[LETTERHEAD OF SANDLER ONEILL]
Exhibit 1.2
[LETTERHEAD OF SANDLER ONEILL]
October 24, 2006
Mr. Dallas R. Arthur
President
Bradford Bank MHC
Bradford Bancorp, Inc.
Bradford Bank
6900 York Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21212-1550
Dear Mr. Arthur:
Sandler ONeill & Partners, L.P. (Sandler ONeill) is pleased to act as records management agent for Bradford Bank MHC (the MHC), Bradford Bancorp, Inc. (together with any successor stock holding company, the Holding Company) and Bradford Bank (the Bank) in connection with the offer and sale of certain shares of the common stock of the Holding Company to the Banks eligible account holders in a Subscription Offering and to members of the Banks community in a Direct Community Offering (collectively, the Offerings) pursuant to the terms of a Plan of Conversion to be adopted by the Boards of Directors of the MHC, the Holding Company and the Bank (the Plan). The MHC, the Holding Company and the Bank are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the Company. This letter is to confirm the terms and conditions of our engagement.
SERVICES AND FEES
In our role as Records Management Agent, we anticipate that our services will include the services outlined below, each as may be necessary and as the Company may reasonably request:
I. Consolidation of Accounts and Vote Calculation
II. Design and Preparation of Proxy and Stock Order Forms
III. Organization and Supervision of the Conversion Center
IV. Proxy Solicitation and Special Meeting Services
V. Subscription Services
Mr. Dallas R. Arthur
October 24, 2006
Page 2
Each of these services is further described in Appendix A to this agreement.
For its services hereunder, the Company agrees to pay Sandler ONeill a fee of $10,000. This fee is based upon the requirements of current regulations and the Plan as currently contemplated. Any unusual or additional items or duplication of service required as a result of a material change in the regulations or the Plan or a material delay or other similar events may result in extra charges that will be covered in a separate agreement if and when they occur. All fees under this agreement shall be payable in cash, as follows: (a) $5,000 payable upon execution of this agreement, which shall be non-refundable; and (b) the balance upon the completion of the Offerings.
COSTS AND EXPENSES
In addition to any fees that may be payable to Sandler ONeill hereunder, the Company agrees to reimburse Sandler ONeill, upon request made from time to time, for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with its engagement hereunder, regardless of whether the Offerings are consummated, including, without limitation, travel, lodging, food, telephone, postage, listings, forms and other similar expenses; provided, however, that Sandler ONeill shall document such expenses to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company. It is understood that all expenses associated with the operation of the Conversion Center will be borne by the Company.
RELIANCE ON INFORMATION PROVIDED
The Company will provide Sandler ONeill with such information as Sandler ONeill may reasonably require to carry out its duties. The Company recognizes and confirms that Sandler ONeill (a) will use and rely on such information in performing the services contemplated by this agreement without having independently verified the same, and (b) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information. The Company will also inform Sandler ONeill within a reasonable period of time of any changes in the Plan that require changes in Sandler ONeills services. If a substantial expense results from any such change, the parties shall negotiate an equitable adjustment in the fee.
Mr. Dallas R. Arthur
October 24, 2006
Page 3
LIMITATIONS
Sandler ONeill, as Records Management Agent hereunder, (a) shall have no duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth herein; (b) will be regarded as making no representations and having no responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of any order form or any stock certificates or the shares represented thereby, and will not be required to and will make no representations as to the validity, value or genuineness of the offer; (c) shall not be liable to any person or entity, including the Company, by reason of any error of judgment or for any act done by it in good faith, or for any mistake of law or fact in connection with this agreement and the performance hereof unless caused by or arising out of its own willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence; (d) will not be obliged to take any legal action hereunder which might in its judgment involve any expense or liability, unless it shall have been furnished with reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it; and (e) may rely on and shall be protected in acting in reliance upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, telex, telegram, or other document or security delivered to it and in good faith believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or parties.
Anything in this agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall Sandler ONeill be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if Sandler ONeill has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
INDEMNIFICATION
The Company agrees to indemnify and hold Sandler ONeill and its affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons (Sandler ONeill and each such person being an Indemnified Party) harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under applicable federal or state law, or otherwise, related to or arising out of the engagement of Sandler ONeill pursuant to, and the performance by Sandler ONeill of the services contemplated by, this letter, and will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) as they are incurred, including expenses incurred in connection with the investigation of, preparation for or defense of any pending or threatened claim or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party. The Company will not be liable under the foregoing indemnification provision to the extent that any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is found in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from Sandler ONeills willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence.
MISCELLANEOUS
The following addresses shall be sufficient for written notices to each other:
If to you: |
| Bradford Bank |
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| 6900 York Road |
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| Baltimore, MD ###-###-#### |
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| Attention: Mr. Dallas R. Arthur |
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If to us: |
| Sandler ONeill & Partners, L.P. |
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| 919 Third Avenue |
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| New York, New York 10022 |
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| Attention: General Counsel |
Mr. Dallas R. Arthur
October 24, 2006
Page 4
The Agreement and appendix hereto constitute the entire Agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and can be altered only by written consent signed by the parties. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of New York.
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement by signing and returning to Sandler ONeill the duplicate copy of this letter enclosed herewith.
| Very truly yours, | |||
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| Sandler ONeill & Partners, L.P. | ||
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| By: Sandler ONeill & Partners Corp., | ||
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| the sole general partner | ||
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| By: |
| /s/ J. Andrew Hitt |
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| J. Andrew Hitt |
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| Authorized Signatory |
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Accepted and agreed to as of |
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the date first above written: |
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Bradford Bank MHC |
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Bradford Bancorp, Inc. |
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Bradford Bank |
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By: | /s/ Dallas R. Arthur |
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| Dallas R. Arthur |
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| President |
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APPENDIX A
OUTLINE OF RECORDS MANAGEMENT AGENT SERVICES
I. Consolidation of Accounts/Vote Calculation
1. Consolidate files in accordance with regulatory guidelines and create central file.
2. Our EDP format will be provided to your data processing people.
3. Vote Calculation.
II. Design and Preparation of Proxy and Stock Order Forms
1. Assist in designing proxy forms and stock order forms for voting and ordering stock.
2. Prepare proxy and stock order forms with account holder data.
3. Target group identification for proxy solicitation.
III. Organization and Supervision of Stock Offering Center
1. Advising on physical organization of the Conversion Center, including materials requirements.
2. Assist in training of all Bank and temporary personnel who will be staffing the Conversion Center.
3. Establish reporting procedures.
4. On-site supervision of the Conversion Center during the solicitation/offering period.
IV. Special Meeting Services
1. Proxy and ballot tabulation.
2. Act as or support inspector of election, it being understood that Sandler O=Neill will not act as inspector of election in the case of a contested election.
3. If required, delete voting record date accounts closed prior to special meeting.
4. Produce final report of vote.
V. Subscription Services
1. Produce list of depositors by state (Blue Sky report).
2. Production of subscription rights and research books.
3. Stock order form processing.
4. Acknowledgment letter to confirm receipt of stock order.
5. Daily reports and analysis.
6. Proration calculation and share allocation in the event of an oversubscription.
7. Produce charter shareholder list.
8. Interface with Transfer Agent for Stock Certificate issuance.
9. Refund and interest calculations.
10. Confirmation letter to confirm purchase of stock.
11. Notification of full/partial rejection of orders.
12. Production of 1099/Debit tape.
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