[S-4] SOUTH PLAINS FINANCIAL, INC. Business Combination Registration
South Plains Financial, Inc. (SPFI) is proposing an all‑stock acquisition of BOH Holdings, Inc., using newly issued SPFI shares registered on a Form S‑4. BOH will merge into SPFI, and Bank of Houston will merge into SPFI’s subsidiary City Bank, with City Bank as the surviving bank.
Each BOH common share will convert into 0.1925 shares of SPFI common stock, subject to potential downward adjustment if BOH’s adjusted shareholders’ equity falls below $70.5 million, plus cash instead of fractional SPFI shares. BOH warrants and stock appreciation rights will be cashed out if they are in‑the‑money, and BOH restricted stock will vest and convert into the same stock consideration.
Based on SPFI’s November 28, 2025 closing price of $37.79, the agreed exchange ratio implied about $105.9 million of SPFI stock for all BOH common shares, with the actual value at closing depending on SPFI’s trading price. The parties expect the merger to qualify as a tax‑free “reorganization” for BOH shareholders (except for cash in lieu of fractional shares).
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Insights
SPFI plans a stock‑for‑stock acquisition of BOH worth about $105.9 million at signing.
The transaction combines South Plains Financial, with $4.48 billion in assets as of
At an SPFI share price of
Completion depends on regulatory approvals from the Federal Reserve, FDIC and Texas Department of Banking, approval by at least two‑thirds of BOH outstanding shares, and other customary conditions. A termination fee of
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Texas | 6022 | 75-2453320 | ||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | ||||
Heather A. Eastep Nathaniel B. Jones Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 720037 Telephone: (202) 955-1500 | Chet A. Fenimore J. Brent Standefer, Jr. Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP 812 San Antonio Street, Suite 600 Austin, Texas 78701 Telephone: (512) 589-5900 | ||
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ | |||||||||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||||||||
Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||||||||
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Curtis C. Griffith Chairman and Chief Executive Officer South Plains Financial, Inc. | James D. Stein Chairman, President Chief Executive Officer BOH Holdings, Inc. | ||
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• | a proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated December 1, 2025 (which we refer to as the “merger agreement”), by and between South Plains Financial, Inc. (which we refer to as “SPFI”) and BOH (a copy of which is attached as Annex A to the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus), pursuant to which BOH will merge with and into SPFI (which we refer to as the “merger”), with SPFI surviving the merger, and approve the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, each as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus (which we refer to as the “BOH merger proposal”); and |
• | a proposal to authorize the BOH board of directors to adjourn or postpone the BOH special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, (i) to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the BOH special meeting to approve the BOH merger proposal, or (ii) if adjournment is necessary or appropriate, to ensure that any supplement or amendment to this proxy statement/prospectus is timely provided to BOH shareholders (which we refer to as the “BOH adjournment proposal”). |
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, | |||
James D. Stein | |||
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
BOH Holdings, Inc. | |||
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 1 | ||
SUMMARY | 9 | ||
SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 18 | ||
RISK FACTORS | 22 | ||
BOH SPECIAL MEETING | 30 | ||
THE MERGER | 34 | ||
Terms of the Merger | 34 | ||
Background of the Merger | 35 | ||
Recommendation of the BOH Board and Its Reasons for the Merger | 37 | ||
Opinion of BOH’s Financial Advisor | 39 | ||
SPFI’s Reasons for the Merger | 48 | ||
Board Composition and Management of SPFI after the Merger | 50 | ||
Interests of BOH’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger | 50 | ||
Trading Markets and Dividends | 52 | ||
SPFI’s Dividend Policy | 53 | ||
Restrictions on Resale of SPFI Common Stock | 54 | ||
Dissenters’ Rights | 54 | ||
Regulatory Approvals Required for the Merger | 56 | ||
THE MERGER AGREEMENT | 58 | ||
Structure of the Merger | 58 | ||
Merger Consideration | 58 | ||
Anti-Dilutive Adjustments | 58 | ||
Fractional Shares | 59 | ||
Treatment of BOH Equity Awards | 59 | ||
Closing and Effective Time | 59 | ||
Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company | 60 | ||
Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates | 60 | ||
Letter of Transmittal | 60 | ||
Tax Adjustment | 60 | ||
Withholding | 60 | ||
Dividends and Distributions | 61 | ||
Representations and Warranties | 61 | ||
Definition of “Material Adverse Effect” | 62 | ||
Covenants and Agreements | 63 | ||
Conditions to Complete the Merger | 72 | ||
Termination of the Merger Agreement | 73 | ||
Effect of Termination | 74 | ||
Termination Fee | 74 | ||
Expenses and Fees | 75 | ||
Amendment, Waiver and Extension of the Merger Agreement | 75 | ||
ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT | 76 | ||
Voting Agreement | 76 | ||
Director Support Agreements | 76 | ||
Releases | 77 | ||
THE COMPANIES | 79 | ||
South Plains Financial, Inc. | 79 | ||
BOH Holdings, Inc. | 79 | ||
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BOH BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 81 | ||
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF SPFI | 82 | ||
Overview | 82 | ||
Description of Common Stock | 82 | ||
Certain Certificate of Formation and Bylaws Provisions Potentially Having an Anti-takeover Effect | 83 | ||
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COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS | 86 | ||
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT | 95 | ||
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER | 96 | ||
Tax Consequences of the Merger Generally | 97 | ||
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to BOH and SPFI | 98 | ||
U.S. Holders that Exchange BOH Common Stock Solely for SPFI Common Stock | 98 | ||
Cash Instead of Fractional Shares | 98 | ||
U.S. Holders Exercising Dissenters’ Rights | 98 | ||
Potential Dividend Treatment | 99 | ||
Backup Withholding | 99 | ||
Certain Reporting Requirements | 99 | ||
LEGAL MATTERS | 100 | ||
EXPERTS | 101 | ||
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 102 | ||
ANNEX A AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION | A-1 | ||
ANNEX B OPINION OF HILLWORTH SECURITIES, LLC | B-1 | ||
ANNEX C PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS CODE RELATING TO DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS | C-1 | ||
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Q: | What is the merger? |
A: | On December 1, 2025, SPFI and BOH entered into the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (which we refer to as the “merger agreement”), pursuant to which BOH will merge with and into SPFI, with SPFI continuing as the surviving entity (which we refer to as the “merger”). Immediately following the merger, BOH’s wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Bank of Houston, a Texas state-chartered bank (which we refer to as “Bank of Houston”), will merge with and into SPFI’s wholly-owned banking subsidiary, City Bank, a Texas banking association (which we refer to as “City Bank”), with City Bank as the surviving bank (which we refer to as the “bank merger”). |
Q: | Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus? |
A: | This document is being delivered to you as a proxy statement of BOH and a prospectus of SPFI in connection with the merger. |
Q: | What will BOH shareholders receive in the merger? |
A: | If the merger is completed, each share of BOH common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be converted into the right to receive, without interest, 0.1925 shares of SPFI’s common stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement (the “exchange ratio”), plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares (collectively, the “per share merger consideration”). |
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Q: | What happens to outstanding BOH equity awards in the merger? |
A: | At the effective time of the merger, each warrant to acquire shares of BOH common stock that is issued, outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (the “BOH warrants”) will be converted automatically into the right to receive cash consideration from SPFI equal to the excess (if any) of (i) the per share merger consideration value (as defined in the merger agreement) over (ii) the exercise price per share of the BOH warrant calculated immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, subject to any applicable withholdings (the “warrants cash consideration”). If the per share merger consideration value is less than or equal to the exercise price per share of the applicable BOH warrant, then the applicable BOH warrant will be cancelled with no payment due in respect thereof. As of the effective time of the merger, all BOH warrants will automatically cease to exist and each holder of a BOH warrant will cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the warrants cash consideration. |
Q: | Will the value of the merger consideration change between the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and the time the merger is completed? |
A: | Yes. Although the number of shares of SPFI common stock that each BOH shareholder will receive is fixed, the market value of the merger consideration will fluctuate with the market price of SPFI common stock and will not be known at the time BOH shareholders vote on the merger. SPFI common stock is currently quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SPFI.” Based on the closing price of SPFI common stock of $37.79 per share on November 28, 2025, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, the 0.1925 exchange ratio represented an aggregate of approximately $105.9 million in value for all of the shares of BOH common stock to be converted into SPFI common stock. Based on the closing sale price of SPFI common stock on [•], 2026, the latest practicable trading date prior to the printing of this proxy |
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Q: | What will happen to shares of SPFI common stock in the merger? |
A: | Nothing. Each share of SPFI common stock outstanding prior to the merger will remain outstanding as a share of SPFI common stock following the effective time of the merger. |
Q: | What are BOH shareholders being asked to vote on and why is this approval necessary? |
A: | BOH shareholders are being asked to vote on the following proposals at the BOH special meeting: |
• | the approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger (which we refer to as the “BOH merger proposal”); and |
• | the authorization of the BOH board of directors to adjourn or postpone the BOH special meeting, if necessary, (i) to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the BOH special meeting to approve the BOH merger proposal, or (ii) if adjournment is necessary or appropriate, to ensure that any supplement or amendment to this proxy statement/prospectus is timely provided to BOH shareholders (the “BOH adjournment proposal”). |
Q: | When and where is the BOH special meeting? |
A: | The BOH special meeting will be held on [•], 2026, at 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Second Floor Conference Room, Houston, Texas 77027, at [•] local time. |
Q: | Who is entitled to vote at the BOH special meeting? |
A: | All holders of BOH common stock who held shares at the close of business on [•], 2026 (which we refer to as the “record date”) are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the BOH special meeting, provided that such shares of BOH common stock remain outstanding on the date of the BOH special meeting. |
Q: | What constitutes a quorum at the BOH special meeting? |
A: | The presence, in person or represented by proxy, of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of BOH common stock entitled to vote is necessary in order to constitute a quorum for purposes of the matters being voted on at the BOH special meeting. |
Q: | What vote is required to approve each proposal at the BOH special meeting? |
A: | BOH merger proposal: Approval of the BOH merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of BOH common stock entitled to vote thereon. If you fail to vote in person or by proxy or fail to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee to vote, or if you mark “ABSTAIN” |
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Q: | What are the conditions to completion of the merger? |
A: | The obligations of BOH and SPFI to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions contained in the merger agreement, including, among others, the receipt of required regulatory approvals, tax opinions, and the approval of the BOH merger proposal by BOH shareholders. For more information, see “The Merger Agreement - Conditions to Complete the Merger” beginning on page 72. |
Q: | When will the merger be completed? |
A: | We will complete the merger when all of the conditions to the obligations of SPFI and BOH contained in the merger agreement are satisfied or waived, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval of the BOH merger proposal by BOH shareholders. While we expect the merger to be completed in the second quarter of 2026, because fulfillment of some of the conditions to completion of the merger is not entirely within our control, we cannot assure you of the actual timing. |
Q: | How does the BOH board of directors recommend that I vote? |
A: | The BOH board of directors has unanimously approved and adopted the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and unanimously recommends that BOH shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the BOH merger proposal and “FOR” the approval of the BOH adjournment proposal (if necessary or appropriate). |
Q: | What do I need to do now? |
A: | After you have carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus and have decided how you wish to vote your shares, please vote your shares promptly using the enclosed proxy card, or submit a proxy by telephone or via the Internet using the instructions on the proxy card, so that your shares are represented and voted at the BOH special meeting. If you hold your shares in your name as a shareholder of record, in order to vote your shares you must complete, sign, date and mail your proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope, or submit a proxy by telephone or via the Internet using the instructions on the proxy card, as soon as possible. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank or broker, you must direct your bank or broker how to vote in accordance with the instructions you have received from your bank or broker. “Street name” shareholders who wish to vote in person at the BOH special meeting will need to obtain a legal proxy from the institution that holds their shares. |
Q: | How many votes do I have? |
A: | Each BOH shareholder is entitled to one vote on each proposal to be considered at the BOH special meeting for each share of BOH common stock owned by the shareholder as of the record date. |
Q: | How do I vote? |
A: | If you are a shareholder of record of BOH as of [•], 2026, the record date, you may vote by proxy before the BOH special meeting by submitting a proxy by telephone or via the Internet using the instructions on the proxy card, or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card to BOH using the enclosed postage-paid envelope. |
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Q: | What is the difference between a shareholder of record and a “street name” holder? |
A: | If you are a shareholder of BOH and if your shares of BOH common stock are registered directly in your name, you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares of stock. If your shares of stock are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, the nominee is considered the record holder of those shares. You are considered the beneficial owner of these shares, and your shares are held in “street name.” If your shares are held in street name, this proxy statement/prospectus and the proxy card, as applicable, have been forwarded to you by your nominee. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your nominee concerning how to vote your shares by using the voting instructions your nominee included in the mailing or by following its instructions for voting. |
Q: | If my shares are held in “street name” by my bank or broker, will my bank or broker automatically vote my shares for me? |
A: | No. Your bank or broker cannot vote your shares without instructions from you. You should instruct your bank or broker how to vote your shares in accordance with the instructions provided to you. Please check the voting form used by your bank or broker. Please note that you may not vote shares held in street name by returning a proxy card directly to BOH, by submitting a proxy by telephone or via the Internet, or by voting in person at the BOH special meeting unless you provide a “legal proxy,” which you must obtain from your broker, bank or other nominee. |
Q: | How are broker non-votes and abstentions treated? |
A: | Brokers, as holders of record, are permitted to vote on certain routine matters, but not on non-routine matters. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. The BOH merger proposal and the BOH adjournment proposal are both non-routine matters, and a broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to the proposals. As a result, we do not expect any broker non-votes at the BOH special meeting. |
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Q: | What will happen if I return my proxy card without indicating how to vote? |
A: | If you sign and return your proxy card without indicating how to vote on any particular proposal, the shares of BOH common stock represented by your proxy will be voted as recommended by the BOH board of directors with respect to such proposals. |
Q: | Can I change my vote? |
A: | Yes. If you are a holder of record of BOH common stock, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by: |
(1) | attending and voting in person at the BOH special meeting; |
(2) | giving notice of revocation of the proxy at the BOH special meeting; |
(3) | delivering to the Secretary of BOH (i) a written notice of revocation or (ii) a duly executed proxy card relating to the same shares of BOH common stock, bearing a date later than the proxy card previously executed; or |
(4) | voting by telephone or the Internet at a later time, before [•] local time, on [•], 2026, the day before the BOH special meeting. |
Q: | Will BOH be required to submit the BOH merger proposal to its shareholders even if BOH’s board of directors has withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation? |
A: | Yes. Unless the merger agreement is terminated before the BOH special meeting, BOH is required to submit the BOH merger proposal to its shareholders even if BOH’s board of directors has withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation. |
Q: | Do BOH directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of BOH shareholders? |
A: | Yes. In considering the recommendation of the BOH board of directors with respect to the merger agreement, you should be aware that BOH’s directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of BOH shareholders generally. Interests of directors and executive officers that may be different from or in addition to the interests of BOH shareholders include, but are not limited to, (i) payments under existing employment agreements with BOH for certain executive officers, (ii) payments under the Bank of Houston Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for certain directors and executive officers, (iii) for directors or executive officers who hold BOH warrants, conversion of such BOH warrants into the right to receive the warrants cash consideration, (iv) for directors or executive officers who hold BOH restricted stock awards, conversion of such BOH restricted stock awards into the right to receive the per share merger consideration, (v) for directors or executive officers who hold BOH SARs, conversion of such BOH SARs into the right to receive the SARs cash consideration, (vi) the right to certain employee benefits for each employee of BOH and its subsidiaries who remains employed by SPFI or its subsidiaries immediately after the effective time of the merger, and (vii) the right to continued indemnification and insurance coverage under the merger agreement. In addition, in connection with the merger, Mr. James D. Stein, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of BOH, has entered into an employment agreement with City Bank pursuant to which he will serve as Houston Market President – BOH of City Bank after the merger is completed. Additionally, upon completion of the merger, SPFI has agreed to appoint Mr. James D. Stein, or if Mr. Stein is unable to serve, one (1) other individual from the boards of directors of BOH or Bank of Houston to be chosen by SPFI in its sole discretion, as a Class II member of the board of directors of SPFI and as a member of the board of directors City Bank effective at or immediately following the effective time of the merger. For further information, see “The Merger - Interests of BOH’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 50. |
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Q: | Are BOH shareholders entitled to dissenters’ rights? |
A: | Yes. Under Texas law, record holders of shares of BOH common stock have the right to demand in writing to receive a payment in cash for the “fair value” of their shares as determined by an appraisal process. To exercise those dissenters’ rights, a BOH shareholder must follow exactly the procedures specified under Chapter 10, Subchapter H of the TBOC. These procedures are summarized in this proxy statement/prospectus. In addition, a copy of Chapter 10, Subchapter H of the TBOC is included as Annex C to this proxy statement/prospectus. The value determined in the appraisal process may be more or less than the value a BOH shareholder would receive in the merger under the terms of the merger agreement. Failure to strictly comply with the requirements of the TBOC will result in the loss of dissenters’ rights. For further information, see “The Merger – Dissenters’ Rights” on page 54. |
Q: | What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to BOH shareholders? |
A: | The obligations of SPFI and BOH to complete the merger are subject to, among other customary closing conditions described in this proxy statement/prospectus, the receipt of an opinion from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP (with respect to SPFI) and Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP (with respect to BOH), dated as of the closing date of the merger, to the effect that the merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. |
Q: | What happens if the merger is not completed? |
A: | If the merger is not completed, holders of BOH common stock will continue to hold their shares but will not receive any consideration for their shares in connection with the merger. BOH will remain an independent company. In addition, if the merger agreement is terminated in certain circumstances, BOH may be required to pay a termination fee. See the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “The Merger Agreement - Termination Fee” beginning on page 74 for a discussion of the circumstances under which termination fees will be required to be paid. |
Q: | What happens if I sell my shares after the record date but before the BOH special meeting? |
A: | The record date is earlier than the date of the BOH special meeting and earlier than the date that the merger is expected to be completed. If you sell or otherwise transfer your shares of BOH common stock after the record date but before the date of the BOH special meeting, you will retain your right to vote at the BOH special meeting (provided that such shares remain outstanding on the date of the BOH special meeting), but you will not have the right to receive the merger consideration to be received by BOH shareholders in connection with the merger. In order to receive the merger consideration, you must hold your shares of BOH common stock through completion of the merger. |
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Q: | If I am a BOH shareholder and my shares of BOH common stock are held in book-entry form, do I need to complete a Letter of Transmittal? |
A: | No, for shares of BOH common stock held in book entry form, SPFI will establish procedures, if necessary, for delivery. Holders of shares of BOH common stock held in book entry form will not be required to deliver an executed letter of transmittal to receive the per share merger consideration with respect to such shares held in book-entry form. |
Q: | What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials? |
A: | Shareholders may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold shares of stock in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold such shares. If you are a holder of record of stock and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive or otherwise follow the voting instructions set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus to ensure that you vote every share of stock that you own. |
Q: | Whom should I call with questions? |
A: | If you have any questions concerning the merger or this proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or need help voting your shares of BOH common stock, please contact Sarah Kuehl, executive assistant to BOH’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, at 713-497-1502, or by email to skuehl@bohbank.com. |
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• | payments under existing employment agreements with BOH for certain executive officers; |
• | payments under the Bank of Houston Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for certain directors and executive officers; |
• | a new employment agreement with City Bank for Mr. James D. Stein, BOH’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; |
• | appointment of Mr. James D. Stein as a Class II member of the board of directors of SPFI and as a member of the board of directors of City Bank, or if Mr. Stein is unable to serve, one (1) other individual from the boards of directors of BOH or Bank of Houston to be chosen by SPFI in its sole discretion, effective at or immediately following the effective time of the merger; |
• | the right to continued indemnification and insurance coverage under the merger agreement; |
• | the right to certain employee benefits for each employee of BOH and its subsidiaries who remains employed by SPFI or its subsidiaries immediately after the effective time of the merger; |
• | for directors or executive officers who hold BOH warrants that are outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, conversion of such awards into the right to receive the warrants cash consideration; |
• | for directors or executive officers who hold BOH SARs that are outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, conversion of such awards into the right to receive the SARs cash consideration; and |
• | for directors or executive officers who hold BOH restricted stock awards, conversion of such awards into the right to receive the per share merger consideration. |
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• | the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of each other party to the merger agreement, subject to the materiality standards contained in the merger agreement; |
• | the performance or compliance by each party in all material respects of their obligations and with their covenants under the merger agreement; |
• | the absence of a material adverse change in the financial condition, assets, properties, deposits, results of operations, earnings, business or cash flows of either party or their respective banking subsidiaries or any event that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in a material adverse effect on either party or their respective banking subsidiaries; |
• | the director support agreements executed by certain directors of BOH and Bank of Houston remaining in full force and effect; |
• | the releases executed by the directors and executive officers of BOH and Bank of Houston remaining in full force and effect; |
• | holders of no more than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of BOH common stock demanding or being entitled to exercise dissenters’ rights of appraisal under Texas Business Organizations Code (“TBOC”); |
• | each party’s receipt of evidence that the other party has obtained certain third-party consents and approvals; |
• | accrual by BOH for any costs and expenses, including legal fees and expenses and settlement costs, related to outstanding legal proceedings; |
• | the amendment or termination by BOH of employee benefit plans; |
• | BOH having paid off or retired all obligations under certain indebtedness set forth on the disclosure schedules; |
• | each party’s receipt of a secretary’s certificate from its respective secretary or assistant secretary, dated as of the closing date of the merger; |
• | BOH having delivered to SPFI all other instruments and documents which SPFI or its counsel may reasonably request to effectuate the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
• | the receipt of required regulatory approvals, without the imposition of a burdensome condition (as defined in the merger agreement); |
• | the approval of the merger agreement and merger by the requisite vote of BOH shareholders; |
• | each party’s receipt of a tax opinion from its respective outside legal counsel, dated as of the closing date of the merger, concluding that the merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; |
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• | the absence of any injunction, order or decree restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or making the completion of the merger illegal; |
• | the effectiveness under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, and the absence of the issuance of a stop order or the initiation or threat by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of proceedings for that purpose; and |
• | the listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market of the shares of SPFI common stock to be issued in the merger. |
• | any order, decree or ruling or any other action enjoining or prohibiting the merger or the bank merger is issued by a U.S. court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental body, and such order, decree, ruling or other action is final and non-appealable; |
• | by mutual agreement of the parties; |
• | any of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are not approved by the appropriate governmental body or the applications or notices are suggested or recommended to be withdrawn by any governmental body; |
• | the merger has not been completed by November 1, 2026 (unless the completion of the merger is delayed solely on account of a determination not having been made on the transaction by any governmental authority required for consummation of the mergers in which case such date may be extended unilaterally by SPFI for an additional sixty (60) days) or such later date as may be mutually agreed to by SPFI and BOH, unless the failure to complete the merger by that time is caused by or results from the failure of the party that seeks to terminate the merger agreement to fulfill any material obligation under the merger agreement; |
• | BOH shareholders fail to approve the BOH merger proposal; or |
• | the other party materially breaches its representations and warranties or any covenant or agreement contained in the merger agreement and such breach has not been cured within thirty (30) days after the terminating party gives written notice of such failure to the breaching party. |
• | any required regulatory approval is obtained subject to a burdensome condition; |
• | the environmental inspections of BOH’s properties detail certain adverse findings which are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on BOH or Bank of Houston; |
• | BOH breaches the non-solicitation obligations set forth in the merger agreement in a manner adverse to SPFI; |
• | the BOH board of directors accepts a superior proposal (as defined in the merger agreement); or |
• | the BOH board of directors withdraws, amends or modifies, in any manner adverse to SPFI, its recommendation of the board of directors of BOH that the BOH shareholders approve and adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. |
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SPFI Common Stock | Implied Value of One Share of BOH Common Stock to be Converted to Per Share Merger Consideration(1) | |||||
November 28, 2025 | $37.79 | $7.27(2) | ||||
[•], 2026 | $[•] | $[•] | ||||
1 | Based on an exchange ratio of 0.1925 shares of SPFI common stock for each share of BOH common stock, subject to certain adjustments as provided in the merger agreement. |
2 | Implied value of one share of BOH common stock converted to per share merger consideration equals the estimated exchange ratio of 0.1925 multiplied by the close price of SPFI common stock on the date listed rounded to the nearest cent. |
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• | the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, including a termination of the merger agreement under circumstances that could require BOH to pay a termination fee to SPFI; |
• | the inability to complete the merger contemplated by the merger agreement due to the failure to satisfy conditions necessary to close the merger, including the receipt of the requisite approval of BOH shareholders; |
• | the risk that a regulatory approval that may be required for the merger is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; |
• | risks associated with the timing of the completion of the merger; |
• | management time and effort may be diverted to the resolution of merger-related issues; |
• | the risk that the businesses of SPFI and BOH will not be integrated successfully, or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; |
• | SPFI’s ability to achieve the synergies and value creation contemplated by the proposed merger with BOH; |
• | the expected growth opportunities or costs savings from the merger with BOH may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; |
• | revenues following the merger may be lower than expected as a result of losses of customers or other reasons; |
• | potential deposit attrition, higher than expected costs, customer loss and business disruption associated with SPFI’s integration of BOH, including, without limitation, potential difficulties in maintaining relationships with key personnel; |
• | the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against SPFI or BOH or their respective boards of directors; |
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• | general economic conditions, either globally, nationally, in the State of Texas, or in the specific markets in which SPFI or BOH operate; |
• | limitations placed on the ability of SPFI and BOH to operate their respective businesses by the merger agreement; |
• | the effect of the announcement of the merger on SPFI’s and BOH’s business relationships, employees, customers, suppliers, vendors, other partners, standing with regulators, operating results and businesses generally; |
• | customer acceptance of the combined company’s products and services; |
• | the amount of any costs, fees, expenses, impairments and charges related to the merger; |
• | the dilution caused by SPFI’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in the merger or related to the merger; |
• | fluctuations in the market price of SPFI common stock and the related effect on the market value of the merger consideration that BOH shareholders will receive upon completion of the merger; |
• | risks related to the integration of any acquired businesses, including exposure to potential asset quality and credit quality risks and unknown or contingent liabilities, risks related to entering a new geographic market, the time and costs associated with integrating systems, technology platforms, procedures and personnel, the ability to retain key employees and maintain relationships with significant customers, the need for additional capital to finance such transactions, and possible failures in realizing the anticipated benefits from acquisitions; |
• | slower economic growth rates or potential recession in the United States and SPFI and BOH’s market areas; |
• | the impacts related to or resulting from uncertainty in the banking industry as a whole; |
• | increased competition for deposits in SPFI and BOH’s market areas among traditional and nontraditional financial services companies, and related changes in deposit customer behavior; |
• | the lingering inflationary pressures, and the risk of the resurgence of elevated levels of inflation, in the United States SPFI and BOH’s market areas; |
• | our ability to effectively execute our expansion strategy and manage our growth, including identifying and consummating suitable acquisitions; |
• | business and economic conditions, particularly those affecting our market areas, as well as the concentration of our business in such market areas; |
• | adverse changes in customer spending, borrowing and savings habits; |
• | the impact of pandemics, epidemics, or any other health-related crisis; |
• | high concentrations of loans secured by real estate located in our market areas; |
• | changes in unemployment rates in the United States and our market areas; |
• | risks associated with our commercial loan portfolio, including the risk for deterioration in value of the general business assets that secure such loans; |
• | potential changes in the prices, values and sales volumes of commercial and residential real estate securing our real estate loans; |
• | risks associated with our agricultural loan portfolio, including the heightened sensitivity to weather conditions, commodity prices, and other factors generally outside the borrowers and our control; |
• | risks related to the significant amount of credit that we have extended to a limited number of borrowers and in a limited geographic area; |
• | public funds deposits comprising a relatively high percentage of our deposits; |
• | potential impairment on the goodwill we have recorded or may record in connection with business acquisitions; |
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• | our ability to maintain our reputation; |
• | our ability to successfully manage our credit risk and the sufficiency of our allowance for credit losses; |
• | our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified management personnel; |
• | our dependence on our management team, including our ability to retain executive officers and key employees and their customer and community relationships; |
• | interest rate fluctuations, which could have an adverse effect on our profitability; |
• | competition from banks, credit unions and other financial services providers; |
• | cybersecurity risk, including cyber incidents or other failures, disruptions or breaches of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of a cyber-attack, could impact the Company’s reputation, increase regulatory oversight, and impact the financial results of the Company; |
• | our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; |
• | employee error, fraudulent activity by employees or customers and inaccurate or incomplete information about our customers and counterparties; |
• | increased capital requirements imposed by banking regulators, which may require us to raise capital at a time when capital is not available on favorable terms or at all; |
• | our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and to raise necessary capital to fund our acquisition strategy and operations or to meet increased minimum regulatory capital levels; |
• | costs and effects of litigation, investigations or similar matters to which we may be subject, including any effect on our reputation; |
• | natural disasters, severe weather, acts of god, acts of war or terrorism, geopolitical instability, public health outbreaks (such as coronavirus), other international or domestic calamities, and other events beyond our control, including as a result of policies of the U.S. presidential administration or Congress; |
• | a deterioration of the credit rating for United States long-term sovereign debt or the impact of uncertain or changing political conditions, including federal government shutdowns and uncertainty regarding United States fiscal debt, deficit and budget matters; |
• | the impacts of tariffs, sanctions and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading counterparts and the resulting impact on the Company and its customers; |
• | compliance with governmental and regulatory requirements, including the Dodd-Frank Act Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”), Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (“EGRRCPA”), and others relating to banking, consumer protection, securities and tax matters; |
• | changes in the laws, rules, regulations, interpretations or policies that apply to the Company’s business and operations, and any additional regulations, or repeals that may be forthcoming as a result thereof, which could cause the Company to incur additional costs and adversely affect the Company’s business environment, operations and financial results; |
• | our ability to navigate the uncertain impacts of current and future governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including the current and future policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) and as a result of initiatives of the Trump administration; and |
• | other risks and uncertainties identified in this proxy statement/prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors” and detailed from time to time in SPFI’s SEC filings including, without limitation, in SPFI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2025, and in any updates to those risk factors in SPFI’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. |
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• | the approval of the merger agreement and merger by the requisite vote of BOH shareholders; |
• | the receipt of required regulatory approvals; |
• | the absence of any injunction, order or decree restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or making the completion of the merger illegal; |
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• | the effectiveness under the Securities Act of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, and the absence of the issuance of a stop order or the initiation or threat by the SEC of proceedings for that purpose; |
• | the listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market of the shares of SPFI common stock to be issued in the merger; |
• | the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of each other party to the merger agreement, subject to the materiality standards contained in the merger agreement; |
• | the performance or compliance by each party having in all material respects of their obligations and with their covenants under the merger agreement; |
• | the absence of a material adverse change in the financial condition, assets, properties, deposits, results of operations, earnings, business or cash flows of either party or their respective banking subsidiaries or any event that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in a material adverse effect on either party or their respective banking subsidiaries; |
• | the absence of a burdensome condition in any required regulatory approval; |
• | each party’s receipt of evidence that the other party has obtained certain third-party consents and approvals; |
• | each party’s receipt of a tax opinion from its respective outside legal counsel, dated as of the closing date of the merger, concluding that the merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; |
• | each party’s receipt of a secretary’s certificate from its respective secretary or assistant secretary, dated as of the closing date of the merger; |
• | the director support agreements executed by certain directors of BOH and Bank of Houston remaining in full force and effect; |
• | the releases executed by the directors and executive officers of BOH and Bank of Houston remaining in full force and effect; |
• | accrual by BOH for any costs and expenses, including legal fees and expenses and settlement costs, related to outstanding legal proceedings; |
• | the amendment or termination by BOH of any employee benefit plans; |
• | BOH having paid off or retired all obligations under certain indebtedness set forth on the disclosure schedules; |
• | BOH having delivered to SPFI all other instruments and documents which SPFI or its counsel may reasonably request to effectuate the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
• | the performance by each party of its respective obligations under the merger agreement; and |
• | holders of no more than 5.0% of the outstanding BOH common stock, in the aggregate, having demanded or being entitled to demand payment of the appraised fair value of their shares as dissenting shareholders. |
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• | the potential for unexpected costs, delays and challenges that may arise in integrating acquisitions into SPFI’s existing business; |
• | limitations on SPFI’s ability to realize the expected cost savings and synergies from an acquisition; |
• | challenges related to integrating acquired operations, including SPFI’s ability to retain key employees and maintain relationships with significant customers and depositors; |
• | challenges related to the integration of businesses that operate in new geographic areas, including difficulties in identifying and gaining access to customers in new markets; and |
• | discovery of previously unknown liabilities following an acquisition associated with the acquired business. |
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• | “FOR” the BOH merger proposal; and |
• | “FOR” the BOH adjournment proposal. |
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• | its knowledge of BOH’s business, operations, regulatory and financial condition, asset quality, earnings, loan portfolio, capital and prospects both as an independent organization and as a part of a combined company with SPFI; |
• | the expanded possibilities, including organic growth and future acquisitions, that would be available to the combined company, given its larger size, asset base, capital, market capitalization and footprint in Texas; |
• | the results that BOH could expect to achieve operating independently, and the likely risks and benefits to shareholders of that course of action, as compared with the value of the merger consideration; |
• | the nature of the merger consideration, which is in the form of stock consideration that offers BOH shareholders the opportunity to participate as shareholders of SPFI in the future performance of the combined company and an approximately [•]% ownership in the combined company based on the number of shares (including shares underlying stock-based equity awards) of SPFI and BOH outstanding as of [•], 2026, the last practicable trading day before the date of this proxy statement/prospectus; |
• | that BOH shareholders will receive freely-tradable shares of SPFI common stock, to be listed on Nasdaq, as merger consideration, so that the merger would provide materially better liquidity for BOH shareholders versus the extremely limited liquidity options available to BOH shareholders currently; |
• | the historical performance of SPFI common stock; |
• | SPFI’s historical cash dividend payments; |
• | the fact that the merger consideration paid in the form of shares of SPFI common stock is expected to be tax-free to BOH shareholders for U.S. income tax purposes; |
• | BOH’s belief that BOH and SPFI share a similar strategic vision and that SPFI emphasizes many of the same values embraced by BOH in the conduct of its business, such as a commitment to relationship-based community banking, excellent customer service, employee development and opportunities, active participation in the communities served, and delivery of value to shareholders; |
• | that a merger with SPFI, a larger bank holding company, could provide opportunity to realize economies of scale, add infrastructure and operational support, and enhance customer products and services, allowing BOH to remain competitive over the long term; |
• | that a merger with SPFI, which has branches in metro areas in Texas that BOH does not serve, would provide the benefit of significant diversification outside of BOH’s current market footprint; |
• | the effects of the merger on Bank of Houston’s employees, including the prospects for continued employment in a larger organization and various benefits agreed to be provided to Bank of Houston’s employees; |
• | the understanding of the BOH board of directors of the current and prospective environment in which Bank of Houston and City Bank operate, including national and local economic conditions, the interest rate environment, increasing operating costs resulting from regulatory initiatives and compliance mandates, and the competitive effects of the continuing consolidation in the banking industry; |
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• | the ability of SPFI to complete the merger from a financial and regulatory perspective; |
• | an extensive review of strategic options available to BOH, including continuing as a standalone entity, and consideration and weighing of the potential risks and benefits associated with each; |
• | that SPFI has agreed to appoint one of BOH’s current directors, James D. Stein, as a Class II member of the board of directors of SPFI and as a member of the board of directors City Bank, or if Mr. Stein is unable to serve, one (1) other individual from the boards of directors of BOH or Bank of Houston to be chosen by SPFI in its sole discretion, thereby providing the BOH board of directors with representation on the combined bank board of directors (and eventually, the combined holding company’s board of directors), and helping to ensure that the combined company has the opportunity to benefit from the insights and experience of the BOH board of directors; |
• | the oral presentation of Hillworth to the BOH board of directors and the opinion, dated December 1, 2025, of Hillworth to the BOH board of directors that, as of such date, the merger consideration to be received by the shareholders of BOH in the proposed merger was fair to them from a financial point of view, based upon and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and other matters considered by Hillworth in connection with the preparation of its opinion, as more fully described below in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “The Merger - Opinion of BOH’s Financial Advisor” beginning on page 39; |
• | the BOH board of directors’ review with its legal advisors of the terms of the merger agreement, including the agreement by both parties, subject to the conditions in the merger agreement, to use reasonable best efforts to take all actions necessary or advisable to consummate the merger and obtain required regulatory approvals for the merger; |
• | the likelihood, based on SPFI’s recent track record, of receiving the required regulatory approvals and completing the merger in a timely manner; |
• | that the merger would be subject to the approval of BOH’s shareholders, and that shareholders would be free to evaluate the merger and vote for or against the merger agreement proposal at the BOH special meeting; and |
• | the likelihood of SPFI consummating the merger based upon SPFI’s history of completing other merger transactions. |
• | the potential for a decline in the value of SPFI common stock, whether before or after consummation of the merger, reducing the value of the consideration received by BOH shareholders; |
• | the potential risk that the aggregate stock consideration could be reduced in the event that BOH’s actual adjusted shareholders’ equity as of the closing date of the merger is less than the minimum adjusted shareholders’ equity; |
• | the lack of control of the BOH board of directors and BOH’s shareholders over future operations and strategy of the combined company as compared to remaining independent; |
• | the significant effort and cost involved in connection with negotiating the merger agreement and consummating the merger (including certain costs and expenses if the merger is not consummated), and the substantial time and effort of management required to consummate the merger and the potential further disruptions to BOH’s day-to-day operations during the pendency of the merger, including the potential risk of diverting management attention and resources from the operation of BOH’s business and towards the completion of the merger; |
• | the fact that in order to enter into the merger agreement, BOH set aside certain strategic business alternatives; |
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• | the restrictions under the terms of the merger agreement on the conduct of BOH’s business prior to the completion of the merger, which could delay or prevent BOH from undertaking strategic and other business opportunities that might arise pending completion of the merger, including in light of the expected time frame for completing the merger; |
• | the potential for litigation by shareholders in connection with the merger, which, even where lacking in merit, could nonetheless result in distraction and expense; |
• | the challenges of successfully combining BOH’s business, operations and workforce with those of SPFI; |
• | the interests of certain of BOH’s directors and executive officers in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, their interests as BOH shareholders, which are further described in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “The Merger - Interests of BOH’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 50. |
• | that there can be no assurance that all conditions to the parties’ obligations to complete the merger will be satisfied, including the risk that necessary regulatory approvals or BOH shareholder approval might not be obtained or may be delayed and, as a result, the merger may not be consummated or may be delayed; |
• | the risk of potential employee attrition and/or adverse effects on business and customer relationships as a result of the pending merger; and |
• | the risks of the type and nature described under “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 22 and the matters described under “Special Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 18. |
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(i) | reviewed the financial terms and conditions as stated in the draft of the merger agreement dated December 1, 2025, as provided to Hillworth by BOH; |
(ii) | reviewed audited financial statements for BOH and SPFI for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023; |
(iii) | reviewed unaudited consolidating balance sheets for BOH as of December 31, 2024, and the related consolidating statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2024, and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025; |
(iv) | reviewed unaudited financial statements for SPFI for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025; |
(v) | reviewed copies of the Reports of Condition and Income for Bank of Houston and City Bank as of the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, and any Reports of Condition and Income for Bank of Houston and City Bank for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, (collectively, the “Bank Call Reports”); |
(vi) | reviewed certain historical publicly available business and financial information concerning BOH, Bank of Houston, SPFI and City Bank; |
(vii) | reviewed certain internal financial statements and other financial and operating data of BOH and Bank of Houston, including, without limitation, internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by management of BOH and Bank of Houston, and held discussions with senior management of SPFI and City Bank, regarding recent developments and regulatory matters; |
(viii) | reviewed financial projections prepared by certain members of senior management of BOH and Bank of Houston; |
(ix) | reviewed the current consensus research estimates for SPFI; |
(x) | discussed with certain members of senior management of BOH and Bank of Houston, the business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects of BOH and Bank of Houston; the history and past and current operations of BOH and Bank of Houston; BOH’s and Bank of Houston’s historical financial performance; and BOH’s and Bank of Houston’s assessment of the rationale for the merger; |
(xi) | reviewed the reported prices and trading activity for the common stock of SPFI; |
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(xii) | compared the financial performance of BOH and SPFI with that of certain other publicly-traded companies and their securities that Hillworth deemed relevant to the analysis; |
(xiii) | assessed general economic, market and financial conditions; |
(xiv) | reviewed the terms of recent mergers, acquisitions and control investment transactions, to the extent publicly available, involving financial institutions and financial institution holding companies that Hillworth considered relevant; |
(xv) | took into consideration Hillworth’s experience in other similar transactions as well as Hillworth’s knowledge of the banking and financial services industry; and |
(xvi) | performed such other analyses and considered such other factors as Hillworth has deemed appropriate. |
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Merger Consideration / Tangible Book Value | 143% | ||
Merger Consideration / Last Twelve Months (“LTM”) Earnings | 11.4x | ||
Merger Consideration / Total Assets | 13.7% | ||
Premium / Core Deposits (%)(1) | 7.4% | ||
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Price / TBV (%) | 140% | ||
Price / LTM Earnings (x) | 9.4x | ||
Premium / Core Deposits (%) | 5.7% | ||
Price / Assets (%) | 13.3% | ||
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Price / TBV (%) | 135% | ||
Price / LTM Earnings (x) | 9.9x | ||
Premium / Core Deposits (%) | 5.3% | ||
Price / Assets (%) | 10.6% | ||
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(i) | PE Terminal Value: In this analysis, the terminal value, using the projected net income at the end of 2030, is multiplied by a range of price-to-earnings multiples of 7.9x to 11.9x, with a midpoint of 9.9x, which is based around the median price-to-earnings multiple derived from transactions in Group B. The present value of BOH’s projected excess free cash flow, plus the terminal value was then calculated assuming a range of discount rates between 12.0% and 16.0%. The implied aggregate values for BOH based on the PE Terminal Value approach ranged from $96.2 million to $152.4 million. |
(ii) | TBV Terminal Value: For this analysis, the terminal value, using the projected tangible common equity at the end of 2030, is multiplied by a range of price-to-tangible book value multiples of 1.15x to 1.55x with the midpoint being 1.35x, which is based around the median price-to-tangible book value multiple derived from transactions in Group B. The present value of BOH’s projected excess free cash flow, plus the terminal value was then calculated assuming a range of discount rates between 12.0% and 16.0%. The implied aggregate values for BOH based on the TBV Terminal Value approach ranged from $88.5 million to $127.5 million. |
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Selected Companies for SPFI | Price / TBV | Price / LTM EPS | ||||
Origin Bancorp, Inc. | 107% | 19.1x | ||||
FirstSun Capital Bancorp | 91% | 10.6x | ||||
Southside Bancshares, Inc. | 139% | 12.8x | ||||
Business First Bancshares, Inc. | 115% | 10.0x | ||||
Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. | 134% | 9.3x | ||||
City Holding Company | 275% | 13.9x | ||||
Triumph Financial, Inc. | 277% | 188.3x | ||||
SmartFinancial, Inc. | 140% | 13.2x | ||||
Third Coast Bancshares, Inc. | 123% | 10.7x | ||||
Carter Bankshares, Inc. | 100% | 13.5x | ||||
HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. | 129% | 11.3x | ||||
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. | 117% | 15.7x | ||||
Capital City Bank Group, Inc. | 158% | 11.7x | ||||
Primis Financial Corp. | 96% | 31.2x | ||||
MetroCity Bankshares, Inc. | 155% | 10.3x | ||||
Home Bancorp, Inc. | 128% | 9.9x | ||||
First Western Financial, Inc. | 103% | 18.9x | ||||
MVB Financial Corp. | 104% | 11.0x | ||||
Red River Bancshares, Inc. | 132% | 11.6x | ||||
First Community Bankshares, Inc. | 172% | 12.4x | ||||
Colony Bankcorp, Inc. | 121% | 10.8x | ||||
Selected Companies for BOH | Price / TBV | Price / LTM EPS | ||||
SB Financial Group, Inc. | 125% | 10.1x | ||||
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. | 75% | 11.6x | ||||
GBank Financial Holdings Inc. | 306% | 25.8x | ||||
United Security Bancshares | 131% | 14.8x | ||||
First Capital, Inc. | 133% | 11.3x | ||||
First US Bancshares, Inc. | 80% | 14.5x | ||||
OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. | 43% | 6.1x | ||||
Sound Financial Bancorp, Inc. | 107% | 16.8x | ||||
Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. | 119% | 10.2x | ||||
Magyar Bancorp, Inc. | 92% | 10.7x | ||||
Affinity Bancshares, Inc. | 111% | 16.8x | ||||
BV Financial, Inc. | 100% | 16.8x | ||||
FinWise Bancorp | 133% | 17.0x | ||||
United Bancorp, Inc. | 121% | 10.3x | ||||
IF Bancorp, Inc. | 103% | 16.6x | ||||
Lake Shore Bancorp, Inc. | 81% | 16.0x | ||||
Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana | 93% | 10.9x | ||||
Fifth District Bancorp, Inc. | 57% | 18.7x | ||||
Central Plains Bancshares, Inc. | NA | 16.6x | ||||
PB Bankshares, Inc. | 107% | 21.9x | ||||
Texas Community Bancshares, Inc. | 88% | 18.8x | ||||
Catalyst Bancorp, Inc. | 76% | 25.5x | ||||
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Relative Contribution | ||||||
SPFI | BOH | |||||
Total Assets | 85.0% | 15.0% | ||||
Gross Loans (Excluding Held-for-Sale) | 82.5% | 17.5% | ||||
Deposits | 85.9% | 14.1% | ||||
Common Equity | 86.1% | 13.9% | ||||
Tangible Common Equity | 85.7% | 14.3% | ||||
Last-Twelve-Months Net Income | 86.6% | 13.4% | ||||
2026 Net Income | 82.1% | 17.9% | ||||
2027 Net Income | 80.6% | 19.4% | ||||
Pro Forma Ownership | 85.5% | 14.5% | ||||
• | the aggregate merger consideration and the other amounts to be paid or incurred in connection with the merger; |
• | the impact of the issuance of SPFI common stock in the merger on the existing shareholders of SPFI, including the expected earnback period for the resulting dilution; |
• | the anticipated pro forma impact of the merger on the combined company, including the expected positive impact on financial metrics including earnings, funding sources, and capital; |
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• | each of SPFI’s, BOH’s, and the combined company’s business, operations, financial condition, asset quality, earnings, and prospects; |
• | BOH’s established presence in and knowledge of the Houston, Texas market, which is consistent with SPFI’s strategic plan to add increased scale and density in the market; |
• | the expansion of Houston, Texas as a market area for SPFI; |
• | the opportunity to add seasoned bankers in the Houston market and strengthen SPFI’s presence in such market; |
• | the potential to broaden the scale of SPFI’s organization and the expanded possibilities, including organic growth and future acquisitions, that would be available to the combined company, given its larger size, asset base, capital, and geographic footprint; |
• | the anticipated benefits resulting from the expected larger market capitalization of SPFI resulting from the merger; |
• | the expectation of cost synergies resulting from the merger; |
• | its understanding of the current and prospective industry and economic conditions in which SPFI and BOH operate, including national, state and local economic conditions, the competitive environment for financial institutions generally, and the likely effect of these factors on SPFI both with and without the proposed merger; |
• | the complementary cultures of SPFI and BOH and prospects for a smooth integration of key personnel and systems; |
• | the employment and retention agreements to be entered into with certain of BOH’s employees to help maintain continuity of BOH’s key personnel, customers and loan and deposit portfolios; |
• | its review and discussions with SPFI’s management and legal counsel concerning the due diligence investigation of BOH; |
• | the structure of the merger as a combination in which the combined company would operate under the SPFI brand; |
• | SPFI’s successful track record of creating shareholder value through acquisitions, its proven experience in successfully integrating acquired businesses and retaining key personnel, and management’s belief that it will be able to successfully integrate BOH with SPFI; |
• | the financial presentation, dated December 1, 2025, of Raymond James & Associates, Inc. to the SPFI board of directors; |
• | the financial and other terms of the merger agreement, including the merger consideration, expected tax treatment, the deal protection and termination fee provisions, restrictions on the conduct of BOH’s business between the date of the merger agreement and the date of completion of the merger, which were reviewed with SPFI’s management and legal advisors; and |
• | the expectation that the regulatory and other approvals required in connection with the merger will be received in a timely manner and without the imposition of unacceptable conditions. |
• | the possibility of encountering difficulties in completing the merger and achieving anticipated cost synergies and savings in the amounts estimated or in the time frame contemplated; |
• | the impact of the dilution resulting from the stock issuance on SPFI’s current shareholders, and the ability of SPFI to realize the benefits of the merger in a reasonable time frame to offset the effects of such dilution; |
• | the possibility of encountering difficulties in successfully integrating BOH’s business, operations, and workforce with those of SPFI; |
• | higher than anticipated merger-related costs; |
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• | the diversion of management’s attention and resources from the operation of SPFI’s business towards the completion of the merger; |
• | the regulatory and other approvals required in connection with the merger and the risk that such regulatory approvals will not be received in a timely manner or may impose unacceptable conditions; |
• | the risk of losing key BOH employees during the pendency of the merger and following the closing; |
• | the possibility of litigation in connection with the merger; |
• | the possibility of negative investor and customer perception of the merger; and |
• | other risks associated with business combinations in the financial services industry, including those set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 22. |
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SPFI Common Stock | Implied Value of One Share of BOH Common Stock to be Converted to Per Share Merger Consideration(1) | |||||
November 28, 2025 | $37.79 | $7.27(2) | ||||
[•], 2026 | $[•] | $[•] | ||||
1 | Based on an exchange ratio of 0.1925 shares of SPFI common stock for each share of BOH common stock, subject to certain adjustments as provided in the merger agreement. |
2 | Implied value of one share of BOH common stock converted to per share merger consideration equals the estimated exchange ratio of 0.1925 multiplied by the close price of SPFI common stock on the date listed rounded to the nearest cent. |
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• | you must, prior to the BOH special meeting, provide BOH with a written objection to the merger that states that you will exercise your right to dissent if the merger is completed and that provides an address to which SPFI may deliver or mail a notice if the merger is completed; |
• | you must vote your shares of BOH common stock against the merger agreement; |
• | you must, not later than the twentieth (20th) day after SPFI sends you notice that the merger was completed, provide SPFI with a written demand for payment of the fair value of your shares of BOH common stock that states the number and class of shares of BOH capital stock you own, your estimate of the fair value of such stock and an address to which a notice relating to the dissent and appraisal procedures may be sent; and |
• | you must, not later than the twentieth (20th) day after the date on which you make written demand for payment of the fair value of your shares of BOH common stock, submit to SPFI your certificates representing BOH common stock to which the demand relates for purposes of making a notation on the certificates that a demand for the payment of the fair value of your certificates representing BOH common stock has been made. |
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• | corporate organization, existence and standing; |
• | capitalization; |
• | authority to execute and deliver the merger agreement and to complete the transactions contemplated thereby; |
• | the absence of conflicts between the execution and delivery of the merger agreement and completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and certain other agreements; |
• | third-party consents; |
• | pending or threatened litigation and other proceedings; |
• | the accuracy of their financial statements, reports and internal controls; |
• | compliance with applicable laws and regulatory filings and its ability to receive required regulatory approvals; |
• | the absence of certain changes and events; |
• | compliance with tax laws, payment of taxes and filing of tax returns; |
• | its compensation and benefit plans; |
• | its brokers’, finders’ and financial advisors’ fees; |
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• | its receipt of fairness opinions; and |
• | SPFI’s registration statement. |
• | its subsidiaries; |
• | its organizational documents; |
• | its investments; |
• | its loan portfolio and allowance for credit losses; |
• | the existence of certain loans and related matters; |
• | transactions with affiliates and insiders; |
• | the accuracy of its minute books and stock transfer records; |
• | the absence of performance of fiduciary responsibilities by BOH and each of its subsidiaries; |
• | its real property and leases; |
• | its personal property; |
• | its compliance with environmental laws; |
• | the existence of certain contracts and commitments; |
• | its financial institutions bonds and insurance coverage; |
• | actions taken by regulatory authorities; |
• | certain employee matters; |
• | the existence of certain deferred compensation and salary continuation agreements; |
• | its internal accounting controls; |
• | the absence of derivative contracts; |
• | its deposit accounts; |
• | its intellectual property rights and privacy; |
• | its shareholder list; |
• | anti-takeover laws; |
• | dissenting shareholders; and |
• | bank owned life insurance. |
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• | conduct its affairs only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and safe and sound banking principles; |
• | use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its present business organization, keep available the services of its present officers, directors, employees and agents, and preserve its relationships and goodwill with customers and advantageous business relationships; |
• | promptly (and in no event more than forty-eight (48) hours of having knowledge of any of the following conditions) give written notice to SPFI of (A) any material change in its business, operations or prospects, (B) any complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that the same may be contemplated) of any governmental body having jurisdiction over BOH or any of its subsidiaries, (C) the commencement or threat of any proceeding against BOH or any of its subsidiaries or (D) the occurrence of any event or the failure of any event to occur or the existence of any circumstance that would reasonably be expected to cause (1) a breach of any covenant, condition or agreement contained herein, (2) any of the representations or warranties of BOH contained in the merger agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect (without regard to any materiality qualifiers contained therein) or (3) a material adverse effect on BOH or Bank of Houston; |
• | maintain in full force and effect all insurance policies in effect as of the date of the merger agreement or renewals thereof and give all notices and present all claims under all insurance policies in due and timely fashion; and |
• | take no action which, to the knowledge of BOH, would adversely affect or delay the ability of BOH or SPFI to obtain any regulatory or other approvals required for the completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or to perform its obligations and agreements under the merger agreement. |
• | adjust, split, combine or reclassify any BOH common stock; |
• | make, acquire, modify or renew, or agree to make, acquire, modify or renew, any loans, loan participations or other extensions of credit that would be a violation of its policies and procedures in effect as of the date of the merger agreement, or would not be in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and safe and sound banking principles; |
• | make, acquire, renew, amend, modify, extend the term of, extend the maturity of or grant the forbearance or issue a commitment to do any of the foregoing for any loan of more than $1,500,000 or make, acquire, renew, amend, modify or extend any loan participation or mortgage loan; |
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• | make, commit to make, renew, extend the maturity of, or alter any of the material terms of any (i) loans classified special mention, substandard or doubtful by Bank of Houston’s state or federal regulators in its most recent examination, or (ii) loans on the internal watch list provided to SPFI; |
• | issue or sell, or obligate itself to issue or sell, any shares of its capital stock or any warrants, rights or options to acquire, or any securities convertible into, any shares of its capital stock, other than in connection with the exercise, vesting or settlement of BOH equity awards (as defined in the merger agreement) outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement in accordance with their terms in effect on the date of the merger agreement; |
• | grant any BOH equity awards, stock appreciation rights, stock appreciation units, restricted stock, stock options, phantom stock or other form of incentive, equity or equity-based incentive compensation; |
• | open, close or relocate any branch office, or acquire or sell or agree to acquire or sell any branch office or any deposit liabilities; |
• | enter into, amend, modify, renew, terminate or waive any material provision of any agreement of the type that would be required to be disclosed in the BOH disclosure schedules, or any other material agreement, or acquire or dispose of any material amount of assets or liabilities or make any change in any of its leases, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and safe and sound banking practices; |
• | (A) hire or terminate (other than for cause), except for hiring at will employees at an annual salary not to exceed $75,000 to fill vacancies that may arise in the ordinary course of business, or (B) promote any employee except to fill vacancies that may arise in the ordinary course of business; |
• | grant any severance, change in control or termination payment to, or enter into any collective bargaining, change-in-control, retention, noncompetition, retirement, parachute, severance or indemnification agreement with, any officer, director, employee or agent of BOH or any of its subsidiaries; |
• | except pursuant to a written plan or policy that has previously been provided to SPFI, (A) increase in any manner the compensation, benefits or fringe benefits of any of its employees, directors, consultants or other service providers, (B) pay any perquisite such as automobile allowance, club membership or dues or other similar benefits, or (C) institute any employee welfare, retirement or similar plan or arrangement or any plan or arrangement that would constitute a BOH employee plan; |
• | pay or agree to or orally promise to pay, conditionally or otherwise, any bonus, extra compensation, pension, severance or vacation pay, to or for the benefit of any of shareholders, directors, officers, employees or agents of BOH or Bank of Houston, except pursuant to a written plan or policy under which such amounts have been accrued on the financial statements provided to SPFI and the timing and amount of the payment is consistent with the timing and amount of prior payments of such bonus, extra compensation, pension, severance or vacation pay as set forth on the BOH disclosure schedules; |
• | except pursuant to agreements or arrangements in effect on the date of the merger agreement, or making or renewing loans to officers, directors, or any of their respective immediate family members or any affiliates or associates (as such terms are defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) and compliant with BOH’s Regulation O policies and procedures, pay, loan, or advance any amount to, or sell, transfer or lease any properties or assets (real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible) to, or enter into any agreement or arrangement with, any of its officers or directors or any of their immediate family members or any affiliates or associates (as such terms are defined under the Exchange Act) of any of its officers or directors other than compensation or business expense reimbursement or advancement in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; |
• | amend any BOH employee plan, other than as required to maintain the tax qualified status of such plan or as contemplated under the merger agreement; |
• | (A) declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of BOH common stock, other than (i) the payment of dividends from Bank of Houston to BOH, or (B) directly or indirectly, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of BOH common stock; |
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• | make any change in accounting methods, principles and practices, except as may be required by GAAP or any governmental body; |
• | sell, transfer, convey, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of any assets (tangible or intangible), deposits, business or properties, or other real estate owned, or cancel or release any indebtedness owed to BOH or its subsidiaries, other than non-exclusive licenses granted in the ordinary course of business, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and safe and sounds banking practices; |
• | foreclose upon or otherwise acquire any commercial real property before receipt and approval by SPFI of a Phase I environmental review thereof; |
• | increase or decrease the rate of interest paid on deposit accounts, including new or renewed time deposits, except in a manner and pursuant to policies consistent with past practices, safe and sound banking practices and market rates; |
• | charge off any loan or other extension of credit greater than $50,000 without three (3) business days’ prior written notice to SPFI of the amount of such charge-off; provided, that if such charge-off is made at the request of a governmental body, then no prior notice or consent by SPFI will be required; |
• | allow Bank of Houston’s loan to deposit ratio to exceed 105%, whether through action or failure to take action, without three (3) business days’ prior written notice to SPFI of such intended action; provided, however, that Bank of Houston will have five (5) business days to bring its loan to deposit ratio to or below 105% upon any event causing such ratio to exceed 105%; |
• | establish any new subsidiary or affiliate or enter into any new line of business, or, except pursuant to contracts or agreements in force at the date of or permitted by the merger agreement, make any equity investment in, or purchase outside the ordinary course of business any property or assets of, any other individual, corporation or other entity; |
• | materially deviate from policies and procedures existing as of the date of the merger agreement with respect to classification of assets, the allowance for credit losses, and accrual of interest on assets, except as otherwise required by the provisions of the merger agreement, applicable law or regulation or any governmental body; |
• | amend or change any provision of the certificate of formation, bylaws or the governing documents of BOH or any of its subsidiaries; |
• | make any capital expenditure which would exceed an aggregate of $25,000; |
• | prepay any indebtedness or other similar arrangements so as to cause BOH to incur any prepayment penalty thereunder; |
• | excluding deposits and certificates of deposit, incur or modify any indebtedness for borrowed money, including Federal Home Loan Bank advances except for (A) overnight advances and (B) other Federal Home Loan Bank advances having a stated maturity date not later than March 31, 2026; |
• | increase the amount of brokered deposits, in the aggregate, or wholesale funding, in the aggregate; approve any new relationship for brokered, wholesale or noncore funding; or renew brokered deposits or certificates of deposits with a maturity longer than six months; |
• | settle any claim, action or proceeding involving payment by BOH or Bank of Houston of money damages in excess of $25,000 in the aggregate or imposing any restriction on the operations of BOH or any of its subsidiaries; |
• | make any changes to BOH’s securities portfolio or the manner in which the securities portfolio is classified or reported; |
• | make, change or revoke any material tax election or tax method of accounting, settle or compromise any material tax liability, enter into any material tax closing agreement, surrender any right to claim a return of material taxes, file any amended tax return, or consent to any material extension or waiver of any statute of limitations; |
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• | take or cause to be taken any action that would reasonably be expected to cause the merger or the bank merger to fail to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and shall not fail to take or cause to be taken any action required to cause each of the merger and the bank merger to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; |
• | issue a replacement of any certificate representing its securities except upon (i) written notice to SPFI, (ii) presentation of a properly executed lost certificate affidavit in form reasonably satisfactory to SPFI and (iii) if required by SPFI, the delivery of an indemnity or surety bond in the amount of the consideration payable with respect to shares of BOH common stock represented therein; or |
• | agree to do any of the foregoing. |
• | will take all actions with respect to certain loans as described on the SPFI disclosure schedules; |
• | will promptly (but in no event more than two (2) business days) notify SPFI of (1) any loan which has been placed on Bank of Houston’s watch list, (2) any upgrade or downgrade of any loan classification, and (3) any new past-due loans; and |
• | will not (1) renew, extend the maturity of, or alter any of the material terms of any loan which has been classified or, in the exercise of reasonable diligence by Bank of Houston or any governmental body with supervisory jurisdiction over Bank of Houston, should have been classified as “substandard,” “doubtful,” “loss,” “other loans especially mentioned,” “other assets especially mentioned,” “watch,” “pass/watch” or any comparable classifications by such persons, in excess of $100,000, or (2) make or commit to make a loan in excess of $100,000 to any borrower with an outstanding loan agreement, note or borrowing arrangement with Bank of Houston which has been classified or, in the exercise of reasonable diligence by Bank of Houston or any governmental body with supervisory jurisdiction over Bank of Houston, should have been classified as “substandard,” “doubtful,” “loss,” “other loans especially mentioned,” “other assets especially mentioned,” “watch,” “pass/watch” or any comparable classifications by such persons; provided, that, unless SPFI objects to such transaction no later than two (2) business days after actual receipt by the designated representative of SPFI of all information reasonably necessary to the making, renewal or alteration of such loan (which information will include, as applicable, credit reports, financial statements and tax returns of the borrower and appraisals of the collateral), SPFI will be deemed to have approved such transaction. For purposes of the merger agreement, the “designated representative of SPFI” is Brent Bates. |
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• | BOH agreed to give SPFI access to all of its properties, books and records and to provide additional financial and operating data and other information about its business and properties; |
• | BOH agreed to deliver or make available to SPFI all unaudited monthly and quarterly financial statements and all call reports filed by Bank of Houston; |
• | each party has agreed to hold in confidence documents and information concerning the other in accordance with the terms of the non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement, dated October 14, 2025, by and between SPFI and BOH; |
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• | each party has agreed that it will not, and will not permit any of their officers, directors or representatives to, issue or cause the publication of any press release or public announcement with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement without the consent of the other party, except as required by applicable law or securities exchange rules or in connection with the regulatory approval process; |
• | BOH has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts, including notifying appropriate parties and negotiating in good faith a reasonable settlement, to ensure that, if requested by SPFI, each contract listed within certain disclosure schedules to the merger agreement will, if the merger occurs, be terminated prior to the date on which the data processing conversion and the operational integration occurs between Bank of Houston and City Bank; |
• | BOH agreed to cause Bank of Houston to maintain its allowance for credit losses at a level consistent with Bank of Houston’s historical levels and its existing policies and in compliance with GAAP as applied to banking institutions, including with respect to the current expected credit losses methodology, and all applicable rules and regulations, and in the reasonable opinion of management, at a level adequate in all respects to provide for all probable losses, net of recoveries relating to loans previously charged off, on loans outstanding (including accrued interest receivable) of BOH or any of its subsidiaries and other extensions of credit (including letters of credit or commitments to make loans or extend credit); |
• | BOH agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all consents, approvals, authorizations or waivers as described on the BOH disclosure schedules; |
• | BOH agreed to, on a weekly basis, provide SPFI with copies of the materials distributed to senior loan officers and members of Bank of Houston’s loan committee; |
• | BOH agreed to distributed a copy of any BOH or Bank of Houston board package, including the agenda and draft minutes, to SPFI promptly after it distributes a copy to the board of directors of BOH or Bank of Houston, subject to certain exceptions; |
• | BOH agreed to cause Bank of Houston to coordinate with SPFI and City Bank as necessary in conjunction with all approvals, filings and other steps necessary to cause the completion of the bank merger; |
• | BOH has agreed to allow SPFI and its consultants, agents and representatives the right to the same extent that BOH or Bank of Houston has such right (at SPFI’s costs and expense), but not the obligation or responsibility, to inspect any BOH or Bank of Houston property, including conducting asbestos surveys and sampling, environmental assessments and investigations, and other non-invasive or non-destructive environmental surveys and analyses; |
• | BOH has agreed to cause it or its appropriate subsidiary to execute and deliver such instruments and to take other actions as SPFI may reasonably require in order to cause the termination of certain of the BOH employee plans on terms satisfactory to SPFI and in accordance with applicable law; |
• | BOH agreed to take all necessary actions to address and remediate any findings of or requests made by a governmental body of BOH or Bank of Houston prior to the closing or, if not possible to address and remediate any such findings or requests, accrue an amount to cover expenses reasonably required by SPFI; |
• | BOH agreed to take all necessary actions to effect, as of the effective time of the merger, the payoff and retirement of all of BOH’s obligations under the indebtedness set forth on the disclosure schedules; |
• | BOH has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the aggregate amount of all of BOH’s expenses to not materially exceed the estimate set forth within BOH’s disclosure schedules to the merger agreement; |
• | BOH has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to SPFI resignations of the directors of BOH and Bank of Houston at least five (5) days prior to the closing date; |
• | SPFI agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the SEC with respect to the shares of SPFI common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective; |
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• | SPFI agreed to file all documents required to be filed to have the shares of the SPFI common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement included for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect said listing; |
• | BOH agreed to provide SPFI, at least ten (10) business days prior to the closing date of the merger, with updated BOH disclosure schedules and SPFI agreed to provide BOH with updated SPFI disclosure schedules reflecting any material changes to the BOH disclosure schedules and the SPFI disclosure schedules, respectively, between the date of the merger agreement and the date thereof; |
• | SPFI and City Bank have agreed, contemporaneously with the closing of the merger, to appoint and, when applicable, nominate for election (subject to the satisfaction of their fiduciary duties), Mr. James D. Stein, or if Mr. Stein is unable to serve, one (1) other individual from the boards of directors of BOH or Bank of Houston to be chosen by SPFI in its sole discretion as a Class II member of the board of directors of SPFI and as a member of the board of directors of City Bank; and |
• | each party has agreed that prior to the effective time of the merger, each party will exercise, consistent with the terms of the merger agreement, complete control and supervision over its and its subsidiaries’ respective operations. |
• | except as explicitly provided in the merger agreement, the other party’s representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement being true and correct as of the date of the merger agreement and being true and correct in all material respects as of the closing date of the merger and each party having received a certificate signed by an appropriate representative of the other party to that effect; |
• | each party having performed or complied in all material respects with its respective covenants and obligations required by the merger agreement to be performed or complied with before the closing of the merger and each party having received a certificate signed by an appropriate representative of the other party to that effect; |
• | the absence of a material adverse change in the financial condition, assets, properties, deposits, results of operations, earnings, business or cash flows of either party or their respective banking subsidiaries or any event that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in a material adverse effect on either party or their respective banking subsidiaries; |
• | the absence of a burdensome condition in any of the required regulatory approvals; |
• | each of the non-employee directors of BOH and Bank of Houston having entered into a support agreement with SPFI, which support agreements have been executed, and such support agreements remaining in full force and effect as of the effective time of the merger; |
• | each of the directors and executive officers of BOH and Bank of Houston having executed a release agreement, which releases have been executed, and such releases remaining in full force and effect as of the effective time of the merger; |
• | holders of no more than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of BOH common stock demanding or being entitled to exercise dissenters’ rights of appraisal under the TBOC; |
• | each party having obtained certain third-party consents and approvals as identified in the merger agreement and each party having received evidence from the other party of such consents and approvals in form and substance satisfactory to it; |
• | BOH having accrued for any costs and expenses, including legal fees and expenses and settlement costs, related to outstanding legal proceedings; |
• | BOH having terminated certain BOH employee benefit plans listed on the disclosure schedules; |
• | BOH having taken all action to effect the pay off and retirement of the indebtedness of BOH set forth on the disclosure schedules; |
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• | each party having delivered a secretary’s certificate of such party’s secretary or assistant secretary dated as of the date of the merger; |
• | BOH having delivered to SPFI all other instruments and documents which SPFI or its counsel may reasonably request to effectuate the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
• | having received all required regulatory approvals of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
• | the approval of the BOH merger proposal by the requisite vote of the BOH shareholders; |
• | each party having received an opinion of such party’s outside counsel to the effect that the merger will qualify as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a) of the Code; |
• | the absence of any action having been taken, and any law, statute, rule, regulation or order, judgment, order or ruling being promulgated, enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the merger agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby by any federal, state or foreign governmental body or by any court, which, if successful, (i) would make the merger agreement or any other related agreement, or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or other related agreement, including the merger and the issuance of shares of SPFI common stock in connection with the merger, illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (ii) would impose material limits on the ability of any party to complete the merger agreement or any other related agreement, or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or other related agreement, including the merger and the issuance of shares of SPFI common stock in connection with the merger, or (iii) would, subject BOH, SPFI or any of their subsidiaries or any officer, director, shareholder or employee of BOH, SPFI or their respective subsidiaries to criminal or civil liability; |
• | the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part with respect to the SPFI common stock to be issued upon the consummation of the merger, the absence of any stop order or proceedings to suspend the effectiveness of the registration statement, and the receipt of all necessary approvals under state securities laws relating to the issuance or trading of the shares of SPFI common stock to be issued in the merger; and |
• | the shares of SPFI common stock to be issued to BOH shareholders having been authorized for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. |
• | any order, decree or ruling or any other action enjoining or prohibiting the merger or the bank merger is issued by a U.S. court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental body, and such order, decree, ruling or other action is final and non-appealable; |
• | any of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are not approved by the appropriate governmental body or the applications or notices are suggested or recommended to be withdrawn by any governmental body; |
• | the merger has not been completed by November 1, 2026 (unless the completion of the merger is delayed solely on account of a determination not having been made on the transaction by any governmental authority required for consummation of the mergers in which case such date may be extended unilaterally by SPFI for an additional sixty (60) days) or such later date as may be mutually agreed to by SPFI and BOH, unless the failure to complete the merger by that time is caused by or results from the failure of the party that seeks to terminate the merger agreement to fulfill any material obligation under the merger agreement; |
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• | BOH shareholders fail to approve the BOH merger proposal; or |
• | the other party materially breaches its representations and warranties or any covenant or agreement contained in the merger agreement and such breach has not been cured within thirty (30) days after the terminating party gives written notice of such failure to the breaching party. |
• | any required regulatory approval is obtained subject to a burdensome condition; |
• | BOH breaches the non-solicitation obligations set forth in the merger agreement in a manner adverse to SPFI; |
• | the BOH board of directors agrees to accept a superior proposal; |
• | the BOH board of directors withdraws, amends or modifies, in any manner adverse to SPFI, its recommendation of the board of directors of BOH that the BOH shareholders approve and adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby; or |
• | the environmental inspections of BOH’s properties detail certain adverse findings which are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on BOH or Bank of Houston. |
• | BOH because the BOH board of directors receives an unsolicited, bona fide alternative acquisition proposal and, under certain terms and conditions, determines that it is a superior proposal to that of the merger agreement and that the failure to accept such proposal would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties; provided that (i) such superior proposal did not result from a violation of BOH’s non-solicitation obligations under the merger agreement, (ii) BOH gives SPFI five (5) business days’ prior written notice of its intention to accept such proposal and a copy of any proposed agreement or other document (including the identity of the party making the proposal) relating to such superior proposal, (iii) during such five (5) business day period, BOH has and has caused its financial advisors and outside legal counsel to consider and to the extent SPFI desires, negotiate with SPFI to make adjustments to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement proposed by SPFI, and (iv) the board of directors of BOH has |
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• | SPFI because BOH breaches the non-solicitation obligations set forth in the merger agreement, in a manner adverse to SPFI, the BOH board resolves to accept a superior proposal or the BOH board of directors withdraws, amends or modifies, in any manner adverse to SPFI, its recommendation of the board of directors of BOH that the BOH shareholders approve and adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby; |
• | SPFI or BOH because the merger has not been completed by November 1, 2026 (subject to SPFI’s unilateral right to extend such date by sixty (60) days in the event that the consummation of the merger is delayed solely because regulatory approval has not been obtained by November 1, 2026), at the time of termination, the registration statement has been declared effective for at least twenty-five (25) business days and BOH has failed to call, give notice of, convene and hold the BOH special meeting; |
• | SPFI or BOH because BOH shareholders fail to approve the merger agreement and, at the time of the termination, the BOH board of directors has received a superior proposal; or |
• | SPFI or BOH because BOH shareholders fail to approve the merger agreement by November 1, 2026 (subject to SPFI’s unilateral right to extend such date by sixty (60) days in the event that the consummation of the merger is delayed solely because regulatory approval has not been obtained by November 1, 2026), at the time of termination, the BOH board of directors has received a superior proposal, and within twelve (12) months of termination of the merger agreement, BOH enters into an acquisition agreement with a third party with respect to such acquisition proposal. |
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• | sell, transfer, pledge, assign, encumber, hypothecate, cause to be redeemed or otherwise dispose of any or all of his or her shares of BOH common stock, subject to limited exceptions; |
• | grant any proxies or interest in or with respect to any share of his or her shares of BOH common stock, subject to limited exceptions; or |
• | deposit any of his or her shares of BOH common stock into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement with respect to any of his or her shares of BOH common stock or grant any proxy with respect thereto, other than to other members of the BOH board of directors for the purpose of voting to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. |
• | use his or her best efforts to refrain from harming the goodwill of SPFI, City Bank, BOH or Bank of Houston and their respective subsidiaries, and their respective customer and client relationships, during the term of the agreement; |
• | not directly or indirectly disclose or make use of any confidential information of SPFI, City Bank, BOH or Bank of Houston to third parties except in their capacity as a director or officer of SPFI, City Bank, BOH or Bank of Houston, as applicable; and |
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• | for a period of two (2) years following the effective time of the merger: |
○ | compete or engage, anywhere in the geographic area comprised of the fifty (50) mile radius surrounding the locations of Bank of Houston before the effective time of the merger, or following the effective time of the merger, the locations of City Bank banking centers that were formerly locations of Bank of Houston (collectively, the “market area”), in a business as a federally insured depository institution; |
○ | take any action to invest in, own, manage, operate, control, participate in, be employed or engaged by, or serve as a director or officer of any corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization or governmental body engaging in a business the same as or similar to that of SPFI, City Bank, BOH or Bank of Houston anywhere within the market area; provided, however, that such director is permitted to, (x) directly or indirectly, own up to one percent (1%) of the issued and outstanding securities of any publicly traded financial institution conducting business in the market area, and (y) invest in any existing mutual fund that invests, directly or indirectly, in insured depository institutions conducting business in the market area; and |
○ | (1) call on, service, or solicit for competing business from customers of SPFI, City Bank, BOH or Bank of Houston or any of their respective affiliates if, within the twelve (12) months before the date of the support agreement, the director, in his or her capacity as a director of BOH or Bank of Houston, had or made contact with the customer, or had access to information and files about the customer; (2) interfere with or damage (or attempt to interfere with or damage) any relationship between SPFI, City Bank, BOH or Bank of Houston or any of their respective affiliates and any such customer; or (3) call on, solicit or induce any employee of SPFI, City Bank, BOH or Bank of Houston or any of their respective affiliates whom the director had contact with, knowledge of, or association with in the course of service with BOH or Bank of Houston (whether as an employee or a contractor) to terminate his or her employment from or contract with SPFI, City Bank, BOH or Bank of Houston or any of their respective affiliates, or assist any other person in such activities. |
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City | Market Rank | Office Count | Deposits In Market (in 000’s) | Market Share (%) | ||||||||
Harris County | 32 | 1 | $594,601 | 0.20% | ||||||||
Erath County | 7 | 1 | $30,899 | 2.79% | ||||||||
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Name of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage Beneficially Owned(1) | ||||
Directors and Executive Officers: | ||||||
James D. Stein | 1,937,002(2) | 13.43% | ||||
James M. McElray | 241,000(3) | 1.68% | ||||
Jim Hamilton | 203,500(4) | 1.41% | ||||
John Santasiero | 452,000(5) | 3.14% | ||||
Dan Silvestri | 477,000(6) | 3.31% | ||||
Directors and Executive Officers as a group (5 persons) | 3,310,502 | 22.89% | ||||
(1) | The percentage beneficially owned by each individual was calculated based on 14,378,219 shares of BOH common stock issued and outstanding as of January 28, 2026. For purposes of calculating each person’s percentage ownership, shares issuable pursuant to stock awards exercisable within 60 days from January 28, 2026 are included as outstanding and beneficially owned for that person, but are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. |
(2) | Includes 1,697,002 shares and warrants to purchase 30,000 shares held individually by Mr. Stein, and 200,000 shares and warrants to purchase 10,000 shares held by Mr. Stein’s IRA account. |
(3) | Includes 141,000 shares held individually by Mr. McElray and 100,000 shares held by Mr. McElray’s IRA account. |
(4) | Includes 36,000 shares held individually by Mr. Hamilton, 100,000 shares and warrants to purchase 5,000 shares held jointly by Mr. Hamilton and his spouse, and 62,500 shares held by Mr. Hamilton’s IRA. |
(5) | Includes 32,000 shares held individually by Mr. Santasiero, 400,000 shares and warrants to purchase 20,000 shares held by Terra Prima, Ltd. Mr. Santasiero has voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Terra Prima, Ltd. |
(6) | Includes 32,000 shares held individually by Mr. Silvestri, 200,000 shares and warrants to purchase 10,000 shares held by Mr. Silvestri’s IRA account, 112,500 shares and warrants to purchase 5,000 shares held by the Massimo Fabio Silvestri Irrevocable Trust, of which Mr. Silvestri serves as trustee, 112,500 shares and warrants to purchase 5,000 shares held by the Rocco Paolo Silvestri Irrevocable Trust, of which Mr. Silvestri serves as trustee. |
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SPFI | BOH | |||||||
Corporate Governance | The rights of SPFI shareholders are governed by the TBOC, the Amended Restated Certificate of Formation of SPFI (the “SPFI Certificate of Formation”) and the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of SPFI (the “SPFI Bylaws”). | The rights of BOH shareholders are governed by the TBOC, the Certificate of Formation of BOH (which we refer to as the “BOH Certificate of Formation”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of BOH (which we refer to as the “BOH Bylaws”). | ||||||
Authorized Capital Stock | The SPFI Certificate of Formation authorizes it to issue 30 million shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and one million shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. The SPFI Certificate of Formation authorize SPFI’s board of directors to amend the SPFI Certificate of Formation, without shareholder approval, to establish one or more classes of preferred stock and to fix the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the shares of any class of preferred stock and to establish, and fix variations in relative rights as between, series of any preferred class. As of January 5, 2026, there were 16,301,423 shares of SPFI common stock issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. | The BOH Certificate of Formation authorizes the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of capital stock, divided into (a) 40,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and (b) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock having no par value per share. The BOH Certificate of Formation provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, and authorizes the board of directors to fix the voting rights, designations, preferences, and relative rights and limitations of any such stock by resolution of the BOH board of directors. As of January 28, 2026, there were 14,378,219 shares of BOH common stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of BOH preferred stock issued and outstanding. | ||||||
Preemptive Rights | The SPFI Certificate of Formation provide that no holder of any class of capital stock of SPFI shall have any | The BOH Certificate of Formation provides that no holder of any class of the stock of BOH or any other person | ||||||
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preemptive or preferential right to purchase any share of any class of stock of SPFI, other than such right, if any, as the board of directors, in its sole discretion, may from time to time establish. The SPFI board of directors has not established any such preemptive or preferential rights. | shall be entitled to any preemptive or preferential rights to purchase or subscribe for any shares of BOH stock, other than such rights, if any, as the BOH board of directors, at its discretion, may from time to time grant. The BOH board of directors has not established any such preemptive or preferential rights. | |||||||
Voting Rights | Each holder of SPFI common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights and preferences of any shares of preferred stock that SPFI may issue. | Each holder of BOH common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights and preferences of the holders of the preferred stock, if any. | ||||||
Cumulative Voting | The SPFI Certificate of Formation provide that shareholders shall not have cumulative voting in the election of directors. | The BOH Bylaws provides that cumulative voting in the election of directors is prohibited. | ||||||
Restrictions on Transfers | Holders of SPFI common stock are not subject to any right of first refusal or other restrictions on transfer under the SPFI governing documents or the TBOC. | Holders of BOH common stock are not subject to any right of first refusal or other restrictions on transfer under the BOH governing documents or the TBOC. | ||||||
Size of the Board of Directors | The SPFI Certificate of Formation and SPFI Bylaws provide for a board of directors consisting of not less than one nor more than 25 directors, with the exact number of directors being determined from time to time by the board of directors. The board of directors is to be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible. The SPFI board of directors currently consists of six members. | The BOH Certificate of Formation and BOH Bylaws provide for a board of directors consisting of not less than one nor more than 25 directors. The BOH Bylaws provide that the exact number of directors shall be fixed from time-to-time by a majority of the directors then in office. The BOH board of directors currently consists of five members. | ||||||
Term of Directors; Classified Board | Except with respect to director appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of directors, SPFI directors are elected for a three-year term and serve for a term ending on the third annual meeting of shareholders following the annual meeting of shareholders at which such director was elected, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. | The BOH Bylaws provide directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the shareholders. A director elected to fill a vacancy will be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office. Each director, including a director appointed to fill a vacancy, holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. | ||||||
Election of Directors | SPFI’s directors are elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of SPFI common stock entitled to vote in the election of directors and represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders at | BOH’s directors are elected by a plurality of the votes actually cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors at each annual meeting of shareholders. | ||||||
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which a quorum is present. | ||||||||
Removal of Directors | The SPFI Certificate of Formation and SPFI Bylaws provide that the shareholders may remove or more directors at a meeting called for that purpose if notice has been given that a purpose of the meeting is such removal. Notwithstanding, directors may only be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of shares entitled to vote in for the election of such director. | The BOH Bylaws provide that a director may be removed from office, with or without cause, at any meeting of shareholders by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, if notice of the intention to act upon such matter shall have been given in the notice for the meeting. | ||||||
Filling Vacancies on the Board of Directors | Any vacancy on the SPFI board of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum, except that any vacancy resulting from the removal of a director by the shareholders can be filled only by the shareholders entitled to vote at a meeting called for that purpose. A director elected to fill a vacancy is elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office. Whenever the authorized number of directors is increased between by annual meetings of the shareholders, a majority of the directors then in office may designate the class of such new director(s) and elect such new director(s) for a balance of the term; provided that the board of directors may not fill more than two vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors. | In the event that a vacancy on the BOH board of directors occurs by reason of death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other reason, the vacancy may be filled by election at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders called for that purpose or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum of the board of directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by the board of directors for a term of office to continue only until the next election of one or more directors by the shareholders; provided that the board of directors may not fill more than two such vacancies during the period between any two successive annual meetings of shareholders. | ||||||
Amendments to Certificate of Formation | Generally, the SPFI Certificate of Formation may be amended by the board of directors as provided by the TBOC. The shareholders of SPFI may alter, amend or repeal the SPFI Certificate of Formation at any meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum is present, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote at such meeting. | The BOH Certificate of Formation may be amended in accordance with the TBOC. | ||||||
Bylaw Amendments | The SPFI Certificate of Formation provides that the SPFI Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed as provided by the TBOC. The shareholders of SPFI may alter, amend or repeal the SPFI Bylaws at any meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum is present, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote at such meeting (provided notice of the proposed alteration, amendment or repeal is contained in the | The BOH Bylaws the BOH Bylaws may be amended or repealed, new bylaws may be adopted, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting of the BOH board of directors or by unanimous written consent of all the directors, unless (i) the TBOC or BOH Certificate of Formation reserve such power exclusively to the shareholders of BOH, or (ii) the shareholders expressly provide that the BOH board of directors | ||||||
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notice of the meeting). | may not amend or repeal a bylaw. | |||||||
Mergers or Share Exchanges | Under the TBOC, unless the TBOC or the corporation’s certificate of formation provide otherwise, a merger, interest exchange, conversion, or sale of all or substantially all of an entity’s assets (each, a “fundamental business transaction”) involving a corporation must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote. Unless required by the corporation’s, a plan of merger is not required to be approved by the corporation’s shareholders if: (1) the corporation will be the sole surviving corporation in the merger, (2) the corporation’s certificate of formation following the merger will not differ from the corporation’s certificate of formation prior to the merger, (3) immediately after the effective date of the merger, each shareholder of the corporation immediately before the effective date of the merger or share exchange will continue to hold the same number of shares, with identical preferences, limitations and relative rights, and (4) the transaction does not require the issuance of shares that will comprise more than 20% of the voting power of the shares of the corporation that were outstanding immediately prior to the transaction. Neither the BOH Certificate of Formation nor the SPFI Certificate of Formation contain any voting requirements for mergers or share exchanges beyond those set forth in the TBOC. | |||||||
Annual Meetings of the Shareholders | All annual meetings of SPFI shareholders will be held at the principal offices of SPFI in the City of Lubbock, State of Texas, or at such other place, within or without the State of Texas, as may be designated by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. | BOH holds an annual meeting of shareholders at a date, place and time designated from time to time by the board of directors, to elect the directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. | ||||||
Special Meetings of the Shareholders | SPFI’s governing documents provide that special meetings of SPFI’s shareholders may be called by the chairman of the board, the board of directors, or by the holders of not less than 25% of all of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the proposed meeting who deliver a written request to call a special meeting in accordance with the SPFI Bylaws. Business transacted at any special meeting must be confined to the purposes stated in the notice of meeting. | The BOH Bylaws provide that special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the chairman of the board of directors, the president, the board of directors, or by any three (3) or more shareholders owning not less than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the proposed special meeting. Business transacted at all special meetings of the shareholders must be confined to the purposes stated in the notice of meeting. | ||||||
Advance Notice Provisions for Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Business Proposals at Annual Meetings | The SPFI Bylaws contain procedures with which a shareholder must comply in order to nominate a director or make a proposal to be placed before the annual meeting of shareholders. In order to nominate a candidate or submit a proposal, the shareholder must submit a timely written notice in proper written form to the Secretary of SPFI. To be considered timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive | The BOH Bylaws contain procedures with which a shareholder must comply in order to nominate a director or make a proposal to be placed before the annual meeting of shareholders. In order to nominate a person for election as a director or submit a proposal, the shareholder must give not more than 120 days and not less than 90 days in advance of the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting written notice to the secretary of BOH. In the event that the annual meeting is called | ||||||
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offices of SPFI, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting, unless the date of the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, in which case, the notice must be delivered not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made. To be in proper written form, the shareholder’s notice must set forth in writing certain information regarding the proposed director nominee or the shareholder proposal as required by the SPFI Bylaws. | on a date that is not within 60 days before or after the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting, notice of a shareholder proposal or nomination must be made in writing and received by the Secretary of BOH within 10 days following the day on which notice of the annual meeting is first mailed to shareholders or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever occurs first. Any such written notice must provide the name and residence address of the shareholder and representation that the shareholder is a holder of BOH’s voting stock (indicating the class and number of shares owned) and an intent to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to make the nomination or bring up the proposal. For notice of a nomination for the election of a person as a director, the notice must contain a description of all arrangements or understandings among the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder must be provided as well as such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had each nominee been nominated by the board of directors of BOH. Such notice of nomination must also be accompanied by the written consent of each nominee to serve as director of BOH if so elected. For notice of a proposal, a description of the matter and any material interest of the shareholder in the matter must also be provided. | |||||||
Notice of Shareholder Meetings | The SPFI Bylaw provide that SPFI must give written notice of the place, day and hour of each annual and special shareholders’ meeting not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the meeting date to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice | The BOH Bylaws provide that BOH must give written notice of the place, day, and hour of each shareholder meeting, and in the case of a special meeting, the purposes or purposes for which the meeting is called, no fewer than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the meeting date, to | ||||||
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of an annual meeting need not state the purpose of the meeting unless otherwise required by the SPFI Bylaws. The notice of a special meeting, however, must state the purpose for which the meeting is called. | each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. | |||||||
Shareholder Action Without a Meeting | The SPFI Certificate of Formation provides that any action required by the TBOC to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, if consents in writing setting forth the action so taken are signed by all of the holders of shares entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof. | BOH’s Certificate of Formation provides that any action required by the TBOC to be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders, or any action taken at such meetings, may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holder or holders of shares representing not less than the minimum number of votes that would have been necessary to take such action at a meeting at which the holders of all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. | ||||||
Indemnification of Directors and Officers | Generally, under the TBOC, a corporation may indemnify a current or former director or officer against reasonable expenses and judgments incurred by the person if he acted in good faith and, with respect to actions in an official capacity, in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation, or, with respect to actions in an unofficial capacity, at least not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Any indemnification of an officer or director found liable because the person improperly received a financial benefit to which he or she was not entitled, is limited to reasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with the proceeding, subject to certain exceptions. The SPFI Certificate of Formation provide for mandatory indemnification to the fullest extent allowed by Texas law for current directors of officers of SPFI, former officers or directors of SPFI, or any person who, while serving as a director or officer of SPFI, is or was serving as a representative of SPFI, at the request of SPFI, at another enterprise or | Under Texas law, a corporation must indemnify a director for his/her service at the corporation and for service at the corporation as a representative of another entity against reasonable expenses actually incurred by the director in connection with a proceeding because of such service if the director is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of the proceeding. If a court determines that a director, former director or representative is entitled to indemnification, the court will order indemnification by the corporation and award the person expenses incurred in securing the indemnification. Texas law also permits corporations to indemnify present or former directors and representatives of other entities serving as such directors in certain situations where indemnification is not mandated by law; however, such permissive indemnification is subject to various limitations. Under Texas law, a court may also order indemnification under various circumstances, and officers must be indemnified to the same extent as directors. The BOH Certificate of Formation provides for mandatory indemnification to the fullest extent allowed by Texas law for all former or present directors or officers | ||||||
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another organization or to an employee benefit plan; provided that SPFI will indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the board of directors. The SPFI Certificate of Formation further permits SPFI, by action of the board of directors, to provide indemnification to employees and agents of SPFI with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification. The SPFI Certificate of Formation provides that advancement of expenses by SPFI to a present director of officer who has satisfied the requirements of the TBOC will be mandatory rather than optional. | and all persons who are or were serving at the request of BOH as a director, officer, partner, manager, managing member, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of another entity. | |||||||
Limitation of Director Liability | The SPFI Certificate of Formation limits or eliminates the personal liability of SPFI’s directors to SPFI or its shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission in their capacity as a director; provided that the SPFI Certificate of Formation does not authorize the elimination or limitation of liability of a director of SPFI to the extent he or she is found liable for: (a) a breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to SPFI or its shareholders; (b) an act or omission not in good faith that constitutes a breach of the duty of the director to SPFI or an act or omission that involves intentional mis-conduct or a knowing violation of the law; (c) a transaction from which a director received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director’s office; or (d) an act or omission for which the liability of a director is expressly provided for by statute. The SPFI Certificate of Formation further provides that if the TBOC or other applicable state law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or eliminating or limiting the personal liability of officers, the liability of a director or officer of SPFI shall be eliminated or limited to the | BOH’s Certificate of Formation eliminates the personal liability of BOH’s directors and officers for monetary damages, to the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC. | ||||||
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fullest extent permitted by the TBOC or such other applicable state law. | ||||||||
Dividends | Under the TBOC, SPFI is permitted to pay dividends or make other distributions unless (i) the distribution violates SPFI’s Certificate of Formation, or (ii) unless the distribution is made in compliance with Chapter 11, (a) SPFI would be insolvent after the distribution or (b) the distribution exceeds the distribution limit. The SPFI Bylaws provide that the board of directors may declare dividends on SPFI’s outstanding shares in cash property or its own shares pursuant to state law and subject to the provisions of the SPFI Certificate of Formation. Subject to certain regulatory restrictions discussed in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus and to the rights of holders of any preferred stock that SPFI may issue, all shares of SPFI common stock are entitled to share equally in dividends from legally available funds, when, as, and if declared by the board of directors. | The BOH Bylaws provide that, subject to limitations imposed by the TBOC, distributions in the form of dividends and share dividends on the outstanding shares of BOH may be declared by the board of directors of BOH at any regular or special meeting. | ||||||
Dissenters’ Rights | Under the TBOC, a shareholder of SPFI has the rights of dissent and appraisal with respect to a fundamental business transaction. However, under Texas law, a shareholder of SPFI may not dissent from a plan of merger or conversion in which there is a single surviving or new Texas entity, or from a plan of exchange, if (i) the shareholder is not required by the terms of the plan of merger, conversion, or exchange to accept for the shareholder’s ownership interest any consideration that is different from the consideration to be provided to any other holder of an ownership interest of the same class or series as the ownership interest held by the owner; and (ii) the shareholder is not required by the terms of the plan of merger, conversion, or exchange to accept for the shareholder’s ownership interest any consideration other than (A) ownership interests, or depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, that, immediately after the effective date of the merger, conversion, or exchange will be part of a class or series of | A summary of the dissenters’ rights available to shareholders of BOH under the TBOC can be found in the section of this proxy statement entitled “The Merger—Dissenters’ Rights.” A copy of the applicable provisions of the TBOC is attached hereto as Annex C. Neither the BOH Certificate of Formation nor the BOH Bylaws grant dissenters’ rights in addition to those provided by the TBOC. | ||||||
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ownership interests, or depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, that are (1) listed on a national securities exchange or authorized for listing on the exchange on official notice of issuance; or (2) held of record by at least 2,000 owners; (B) cash instead of fractional ownership interests the shareholder would otherwise be entitled to receive; or (C) any combination of such ownership interests and cash. Neither the SPFI Certificate of Formation nor the SPFI Bylaws grant dissenters’ rights in addition to those provided by the TBOC. | ||||||||
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• | dealers or brokers in securities, commodities or currencies, |
• | traders in securities that elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, |
• | banks and certain other financial institutions, |
• | insurance companies, |
• | mutual funds, |
• | personal holding companies, |
• | controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, or a personal holding company, |
• | tax-exempt organizations and entities, including pension plans, |
• | individual retirement accounts, employee stock ownership plans, or other tax-deferred accounts, |
• | partnerships, S corporations or other pass-through entities or investors in such entities, |
• | a holder of BOH common stock who received BOH common stock through the exercise of employee stock options, through a tax-qualified retirement plan or otherwise as compensation for services, |
• | persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to BOH common stock being taken into account in an “applicable financial statement” (as defined in the Code), |
• | regulated investment companies, |
• | real estate investment trusts, |
• | former citizens or residents of the U.S., |
• | holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or |
• | holders who hold shares of BOH common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale, conversion transaction or other integrated investment. |
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• | would generally not recognize any gain or loss on the exchange of shares of BOH common stock for shares of SPFI common stock in the merger. |
• | would generally have an aggregate tax basis in the shares of SPFI common stock received in the merger (including any fractional share deemed received and exchanged for cash, as described below) equal to its aggregate tax basis in the shares of BOH common stock surrendered in exchange therefor; and |
• | would generally have a holding period for the shares of SPFI common stock received in the merger that includes its holding period for its shares of BOH common stock surrendered in exchange therefor. |
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• | furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding and otherwise complies with all the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules; or |
• | provides proof that it is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. |
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• | SPFI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2025; |
• | SPFI’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on May 6, 2025, June 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2025, and September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2025; |
• | the information specifically incorporated by reference into SPFI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2025 Annual Meeting, filed with the SEC on April 9, 2025; |
• | SPFI’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 23, 2025, August 26, 2025, and December 1, 2025; and |
• | the description of SPFI’s common stock included as Exhibit 4.4 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2025, and any other amendment or report filed for the purposes of updating such description. |
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ARTICLE I. THE MERGER | A-2 | ||||||||
Section 1.1 | The Merger | A-2 | |||||||
Section 1.2 | Organizational Documents and Facilities of Surviving Corporation | A-2 | |||||||
Section 1.3 | Board of Directors and Executive Officers of Surviving Corporation | A-2 | |||||||
Section 1.4 | Effect of Merger | A-2 | |||||||
Section 1.5 | Liabilities of Surviving Corporation | A-2 | |||||||
Section 1.6 | Bank Merger | A-2 | |||||||
Section 1.7 | Approvals and Notices | A-3 | |||||||
Section 1.8 | Tax Consequences | A-3 | |||||||
Section 1.9 | Modification of Structure | A-3 | |||||||
ARTICLE II. CONSIDERATION AND EXCHANGE PROCEDURES | A-3 | ||||||||
Section 2.1 | Merger Consideration | A-3 | |||||||
Section 2.2 | Anti-Dilutive Adjustment | A-5 | |||||||
Section 2.3 | Dissenting Shares | A-5 | |||||||
Section 2.4 | Deposit of Merger Consideration | A-5 | |||||||
Section 2.5 | Delivery of Merger Consideration | A-5 | |||||||
Section 2.6 | Tax Adjustment | A-7 | |||||||
Section 2.7 | Withholding | A-7 | |||||||
ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BOH | A-7 | ||||||||
Section 3.1 | Organization | A-7 | |||||||
Section 3.2 | Capitalization | A-8 | |||||||
Section 3.3 | Authority; Approvals | A-9 | |||||||
Section 3.4 | No Conflicts; Consents | A-9 | |||||||
Section 3.5 | Proceedings | A-10 | |||||||
Section 3.6 | Financial Statements | A-10 | |||||||
Section 3.7 | Compliance with Laws and Regulatory Filings | A-11 | |||||||
Section 3.8 | Absence of Certain Changes | A-11 | |||||||
Section 3.9 | Investments | A-12 | |||||||
Section 3.10 | Loan Portfolio and Allowance for Credit Losses | A-12 | |||||||
Section 3.11 | Certain Loans and Related Matters | A-13 | |||||||
Section 3.12 | Transactions with Affiliates. | A-13 | |||||||
Section 3.13 | Books and Records | A-14 | |||||||
Section 3.14 | Fiduciary Responsibilities | A-14 | |||||||
Section 3.15 | Real Property Owned or Leased | A-14 | |||||||
Section 3.16 | Personal Property | A-14 | |||||||
Section 3.17 | Environmental Laws | A-15 | |||||||
Section 3.18 | Taxes. | A-15 | |||||||
Section 3.19 | Contracts and Commitments | A-17 | |||||||
Section 3.20 | Financial Institution Bonds and Insurance | A-18 | |||||||
Section 3.21 | Regulatory Actions and Approvals | A-19 | |||||||
Section 3.22 | Employee Matters | A-19 | |||||||
Section 3.23 | Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans | A-20 | |||||||
Section 3.24 | Deferred Compensation and Salary Continuation Arrangements | A-21 | |||||||
Section 3.25 | Internal Controls | A-22 | |||||||
Section 3.26 | Derivative Contracts | A-22 | |||||||
Section 3.27 | Deposits | A-22 | |||||||
Section 3.28 | Intellectual Property; Privacy | A-22 | |||||||
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Section 3.29 | Shareholders’ List | A-23 | |||||||
Section 3.30 | SEC Status; Securities Issuances | A-23 | |||||||
Section 3.31 | Dissenting Shareholders | A-24 | |||||||
Section 3.32 | Takeover Laws | A-24 | |||||||
Section 3.33 | Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors | A-24 | |||||||
Section 3.34 | Fairness Opinion | A-24 | |||||||
Section 3.35 | Bank Owned Life Insurance | A-24 | |||||||
Section 3.36 | No Other Representations and Warranties | A-24 | |||||||
ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SPFI | A-24 | ||||||||
Section 4.1 | Organization | A-25 | |||||||
Section 4.2 | Capitalization | A-25 | |||||||
Section 4.3 | Authority; Approvals | A-25 | |||||||
Section 4.4 | No Conflicts; Consents | A-26 | |||||||
Section 4.5 | Proceedings | A-26 | |||||||
Section 4.6 | Financial Statements | A-26 | |||||||
Section 4.7 | Compliance with Laws and Regulatory Filings | A-27 | |||||||
Section 4.8 | SEC Reports | A-27 | |||||||
Section 4.9 | Absence of Certain Changes | A-28 | |||||||
Section 4.10 | Taxes | A-28 | |||||||
Section 4.11 | Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors | A-29 | |||||||
Section 4.12 | Fairness Opinion | A-29 | |||||||
Section 4.13 | No Financing | A-29 | |||||||
Section 4.14 | Compensation and Benefit Plans | A-29 | |||||||
Section 4.15 | SPFI Information | A-29 | |||||||
Section 4.16 | No Other Representations and Warranties.. | A-30 | |||||||
ARTICLE V. COVENANTS OF BOH | A-30 | ||||||||
Section 5.1 | Approval of Shareholders of BOH; Efforts | A-30 | |||||||
Section 5.2 | Activities of BOH Pending Closing | A-31 | |||||||
Section 5.3 | Notice of Certain Loans. | A-34 | |||||||
Section 5.4 | Access to Properties and Records | A-35 | |||||||
Section 5.5 | Information for Regulatory Applications and SEC Filings | A-35 | |||||||
Section 5.6 | No Solicitation; Acquisition Proposals | A-35 | |||||||
Section 5.7 | Termination of Contracts. | A-37 | |||||||
Section 5.8 | Liability Insurance | A-37 | |||||||
Section 5.9 | Allowance for Credit Losses | A-37 | |||||||
Section 5.10 | Third-Party Consents | A-38 | |||||||
Section 5.11 | Coordination; Integration | A-38 | |||||||
Section 5.12 | Environmental Investigation; Rights to Terminate Agreement | A-38 | |||||||
Section 5.13 | Bank Merger | A-40 | |||||||
Section 5.14 | Financial Statements | A-40 | |||||||
Section 5.15 | Employee Benefit Plans | A-40 | |||||||
Section 5.16 | Change in Control Payments | A-40 | |||||||
Section 5.17 | Regulatory Matters. | A-41 | |||||||
Section 5.18 | Payment of Indebtedness.. | A-41 | |||||||
Section 5.19 | No Control | A-41 | |||||||
Section 5.20 | Transaction Expenses | A-41 | |||||||
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ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS OF SPFI | A-41 | ||||||||
Section 6.1 | Regulatory Filings; Efforts | A-41 | |||||||
Section 6.2 | Registration Statement | A-41 | |||||||
Section 6.3 | Nasdaq Listing | A-42 | |||||||
Section 6.4 | Affirmative Covenants | A-42 | |||||||
Section 6.5 | Negative Covenants | A-42 | |||||||
Section 6.6 | Employee Matters | A-42 | |||||||
Section 6.7 | Financial Statements | A-44 | |||||||
Section 6.8 | Issuance of SPFI Common Stock; Stock Reserves | A-44 | |||||||
Section 6.9 | Director and Officer Indemnification | A-44 | |||||||
Section 6.10 | Director Nomination | A-45 | |||||||
Section 6.11 | BOH Director Resignations.. | A-45 | |||||||
Section 6.12 | Section 16 Matters | A-45 | |||||||
ARTICLE VII. MUTUAL COVENANTS OF SPFI AND BOH | A-45 | ||||||||
Section 7.1 | Notification; Updated Disclosure Schedules | A-45 | |||||||
Section 7.2 | Confidentiality | A-46 | |||||||
Section 7.3 | Publicity | A-46 | |||||||
Section 7.4 | Certain Tax Matters. | A-46 | |||||||
Section 7.5 | Closing Statements | A-47 | |||||||
Section 7.6 | Efforts to Consummate | A-47 | |||||||
ARTICLE VIII. CLOSING | A-47 | ||||||||
Section 8.1 | Closing | A-47 | |||||||
Section 8.2 | Effective Time | A-47 | |||||||
ARTICLE IX. TERMINATION | A-48 | ||||||||
Section 9.1 | Termination | A-48 | |||||||
Section 9.2 | Effect of Termination | A-49 | |||||||
Section 9.3 | Termination Fee | A-49 | |||||||
ARTICLE X. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | A-50 | ||||||||
Section 10.1 | Conditions Precedent to Obligations of SPFI | A-50 | |||||||
Section 10.2 | Conditions Precedent to Obligations of BOH | A-51 | |||||||
Section 10.3 | Conditions Precedent to Obligations of SPFI and BOH | A-52 | |||||||
ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS | A-53 | ||||||||
Section 11.1 | Certain Definitions | A-53 | |||||||
Section 11.2 | Other Definitional Provisions | A-57 | |||||||
Section 11.3 | Investigation; Survival of Agreements | A-58 | |||||||
Section 11.4 | Amendments | A-58 | |||||||
Section 11.5 | Expenses | A-58 | |||||||
Section 11.6 | Notices | A-58 | |||||||
Section 11.7 | Controlling Law; Jurisdiction | A-59 | |||||||
Section 11.8 | Waiver | A-60 | |||||||
Section 11.9 | Severability | A-60 | |||||||
Section 11.10 | Entire Agreement | A-60 | |||||||
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Section 11.11 | Counterparts | A-60 | |||||||
Section 11.12 | Assignment; Binding on Successors | A-60 | |||||||
Section 11.13 | No Third-Party Beneficiaries | A-61 | |||||||
Section 11.14 | Confidential Supervisory Information | A-61 | |||||||
Exhibit A – Form of Bank Merger Agreement | |||||||||
Exhibit B – Form of Voting Agreement | |||||||||
Exhibit C – Form of Director Support Agreement | |||||||||
Exhibit D – Form of Release by Director/Officer | |||||||||
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If to SPFI: | |||||||||
South Plains Financial, Inc. | |||||||||
5219 City Bank Parkway | |||||||||
Lubbock, Texas 76407 | |||||||||
Attention: | Curtis C.Griffith | ||||||||
Cory T.Newsom | |||||||||
Email: | cgriffith@city.bank | ||||||||
cnewsom@city.bank | |||||||||
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With a copy to: | |||||||||
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP | |||||||||
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 3700 | |||||||||
Dallas, Texas 75202 | |||||||||
Attention: | Peter G. Weinstock | ||||||||
Heather A. Eastep | |||||||||
Email: | pweinstock@hunton.com | ||||||||
heastep@hunton.com | |||||||||
If to BOH: | |||||||||
BOH Holdings Inc. | |||||||||
4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2260 | |||||||||
Houston, Texas 77027 | |||||||||
Attention: | James D. Stein | ||||||||
Email: | jstein@bohbank.com | ||||||||
With a copy to: | |||||||||
Fenimore Kay Harrison, LLP | |||||||||
812 San Antonio Street, Suite 600 | |||||||||
Austin, Texas 78701 | |||||||||
Attention: | Chet A. Fenimore | ||||||||
Brent Standefer, Jr. | |||||||||
Email: | cfenimore@fkhpartners.com | ||||||||
bstandefer@fkhpartners.com | |||||||||
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SOUTH PLAINS FINANCIAL, INC. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Curtis C. Griffith | |||||
Name: Curtis C. Griffith | ||||||
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
BOH HOLDINGS, INC. | ||||||
By: | /s/ James D. Stein | |||||
Name: James D. Stein | ||||||
Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
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![]() | 3307 Northland Drive, Suite 300 Austin, Texas 78731 (512) 575-2265 | ||

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(i) | reviewed the financial terms and conditions as stated in the draft of the Agreement dated December 1, 2025, as provided to Hillworth by BOH; |
(ii) | reviewed audited financial statements for BOH and SPFI for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023; |
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(iii) | reviewed unaudited consolidating balance sheets for BOH as of December 31, 2024, and the related consolidating statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2024, and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025; |
(iv) | reviewed unaudited financial statements for SPFI for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025; |
(v) | reviewed copies of the Reports of Condition and Income for Bank of Houston and City Bank as of the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, and any Reports of Condition and Income for Bank of Houston and City Bank for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, (collectively, the “Bank Call Reports”); |
(vi) | reviewed certain historical publicly available business and financial information concerning BOH, Bank of Houston, SPFI and City Bank; |
(vii) | reviewed certain internal financial statements and other financial and operating data of BOH and Bank of Houston, including, without limitation, internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by management of BOH and Bank of Houston, and held discussions with senior management of SPFI and City Bank, regarding recent developments and regulatory matters; |
(viii) | reviewed financial projections prepared by certain members of senior management of BOH and Bank of Houston; |
(ix) | reviewed the current consensus research estimates for SPFI; |
(x) | discussed with certain members of senior management of BOH and Bank of Houston, the business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects of BOH and Bank of Houston; the history and past and current operations of BOH and Bank of Houston; the BOH and Bank of Houston’s historical financial performance; and their assessment of the rationale for the Merger; |
(xi) | reviewed the reported prices and trading activity for the common stock of SPFI; |
(xii) | compared the financial performance of BOH and SPFI with that of certain other publicly-traded companies and their securities that we deemed relevant to our analysis; |
(xiii) | assessed general economic, market and financial conditions; |
(xiv) | reviewed the terms of recent mergers, acquisitions and control investment transactions, to the extent publicly available, involving financial institutions and financial institution holding companies that we considered relevant; |
(xv) | taken into consideration our experience in other similar transactions as well as our knowledge of the banking and financial services industry; and |
(xvi) | performed such other analyses and considered such other factors as we have deemed appropriate. |
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Sincerely, | |||
/s/ HILLWORTH SECURITIES, LLC | |||
Hillworth Securities, LLC | |||
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(a) | This subchapter does not apply to a fundamental business transaction of a domestic entity if, immediately before the effective date of the fundamental business transaction, all of the ownership interests of the entity otherwise entitled to rights to dissent and appraisal under this code are held by one owner or only by the owners who approved the fundamental business transaction. |
(b) | This subchapter applies only to a “domestic entity subject to dissenters’ rights,” as defined in Section 1.002. That term includes a domestic for-profit corporation, professional corporation, professional association, and real estate investment trust. Except as provided in Subsection (c), that term does not include a partnership or limited liability company. |
(c) | The governing documents of a partnership or a limited liability company may provide that its owners are entitled to the rights of dissent and appraisal provided by this subchapter, subject to any modification to those rights as provided by the entity’s governing documents. |
(1) | “Dissenting owner” means an owner of an ownership interest in a domestic entity subject to dissenters’ rights who: |
(A) | provides notice under Section 10.356; and |
(B) | complies with the requirements for perfecting that owner’s right to dissent under this subchapter. |
(2) | “Responsible organization” means: |
(A) | the organization responsible for: |
(i) | the provision of notices under this subchapter; and |
(ii) | the primary obligation of paying the fair value for an ownership interest held by a dissenting owner; |
(B) | with respect to a merger or conversion: |
(i) | for matters occurring before the merger or conversion, the organization that is merging or converting; and |
(ii) | for matters occurring after the merger or conversion, the surviving or new organization that is primarily obligated for the payment of the fair value of the dissenting owner’s ownership interest in the merger or conversion; |
(C) | with respect to an interest exchange, the organization the ownership interests of which are being acquired in the interest exchange; |
(D) | with respect to the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of an organization, the organization the assets of which are to be transferred by sale or in another manner; and |
(E) | with respect to an amendment to a domestic for-profit corporation’s certificate of formation described by Section 10.354(a)(1)(G), the corporation. |
(a) | Notice required under this subchapter: |
(1) | must be in writing; and |
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(2) | may be mailed, hand-delivered, or delivered by courier or electronic transmission. |
(b) | Failure to provide notice as required by this subchapter does not invalidate any action taken. |
(a) | Subject to Subsection (b), an owner of an ownership interest in a domestic entity subject to dissenters’ rights is entitled to: |
(1) | dissent from: |
(A) | a plan of merger to which the domestic entity is a party if owner approval is required by this code and the owner owns in the domestic entity an ownership interest that was entitled to vote on the plan of merger; |
(B) | a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the domestic entity if owner approval is required by this code and the owner owns in the domestic entity an ownership interest that was entitled to vote on the sale; |
(C) | a plan of exchange in which the ownership interest of the owner is to be acquired; |
(D) | a plan of conversion in which the domestic entity is the converting entity if owner approval is required by this code and the owner owns in the domestic entity an ownership interest that was entitled to vote on the plan of conversion; |
(E) | a merger effected under Section 10.006 in which: |
(i) | the owner is entitled to vote on the merger; or |
(ii) | the ownership interest of the owner is converted or exchanged; |
(F) | a merger effected under Section 21.459(c) in which the shares of the shareholders are converted or exchanged; or |
(G) | if the owner owns shares that were entitled to vote on the amendment, an amendment to a domestic for-profit corporation’s certificate of formation to: |
(i) | add the provisions required by Section 3.007(e) to elect to be a public benefit corporation; or |
(ii) | delete the provisions required by Section 3.007(e), which in effect cancels the corporation’s election to be a public benefit corporation; and |
(2) | subject to compliance with the procedures set forth in this subchapter, obtain the fair value of that ownership interest through an appraisal. |
(b) | Notwithstanding Subsection (a), subject to Subsection (c), an owner may not dissent from a plan of merger or conversion in which there is a single surviving or new domestic entity or non-code organization, or from a plan of exchange, if: |
(1) | the ownership interest, or a depository receipt in respect of the ownership interest, held by the owner: |
(A) | in the case of a plan of merger, conversion, or exchange, other than a plan of merger pursuant to Section 21.459(c), is part of a class or series of ownership interests, or depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, that, on the record date set for purposes of determining which owners are entitled to vote on the plan of merger, conversion, or exchange, as appropriate, are either: |
(i) | listed on a national securities exchange; or |
(ii) | held of record by at least 2,000 owners; or |
(B) | in the case of a plan of merger pursuant to Section 21.459(c), is part of a class or series of ownership interests, or depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, that, immediately before the date the board of directors of the corporation that issued the ownership interest held, directly or indirectly, by the owner approves the plan of merger, are either: |
(i) | listed on a national securities exchange; or |
(ii) | held of record by at least 2,000 owners; |
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(2) | the owner is not required by the terms of the plan of merger, conversion, or exchange, as appropriate, to accept for the owner’s ownership interest any consideration that is different from the consideration to be provided to any other holder of an ownership interest of the same class or series as the ownership interest held by the owner, other than cash instead of fractional shares or interests the owner would otherwise be entitled to receive; and |
(3) | the owner is not required by the terms of the plan of merger, conversion, or exchange, as appropriate, to accept for the owner’s ownership interest any consideration other than: |
(A) | ownership interests, or depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, of a domestic entity or non-code organization of the same general organizational type that, immediately after the effective date of the merger, conversion, or exchange, as appropriate, will be part of a class or series of ownership interests, or depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, that are: |
(i) | listed on a national securities exchange or authorized for listing on the exchange on official notice of issuance; or |
(ii) | held of record by at least 2,000 owners; |
(B) | cash instead of fractional ownership interests, or fractional depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, the owner would otherwise be entitled to receive; or |
(C) | any combination of the ownership interests, or fractional depository receipts in respect of ownership interests, and cash described by Paragraphs (A) and (B). |
(c) | Subsection (b) shall not apply to a domestic entity that is a subsidiary with respect to a merger under Section 10.006. |
(d) | Notwithstanding Subsection (a), an owner of an ownership interest in a domestic for-profit corporation subject to dissenters’ rights may not dissent from an amendment to the corporation’s certificate of formation described by Subsection (a)(1)(G) if the shares held by the owner are part of a class or series of shares, on the record date set for purposes of determining which owners are entitled to vote on the amendment: |
(1) | listed on a national securities exchange; or |
(2) | held of record by at least 2,000 owners. |
(a) | A domestic entity subject to dissenters’ rights that takes or proposes to take an action regarding which an owner has a right to dissent and obtain an appraisal under Section 10.354 shall notify each affected owner of the owner’s rights under that section if: |
(1) | the action or proposed action is submitted to a vote of the owners at a meeting; or |
(2) | approval of the action or proposed action is obtained by written consent of the owners instead of being submitted to a vote of the owners. |
(b) | If a parent organization effects a merger under Section 10.006 and a subsidiary organization that is a party to the merger is a domestic entity subject to dissenters’ rights, the responsible organization shall notify the owners of that subsidiary organization who have a right to dissent to the merger under Section 10.354 of their rights under this subchapter not later than the 10th day after the effective date of the merger. The notice must also include a copy of the certificate of merger and a statement that the merger has become effective. |
(b-1) | If a corporation effects a merger under Section 21.459(c), the responsible organization shall notify the shareholders of that corporation who have a right to dissent to the plan of merger under Section 10.354 of their rights under this subchapter not later than the 10th day after the effective date of the merger. Notice required under this subsection that is given to shareholders before the effective date of the merger may, but is not required to, contain a statement of the merger’s effective date. If the notice is not given to the shareholders until on or after the effective date of the merger, the notice must contain a statement of the merger’s effective date. |
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(c) | A notice required to be provided under Subsection (a), (b), or (b-1) must: |
(1) | be accompanied by: |
(A) | a copy of this subchapter; or |
(B) | information directing the owner to a publicly available electronic resource at which this subchapter may be accessed without subscription or cost; and |
(2) | advise the owner of the location of the responsible organization’s principal executive offices to which a notice required under Section 10.356(b)(1) or a demand under Section 10.356(b)(3), or both, may be provided. |
(d) | In addition to the requirements prescribed by Subsection (c), a notice required to be provided: |
(1) | under Subsection (a)(1) must accompany the notice of the meeting to consider the action; |
(2) | under Subsection (a)(2) must be provided to: |
(A) | each owner who consents in writing to the action before the owner delivers the written consent; and |
(B) | (B) each owner who is entitled to vote on the action and does not consent in writing to the action before the 11th day after the date the action takes effect; and |
(3) | under Subsection (b-1) must be provided: |
(A) | if given before the consummation of the offer described by Section 21.459(c)(2), to each shareholder to whom that offer is made; or |
(B) | if given after the consummation of the offer described by Section 21.459(c)(2), to each shareholder who did not tender the shareholder’s shares in that offer. |
(e) | Not later than the 10th day after the date an action described by Subsection (a)(1) takes effect, the responsible organization shall give notice that the action has been effected to each owner who voted against the action and sent notice under Section 10.356(b)(1). |
(f) | If the notice given under Subsection (b-1) did not include a statement of the effective date of the merger, the responsible organization shall, not later than the 10th day after the effective date, give a second notice to the shareholders notifying them of the merger’s effective date. If the second notice is given after the later of the date on which the offer described by Section 21.459(c)(2) is consummated or the 20th day after the date notice under Subsection (b-1) is given, then the second notice is required to be given to only those shareholders who have made a demand under Section 10.356(b)(3). |
(a) | An owner of an ownership interest of a domestic entity subject to dissenters’ rights who has the right to dissent and appraisal from any of the actions referred to in Section 10.354 may exercise that right to dissent and appraisal only by complying with the procedures specified in this subchapter. An owner’s right of dissent and appraisal under Section 10.354 may be exercised by an owner only with respect to an ownership interest that is not voted in favor of the action. |
(b) | To perfect the owner’s rights of dissent and appraisal under Section 10.354, an owner: |
(1) | if the proposed action is to be submitted to a vote of the owners at a meeting, must give to the domestic entity a written notice of objection to the action that: |
(A) | is addressed to the entity’s president and secretary; |
(B) | states that the owner’s right to dissent will be exercised if the action takes effect; |
(C) | provides an address to which notice of effectiveness of the action should be delivered or mailed; and |
(D) | is delivered to the entity’s principal executive offices before the meeting; |
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(2) | with respect to the ownership interest for which the rights of dissent and appraisal are sought: |
(A) | must vote against the action if the owner is entitled to vote on the action and the action is approved at a meeting of the owners; and |
(B) | may not consent to the action if the action is approved by written consent; and |
(3) | must give to the responsible organization a demand in writing that: |
(A) | is addressed to the president and secretary of the responsible organization; |
(B) | demands payment of the fair value of the ownership interests for which the rights of dissent and appraisal are sought; |
(C) | provides to the responsible organization an address to which a notice relating to the dissent and appraisal procedures under this subchapter may be sent; |
(D) | states the number and class of the ownership interests of the domestic entity owned by the owner and the fair value of the ownership interests as estimated by the owner; and |
(E) | is delivered to the responsible organization at its principal executive offices at the following time: |
(i) | not later than the 20th day after the date the responsible organization sends to the owner the notice required by Section 10.355(e) that the action has taken effect, if the action was approved by a vote of the owners at a meeting; |
(ii) | not later than the 20th day after the date the responsible organization sends to the owner the notice required by Section 10.355(d)(2) that the action has taken effect, if the action was approved by the written consent of the owners; |
(iii) | not later than the 20th day after the date the responsible organization sends to the owner a notice that the merger was effected, if the action is a merger effected under Section 10.006; or |
(iv) | not later than the 20th day after the date the responsible organization gives to the shareholder the notice required by Section 10.355(b-1) or the date of the consummation of the offer described by Section 21.459(c)(2), whichever is later, if the action is a merger effected under Section 21.459(c). |
(c) | An owner who does not make a demand within the period required by Subsection (b)(3)(E) or, if Subsection (b)(1) is applicable, does not give the notice of objection before the meeting of the owners is bound by the action and is not entitled to exercise the rights of dissent and appraisal under Section 10.354. |
(d) | Not later than the 20th day after the date an owner makes a demand under Subsection (b)(3), the owner must submit to the responsible organization any certificates representing the ownership interest to which the demand relates for purposes of making a notation on the certificates that a demand for the payment of the fair value of an ownership interest has been made under this section. An owner’s failure to submit the certificates within the required period has the effect of terminating, at the option of the responsible organization, the owner’s rights to dissent and appraisal under Section 10.354 unless a court, for good cause shown, directs otherwise. |
(e) | If a domestic entity and responsible organization satisfy the requirements of this subchapter relating to the rights of owners of ownership interests in the entity to dissent to an action and seek appraisal of those ownership interests, an owner of an ownership interest who fails to perfect that owner’s right of dissent in accordance with this subchapter may not bring suit to recover the value of the ownership interest or money damages relating to the action. |
(a) | An owner may withdraw a demand for the payment of the fair value of an ownership interest made under Section 10.356 before: |
(1) | payment for the ownership interest has been made under Sections 10.358 and 10.361; or |
(2) | a petition has been filed under Section 10.361. |
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(b) | Unless the responsible organization consents to the withdrawal of the demand, an owner may not withdraw a demand for payment under Subsection (a) after either of the events specified in Subsections (a)(1) and (2). |
(a) | Not later than the 20th day after the date a responsible organization receives a demand for payment made by a dissenting owner in accordance with Section 10.356(b)(3), the responsible organization shall respond to the dissenting owner in writing by: |
(1) | accepting the amount claimed in the demand as the fair value of the ownership interests specified in the notice; or |
(2) | rejecting the demand and including in the response the requirements prescribed by Subsection (c). |
(b) | If the responsible organization accepts the amount claimed in the demand, the responsible organization shall pay the amount not later than the 90th day after the date the action that is the subject of the demand was effected if the owner delivers to the responsible organization: |
(1) | endorsed certificates representing the ownership interests if the ownership interests are certificated; or |
(2) | signed assignments of the ownership interests if the ownership interests are uncertificated. |
(c) | If the responsible organization rejects the amount claimed in the demand, the responsible organization shall provide to the owner: |
(1) | an estimate by the responsible organization of the fair value of the ownership interests; and |
(2) | an offer to pay the amount of the estimate provided under Subdivision (1). |
(d) | If the dissenting owner decides to accept the offer made by the responsible organization under Subsection (c)(2), the owner must provide to the responsible organization notice of the acceptance of the offer not later than the 90th day after the date the action that is the subject of the demand took effect. |
(e) | If, not later than the 90th day after the date the action that is the subject of the demand took effect, a dissenting owner accepts an offer made by a responsible organization under Subsection (c)(2) or a dissenting owner and a responsible organization reach an agreement on the fair value of the ownership interests, the responsible organization shall pay the agreed amount not later than the 120th day after the date the action that is the subject of the demand took effect, if the dissenting owner delivers to the responsible organization: |
(1) | endorsed certificates representing the ownership interests if the ownership interests are certificated; or |
(2) | signed assignments of the ownership interests if the ownership interests are uncertificated. |
(a) | A responsible organization shall note in the organization’s ownership interest records maintained under Section 3.151 the receipt of a demand for payment from any dissenting owner made under Section 10.356. |
(b) | If an ownership interest that is the subject of a demand for payment made under Section 10.356 is transferred, a new certificate representing that ownership interest must contain: |
(1) | a reference to the demand; and |
(2) | the name of the original dissenting owner of the ownership interest. |
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(a) | If a responsible organization rejects the amount demanded by a dissenting owner under Section 10.358 and the dissenting owner and responsible organization are unable to reach an agreement relating to the fair value of the ownership interests within the period prescribed by Section 10.358(d), the dissenting owner or responsible organization may file a petition requesting a finding and determination of the fair value of the owner’s ownership interests in a court in: |
(1) | the county in which the organization’s principal office is located in this state; or |
(2) | the county in which the organization’s registered office is located in this state, if the organization does not have a business office in this state. |
(b) | A petition described by Subsection (a) must be filed not later than the 60th day after the expiration of the period required by Section 10.358(d). |
(c) | On the filing of a petition by an owner under Subsection (a), service of a copy of the petition shall be made to the responsible organization. Not later than the 10th day after the date a responsible organization receives service under this subsection, the responsible organization shall file with the clerk of the court in which the petition was filed a list containing the names and addresses of each owner of the organization who has demanded payment for ownership interests under Section 10.356 and with whom agreement as to the value of the ownership interests has not been reached with the responsible organization. If the responsible organization files a petition under Subsection (a), the petition must be accompanied by this list. |
(d) | The clerk of the court in which a petition is filed under this section shall provide by registered mail notice of the time and place set for the hearing to: |
(1) | the responsible organization; and |
(2) | each owner named on the list described by Subsection (c) at the address shown for the owner on the list. |
(e) | The court shall: |
(1) | determine which owners have: |
(A) | perfected their rights by complying with this subchapter; and |
(B) | become subsequently entitled to receive payment for the fair value of their ownership interests; and |
(2) | appoint one or more qualified appraisers to determine the fair value of the ownership interests of the owners described by Subdivision (1). |
(f) | The court shall approve the form of a notice required to be provided under this section. The judgment of the court is final and binding on the responsible organization, any other organization obligated to make payment under this subchapter for an ownership interest, and each owner who is notified as required by this section. |
(g) | The beneficial owner of an ownership interest subject to dissenters’ rights held in a voting trust or by a nominee on the beneficial owner’s behalf may file a petition described by Subsection (a) if no agreement between the dissenting owner of the ownership interest and the responsible organization has been reached within the period prescribed by Section 10.358(d). When the beneficial owner files a petition described by Subsection (a): |
(1) | the beneficial owner shall at that time be considered, for purposes of this subchapter, the owner, the dissenting owner, and the holder of the ownership interest subject to the petition; and |
(2) | the dissenting owner who demanded payment under Section 10.356 has no further rights regarding the ownership interest subject to the petition. |
(a) | For purposes of this subchapter, the fair value of an ownership interest of a domestic entity subject to dissenters’ rights is the value of the ownership interest on the date preceding the date of the action that is |
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(b) | In computing the fair value of an ownership interest under this subchapter, consideration must be given to the value of the domestic entity as a going concern without including in the computation of value any control premium, any minority ownership discount, or any discount for lack of marketability. If the domestic entity has different classes or series of ownership interests, the relative rights and preferences of and limitations placed on the class or series of ownership interests, other than relative voting rights, held by the dissenting owner must be taken into account in the computation of value. |
(c) | The determination of the fair value of an ownership interest made for purposes of this subchapter may not be used for purposes of making a determination of the fair value of that ownership interest for another purpose or of the fair value of another ownership interest, including for purposes of determining any minority or liquidity discount that might apply to a sale of an ownership interest. |
(a) | An appraiser appointed under Section 10.361 has the power and authority that: |
(1) | is granted by the court in the order appointing the appraiser; and |
(2) | may be conferred by a court to a master in chancery as provided by Rule 171, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. |
(b) | The appraiser shall: |
(1) | determine the fair value of an ownership interest of an owner adjudged by the court to be entitled to payment for the ownership interest; and |
(2) | file with the court a report of that determination. |
(c) | The appraiser is entitled to examine the books and records of a responsible organization and may conduct investigations as the appraiser considers appropriate. A dissenting owner or responsible organization may submit to an appraiser evidence or other information relevant to the determination of the fair value of the ownership interest required by Subsection (b)(1). |
(d) | The clerk of the court appointing the appraiser shall provide notice of the filing of the report under Subsection (b) to each dissenting owner named in the list filed under Section 10.361 and the responsible organization. |
(a) | A dissenting owner or responsible organization may object, based on the law or the facts, to all or part of an appraisal report containing the fair value of an ownership interest determined under Section 10.363(b). |
(b) | If an objection to a report is raised under Subsection (a), the court shall hold a hearing to determine the fair value of the ownership interest that is the subject of the report. After the hearing, the court shall require the responsible organization to pay to the holders of the ownership interest the amount of the determined value with interest, accruing from the 91st day after the date the applicable action for which the owner elected to dissent was effected until the date of the judgment. |
(c) | Interest under Subsection (b) accrues at the same rate as is provided for the accrual of prejudgment interest in civil cases. |
(d) | The responsible organization shall pay the amount of the judgment to the holder of the ownership interest on the terms and conditions ordered by the court. |
(e) | On payment of the judgment, the dissenting owner does not have an interest in the: |
(1) | ownership interest for which the payment is made; or |
(2) | responsible organization with respect to that ownership interest. |
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(a) | An appraiser appointed under Section 10.361 is entitled to a reasonable fee payable from court costs. |
(b) | All court costs shall be allocated between the responsible organization and the dissenting owners in the manner that the court determines to be fair and equitable. |
(a) | An ownership interest of an organization acquired by a responsible organization under this subchapter: |
(1) | in the case of a merger, conversion, or interest exchange, shall be held or disposed of as provided in the plan of merger, conversion, or interest exchange; and |
(2) | in any other case, may be held or disposed of by the responsible organization in the same manner as other ownership interests acquired by the organization or held in its treasury. |
(b) | An owner who has demanded payment for the owner’s ownership interest under Section 10.356 is not entitled to vote or exercise any other rights of an owner with respect to the ownership interest except the right to: |
(1) | receive payment for the ownership interest under this subchapter; and |
(2) | bring an appropriate action to obtain relief on the ground that the action to which the demand relates would be or was fraudulent. |
(c) | An ownership interest for which payment has been demanded under Section 10.356 may not be considered outstanding for purposes of any subsequent vote or action. |
(a) | The rights of a dissenting owner terminate if: |
(1) | the owner withdraws the demand under Section 10.356; |
(2) | the owner’s right of dissent is terminated under Section 10.356; |
(3) | a petition is not filed within the period required by Section 10.361; or |
(4) | after a hearing held under Section 10.361, the court adjudges that the owner is not entitled to elect to dissent from an action under this subchapter. |
(b) | On termination of the right of dissent under this section: |
(1) | the dissenting owner and all persons claiming a right under the owner are conclusively presumed to have approved and ratified the action to which the owner dissented and are bound by that action; |
(2) | the owner’s right to be paid the fair value of the owner’s ownership interests ceases; |
(3) | the owner’s status as an owner of those ownership interests is restored , as if the owner’s demand for payment of the fair value of the ownership interests had not been made under Section 10.356, if the owner’s ownership interests were not canceled, converted, or exchanged as a result of the action or a subsequent action; |
(4) | the dissenting owner is entitled to receive the same cash, property, rights, and other consideration received by owners of the same class and series of ownership interests held by the owner, as if the owner’s demand for payment of the fair value of the ownership interests had not been made under Section 10.356, if the owner’s ownership interests were canceled, converted, or exchanged as a result of the action or a subsequent action; |
(5) | any action of the domestic entity taken after the date of the demand for payment by the owner under Section 10.356 will not be considered ineffective or invalid because of the restoration of the owner’s ownership interests or the other rights or entitlements of the owner under this subsection; and |
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(6) | the dissenting owner is entitled to receive dividends or other distributions made after the date of the owner’s payment demand under Section 10.356, to owners of the same class and series of ownership interests held by the owner as if the demand had not been made, subject to any change in or adjustment to the ownership interests because of an action taken by the domestic entity after the date of the demand. |
(1) | the value of the ownership interest; or |
(2) | money damages to the owner with respect to the action. |
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ITEM 20. | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. |
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ITEM 21. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. |
Exhibit Number | Description | ||
2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between South Plains Financial, Inc. and BOH Holdings, Inc. dated December 1, 2025 (included as part of Annex A to the proxy statement/prospectus, which forms a part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4). † | ||
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of South Plains Financial, Inc., (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of South Plains Financial, Inc. (Registration No. 333-230851) filed April 12, 2019). | ||
3.2 | Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of South Plains Financial, Inc., (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by South Plains Financial, Inc. on August 26, 2025). | ||
4.1 | Specimen Common Stock Certificate of South Plains Financial, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of South Plains Financial, Inc. (Registration No. 333-230851) filed April 29, 2019). | ||
4.2 | Indenture, dated September 29, 2020, by and between South Plains Financial, Inc. and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 30, 2020 (File No. 001-38895)). | ||
4.3 | Form of Fixed to Floating Rate Subordinated Note due September 30, 2030 (included as Exhibit A-2 to the Indenture incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 4.2 hereto). | ||
4.4 | Description of Securities Registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed by South Plains Financial, Inc. on March 7, 2025). | ||
5.1 | Opinion of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP with regard to the legality of the securities being registered.* | ||
8.1 | Opinion of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP with regard to certain tax matters.* | ||
8.2 | Opinion of Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP with regard to certain tax matters.* | ||
21.1 | List of subsidiaries of South Plains Financial, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed by South Plains Financial, Inc. on March 7, 2025). | ||
23.1 | Consent of Forvis Mazars, LLP. | ||
23.2 | Consent of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1).* | ||
23.3 | Consent of Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.2).* | ||
24.1 | Powers of attorney (included on signature page) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
99.1 | Consent of Hillworth Securities, LLC | ||
99.2 | Consent of James D. Stein to be Named as a Director. | ||
99.3 | Form of Proxy for holders of shares of common stock of BOH Holdings, Inc.* | ||
99.4 | Form of Voting Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by South Plains Financial, Inc. on December 1, 2025). | ||
99.5 | Form of Director Support Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by South Plains Financial, Inc. on December 1, 2025). | ||
107 | Filing Fee Table | ||
* | To be filed by amendment |
† | Exhibits, schedules and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant will furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedules or similar attachment to the SEC upon request on a confidential basis. |
ITEM 22. | UNDERTAKINGS. |
(a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the |
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(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement; |
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(b) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(c) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form. |
(d) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
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SOUTH PLAINS FINANCIAL, INC. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Curtis C. Griffith | |||||
Curtis C. Griffith | ||||||
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
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Signature | Title | Date | |||||||
By: | /s/ Curtis C. Griffith | Director (Chairman); Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | January 30, 2026 | ||||||
Curtis C. Griffith | |||||||||
By: | /s/ Cory T. Newsom | Director and President | January 30, 2026 | ||||||
Cory T. Newsom | |||||||||
By: | /s/ Steven B. Crockett | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | January 30, 2026 | ||||||
Steven B. Crockett | |||||||||
By: | /s/ Richard D. Campbell | Director | January 30, 2026 | ||||||
Richard D. Campbell | |||||||||
By: | /s/ Noe G. Valles | Director | January 30, 2026 | ||||||
Noe G. Valles | |||||||||
By: | /s/ Kyle R. Wargo | Director | January 30, 2026 | ||||||
Kyle R. Wargo | |||||||||
By: | /s/ LaDana R. Washburn | Director | January 30, 2026 | ||||||
LaDana R. Washburn | |||||||||


