UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
------------------------------------------------
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 26, 2006
REPUBLIC BANCORP INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Michigan 0-15734 38-2604669
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Identification No.)
incorporation)
1070 East Main Street, Owosso, Michigan 48867
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (989) 725-7337
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
|X| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR 230.425)
|_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On June 27, 2006, Republic Bancorp, Inc. ("Republic") and Citizens Banking
Corporation ("Citizens") issued a joint press release announcing the execution
of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 26, 2006, between Republic
and Citizens (the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to which Republic will be merged
with and into Citizens with Citizens emerging as the surviving corporation (the
"Merger"). A copy of the press release, investor presentation and employee
communications are attached hereto as exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3,
respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Additional Information
In connection with the proposed merger, Citizens and Republic will file a joint
proxy statement/prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint
proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed by
Citizens and Republic with the SEC at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
Free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and each
company's other filings with the SEC may also be obtained by accessing Citizens'
website at http://www.citizensonline.com under the Investor Relations section or
by accessing Republic's website at http://www.republicbancorp.com under the
Investor Relations section.
Citizens and Republic and their respective directors, executive officers and
other members of their management may be soliciting proxies from their
respective shareholders in favor of the merger. Information concerning persons
who may be considered participants in the solicitation of Citizens' shareholders
under the rules of the SEC is set forth in the Proxy Statement filed by Citizens
with the SEC on March 22, 2006, and information concerning persons who may be
considered participants in the solicitation of Republic's shareholders under the
rules of the SEC is set forth in the Proxy Statement filed by Republic with the
SEC on March 14, 2006. Additional information regarding the interests of those
participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction
may be obtained by reading the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the
proposed merger when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these
documents as described above.
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of
an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any
jurisdiction in which such solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the
registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
Forward - Looking Statements
Discussions in this release that are not statements of historical fact
(including statements that include terms such as "will," "may," "should,"
"believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," and "plan") are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Any
forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and actual
results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking
information. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction involving
Citizens and Republic, including future financial and operating results, the new
company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements
that are not historical facts.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from
those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the ability to obtain
regulatory approvals of the transaction on the proposed terms and schedule; the
failure of Citizens or Republic shareholders to approve the transaction; the
risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; deposit attrition
and disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain
relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; the risk that the cost
savings and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized
or may take longer to realize than expected; competition and its effect on
pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; movements in market
interest rates and secondary market volatility; divestitures assumed and/or
required; potential conditions that may affect the tax-free status of the
Republic stock exchange for Citizens' common shares; and unfavorable changes in
economic and business conditions or the regulatory environment. Additional
factors that may affect future results are contained in Citizens' and Republic's
filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC's web site
http://www.sec.gov. Citizens and Republic disclaim any obligation to update and
revise statements contained in these materials based on new information or
otherwise.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release, dated June 27, 2006.
99.2 Joint Investor Presentation of Republic Bancorp, Inc. and
Citizens Banking Corporation.
99.3 Employee Communications.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: June 27, 2006 REPUBLIC BANCORP INC.
By: /s/ Thomas F. Menacher
--------------------------------
Name: Thomas F. Menacher
Its: Executive Vice President,
Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer