfer Fidelity shares at all until such date. In addition, there is no commitment or obligation on the part of Fidelity to list its securities on any exchange or otherwise promote a public market for its stock. Citadel believes that a current distribution of the Fidelity shares would benefit only a large stockholder like Dillon, who may be able to sell its Fidelity shares in the absence of a public market. No assurance can be given the typical Citadel stockholders that they will be able to have the liquidity to avoid the material discounts that are often incurred in trying to dispose of illiquid securities. Possible Loss of Block Value. Citadel believes the Fidelity shares may be ---------------------------- more valuable if transferred as a block. The Dillon Distribution would result in a loss of any potential premium that is often associated with a large block of shares. Adverse Impact on Maximization of Real Estate Values. In addition, Citadel ---------------------------------------------------- does not believe it is an opportune time to dispose of certain of its real estate assets. Citadel believes that through intensive property management it will be able to improve the operating results of certain of its properties, which should allow a better price to be achieved if it later determines to sell such properties. A liquidation would require Citadel to sell its real estate assets at what may be the bottom of the Southern California real estate market and before values have stabilized. As the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction was completed only a little more than three months ago, management of Citadel has only been provided with a limited period of time to date in which to address these assets. Absence of Stated Plan for Realization of Value in Option Properties. As -------------------------------------------------------------------- part of the Restructuring and Recapitalization, Citadel acquired by way of dividend one year options (the "Options") to acquire two office buildings (the "Option Properties") used in the operations of Fidelity (including its headquarters buildings) for an aggregate exercise price of $9.3 million. Portions of the Option Properties would be 8
leased back by Fidelity upon an exercise of such options. Citadel believes that Dillon has not addressed how Citadel might realize the potential value of the Options and the Option Properties, particularly in light of the fact that a change in control resulting from the election of the Dillon Nominees would trigger certain Citadel obligations and the fact that the Dillon Distribution would result in a loss to Citadel of the value of the Fidelity shares. Absence of Stated Plan for Dealing with Contingent Liabilities. The Board -------------------------------------------------------------- of Directors believes further information and analysis is required of Citadel's contingent liabilities prior to any decision should be made with respect to a dissolution of Citadel. During July 1994, as part of the Restructuring and Recapitalization, Fidelity entered into agreements with third party purchasers for the sale of primarily problem assets and made certain representations and warranties relating to the assets transferred. For a period of time after the sale, the purchasers of the assets have the right to require Fidelity, at Fidelity's election, to repurchase the assets as to which representations and warranties are discovered to be untrue or to cure such breach. Citadel is obligated to reimburse Fidelity in an amount not to exceed $4,000,000 for certain losses incurred by Fidelity in either repurchasing such assets in the event of a breach of certain of the representations and warranties or in curing such breaches. The bulk sale purchasers have made claims against Fidelity in the amount of approximately $3,900,000 . At some point in time, it may be appropriate to liquidate Citadel and the Board of Directors has not ruled out this possibility. However, the Board of Directors believes at this time stockholder value will be maximized by disposing of the Fidelity shares at such time and in such manner as a maximum price can be achieved and stabilizing the value of its real estate portfolio. AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK The Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 6,669,924 were outstanding as of the date hereof. In addition, based on the price of the shares of Citadel Common Stock as of November 10, 1994, the Preferred Shares are convertible into an additional 1,279,552 shares of Common Stock. In order to have the flexibility to raise equity capital in the future, the Board of Directors believes it is appropriate to amend (the "Charter Amendment") the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized common shares. While Citadel does not have specific plans to issue additional shares of Common Stock at the present time, it has given consideration to a number of ways to raise capital in the future including pursuant to a public or private placement of shares of Common Stock or in connection with a rights offering. Among the issues considered by the Special Committee in reviewing the recent issuance of Preferred Shares to Craig, was Craig's willingness to automatically have its Preferred Shares convert into Common Stock in connection with a rights offering meeting certain criteria. Such automatic conversion would be at the rights offering price. The members of the Special Committee felt that this automatic conversion feature would preserve for stockholders the ability, by participating in a rights offering, to mitigate the book dilution which (depending upon the conversion price) might result from the conversion of Preferred Shares into Common Stock. Approval of the Charter Amendment will give the Board the flexibility to move forward with a rights offering of sufficient magnitude to allow stockholders to increase their position in Citadel to the same levels as they were at prior to the issuance of the Preferred Shares and to force a conversion by Craig into Common Stock at the same price as the rights offering. The Charter Amendment will require the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and a majority of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock. No further action by Citadel's stockholders is required for issuance of the additional shares of Common Stock except to the extent required by AMEX rules . THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK. 9
ADJOURNMENT Due to the uncertainty regarding the outcome of the litigation relating to the Annual Meeting, events relating to the proxy contest and Dillon's proposed consent solicitation, or otherwise, the Board of Directors may determine it is prudent to adjourn the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors requests your proxy to adjourn the Annual Meeting in its discretion to a later date. Any such adjournment or adjournments will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power present in person or by proxy at the session of the meeting to be adjourned. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO ADJOURN THE ANNUAL MEETING IN ITS DISCRETION. DILLON CONSENT SOLICITATION On November 7, 1994, Mr. Dillon delivered to Citadel a Stockholder Consent in Lieu of Meeting (the "Dillon Consent") executed on behalf of Mr. Dillon in which Mr. Dillon consented to (i) the removal of the current directors of Citadel and their replacement by the Dillon Nominees and (ii) the amendment of Citadel's By-Laws to provide that as of November 4, 1994 the By-Laws shall not permit indemnification of (or the advancement of expenses to) Citadel's officers, directors, employees and agents without the prior approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock (the "By-Law Proposal"). The Dillon Consent provides that such amendment to Citadel's By-Laws may not be further amended without the approval of either the holders of a majority of the Common Stock outstanding or a majority of the Board of Directors of Citadel who are not "Continuing Directors." Continuing Directors are defined for purposes of the Dillon Consent as (i) each member of the Board of Directors of Citadel on November 4, 1994 and (ii) any member of the Board of Directors of Citadel who was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the affirmative vote of the majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election. On November 7, 1994, Citadel was notified by representatives of Dillon that it is Dillon's current intention not to proceed with the solicitation of consents (the "Dillon Consents") until after the conclusion of the Annual Meeting provided that Citadel (i) has not previously issued any shares other than as have already been publicly disclosed prior to November 7, 1994, (ii) does not issue any additional shares prior to the Annual Meeting and (iii) holds and completes the Annual Meeting on December 12, 1994. At this point, it is uncertain if and when the Dillon Group will commence a solicitation of consents from the Citadel stockholders. The Dillon Consent purports to set a record date of November 7, 1994 (the "Dillon Record Date") for the determination of stockholders of Citadel entitled to execute consents, a date earlier than the November 14, 1994 record date for solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. Citadel opposes this attempt by the Dillon Group to make an end run around the normal corporate democracy process by having stockholders from an earlier date attempt to unseat by written consent a board of directors elected by stockholders as of a later date at the Annual Meeting. In other words, Dillon's consent solicitation seeks to disenfranchise from the election process any persons who acquired Voting Stock after November 7, 1994 and on or before November 14, 1994. In addition, the Board of Directors is opposed to the By-Law Proposal contained in the Consent and, based on the advice of counsel, believes that it would be illegal and invalid even if approved by stockholders. Citadel's By-Laws currently provide that Citadel shall indemnify its directors to the full extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Citadel believes this is a customary by-law provision for a public company incorporated in Delaware, and is necessary in order to be able to attract and retain qualified directors. Furthermore, Citadel believes that the Dillon By-Law Proposal is contrary to Section 145(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (which generally provides that to the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, he shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith), is contrary to the Certificate of Incorporation (which generally provides that the Board of Directors can amend the By-laws) to the extent it purports to provide that only non-Continuing Directors or stockholders can amend such By-law provision, and is unenforceable to the extent it purports to be retroactive to November 4, 1994. In addition, in accordance with standard practice for public companies, for many years Citadel has had indemnity agreements with its officers and directors whereby Citadel has agreed to indemnify such persons 10
against covered claims in accordance with the terms thereof. The obligations of Citadel under such indemnity agreements would not be affected by the By-Law Proposal. Finally, the Board of Directors objects to the fact that the Dillon Group has drafted the By-Law Proposal in such a fashion that the Dillon Nominees (but not the current Board of Directors) would be able to amend the By-Laws to extend greater indemnification rights to themselves by repealing the By-Law Proposal if they are elected as directors. In light of the foregoing, Citadel believes that the By-Law Proposal, particularly when combined with the Dillon Group lawsuit against the Citadel directors, is a brazen attempt to try to intimidate the Board of Directors with the threat of personal liability for opposing the Dillon Group. It should be noted that, in order to reduce Citadel's overhead, the current Board of Directors determined upon the completion of the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction to forego the benefits of directors and officers liability insurance. THE CONSENT PROCEDURE Assuming Dillon is permitted to conduct a consent solicitation with an earlier record date than the record date previously established by the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting, Dillon, in order to succeed in its attempts to remove the present directors of Citadel, to elect the Dillon Nominees to the Board and to amend the By-Laws of Citadel, must obtain valid unrevoked consents from the holders of record of a majority of the 6,669,924 shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Dillon Record Date. Furthermore, such consents must be delivered to Citadel within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered to Citadel. However, as discussed above, Citadel does not believe that Dillon's use of an earlier record date for the purposes of replacing the director is permissible and that the By-Law Proposal is invalid. See "Litigation." FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH ABOVE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CITADEL URGES YOU NOT TO SIGN ANY CONSENT CARDS SENT TO YOU BY DILLON. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY --- EXECUTED A CONSENT CARD, YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU TO SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT IN A POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO REVOKE ANY AND ALL PRIOR CONSENTS GRANTED TO DILLON. SOLICITATION OR PROXIES The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card will be paid by Citadel. Following the mailing of this Proxy Statement, directors, officers and regular employees of Citadel may solicit proxies by mail, telephone, telegraph or personal interview. Such persons will receive no additional compensation for such services. Brokerage houses and other nominees, fiduciaries and custodians nominally holding shares of Common Stock of record will be requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of such shares, and will be reimbursed by Citadel for their reasonable charges and expenses in connection therewith. In addition, Citadel has retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. ("D.F. King") to assist in the solicitation of proxies. D.F. King may solicit proxies by mail, telephone, telegraph and personal solicitation, and will request brokerage houses and other nominees, fiduciaries and custodians nominally holding shares of Voting Stock of record to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of such shares. Citadel has expended approximately $____________ to date in connection with its solicitation of proxies. Citadel estimates the total amount to be spent on its solicitation of proxies will be $____________. D.F. King will employ approximately 20 people in its solicitation efforts. RESTRUCTURING AND RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTION As part of the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, Citadel's board of directors was reduced from eight to five directors, with Messrs. Richard M. Greenwood, Donald R. Boulanger, Mel Goldsmith and Zelbie Trogden resigning. Mr. Wesson, the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel, was elected to the Board to fill one vacancy, and Mr. S. Craig Tompkins was elected Vice Chairman. Messrs. Greenwood and Goldsmith continue as directors of Fidelity. 11
Also incident to the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, all officers of Citadel other than Ms. Heidi Wulfe (Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer) resigned and were replaced by Mr. Wesson. Ms. Wulfe continued as an officer of Citadel only through the completion of the Company's report on form 10Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994 (the "June 10Q"), and upon the filing of the June 10Q, Ms. Wulfe resigned to continue her position as the Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Fidelity. To the extent that contracts existed between these individuals and Citadel, such contracts were terminated as of the effectiveness of the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, and Citadel has no further obligations thereunder. Since all of the Company's health, medical, bonus and retirement plans were maintained by Fidelity and not by Citadel, the obligations of Citadel under such plans also terminated effective as of the effectiveness of the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction. Accordingly, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, Citadel has no health, medical, bonus or retirement plans. (It is anticipated, however, that Citadel will provide health and medical insurance benefits to its employees, and that it will reimburse employees for the cost of their COBRA premiums pending determination of the manner in which to structure such an insurance program for Citadel.) While this Proxy Statement includes information pertaining to the compensation of executive officers and directors for the year ended December 31, 1993 as required by federal proxy disclosure regulations, this material is of limited materiality, since the executive and board structure of Citadel and the compensation paid to executive officers and directors has been significantly reduced since the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction. By way of example, Directors currently receive an annual retainer of $10,000 with no extra compensation for attendance at monthly board meetings. Prior to the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, directors were paid a base retainer of $23,000 plus $1,000 for attendance at board meetings. The Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction is described in detail in the June 10Q and a report on Form 8-K filed October 21, 1994 (the "October 8- K"), copies of which accompany these materials. Reference is made to the June 10Q and the October 8-K for a more detailed description of the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction and all descriptions of the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction are qualified by reference to such more detailed information. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS DIRECTORS The following table sets forth certain information, except where otherwise indicated, as of November __, 1994 with respect to the directors of Citadel. All Citadel directors serve one-year terms and are elected at each annual stockholders' meeting. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The officers of Citadel currently include Steve Wesson and S. Craig Tompkins. Following the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, all executive officers of Citadel except Ms. Wulfe resigned. Those officers who were identified as executive officers of Citadel due to their status as executive officers of Fidelity either continued with Fidelity or resigned following the effectiveness of the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction. Ms. Wulfe continued to serve as a Senior Vice President and as the Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Citadel, until her resignation from those positions following the filing of the June 10Q on or about August 22, 1994. Ms. Wulfe, a certified public accountant, joined Fidelity and Citadel in 1989 as Vice President and Controller. In 1991 she was named Senior Vice President of Fidelity and Citadel. From 1987 to 1989, she was Vice-President and Controller at Antelope Valley Saving and Loan Association. From 1977 to 1987, she was employed as an Audit Manager by Grant Thornton, Accountants and Management Consultants. 12
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Citadel has historically maintained standing Audit, Executive, Nominating and Compensation and Stock Option Committees. Following the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, the Board of Directors determined to reduce its standing committees to an Executive Committee (comprised of Messrs. Cotter (Chairman), Wesson and Tompkins), Audit Committee (comprised of Messrs. Geiger (Chairman) and Villasenor), and a Conflicts Committee (comprised of Messrs. Villasenor (Chairman) and Geiger). The Conflicts Committee will consider and make recommendations with respect to all matters as to which one or more other directors may have conflicts of interest. The Audit Committee held eight (8) meetings during 1993. The Audit Committee's responsibilities are generally to assist the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary responsibilities relating to accounting, audit and reporting policies and practices of Citadel, Fidelity and their subsidiaries. The Audit Committee also, among other things, recommends to the Board the engagement of the Company's independent accountants; monitors and reviews the quality and activities of the Company's internal audit function and those of its independent accountants; and, monitors the adequacy of the Company's operating and internal controls as reported by management, the independent accountants and internal auditors. The Executive Committee held three (3) meetings during 1993, Subject to the authority conferred on Citadel's other committees, the Executive Committee is empowered to exercise all authority in lieu of the Board that may be exercised by a committee of the Board pursuant to Delaware law. The Nominating Committee held one (1) meeting during 1993. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee held six (6) meetings during 1993. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS During 1993, there were thirteen (13) meetings of the Board of Directors of Citadel. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors, and all members of the committees of the Board attended at least 75% of the meetings of those committees, in each case, after the election of such individual to the Board or to such Committee. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The federal proxy disclosure regulations require Citadel to disclose certain specific information with respect to executive compensation in this Proxy Statement. As discussed above, much of this information is of limited materiality due the changes which have occurred in conjunction with the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction. At the end of the Executive Compensation section, the Board of Directors has voluntarily disclosed additional information with respect to its current compensation policies in order to provide our stockholders with a more accurate and current disclosure. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth the compensation earned during the year ended December 31, 1993 by Citadel's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers at December 31, 1993. LONG TERM ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION -------------------------------------------- ------------ SECURITIES UNDERLYING OTHER STOCK ANNUAL OPTIONS ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION(1) GRANTED COMPENSATION(2) - --------------------------- ---- ------ ----- --------------- ----------- --------------- Richard M. Greenwood 1993 $376,846 $50,000 $39,359(3) 20,000 $ 0 President and Chief 1992 $209,173 0 25,986(3) 0 0 Executive Officer 1991 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Walter H. Morris, Jr.(4) 1993 $178,500 $ 0 0 0 $ 0 Executive Vice President 1992 87,500 15,000 0 0 0 and Chief Lending Officer 1991 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Andre S. W. Shih 1993 $134,847 $25,000 0 0 $ 0 Senior Vice President 1992 125,000 19,500 0 0 0 Treasurer and Acting Chief 1991 55,289 0 0 0 0 Financial Officer Frederick N. Bailard(4) 1993 $132,692 $ 0 0 0 $1,171 Senior Vice President, Real 1992 45,673 5,000 0 0 0 Estate Asset Management 1991 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Kirk S. Sellman(4) 1993 $137,308 $ 0 0 0 $4,269 Executive Vice President, 1992 125,000 15,000 0 0 3,351 Retail Banking 1991 115,500 5,563(5) 0 0 0 - --------------- (1) Excludes perquisites if the aggregate amount thereof is less than $50,000, or 10% of salary plus bonus, if less. (2) Consists of matching contributions under the 401(k) Plan in effect as of December 31, 1993. 13
(3) When Mr. Greenwood was hired on June 3, 1992, Citadel and Fidelity agreed to make him an interest free loan of $240,000 described below. The amount shown includes interest on such loan in 1993 of $9,984, an automobile allowance of $20,040, an excess group life insurance policy for which Fidelity paid premium in the amount of $2,345 and other benefits. (4) Mr. Morris resigned March 18, 1994. Mr. Bailard resigned February 2, 1994. Mr. Sellman resigned January 3, 1994. (5) Includes amounts earned under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan in effect as of December 31, 1993 with respect to each year in question, even if payment was made in the following year. STOCK OPTIONS On March 24, 1993, Citadel and Fidelity granted to Mr. Greenwood a stock option to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $21.90 per share. Citadel granted no other stock options and no stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to executives or employees in 1993. The following table sets forth the stock options outstanding held by the named executives as of December 31, 1993. All options are exercisable. No SARs are outstanding. OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION INDIVIDUAL GRANTS FOR OPTION TERM ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF PERCENT OF TOTAL SECURITIES OPTIONS/SARS UNDERLYING GRANTED TO OPTIONS/SARS EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE OR EXPIRATION 5% 10% NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR BASE PRICE DATE $35.67/SHARE $56.80/SHARE - ----------------------- ------------ ---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ------------ Richard M. Greenwood 20,000 100% $21.90 2003 $713,400 $1,136,000 Walter H. Morris, Jr. 0 0 -- -- -- -- Andre S. W. Shih 0 0 -- -- -- -- Frederick N. Bailard 0 0 -- -- -- -- Kirk S. Sellman 0 0 -- -- -- -- AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY SHARES ACQUIRED OPTIONS/SARs AT FY-END(#) OPTIONS/SARs AT FY-END(#) NAME ON EXERCISE(#) VALUE REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE - -------------------------- --------------- ----------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- Richard M. Greenwood N/A N/A 20,000/0 0(1) Walter H. Morris, Jr. -- -- -- -- Andre S. W. Shih -- -- -- -- Frederick N. Bailard -- -- -- -- Kirk S. Sellman -- -- -- -- (1) None of the options held by Mr. Greenwood are in-the-money. RETIREMENT INCOME (DEFINED BENEFIT) PLAN Citadel, prior to the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, maintained a Retirement Income Plan which was a qualified, non-contributory defined benefit retirement plan. The Retirement Plan provided for monthly retirement payments or an actuarially equivalent lump sum to or on behalf of each covered employee or beneficiary upon retirement at age 65 or upon early retirement (i.e. the attainment of age 55 and the completion of 10 years of service) and, under certain circumstances, upon disability, death or other termination of employment, based upon the employee's average monthly compensation and the aggregate number of years of service. The following table illustrates approximate annual benefits payable at normal retirement age for various combinations of service and compensation: YEARS OF SERVICE ------------------------------------------ AVERAGE FINAL COMPENSATION 15 20 25 30 35 - -------------------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ $ 50,000 11,302 15,069 18,836 22,603 26,370 100,000 24,427 32,569 40,711 48,853 56,995 150,000 37,552 50,069 62,586 75,103 87,620 200,000 37,552 50,069 62,586 75,103 87,620 250,000 37,552 50,069 62,586 75,103 87,620 300,000 37,552 50,069 62,586 75,103 87,620 350,000 37,552 50,069 62,586 75,103 87,620 400,000 37,552 50,069 62,586 75,103 87,620 Compensation under the Retirement Income Plan included all regular pay, excluding overtime, commissions and bonuses, limited by IRC 401(a)(17)compensation limit ($150,000 for 1994). The benefit amounts listed above were computed on a 10-year certain and life basis, which is the normal form under the plan. The approximate years of credited service as of December 31, 1993 for each of the named executive officers are as follows: NAME SERVICE -------------------------- ----------------- 14
Richard M. Greenwood 1 year Walter H. Morris, Jr. 1 year Andre S. W. Shih 2 years Kirk S. Sellman 3 years Frederick N. Bailard 1 year COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS For the fiscal year completed December 31, 1993, nonemployee directors were paid fees in the amount of a $23,000 annual retainer plus $1,000 for each board meeting and $850 for each committee meeting attended in person (or $300 in the case of telephonic meetings). In addition, Mr. Villasenor was paid $850 quarterly for his attendance at the Fidelity CRA Committee meetings. Committee chairmen who were not Citadel or Fidelity employees received an additional $2,500 per year. For directors who fail to attend a meeting (unless excused for illness), the attendance fee for the ensuing 12 meetings was reduced by $100 per meeting. Failure to attend two or more meetings reduced the attendance fee by $250 per meeting for the ensuing 12 meetings. In December 1993, the Board increased Mr. Cotter's annual retainer to $100,000 retroactive to October 1991. Mr. Cotter receives no meeting fees in addition to the retainer and all annual retainers and meeting fees paid to Mr. Cotter since October 1991 were netted from payments due retroactively. As of December 1993, the net amount owed to Mr. Cotter under this new compensation arrangement was $117,525. The first quarterly installment of the 1994 annual retainer in the amount of $25,000 was paid on January 2, 1994. EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENTS Mr. Greenwood, Citadel and Fidelity entered into a three-year employment agreement as of June 3, 1992, his date of hire. The agreement provided for compensation during the first twelve months at the rate of $365,000 per year, increasing to $385,000 for the second twelve months and $415,000 for the third twelve months. In the event of termination by Citadel and/or Fidelity other than for "cause", or by Mr. Greenwood for "cause", Mr. Greenwood would be entitled to receive, in addition to accrued benefits under any applicable benefits plans, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the balance of the amount which would have been paid to Mr. Greenwood had his employment continued through the remainder of the twelve month period in which such termination occurred and (ii) $365,000 if such termination occurs during the first twelvemonths, $385,000 if such termination occurs during the second twelve months, and $0 if such termination occurs during the third twelve months of his employment. In the event of an "Acquisition of Control" (as defined in the agreement) of Citadel by any person other than Craig, Reading, Hecco Ventures I, Tucson Electric Power Company or any one or more of their respective affiliates, Mr. Greenwood would be entitled to receive additional severance compensation in the amount of $500,000 during the first twelve months of his employment, reducing to $250,000 and $0 for the second and third twelve months of his employment, respectively. This additional compensation was also payable in the event of termination without "cause" by Mr. Greenwood, or failure of the parties to enter into a new employment contract, following any such "Acquisition of Control." Mr. Greenwood was also entitled to participate in health, pension and bonus programs in effect as of December 31, 1993. In March 1993, the Board of Directors approved entering into severance agreements with Messrs. Sellman, Bailard and Morris under which Citadel and Fidelity agreed to pay each of them a sum equal to one year's salary if they are discharged or effectively discharged following a "change in control" involving any person other than Craig, Reading, Hecco Ventures I, Tucson Electric Power Company or one or more of their respective affiliates. The Board of Directors approved entering into the same or similar agreements with approximately 16 other Citadel and Fidelity officers. CONSULTING AGREEMENT WITH MR. BRALY On August 3, 1992, the Board of Directors caused the Company to engage Mr. Braly as a consultant to study asset valuations and the possibilities of disposing of problem assets. Mr. Braly and the Company have entered into a 15
consulting agreement pursuant to which the Company has compensated Mr. Braly at the rate of $4,000 per week. The agreement expired on March 31, 1993. The Company paid Mr. Braly $97,000 for services rendered in 1992. On April 28, 1993, Mr. Braly was elected Executive Vice President of Citadel. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION As of December 31, 1993, Mr. James J. Cotter, Mr. Mel Goldsmith and Mr. Alfred Villasenor, Jr. were members of the Compensation Committees of Citadel. As of December 31, 1993, none of the Compensation Committee members were employees of Citadel. Mr. Greenwood served in an advisory capacity to the Compensation Committees of Citadel. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Administration, Philosophy As of December 31, 1993, the compensation program was administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. At such time, the Committee was composed of two non-employee directors. The CEO served as an advisor to the Committee. Following review and approval by the Compensation Committee, all issues pertaining to employment-related contracts were submitted to the full Board of Directors for approval. As of December 31, 1993, it was the philosophy of the Committee and Citadel to provide Citadel executives with total compensation (cash and non-cash) opportunities competitive with the market to attract and retain the caliber of executive talent capable of creating and leading a successful financial services company. The market used to establish competitive averages was comprised of financial services institutions, including commercial banks, savings banks and mortgage banks as applicable to specific functional areas. As of December 31, 1993, it was also the philosophy of the Committee and Citadel to limit fixed compensation costs (e.g., base salaries) to competitive averages and leverage, in the form of incentives, "above average" costs specifically to Citadel and/or individual performance. Competitive data was obtained through published survey data and custom surveys conducted by Citadel or a third party. Information regarding this market includes the OTS Peer Group as defined in the Performance Graph provided below. As of December 31, 1993, executive compensation plans in use included base salary, annual incentive, limited use of stock options, and certain executive benefits and perquisites. Other executive compensation programs used in the past included a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") and Split Dollar Life Insurance. Of the named executive officers as of December 31, 1993, only Mr. Evans participated in the SERP, which was suspended as of February 28, 1994. Due to the financial position of Citadel in late 1993, only limited bonuses and pay raises were awarded. 1993 Performance In 1993, an analysis of the competitive market and Citadel performance was conducted. This analysis showed base salaries of executive officers to be competitive with market averages. The average relationship of officer base salaries to salary range midpoints (i.e., market) was 102% of midpoint as of December 31, 1993. During 1993, the Committee reviewed proposals from its advisors (the CEO and SVP, Human Resources) for a 1993 Management Incentive Plan. The proposed plan linked an annual incentive with a long-term incentive component. After much discussion, the Committee was unable to agree on the appropriate measures and performance levels and the proposed Plan was not approved. The Committee did, however, recommend for Board approval discretionary bonuses to certain executives in recognition of outstanding individual performance during 1993. Of the four named executive officers, Mr. Shih 16
received a bonus of $25,000 for exceptional performance in fulfilling his duties as Treasurer and Acting Chief Financial Officer. CEO Pay The salary and other compensation paid to Mr. Greenwood in 1993 was provided for in the employment contract Citadel and Mr. Greenwood entered into upon the commencement of Mr. Greenwood's employment in June 1992. The contract was the result of arms-length negotiations. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Greenwood received i) a salary increase of 5.5%, resulting in his 1993 annual salary of $385,000; ii) a $50,000 bonus upon completion of one year's service; and iii) a stock option grant of 20,000 shares at a grant price equal to 100% of fair market value. Committee Members: James J. Cotter Ralph B. Perry, III Mel Goldsmith Alfred Villasenor, Jr. The report of the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), except to the extent that Citadel specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts. ADDITIONAL CURRENT INFORMATION Following the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, Citadel has adopted a revised board fee schedule to provide as follows: Non-employee Directors (which include all directors other than Mr. Wesson) will be paid an annual retainer of $10,000. Directors receive no additional compensation for serving as committee chairmen. Directors will receive no extra compensation for attending regularly scheduled monthly meetings, but will receive $1,000 for attendance at any special board meetings and $850 for attendance at any committee meetings. Directors will receive $350 for participation in any telephonic Board or committee meetings. Prior to the Restructuring and Recapitalization Transaction, Citadel and Fidelity provided fees to non-employee directors in the amount of a $23,000 annual retainer plus $1,000 for each board meeting and $850 for each committee meeting attended in person (or $300 in the case of telephonic meetings). In addition, Mr. Villasenor was paid $750 quarterly for his attendance at the Fidelity CRA Committee meetings. Committee chairmen who were not Company employees received an additional $2,500 per year. The Chairman of the Board was paid, in lieu of any other retainer and attendance fees, an annual retainer of $100,000. On a going forward basis, this retainer has been reduced to $45,000 and continues to be in lieu of any other retainers or attendance fees. The Secretary/Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer will be paid an annual retainer of $25,000 in addition to his retainer as a director and attendance fees. COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG CITADEL, S&P 500 INDEX AND ADJUSTED OTS PEER GROUP A* The Stock Price Performance Graph below shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Exchange Act, except to the extent Citadel specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Act. The graph below comprises cumulative total return of Citadel, The S & P Index and the Adjusted OTS Peer Group A (Bay View Capital, Coast Savings, Downey Savings, First Federal Financial, San Francisco Federal Corporation and Union Federal Financial Corporation). Peer group returns have been weighted by market capitalization of the individual peers. 17
PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE CITADEL Measurement Period HOLDING S&P 500 ADJUSTED OTS (Fiscal Year Covered) CORPORATION INDEX PEER GROUP A Measurement Pt-12/31/1988 $100 $100 $100 FYE 12/31/1989 127 127 125 FYE 12/31/1990 58 119 73 FYE 12/31/1991 54 150 107 FYE 12/31/1992 58 157 121 FYE 12/31/1993 34 168 145 * Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1988 in Citadel Common Stock, S&P 500 Index and the Adjusted OTS Peer Group A. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS The following table sets forth the shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Voting Stock owned as of November 14, 1994 by (i) each director, (ii) all directors and officer as a group, and (iii) each person known to Citadel to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of either the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock. Except as noted, the indicated beneficial owner of the shares has sole voting power and sole investment power. NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP PERCENT OF CLASS - ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------- ---------------- James J. Cotter (1) (6) 667,012 shares of Common Stock and 1,329,114 10% of Common Stock and shares of Preferred Stock 25% of Voting Stock Steve Wesson (5) (2) * Peter W. Geiger (5) --- --- Alfred Villasenor, Jr. (5) 900 shares of Common Stock * S. Craig Tompkins (6) --- --- Craig Corporation (6) 667,012 shares of Common Stock and 1,329,114 10% of Common Stock and shares of Preferred Stock 25% of Voting Stock Dillon Investors, L.P., 661,000 shares of Common Stock (3) 9.9% of Common Stock Roderick H. Dillon, Jr., and 8.3% of Voting Stock Roderick H. Dillon, Jr.-IRA, (3) Roderick H. Dillon, Jr. Foundation and Bradley C. Shoup-IRA 21 East State Street, Suite 1410 Columbus, Ohio 43215 (3) 18
Lawndale Capital Management, Inc., 420,100 shares of Common Stock (4) 6.3% of Common Stock Andrew E. Shapiro, and 5.25% of Voting Diamond A Partners, L.P., Stock (4) and Diamond A Investors, L.P. One Sansome Street, Suite 3900 San Fransisco, California 94104 (4) All directors and executive officers as a 667,912 shares of Common Stock and 1,329,114 10% of Common Group (5 persons) (1) shares of Preferred Stock Stock and 25% of Voting Stock (1) Mr. Cotter is the Chairman and a principal stockholder of Craig Corporation. Craig Corporation holds 667,012 shares of Common Stock and 1,329,114 shares of Preferred Stock. Mr. Cotter disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. (2) It is contemplated that Mr. Wesson will be granted stock options as a part of his compensation arrangement with the Company. Although no final determination has been made, it is estimated that options to purchase approximately 35,000 shares will be granted. It is further anticipated that such options will have an exercise price equal to the market price at the time of grant, will have a 10 year term and will vest over a period of two years. (3) Based on Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D dated November 7, 1994. (4) Based on Schedule 13D dated October 20, 1994. (5) 600 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California 91203. (6) 116 North Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90048 * Represents less than one percent of the outstanding shares of Citadel Common Stock. PERSONS DEEMED TO BE PARTICIPANTS The name, business address and present occupation or employment or business of the persons deemed to be "participants" in the Proxy Solicitation is set forth above under "DIRECTORS." None of such participants has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) during the past ten years. None of the persons deemed to be participants has purchased or sold Citadel securities within the past two years. CITADEL'S RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Deloitte & Touche have been the independent certified public accountants for Fidelity since 1976 and for Citadel since 1983 and have been selected by Citadel to continue to serve as the accountants for Citadel for 1993. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche will attend the Annual Meeting with an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to questions. STOCKHOLDERS' PROPOSALS Any stockholder of Citadel wishing to submit a proposal for inclusion in the Proxy Statement relating to the Company's 1995 annual meeting of stockholders must deliver such proposal to the Company at its principal office on or before not less than 120 days in advance of the date of this Proxy. The Board of Directors will review any proposals from eligible stockholders which it receives by that date and will determine whether any such proposal will be included in its 1995 proxy solicitation materials. An eligible stockholder is one who is the record or beneficial owner of at least 1% or $1,000 in market value of securities entitled to be voted at the 1994 annual meeting of stockholders, who has held such securities for at least one year, and who shall continue to own such securities through the date on which the meeting is held. 19
OTHER MATTERS At the time of preparation of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors of Citadel was not aware of any other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly presented for action, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote, or refrain from voting, in accordance with their respective best judgment on such matters. FILING OF ANNUAL STATEMENTS Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules promulgated thereunder, officer and directors of Citadel and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of Citadel's equity securities are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the American Stock Exchange and furnish to Citadel reports of ownership and changes in ownership of all classes of Citadel's equity securities. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports received by it during or with respect to the year ended December 31, 1993, and/or written representations from such reporting persons, the Board of Citadel believes that all reports required to be filed by such reporting persons during or with respect to the year ended December 31, 1993 were timely filed. By order of the Board of Directors, S. Craig Tompkins Corporate Secretary Glendale, California November __,1994 PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank nominee or other institution, only it can vote your shares. Accordingly, please contact the person responsible for your account and give instructions for your shares to be voted . If you have any questions, or have any difficulty voting your shares, please contact D.F. King & Co., Inc. by calling 1-800-669-5550. 20
PROXY PRELIMINARY COPY PROXY THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CITADEL HOLDING CORPORATION FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS DECEMBER 12, 1994 The undersigned stockholder of Citadel Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company and the accompanying Proxy Statement, each dated November __, 1994, and the undersigned hereby (i) revokes all previously-executed written consents granted to Dillon in lieu of a stockholder vote, and (ii) revokes all prior proxies and hereby constitutes and appoints James J. Cotter, Steve Wesson and S. Craig Tompkins, and each of them (each with full power of substitution and with full power to act without the others and, if two or more of them act hereunder, by action of a majority of them), the proxies of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned and to vote all the shares of common stock of the Company that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held December 12, 1994 at 10:00 a.m. (Los Angeles time) at the Four Seasons Hotel, 300 S. Doheny, Beverly Hills, California, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED BELOW; WHERE NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, IT WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3 BELOW AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES IN THE MATTERS DESCRIBED IN PROPOSAL 4. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal 1: 1. Election of directors. [_] FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below) [_] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE, STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE LIST BELOW: James C. Cotter Steve Wesson S. Craig Tompkins Peter W. Geiger Alfred Villasenor, Jr. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal 2. 2. To adopt the proposal to amend the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 10,000,000 shares to 20,000,000 shares. [_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal 3. 3. To adjourn the Annual Meeting to a later date in the discretion of the Board of Directors. [_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN 4. IN THE PROXIES DISCRETION TO VOTE UPON ANY OTHER MATTER AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF. MANAGEMENT IS NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER MATTER THAT WILL BE PRESENTED FOR ACTION AT THE MEETING. (PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THIS BLUE PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.) DATED: ______________, 1994 ____________________________ ____________________________ Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. If the stock is registered in the name of two or more persons, each should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, attorney, or corporate officer, please add your full title as such. COMMENTS: (Change of address) ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________