As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2018

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Pennsylvania 23-2249083
(State or other jurisdiction of  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)  
   
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION Elaine A. Woodland, Interim President and
111 West Front Street Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 289 FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION
Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603 111 West Front Street
(570) 752-3671 P.O. Box 289
(Address, including Zip Code, and telephone Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603
number, including area code, of registrant’s (570) 752-3671
principal executive offices) (Name, address, including Zip Code, and telephone
number,
  including area code, of agent for service)

 

With a Copy to:

Erik Gerhard, Esquire

BYBEL RUTLEDGE LLP

1017 Mumma Road, Suite 302

Lemoyne, Pennsylvania 17043

(717) 731-1700

 

Approximate date of commencement of the proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

 

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ¨

 

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

 

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.¨

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨ Accelerated filer                    x
Non-accelerated filer    ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company   ¨
  Emerging growth company   ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of
each class of
securities to
be registered
  Amount
to be
registered(1)
   Proposed
maximum
offering
price per
unit(2)
   Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering
price(2)
   Amount of
registration
fee
 
Common Stock Par Value $2.00 per share   600,000   $26.38   $15,828,000   $1,970.59 

 

(1)Pursuant to Rule 416(a), the number of shares being registered shall include an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock or common stock of First Keystone Corporation (the “Common Stock”) that may become issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions in accordance with anti-dilution provisions of the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.

 

(2)Estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per share has been computed pursuant to Rule 457(c) based upon the average of the bid and asked price for the shares of Common Stock as of August 27, 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION

 

 

 

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

 

600,000 Shares of Common Stock

par value $2.00 per share

 

First Keystone Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, hereby offers shares of its common stock through participation in its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. We refer to First Keystone Corporation as “First Keystone” throughout this prospectus.

 

This prospectus relates to 600,000 shares of common stock that First Keystone may issue or sell, from time to time, under the plan. The plan provides First Keystone’s shareholders a convenient and economical way to purchase additional shares of First Keystone’s common stock by reinvesting cash dividends. Shareholders also may make additional voluntary cash purchases of common stock under the plan. The plan is intended to benefit long-term investors who wish to increase their investment in First Keystone’s common stock.

 

The plan administrator will purchase shares of common stock acquired for the plan directly from First Keystone, in the open market, or in negotiated transactions. First Keystone is authorized to issue up to 600,000 shares of its common stock under the plan. As of August 27, 2018, the market price of our common stock was $26.50. First Keystone’s common stock is quoted on the “Pink Sheets” OTC Markets under the symbol “FKYS”.

 

We provide a summary of the plan in this Prospectus in an easy to understand question and answer format. We encourage you to read it carefully. If you have any additional questions, please call the plan administrator at 1-800-368-5948.

 

We recommend that you retain this prospectus for future reference.

 

An investment in common stock held in the plan account has the same market risks as an investment in common stock held in any other form. Participants bear the risk of loss (and receive the benefit of gain) occurring by reason of fluctuations in the market price of the common stock held in the plan account.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The shares of common stock offered in this prospectus are not savings accounts, deposits, or other obligations of a bank or savings association and are not insured by the FDIC or any other governmental agency and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

 

Neither First Keystone nor its wholly-owned subsidiary, the First Keystone Community Bank, has guaranteed the shares being offered. There can be no assurance that the trading price of the common stock being offered will not decrease at any time.

 

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 for a discussion of various factors that shareholders should consider about an investment in our common stock.

 

The date of this prospectus is August 31, 2018.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY 4
   
RISK FACTORS 4
   
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN 5
The Purpose and Features of the Plan 5
Administration 5
Eligibility 6
Enrolling in the Plan 7
Share Purchases and Price 8
Expenses 10
Voluntary Cash Purchases 10
Reports to Participants 12
Stock Certificates 12
Safekeeping Service 13
Termination of Participation in the Plan 13
Sales of Shares 14
Cash Dividend Payment Date 16
Other Stock Transactions 16
Voting of Shares 16
Responsibility of First Keystone and the Plan Administrator 17
Modification, Termination and Interpretation of Plan 17
Federal Income Tax Information 17
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 19
   
EXPERTS 19
   
LEGAL MATTERS 19
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 20
   
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 20
   
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 21

 

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SUMMARY

 

First Keystone is a registered bank holding company incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our corporate offices are located at 111 West Front Street, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603, and our telephone number is (570) 752-3671. For more information, visit the First Keystone Community Bank website at www.fkc.bank. The information on First Keystone’s website is not incorporated into this prospectus.

 

First Keystone adopted its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan to provide a convenient and useful service for current First Keystone shareholders to reinvest cash dividends received on their First Keystone common stock and to make optional voluntary cash purchases of First Keystone common stock within the limits prescribed by the plan.

 

From time to time, we may authorize increases in the number of shares available under the plan to meet the demands of our shareholders. This prospectus describes our Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan in effect as of the date of this prospectus. We urge you to read this prospectus thoroughly before you make your investment decision regarding participation in the plan.

 

If you own 25 or more shares of First Keystone common stock, directly or indirectly, you are eligible to enroll in the plan. For information and instructions on how to enroll, see Question 5 below.

 

If you enroll in the plan, the plan administrator will use the cash dividends on the shares you designate, as well as any optional cash payments you make, to purchase additional shares of First Keystone common stock. Historically, we pay cash dividends on a quarterly basis. If we do not pay a cash dividend, there will be no investment under the plan, unless you purchase shares through the plan’s optional cash purchase feature. Optional cash payments may be made quarterly.

 

If we purchase shares of common stock in the open market, or in negotiated transactions, the purchase price will be the weighted average price paid of the relevant batch of shares purchased by an independent broker or dealer in the open market on behalf of the plan administrator and by the plan administrator in negotiated transactions after the relevant dividend date.

 

If we sell original issue shares, the purchase price for each share will be the average of the daily averages of the high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported on the OTC Markets for the four weeks prior to a dividend payment date.

 

If you do not choose to enroll in the plan, First Keystone will continue to send you cash dividends when declared.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

The purpose of the plan is to provide a convenient and useful service for First Keystone shareholders. Nothing in this prospectus represents a recommendation by First Keystone or anyone else that a person buy or sell First Keystone common stock. We urge you to read this prospectus thoroughly before you make your investment decision regarding participation in the plan.

 

Before you invest in First Keystone common stock, you should be aware that an investment in our common stock involves a variety of risks. You are encouraged to review the “Risk Factors” sections of our annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, which contains a discussion of the factors that should be considered in connection with your participation in the plan.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

 

The following, in a question and answer format, constitutes a summary description of the First Keystone Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. Those holders of First Keystone common stock who do not participate in the plan will continue to receive stock certificates or transaction advices with respect to uncertificated shares, if and when stock dividends or stock splits are declared.

 

The Purpose and Features of the Plan

 

1.What is the purpose of the plan?

 

The plan provides shareholders with a simple and convenient way to buy additional shares of First Keystone’s common stock, by reinvesting cash dividends and making voluntary cash purchases. Participation in the plan is entirely optional. Under the plan, we may sell you original issue shares, shares that we have reacquired and hold as treasury shares, or shares bought by the plan on the open market or in negotiated transactions. We may use a combination of these methods. If we sell you any original issue shares, we will use the additional funds for general corporate purposes.

 

2.What are the features of the plan?

 

·Cash dividends paid on shares that you enroll in the plan automatically will be reinvested in additional shares of First Keystone common stock. In addition, plan participants may make voluntary cash purchases of additional shares of common stock within the limits prescribed by the plan.

 

·We will credit to your plan account the purchase of fractional shares, as well as whole shares. This feature allows for full investment of funds, and fractional shares also earn dividends.

 

·The plan’s safekeeping feature relieves you of the responsibility for taking care of certificates for your shares.

 

·Under the plan, First Keystone simplifies your record keeping by furnishing you with quarterly statements of account.

 

·You will have no control over the prices at which shares are purchased for your account, because purchases for your account will be made during each period as described in the plan and you bear the risk of fluctuations in the market price of First Keystone common stock. (See “Share Purchases and Price”.)

 

Administration

 

3.Who administers the plan?

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A., our stock transfer agent (hereinafter referred to as the “plan administrator”), administers the plan for participants by maintaining records, sending account statements to participants and performing other duties relating to the plan. Shares of common stock purchased under the plan are registered in the name of the plan administrator’s nominee and are credited to the accounts of the participants in the plan. The plan administrator acts in the capacity as agent for participants in the plan. First Keystone may replace the plan administrator at any time within its sole discretion. If you have questions regarding the plan, you may contact the plan administrator through any of the following manners:

 

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·Internet. You can enroll in the plan, obtain information, and perform certain transactions on your plan account online via Investor Center. To access Investor Center please visit the Computershare website at www.computershare.com/investor.

 

·Telephone. You can contact shareholder customer service toll-free within the United States and Canada at 1-800-368-5948.

 

·Writing. You can contact the plan advisor in writing through the following addresses:

 

 
Regular Mail: Overnight Mail:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 505000 462 South 4th Street
Louisville, KY 40233-5000 Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
 

 

Eligibility

 

4.Who is eligible to participate in the plan?

 

Record holders of First Keystone common stock registered in their name(s) are eligible to participate in the plan, so long as they enroll a minimum of 25 shares. However, First Keystone may refuse to offer the plan to certain shareholders, including, but not limited to:

 

·Those shareholders who are residents of a state, other than Pennsylvania, that may require registration, qualification or exemption of First Keystone common stock, or require registration or qualification of First Keystone or any of its officers or employees as a broker-dealer, a salesperson or an agent; First Keystone will determine, in its sole discretion, whether the number of shareholders or the number of shares held justifies the expense that we might incur in offering the plan in any given state; and

 

·Those shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a nominee, such as a brokerage firm or securities depository.

 

Accordingly, First Keystone may limit eligibility for participation in the plan to Pennsylvania residents.

 

Shares for which cash dividends are reinvested by the plan must be registered in your name or held in your plan account. If you are the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in another name (for example, in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee) and you want the cash dividends on those shares reinvested by the plan, you must first transfer those shares into your name or arrange for the transfer of the shares into the name of the plan administrator or its nominee for credit to your plan account. You may contact the plan administrator for assistance in arranging for the transfer of shares from a broker to your plan account. Do not send in the enrollment form prior to contacting the plan administrator. A beneficial owner must have at least 25 shares transferred into his or her plan account in order to participate.

 

6

 

 

Enrolling in the Plan

 

5.How do I become a participant?

 

You may elect to become a plan participant at any time by completing an enrollment form and mailing it to:

 

Regular Mail: Overnight Mail:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 505000 462 South 4th Street
Louisville, KY 40233-5000 Suite 1600
  Louisville, KY 40202

 

You may obtain additional enrollment forms by writing to the plan administrator or calling 1-800-368-5948. You may also obtain enrollment forms or enroll through the plan administrator’s website www.computershare.com/investor.

 

The plan administrator must receive a properly completed enrollment form before a dividend record date in order for those cash dividends to be reinvested under the plan.

 

You must make one of the following elections on the enrollment form:

 

·Full Dividend Reinvestment: We will automatically reinvest all cash dividends that you receive; or

 

·Partial Dividend Reinvestment: You may choose to have only a part of your total number of shares enrolled in the plan, but you must have at least 25 shares enrolled in the plan. If you elect partial reinvestment, you must indicate on the enrollment form the number of shares you wish to enroll in the plan. First Keystone will continue to make cash payments of dividends to you on the number of shares not enrolled in the plan, and will reinvest the cash dividend payments on shares enrolled in the plan.

 

By completing the enrollment form, you are appointing the plan administrator as agent to reinvest cash dividends on the shares enrolled under the plan and to purchase additional shares with your optional voluntary cash payments. We will register your plan shares in the name of the plan or its nominee and credit them to your account in the plan.

 

Shareholders are not charged a fee for enrollment in the plan. However, withdrawal from the plan is subject to an administrative fee. See Question No. 14 below.

 

6.Must a shareholder enroll a minimum number of shares?

 

Yes. You must enroll at least 25 shares in the plan.

 

7.When may I join the plan?

 

You may join the plan at any time. If we receive your enrollment form prior to the record date for a dividend, we will reinvest your cash dividends payable on that date for your account. If we receive your enrollment form after the record date, we will begin reinvestment of cash dividends on the next dividend payment date.

 

7

 

 

Historically, the Board of Directors has declared and paid cash dividends on a quarterly basis. The Board of Directors reserves the right to change the dividend record and payment dates and is not obligated to declare or pay a cash dividend.

 

8.May a participant change the number of shares subject to the plan?

 

Yes. You must register at least 25 shares in the plan. You may change the number of shares enrolled in the plan at any time by submitting an Internet, telephonic or written request to the plan administrator. The change will be effective with the first dividend payment date after the plan administrator receives your request, provided that the notice of change is received before a dividend record date. If you are adding shares to the plan, the plan administrator will not charge you a fee. The plan administrator will register certificates or provide transaction advices for whole shares so withdrawn in the name of the participant. You will receive cash for the value of fractional shares. The plan administrator will continue to reinvest dividends on any shares remaining in your account.

 

Share Purchases and Price

 

9.How are shares acquired for the plan?

 

Shares of First Keystone common stock are purchased for the plan either in the open market by an independent broker or dealer on behalf of the plan, directly from First Keystone as original issue shares, or through negotiated transactions. A combination of the previous methods also could occur. First Keystone, in its sole discretion, decides how the shares will be acquired.

 

Purchases of common stock in the open market or through negotiated transactions may occur over one or more trading days.

 

However, neither First Keystone nor any participant will have authority to direct the time or price at which shares may be purchased on the open market or the selection of the broker or dealer through or from whom purchases are to be made. The actual purchase date or price paid for any shares purchased through the plan using this method cannot be guaranteed.

 

10.When will common stock be purchased for participants’ accounts?

 

Cash is used to purchase common stock as promptly as possible on or after the applicable cash dividend payment date, and in no event more than 30 days for cash dividends and no more than 35 days for voluntary cash purchases after the applicable dividend payment date (the “Investment Date”). The plan administrator will allocate full and fractional shares to each participant’s account after the plan administrator has purchased shares of common stock sufficient to cover the purchases for all participants under the plan for the applicable dividend payment date.

 

11.What price will I pay for common stock purchased through the plan?

 

Open Market Purchases and Negotiated Transactions. The plan administrator may combine participant purchase requests with other purchase requests received from other plan participants and may submit the combined purchase requests in bulk to the plan administrator’s broker or dealer as a single purchase order. Purchase requests may be combined, at the plan administrator’s discretion, according to one or more factors such as purchase type (e.g., dividend reinvestment, one-time ACH, check, etc.), request date, or request delivery method (e.g., online, regular mail, etc.). The plan administrator will submit bulk purchase orders to its broker or dealer as and when required under the terms of the plan. The plan administrator’s broker or dealer may execute each bulk purchase order in one or more transactions over one or more days, depending on market conditions. Each participant whose purchase request is included in each bulk purchase order will receive the weighted average market price of all shares purchased by the plan administrator’s broker or dealer for such order.

 

8

 

 

Except for any limitations imposed by federal or state securities laws, the independent broker or dealer will have full discretion as to all matters relating to open market purchases for the plan. The broker or dealer will determine the number of shares, if any, to be purchased on any given day, the time of day, the price to be paid for the shares, the markets in which shares are to be purchased (which may include any securities exchange or over-the-counter market) and the persons (including brokers or dealers) from or through whom purchases are made.

 

·Original Issue Shares Acquired directly from First Keystone. The price of shares purchased directly from First Keystone is the average of the daily averages of the high and low sales prices for the common stock as it is reported on the OTC Markets for the four weeks prior to a dividend payment date.

 

·Combination of Different Methods. If shares are both purchased from the open market or in negotiated transactions and issued directly from First Keystone, the price paid for the issued shares will be the same price as the price for shares purchased in the open market or in negotiated transactions, as calculated based on the weighted average paid of the relevant batch of shares so purchased.

 

12.How many shares will be purchased for me?

 

The number of shares to be purchased for you depends on the amount of your reinvested cash dividends and the applicable purchase price, as determined in the manner described in Question No. 11. Your account will be credited with that number of shares, including fractions computed to six (6) decimal places, which will equal your total dollar amount to be invested, divided by the applicable purchase price.

 

Your dollar amount to be invested as of any dividend payment date will be the sum of the cash dividends on all shares held in your name and enrolled in the plan as of the dividend record date.

 

The amount to be invested for any participant will be reduced by the amount of any required tax withholding, including any “backup withholding” and any withholding required on dividends received by foreign participants, as applicable.

 

13.Who bears the risk of market price fluctuations in First Keystone’s common stock?

 

In this regard, as a participant in the plan, your investment is no different from that of nonparticipating shareholders. A plan participant bears the risk of loss and has the opportunity for gain from market price changes for shares held in the plan and certificate shares held in the participant’s own name.

 

9

 

 

Expenses

 

14.What fees and charges will I have to pay in connection with purchases or other services under the plan?

 

Each one-time online debit to purchase shares will entail a transaction fee of $5.00, which will be deducted from the investment amount. (See Question 17)

 

Each automatic monthly recurring debit will entail a transaction fee of $2.50, which will be deducted from the investment amount. (See Question 17)

 

Each sale will entail a transaction fee of $25.00 and a processing fee of $0.12 per share sold, which will be deducted from the sale proceeds. (See Question 27)

 

All sales requests processed over the telephone by a customer service representative entail an additional fee of $15.00. (See Question 27)

 

An insufficient funds fee of $35.00 will be charged for any returned check or failed electronic payment. (See Question 17)

 

All processing fees include any brokerage commissions the plan administrator is required to pay. Any fractional share will be rounded up to a whole share for purposes of calculating the per share fee.

 

First Keystone will bear the cost of all other fees on purchases under the plan.

 

Voluntary Cash Purchases

 

15.Who is eligible to make voluntary cash purchases?

 

All shareholders who elect to have cash dividends reinvested under the plan also may elect to make voluntary cash purchases of First Keystone common stock within the limits prescribed by the plan.

 

16.What are the timing requirements and other limitations on voluntary cash purchases?

 

The plan administrator must receive payment for voluntary cash purchases not more than 35 or less than 2 business days prior to the dividend payment date. The plan administrator will return voluntary cash payments received too early or too late to the participant. Voluntary cash purchases may not be less than $100 per calendar quarter or total more than $2,500 in any calendar quarter. First Keystone reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether voluntary cash purchases are made on behalf of an eligible participant.

 

17.How does the voluntary cash purchase option work?

 

Optional cash payments may be made by sending a personal check, drawn from a U.S. Bank in U.S. Currency payable to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The plan administrator will not accept cash, traveler’s checks, money orders or third-party checks.

 

10

 

 

The plan administrator will apply any voluntary cash payments received within the permissible time period to the purchase of shares of common stock on the next Investment Date. The price is determined in accordance with provisions of the plan. Voluntary cash payments made by check or other draft must clear prior to the Investment Date. The plan administrator will promptly send an acknowledgment to participants confirming that the plan administrator has received the funds in time for investment on a particular Investment Date. A participant may obtain the return of any voluntary cash payment, if the plan administrator receives the request for return two (2) business days prior to the dividend payment date. We do not pay interest on voluntary cash payments.

 

In addition to making optional cash payments by check, you may now make automatic monthly investments to purchase additional shares.

 

If you wish to begin making automatic monthly recurring investments, you may visit www.computershare.com/investor to authorize automatic monthly cash payment from your bank account. The plan administrator will process your enrollment as promptly as practicable. However, you should allow four to six weeks for the first cash payment to be initiated using this automatic deduction feature. Each automatic monthly recurring debit will entail a transaction fee of $2.50 which will be deducted from the cash payment amount.

 

Once you begin making automatic monthly cash payments, the plan administrator will draw funds from your designated account quarterly on the 25th of March, June, September and December or the next business day if the 25th is not a business day, and will purchase shares beginning on the next Investment Date. You may change the amount of your automatic monthly cash payments online at www.computershare.com/investor. You may discontinue automatic monthly cash payments online at www.computershare.com/investor or by notifying the plan administrator in writing.

 

You may also make a one-time online cash payment from your bank account to purchase shares through www.computershare.com/investor. Each one-time online debit to purchase shares will entail a transaction fee of $5.00 which will be deducted from the cash payment amount.

 

If any check, draft or electronic funds transfer you may tender or order as payment to the plan administrator for optional cash purchases of our common stock is dishonored, refused or returned, you agree that the purchased shares when credited to your account may be sold, on the plan administrator’s order without your consent or approval, to satisfy the amount owing on the purchase. The “amount owing” will include the purchase price paid, any purchase and sale transaction fees, any brokerage commissions and the plan administrator’s returned check or failed electronic payment fee of $35.00. If the sale proceeds of purchased shares are insufficient to satisfy the amount owing, you authorize the plan administrator to sell additional shares then credited to your account as necessary to cover the amount owing, without further consent or authorization from you. The plan administrator may sell shares to cover an amount owing as a result of your order in any manner consistent with applicable securities laws. Any sale for that purpose in a national securities market would be commercially reasonable. You grant the plan administrator a security interest in all shares credited to your account including securities subsequently acquired and held or tendered for deposit, for purposes of securing any amount owing as described in this paragraph.

 

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Reports to Participants

 

18.What reports are sent to plan participants?

 

The plan administrator will send you a quarterly statement showing the number of shares purchased, the purchase price, the date on which the shares were purchased and the number of shares held in your account. The statement will also include specific cost basis information in accordance with applicable law. You should keep these statements for income tax purposes. In addition, you will receive the same communications sent to every common stock shareholder, including First Keystone’s quarterly reports, annual reports, notice of shareholder meetings and proxy statements, and income tax information for reporting dividends paid.

 

Stock Certificates

 

19.Are certificates issued to participants for shares of common stock purchased through the plan?

 

No. Shares of common stock purchased through the plan are registered in the name of the plan administrator (or its nominee), as agent for the plan participants. This is known as the custodian, or “book entry” method of holding shares. It is a safekeeping feature that protects against loss, theft, or destruction of stock certificates.

 

The number of shares of common stock credited to your plan account is shown on your quarterly account statement. You will not receive a certificate for these shares unless you specifically request a certificate.

 

You may obtain a certificate for any number of whole shares of common stock held in your plan account by making an Internet, telephonic or written request to the plan administrator. The plan administrator will send your certificate normally within 2 weeks after receiving your request. Any remaining whole shares and fractional shares will continue to be held in your account.

 

A certificate for fractional shares will not be issued under any circumstances. A check shall be issued for the value of any fractional share less any applicable fees.

 

20.May a participant pledge shares held by the plan?

 

Shares of common stock may not be pledged while held in your plan account. In order to pledge shares held in your plan account, you must first withdraw them from the plan by requesting that a certificate or transaction advice for whole shares be issued in your name.

 

We will maintain your account under the plan in the name in which your certificates were registered at the time you entered the plan. Consequently, certificates or transaction advices for whole shares also will be issued in that name when they are issued to you.

 

21.What is the effect on my plan account if I request a certificate for shares held in the account?

 

Unless you instruct us otherwise, both your certificated and uncertificated shares will be enrolled in the plan so long as you meet the minimum 25 share enrollment requirement.

 

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Safekeeping Service

 

22.May common stock I hold in certificate form be deposited in the plan account?

 

Yes. You may take advantage of the plan’s safekeeping services. Common stock certificates registered in your name may be delivered to the plan administrator for deposit to your plan account and will be automatically enrolled in the plan. This procedure allows you to avoid the necessity of safekeeping certificates. The plan administrator will cancel certificates delivered for safekeeping and will issue new certificates or transaction advices in the name of the plan administrator. Upon withdrawal or a request for a certificate, the plan administrator will cancel the plan administrator’s certificate and issue a new certificate or transaction advice in the name of the participant. You should contact the plan administrator for the proper procedure to deposit certificates or transaction advices.

 

Certificated and uncertificated shares of common stock will be accepted for deposit to your account as long as you are currently a participant in the plan. All cash dividends received on any shares deposited automatically will be reinvested.

 

A participant desiring to deposit certificates into the plan should mail them by certified or registered mail to the plan administrator with written instruction requesting that they be deposited in your plan account. Do not endorse the certificates or complete the assignment section on the back of the certificates. Shareholders should insure the certificates for at least 3% of the current market value when mailing the certificates. This is the amount that is usually charged for surety protection, should the certificates become lost in the mail.

 

23.May I deposit my shares for safekeeping and continue to receive my dividends in cash?

 

No. Any shares deposited for safekeeping are automatically enrolled in the plan.

 

Termination of Participation in the Plan

 

24.May I withdraw from the plan?

 

Yes. The plan is entirely voluntary and you may terminate your plan account at any time by providing Internet, telephonic or written notice instructing the plan administrator to terminate the account.

 

25.What happens when I terminate my plan account?

 

If the plan administrator receives your notice of termination before the record date for the next cash dividend, reinvestment of cash dividends will cease as of the date your notice of termination is received. If notice of withdrawal is received near a cash dividend record date, the plan administrator, in its sole discretion, may either distribute such dividends in cash or reinvest them in shares on the participant’s behalf. In the event reinvestment is made, the plan administrator will process the termination as soon as practicable, but in no event later than five (5) business days after the investment is complete.

 

As soon as practicable after receiving your notice of termination, the plan administrator will send you a certificate or transaction advice for all whole shares of common stock in your account, and a check for the value of any fractional share, less any applicable fees.

 

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26.May I later re-elect to participate in the plan?

 

Generally, a shareholder who withdraws from the plan may re-elect to participate at any time. However, First Keystone and the plan administrator reserve the right to reject any enrollment form on any grounds, including but not limited to excessive joining and withdrawing. This reservation is intended to minimize unnecessary administrative expense and to encourage use of the plan as a long-term shareholder investment service.

 

Sales of Shares

 

27.May I request that shares held in my plan account be sold?

 

You may sell some or all of your shares held in your plan account, even if you are not withdrawing from this plan. You may sell your shares either through your broker or through the plan administrator. If you elect to sell through a broker that you have selected, you must first request the plan administrator to move your shares to the Direct Registration System (“DRS”) and then have your broker request the plan administrator to electronically transfer the number of whole shares you want to sell through the DRS Profile System. Alternatively, you may request the plan administrator to send you a certificate representing the number of shares you want to sell. Issuance of a stock certificate may be subject to a transaction fee. The plan administrator will generally move your shares to DRS or issue certificates for your shares approximately three (3) business days after your request is received.

 

Alternatively, you may send the plan administrator a request to sell some or all of the shares held in your plan account. You have the following choices when making a sale:

 

·Market Order: A market order is a request to sell shares promptly at the then current market price. You may request a market order sale only online at www.computershare.com/investor or by calling the plan administrator directly at 1-800-368-5948. Market order sale requests made in writing will be submitted as batch order sales and processed as described below. Market order sale requests received online or by telephone will be placed promptly upon receipt during normal market hours (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Any orders received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time will be placed promptly on the next trading day. The price will be the market price for shares obtained by the plan administrator’s broker or dealer, less a service fee of $25.00 and a processing fee of $0.12 per share sold. The plan administrator will use commercially reasonable efforts to honor requests by participants to cancel market orders placed outside of market hours. Depending on the number of shares being sold and current trading volume in the shares, a market order may only be partially filled or not filled at all on the trading day in which it is placed, in which case the order, or remainder of the order, as applicable, will be cancelled at the end of such day. To determine if your shares were sold, you should check your account online at www.computershare.com/investor or call the plan administrator directly at 1-800-368-5948. If your market order sale was not filled and you still want the shares to be sold, you will need to re-enter the sale request.

 

·Batch Order: A batch order is an accumulation of all sale requests by any security holder for a security submitted together as a collective request. Batch orders are submitted on each trading day, to the extent that there are sale requests. Sale instructions for batch orders received by the plan administrator will be processed no later than five (5) business days after the date on which the order is received (except where deferral is required under applicable federal or state laws or regulations), assuming the applicable market is open for trading and sufficient market liquidity exists. All sales requests received in writing will be submitted as batch order sales. The plan administrator will cause your shares to be sold in the open market within five (5) business days of its receipt of your request. To maximize cost savings for batch order sale requests, the plan administrator will seek to sell shares in round lot transactions (ie, 100 shares). For this purpose the plan administrator may combine each selling plan participant’s shares with those of other selling plan participants. In every case of a batch order sale, the price to each selling plan participant will be the weighted average sale price obtained by the plan administrator’s broker or dealer for each aggregate order placed by the plan administrator and executed by the broker or dealer, less a service fee of $25.00 and a processing fee of $0.12 per share sold.

 

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·Day Limit Order: A day limit order is an order to sell shares of common stock when and if they reach a specific trading price on a specific trading day. The order is automatically cancelled if the price is not met by the end of that trading day (or, for orders placed during aftermarket hours, the next trading day the market is open). Depending on the number of shares of common stock being sold and the current trading volume in the shares, such an order may only be partially filled, in which case the remainder of the order will be cancelled. The order may be cancelled by the applicable broker or dealer, by the plan administrator at its sole discretion or, if the plan administrator’s broker or dealer has not filled the order, at your request made online at www.computershare.com/investor or by calling the plan administrator directly at 1-800-368-5948. There is a service fee of $25.00 and a processing fee of $0.12 per share sold for each Day Limit Order sale.

 

·Good-Til-Cancelled (“GTC”) Limit Order: A GTC limit order is an order to sell shares of common stock when and if the shares reach a specific trading price at any time while the order remains open (generally up to 30 days). Depending on the number of shares being sold and current trading volume in the shares, sales may be executed in multiple transactions and over more than one trading day. If shares are traded for more than one day during which the market is open, a separate service fee will be charged for each such day. The order (or any unexecuted portion thereof) is automatically cancelled if the trading price is not met by the end of the order period. The order may be cancelled by the applicable broker or dealer, by the plan administrator at its sole discretion or, if the plan administrator’s broker or dealer has not filled the order, at your request made online at www.computershare.com/investor or by calling the plan administrator directly at 1-800-368-5948. There is a service fee of $25.00 and a processing fee of $0.12 per share sold for each GTC Limit Order sale.

 

All sales requests processed over the telephone by a customer service representative entail an additional fee of $15.00. All processing fees include any brokerage commissions the plan administrator is required to pay. Fees are deducted from the proceeds derived from the sale. Any fractional share will be rounded up to a whole share for purposes of calculating the per share fee. The plan administrator may, under certain circumstances, require a transaction request to be submitted in writing. Please contact the plan administrator to determine if there are any limitations applicable to your particular sale request. Proceeds are normally paid by check, which are distributed within 24 hours after your sale transaction has settled.

 

The plan administrator reserves the right to decline to process a sale if it determines, in its sole discretion, that supporting legal documentation is required. Instructions sent to the plan administrator to sell shares for a market order sale or a batch order sale are binding and may not be rescinded. In addition, no one will have any authority or power to direct the time or price at which shares for the plan are sold (except for prices specified for day limit orders or GTC limit orders), and no one, other than the plan administrator, will select the broker(s) or dealer(s) through or from whom sales are to be made.

 

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If you elect to sell shares online at www.computershare.com/investor, you may utilize the plan administrator’s international currency exchange service to convert your sale proceeds to your local currency prior to being sent to you. Receiving your sales proceeds in a local currency and having your check drawn on a local bank avoids the time consuming and costly “collection” process required for cashing U.S. dollar checks. This service is subject to additional terms and conditions and fees, which you must agree to online.

 

Cash Dividend Payment Date

 

28.When are cash dividends paid?

 

Historically, cash dividends declared on First Keystone’s common stock have been paid quarterly. First Keystone’s Board of Directors reserves the right to change the cash dividend record and payment dates, if and when cash dividends are declared and is not obligated to declare or pay cash dividends.

 

Other Stock Transactions

 

29.What happens if First Keystone issues a stock dividend or declares a stock split?

 

Any dividends in common stock or stock split shares distributed by First Keystone on shares enrolled in the plan (both certificated and uncertificated) will be credited to the participant’s account in book entry form.

 

30.What happens if First Keystone has a rights offering?

 

In the event that First Keystone makes available to its shareholders the right to purchase additional shares, the participant will receive rights based upon the total number of whole shares owned, that is, the total number of shares registered in the participant’s name and the total number of whole shares held in the participant’s plan account.

 

Voting of Shares

 

31.How are a plan participant’s shares voted at shareholder meetings?

 

You can vote whole shares of common stock held in your plan account in the same manner as certificate shares held in your own name. For each shareholder meeting, we will send you a proxy statement and a form of proxy that covers both certificated and uncertificated shares including all shares held in your plan account as of the record date for the meeting. If you wish, you may vote all of these shares in person or by proxy at the meeting. Fractional shares may not be voted.

 

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Responsibility of First Keystone and the Plan Administrator

 

32.What is the responsibility of First Keystone and the plan administrator under the plan?

 

In administering the plan, First Keystone and the plan administrator are not liable for any act done in good faith or for any good faith omission to act. This includes any claim of liability due to failure to terminate an account upon the death of a participant until the plan administrator receives written notice of the death, the prices, times and manner in which shares are purchased for a participant, or any fluctuation in market value before or after any purchase or sale of shares.

 

The plan administrator will send all notices to the participant’s last known address. You should notify the plan administrator promptly in writing of any change of address.

 

The plan administrator may resign as plan administrator of the plan at any time, in which case First Keystone will appoint a successor plan administrator. In addition, First Keystone may replace the plan administrator with a successor at any time.

 

Modification, Termination and Interpretation of Plan

 

33.May the plan be amended, suspended or terminated?

 

Yes. First Keystone’s Board of Directors, in its discretion, may modify, suspend, or terminate the plan at any time. First Keystone will notify participants of any modification, suspension or termination in a timely manner by mailing a notice of intention to terminate, amend or suspend to the participant at the participant’s address as it appears on the plan administrator’s records. First Keystone may terminate, for whatever reason and at any time, as it may determine in its sole discretion, a participant’s plan participation.

 

34.What happens if the plan is terminated?

 

If the plan is terminated, the plan administrator will continue to hold your whole shares in book entry form and mail you a check for any fractional share less any applicable fees unless you request a stock certificate or transaction advice to be issued or have your shares sold. If you request a certificate or transaction advice, the plan administrator will send to you a certificate or transaction advice for all whole shares of common stock held in your account, and a check for the value of any fractional share in your account, less any applicable fees.

 

35.Who interprets and regulates the plan?

 

First Keystone and the plan administrator are authorized to interpret the plan, adopt regulations and take any other action reasonably designed to implement the plan. Any action taken by First Keystone or the plan administrator in the good faith exercise of its judgment will be binding on participants.

 

Federal Income Tax Information

 

This section discusses the federal income tax information connected with the plan, based on current federal income tax laws applicable to United States citizens or residents. If federal tax laws change in the future, the following may change and no longer apply. State, local, foreign and other tax provisions vary and are not covered in this summary. In any event, you should consult your tax advisor about your particular transactions, especially if you may be covered by other tax rules.

 

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36.What are the federal income tax consequences of participation in the plan?

 

For federal income tax purposes, a participant is treated as receiving, on the cash dividend payment date, the full amount of cash dividends allocable to the participant, regardless of whether the dividends are paid in cash, withheld for payment of taxes, or invested in additional shares of common stock under the plan. For income tax purposes, participants will be treated as having received on the dividend payment date a cash dividend in an amount equal to the fair market value on the payment date of the shares acquired with reinvested funds. The fair market value for tax purposes may differ from the fair market value as defined in the plan. The per share tax basis of shares acquired for a participant is generally the price per share reported on the periodic statement of account supplied to each participant as reported to the Internal Revenue Service. In connection with market purchases, the participant also is deemed to have received taxable income in the amount of processing fees (which include any applicable brokerage commissions the plan administrator is required to pay) paid in purchasing shares on the participant’s behalf. The amounts paid for processing fees are included in the cost basis of shares purchased. The information return sent to participants and the IRS at year-end, if so required, will show such amounts paid on their behalf.

 

A participant who makes a voluntary cash payment for the purchase of stock under the plan will be treated as having received a distribution, if and to the extent that the fair market value of the stock, as determined for tax purposes, received on the date of purchase exceeds the amount of the voluntary cash payment made by the participant. The participant is deemed to have received taxable income in the amount of processing fees paid in purchasing shares on the participant’s behalf. The tax basis of shares purchased under these circumstances will be equal to the purchase price, which may be adjusted to include processing fees.

 

While the matter is not free from doubt, First Keystone intends to take the position that the administrative expenses of the plan, to be paid by First Keystone, are not constructive dividends to the plan participants. Each plan participant will receive from the plan administrator a Form 1099-DIV (mailed on or before January 31 of the following year), which will show the total dividend income to the plan participant.

 

The holding period for shares acquired under the plan begins on the day after the date the shares are acquired for a participant’s account. When a participant is subject to federal income tax withholding on cash dividends, and when foreign participants’ taxable income under the plan is subject to federal income tax withholding, cash dividends are reinvested less the tax withheld under the applicable law.

 

Generally, participants do not realize taxable income upon receipt of certificates or transaction advices for whole shares credited to their account, either upon the participant’s request for certain of those shares or upon withdrawal from or termination of the plan. In addition, a participant may recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of cash in payment for a fractional share upon withdrawal of shares from the plan. The gain or loss is the difference between the amount the participant receives for the plan shares or fractional share, as the case may be, and the participant’s tax basis.

 

A participant who sells or exchanges shares acquired under the plan may recognize gain or loss. The amount of gain or loss will be the difference between the amount the participant receives for the shares and the participant’s tax basis for the shares.

 

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Dividends reinvested under the plan by corporate shareholders may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

 

This summary is based upon an interpretation of current federal income tax laws, and assumes that cash dividends paid by First Keystone are from its earnings and profits.

 

The above rules may not apply to certain participants in the plan, such as tax-exempt entities (e.g., IRA’s) and foreign shareholders. Participants should consult their own tax advisors to determine particular tax consequences, including state tax consequences, which may result from participation in the plan, and any subsequent disposal of shares acquired pursuant to the plan.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

First Keystone is unable to predict the number of shares of common stock that will be purchased from it under the plan or the prices at which such shares will be purchased. To the extent that shares are purchased from First Keystone, and not in the open market, First Keystone intends to add proceeds it receives from the sales to its general funds to be used for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, investments in and advances to First Keystone Community Bank, a banking subsidiary of First Keystone. The amounts and timing of the application of proceeds will depend upon the funding requirements of First Keystone and its subsidiary and the availability of other funds.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

Documents incorporated by reference in the future will include financial statements, related schedules and independent auditors’ reports. The financial statements and schedules will have been audited to the extent and for the periods set forth in the reports by the independent auditors. To the extent the auditors consent, the audited financial statements and schedules will be incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports given upon the authority of the independent auditors as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Bybel Rutledge LLP, Lemoyne, Pennsylvania has passed upon the legality of the common stock offered by this prospectus. Based on this opinion, the shares of common stock, when issued by First Keystone in accordance with the terms of the plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

The SEC also maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, such as First Keystone, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s web site is: http://www.sec.gov.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus other information that we file with it. This means we disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Specifically, we incorporate the following documents by reference into this prospectus:

 

·First Keystone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018;

 

·First Keystone’s Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2018, and June 30, 2018, filed with the SEC on August 8, 2018; and

 

·First Keystone’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC since December 31, 2017; and

 

·The description of First Keystone’s common stock contained in First Keystone’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-145658) and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We also incorporate by reference in this prospectus additional documents filed by us with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus, and prior to termination of the plan. Additional documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus are deemed a part of this prospectus from the date of filing the documents.

 

The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus; however, to the extent that inconsistencies exist between information presented in this prospectus and information contained in incorporated documents filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus, the information in this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes the earlier information. Additionally, information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus automatically will update and supersede the information in this prospectus and any earlier filed or incorporated information.

 

Documents incorporated by reference are available without charge to each shareholder, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon the person’s written or oral request. In addition, you may obtain all documentation relating to the plan that is required to be delivered to participants pursuant to the rules adopted under the Securities Act of 1933. You should address written requests for copies to:

 

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First Keystone Corporation

Attention: Corporate Communications

111 West Front Street

P.O. Box 289

Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603

 

You should direct telephone requests to First Keystone Corporation at (570) 752-3671.

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

Our directors and officers are entitled to indemnification as expressly permitted by the provisions of Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, and our articles of incorporation and bylaws. We also have directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, which provides, in general, insurance for our directors and officers against any loss by reason of any of their wrongful acts, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the company pursuant to the provisions described above, the company has been informed 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.

 

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PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

Registration Fee  $1,970.59 
Blue Sky Fees  $0.00 
Accounting Fees  $20,000.00 
Legal Fees and Expenses*  $10,000.00 
Printing Fees and Postage*  $2,500.00 
Total  $34,470.59 

 

*Estimated

 

Item 15.Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

The Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, referred to as the PBCL, provides that Pennsylvania corporations shall have the power, under specified circumstances, to indemnify any person who is or was a representative of the corporation in connection with actions, suits or proceedings brought against them by third parties and in connection with actions or suits by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that they were or are such representatives, against expenses (including attorney’s fees) and, in the case of actions, suits or proceedings brought by third parties, against judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred in any such action, suit or proceedings. Further, the PBCL provides that Pennsylvania corporations must indemnify a representative of the corporation who is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any such actions or proceedings against expenses reasonably incurred.

 

The Bylaws of First Keystone Corporation provide indemnification or reimbursement for reasonable expenses actually incurred by directors or officers. However, indemnification or reimbursement shall be provided only when a director or officer acted in good faith and reasonably believed such actions were in the best interests of First Keystone Corporation.

 

Directors and officers are also insured against certain liabilities for their actions, as such, by an insurance policy obtained by the corporation.

 

Item 16.Exhibits.

 

Exhibit 5.1 Opinion of Bybel Rutledge LLP, Special Counsel to First Keystone Corporation.
   
Exhibit 23.1 Consent of BDO USA, LLP.
   
Exhibit 23.2 Consent of Bybel Rutledge LLP, included as part of Exhibit 5.1.
   
Exhibit 24.1 Power of Attorney. (Included on the signature page.)
   
Exhibit 99.1 First Keystone Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. (Included in Prospectus.)

 

 

 

 

Item 17.Undertakings.

 

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:

 

(a)To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

(b)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

(c)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to the information in the registration statement.

 

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

 

(2)          That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those 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.

 

(4)          That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

 

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

 

 

 

(i)Any preliminary prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§230.424 of this chapter);

 

(ii)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(4)          That, for the 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 Section 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 those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Borough of Berwick, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on August 31, 2018.

 

  First Keystone Corporation
   
  By: /s/ Elaine A. Woodland
    Elaine A. Woodland
    Interim President and Chief Executive
    Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Elaine A. Woodland and Diane C.A. Rosler, and each of them his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, as agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacity, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration Statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as they might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

    Title   Date
         
/s/ Elaine A. Woodland   Interim President and Chief   August 31, 2018
Elaine A. Woodland   Executive Officer (Principal    
    Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Diane C.A. Rosler   Senior Vice President and   August 31, 2018
Diane C.A. Rosler   Chief Financial Officer    
    (Principal Financial and    
    Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ John E. Arndt   Vice Chairman of the Board   August 31, 2018
John E. Arndt        
         
         
/s/ Don E. Bower   Director   August 31, 2018
Don E. Bower        

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert A. Bull   Chairman of the Board   August 31, 2018
Robert A. Bull        
         
/s/ Robert E. Bull   Director   August 31, 2018
Robert E. Bull        
         
/s/ Joseph B. Conahan, Jr.   Director   August 31, 2018
Joseph B. Conahan, Jr.        
         
/s/ Michael L. Jezewski   Director   August 31, 2018
Michael L. Jezewski        
         
/s/ Nancy J. Marr   Director   August 31, 2018
Nancy J. Marr        
         
/s/ William E. Rinehart   Director   August 31, 2018
William E. Rinehart        
         
/s/ David R. Saracino   Director & Secretary   August 31, 2018
David R. Saracino        

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit 5.1 Opinion of Bybel Rutledge LLP, Special Counsel to First Keystone Corporation
   
Exhibit 23.1 Consent of BDO USA, LLP.
   
Exhibit 23.2 Consent of Bybel Rutledge LLP, included as part of Exhibit 5.1.
   
Exhibit 24.1 Power of Attorney. (Included on the signature page.)
   
Exhibit 99.1 First Keystone Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. (Included in Prospectus.)