DEF 14A 1 hbi2005proxystatementfinal.htm HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES, INC. PROXY STATEMENT

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549



 SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )


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Check the appropriate box:


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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

[ X ]

Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

[     ]

Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

 


HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES, INC.


(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):


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No fee required.

 

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.


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(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided in Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

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HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES, INC.

340 West Main Street

Abingdon, Virginia  24210





NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To be held on May 11, 2005




NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Highlands Bankshares, Inc. (the “Corporation”) will be held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center ballroom on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, Virginia on May 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m., for the following purposes:


(1)

To elect nine Directors for a term of one year or until their respective successors are elected and qualify; and


(2)

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Management is not aware of any other business, other than procedural matters incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting.


The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 9, 2005 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.


BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


/s/ Robert M. Little, Jr.


Robert M. Little, Jr.

Secretary


Abingdon, Virginia

April 1, 2005





YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THIS MEETING.  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR  SHARES BE REPRESENTED REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER YOU OWN.  EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO BE PRESENT, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.  IF YOU ATTEND THIS MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE EITHER IN PERSON OR BY YOUR PROXY.  ANY PROXY GIVEN MAY BE REVOKED BY YOU IN WRITING OR IN PERSON AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXERCISE THEREOF.








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HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES, INC.


________________


PROXY STATEMENT

___________________


ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

May 11, 2005


GENERAL INFORMATION


This Proxy Statement is furnished to holders of common stock, $1.25 par value per share (“Common Stock”), of Highlands Bankshares, Inc. (the “Corporation”), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Corporation to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center ballroom on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, Virginia and any adjournment thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).


The principal executive offices of the Corporation are located at 340 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia.  The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy card and the Annual Report to Shareholders (which is not part of the Corporation’s soliciting materials) are being mailed to the Corporation’s shareholders is April 1, 2005.


Voting and Revocability of Proxy


The proxy solicited hereby, if properly signed and returned to the Corporation and not revoked prior to its use, will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained thereon.  If no contrary instructions are given, each proxy received will be voted “for” the proposals described herein.  Any shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by (i) filing written notice thereof with the Secretary of the Corporation (Robert M. Little, Jr., Secretary, Highlands Bankshares, Inc., 340 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia  24210), (ii)  submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date; or (iii) appearing at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof and giving the Secretary notice of his or her intention to vote in person.  Proxies solicited hereby may be exercised only at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof and will not be used for any other meeting.


Persons Making the Solicitations


The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Corporation. In addition to solicitation by mail, officers and regular employees of the Corporation may solicit proxies in person or by telephone.


Voting Securities


Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2005 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  On the Record Date, there were 2,662,049 shares of Common Stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and 1,291 record holders.  Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting.  The Corporation had no other class of voting securities outstanding at the Record Date.


In the election of Directors, those nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected even if they do not receive a majority.  Votes withheld and broker non-votes will not be considered a vote for, or a vote against, a Director.




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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


The Nominees


Nine Directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next Annual Meeting, and until the election and qualification of their respective successors.


The following table sets forth the names, ages and business experience of nominees for election to the Board of Directors as well as the year that each was first elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation or previously to the Board of Directors of Highlands Union Bank (the “Bank”), the predecessor to and now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation. Unless otherwise indicated, the business experience shown for each nominee has extended five or more years.


NAME AND AGE

AND YEAR BECAME

DIRECTOR


PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

 

NAME AND AGE

AND YEAR BECAME

DIRECTOR


PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

     

William E. Chaffin

Age 55

Director since 1991

Technologist

 

E. Craig Kendrick

Age 53

Director since 2000

Attorney in private practice

     

Clydes B. Kiser

Age 67

Director since 1988

President of Kiser Furniture, a furniture retailer

 

J. Carter Lambert

Age 79

Director since 1983

Private Investor

     

James D. Moore, Jr.

Age 59

Director since 1983

Physician

 

James D. Morefield

Age 55

Director since 1983

Attorney in private practice

     

Charles P. Olinger

Age 55

Director since 1988

Certified Public Accountant in private practice

 

William J. Singleton

Age 79

Director since 1991

Private Investor

     

H. Ramsey White Jr.

Age 59

Director since 1983

Dentist in private

practice

   



James D. Morefield is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and James D. Moore, Jr. is President of the Corporation.  Both individuals are considered “officers” of the Corporation pursuant to the Corporation’s Bylaws, but not “executive officers”.  Neither individual participates in the management of the daily operations of the Corporation and the Bank.


Unless authority is withheld in the proxy, each proxy executed and returned by a shareholder will be voted for the election of the nominees listed above.  Proxies distributed in conjunction herewith may not be voted for persons other than the nominees listed above.  If any person named as nominee should be unable or unwilling to stand for election at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will nominate and vote for a replacement nominee or nominees recommended by the Board of Directors.  All of the nominees listed above have consented to be nominated and to serve if elected and, at this time, the Board of Directors knows no reason why any of the nominees listed above may not be able to serve as a Director if elected. The proxy also confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein, or their substitutes, with respect to any other matter that may promptly come before the meeting.


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE NOMINEES BE ELECTED AS DIRECTORS.




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Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors


Samuel L. Neese (Age 54) was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in 1995 and Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank in 1991.  He was first appointed as a bank officer to the position of Vice President and Senior Loan Officer in 1988.  Prior to 1988, he was associated with a Washington County bank for 15 years.


James T. Riffe (Age 51) was appointed Executive Vice President and Cashier of the Corporation in 1995 and Executive Vice President and Cashier of the Bank in 1991.  His first officer position with the Bank was as Vice President and Cashier, to which he was appointed in 1986.  He has been associated with various banks since 1975, including serving as vice president of a bank in Botetourt County, Virginia from 1981 to 1986.



SECURITY OWNERSHIP


Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners


The following table sets forth information as of March 9, 2005 regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock by (i) beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (both of whom are Directors of the Corporation), (ii) all Directors and nominees, (iii) the executive officers named in the “Summary Compensation Table” below, and (iv) all Directors and executive officers as a group. For the purposes of this table, beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), under which, in general, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if he has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of the security or the power to dispose or direct the disposition of the security, or if he has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of the security within 60 days.


 

Common Stock

 

Name

Beneficially Owned

Percent of Class

   

Directors

  

   William E. Chaffin (1)

  34,083

  1.28%

   E. Craig. Kendrick (2)

  42,994

  1.62%

   Clydes B. Kiser (3)

  30,620

  1.15%

   J. Carter Lambert (4)

  51,590

  1.94%

   James D. Moore, Jr. (5)

257,144

  9.66%

      P.O. Box 1192

  

      Abingdon, VA  24212

  

   James D. Morefield (6)

143,860

  5.40%

      211 High Street

  

      Abingdon, VA  24210

  

   Charles P. Olinger (7)

  15,017

*

   William J. Singleton (8)

  20,216

*

   H. Ramsey White, Jr. (9)

  44,503

  1.67%

   

Named Executive Officers

  

    Samuel L. Neese (10)

  30,473

  1.14%

    James T. Riffe (11)

    5,209

*

   

Executive officers and Directors as a

  

   group (11 persons)

675,709

25.38%


*Indicated holdings amount to less than 1% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.




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(1)

Amount includes indirect ownership of 1,800 shares held solely in Mr. Chaffin’s spouse’s name and options to acquire 5,000 shares.


(2)

Amount includes indirect ownership of 35,096 shares held in Mr. Kendrick’s children’s names and options to acquire 5,000 shares.


(3)

Amount includes indirect ownership of 7,580 shares held solely in Mr. Kiser’s spouse’s name and options to acquire 9,800 shares.


(4)

Amount includes indirect ownership of 24,498 shares held solely in Mr. Lambert’s spouse’s name and options to acquire 4,000 shares.


(5)

Amount includes ownership of 139,454 shares held by the Glover and Moore Profit Sharing Plan of which Dr. Moore is trustee, indirect ownership of 15,332 shares held solely in Dr. Moore’s spouse’s name and options to acquire 3,000 shares.


(6)

Amount includes indirect ownership of 16,044 shares held by Mr. Morefield’s spouse in a custodial relationship, indirect ownership of 23,896 shares held solely in Mr. Morefield’s spouse’s name, ownership of 14,440 shares held by Mr. Morefield’s daughter for whom Mr. Morefield has power of attorney, ownership of 26,778 shares held by Mr. Morefield in a self-directed IRA and options to acquire 6,000 shares.


(7)

Amount includes indirect ownership of 8,517 shares held solely in Mr. Olinger’s spouse’s name and options to acquire 5,000 shares.


(8)

Amount includes indirect ownership of 6,608 shares held solely in Mr. Singleton’s spouse’s name and options to acquire 7,000 shares.


(9)

Amount includes indirect ownership of 615 shares held by Dr. White in a custodial relationship, indirect ownership of 5,540 shares held by Dr. White’s spouse in a self-directed IRA and options to acquire 5,000 shares.


(10)

Amount includes options to acquire 12,000 shares.


(11)

Amount includes options to acquire 4,000 shares.



Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance


Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Corporation’s Directors and executive officers, and any persons who own more than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports of ownership and changes in ownership of Common Stock.  Directors and executive officers are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Corporation with copies of all Section 16(a) reports that they file.  Based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Corporation or written representation that no other reports were required, the Corporation believes that, during fiscal year 2003, all filing requirements applicable to its officers and Directors were complied with.





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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS



The Board of Directors and its Committees


Meetings of the Board of Directors are held regularly each month, and there is also an organizational meeting following the conclusion of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  The Board of Directors held 12 meetings in the year ended December 31, 2004. No Director attended fewer than 75 percent of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he served.


The Board of Directors has determined that the following eight individuals of its nine members are independent as defined by the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market: E. Craig Kendrick, Clydes B. Kiser, J. Carter Lambert, James D. Moore, Jr., James D. Morefield, Charles P. Olinger, William J. Singleton and H. Ramsey White, Jr. In reaching this conclusion, the Board considered that the Corporation and its subsidiary bank conduct business with companies of which certain members of the Board or members of their immediate families are or were directors or officers.


The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Nominating Committee and a Compensation Committee.


Audit Committee


The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Kendrick, Lambert, Olinger and White.  The Audit Committee is responsible for the selection and recommendation of the independent accounting firm for the annual audit and for the establishment, and the assurance of the adherence to, a system of internal controls.  It reviews and accepts the reports of the Corporation’s internal audit department, its independent auditors and federal and state examiners.  The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors met four times during the year ended December 31, 2004.  Additional information with respect to the Audit Committee is discussed below under “Audit Information.”


The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Olinger, a member of the Audit Committee, is qualified as an audit committee financial expert as that term is defined in the rules of the SEC.  Each member of the Audit Committee is independent, as independence for audit committee members is defined in the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the rules of the SEC.


The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee Charter was included as Appendix A to the proxy statement for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders.


Nominating Committee


The Nominating Committee consists of ­Messrs. Kiser, Lambert, Morefield and Olinger. The Nominating Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors as to its size and composition, and evaluating and recommending to the Board of Directors candidates for election as directors at the Corporation’s annual meetings. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee Charter was included as Appendix B to the proxy statement for the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders.  Each member of the Nominating Committee is independent, as independence for nominating committee members is defined in the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market.  The Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors met one time during the year ended December 31, 2004. The Nominating Committee met on February 10, 2005 and nominated a slate of nine directors which is composed of the existing directors of the Corporation.  


The Nominating Committee has not adopted specific minimum qualifications that it believes must be met by a person it recommends for nomination as a director. In evaluating candidates for nomination, the Nominating Committee will consider the factors it believes to be appropriate, which would generally include the candidate’s personal and professional integrity, business judgment, relevant experience and skills, and potential to be an effective director in conjunction with the rest of the Board of Directors in collectively serving the long-term interests



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of the Corporation’s shareholders. Although the Nominating Committee has the authority to retain a search firm to assist it in identifying director candidates, there has to date been no need to employ a search firm. The Nominating Committee does not evaluate potential nominees for director differently based on whether they are recommended to the Nominating Committee by a shareholder.


The following describes how the Committee goes about evaluating and selecting prospective candidates for membership on the Board of Directors:


·

In evaluating a candidate for recommendation as a director nominee, the Committee shall consider such matters as it deems appropriate, including the candidates personal and professional integrity, business judgment, relevant experience and skills, and potential to be an effective director in conjunction with the full Board of Directors in collectively serving the long-term interest of the Corporation’s shareholders. Candidates may be interviewed by the Committee where it deems it appropriate.

·

The Committee shall consider director candidates recommended by the holders of the Corporation’s common stock. Recommendations by security holders should be submitted to the Committee in accordance with the By-Laws of the Corporation.

·

The Committee shall have discretion and authority to retain any search firm to assist in identifying director candidates, retain outside counsel or any other internal or external advisors, and approve all related fees and retention terms.

 

Shareholders who themselves wish to effectively nominate a person for election to the Board of Directors, as contrasted with recommending a potential nominee to the Nominating Committee for its consideration, are required to comply with the advance notice and other requirements set forth in the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.  See “Proposals for 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.”


Compensation Committee



The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Kiser, Lambert, Morefield, Olinger and White.  The Committee is responsible for the oversight of the compensation paid to employees and officers of the Bank.  It reviews and recommends salary adjustments for the Bank.  The Compensation Committee met two times during the year ended December 31, 2004.  Additional information with respect to the Compensation Committee is discussed below in the “Executive Compensation – Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation.”


Annual Meeting Attendance


The Corporation encourages members of the Board of Directors to attend the annual meeting of shareholders. All of the directors attended the 2004 annual meeting.


Communications with Directors


Any director may be contacted by writing to him c/o Highlands Bankshares, Inc., 340 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia 24210.  Communications to the non-management directors as a group may be sent to the same address, c/o the Secretary of the Corporation.  The Corporation promptly forwards, without screening, all such correspondence to the indicated directors.


Code of Ethics


The Board of Directors has approved a Code of Ethics for the Corporation’s senior officers who have financial responsibilities. The Code of Ethics is designed to promote honest and ethical conduct, proper disclosure of financial information in the Corporation’s periodic reports, and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations by the Corporation’s senior officers who have financial responsibilities. The Code of Ethics is available on the Corporation’s web page at www.hubank.com. The Corporation’s subsidiary bank has a Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct for all officers and employees.






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Director Compensation


Directors of the Corporation receive options to acquire shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors, for their services.  During 2004, each Director received options to acquire 1,000 shares of Common Stock for his service. Each Director also received fees of $13,250 for his service for the year ended December 31, 2004.


The Bank provides a Death Benefit Only Plan (the “Plan”) to the following Directors: Messrs. Chaffin, Kendrick, Kiser, Lambert, Moore, Morefield, Olinger and White.  The Plan provides a death benefit of $100,000. The death benefit is subject to income tax when received, and is tax-deductible to the Bank.  The Bank has purchased life insurance policies that are intended to provide the funds to pay this benefit.





8



EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation


The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed of five independent outside directors, is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning compensation for the Corporation’s executive officers. It is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee to establish a framework for a competitive compensation package for the CEO and COO that adequately rewards performance and provides incentives for retention. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee considers the following: (1) the performance and effectiveness of the executive officers; (2) the need to retain competent and effective management personnel; (3) competitive terms and levels of compensation relative to other companies of comparable size and operation within the commercial banking industry; (4) comparative performance of the CEO and COO as benchmarked against peer groups of comparable commercial banks; and (5) the achievement of overall corporate goals.


The Committee establishes current compensation based primarily on review of competitive salary practices by similarly sized banking organizations, locally and nationally, giving appropriate weight to regional differences in cost of living and contrasting relative performance of the Corporation and the designated peer group. In performing this analysis, the Committee utilized the Virginia Bankers’ Association Salary Survey and compensation data from other specifically identified banking peers.  The compensation of Samuel L. Neese, the Corporation’s chief executive officer, and James T. Riffe, the Corporation’s chief operations officer, is determined in accordance with this plan.


Executive officer compensation generally consists of salary, participation in the Corporation’s 401(k) Plan, economic benefit attributable to the Bank’s Death Benefit Only Plan, stock options granted under the Corporation’s non-qualified stock option plan and fees received for serving on the subsidiary bank’s board of directors as reflected in the “Summary Compensation Table.”  Bonuses are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors and are indirectly related to the Corporation’s annual performance. Mr. Neese and Mr. Riffe receive compensation in all of the above forms.



Compensation Committee


Clydes B. Kiser

J. Carter Lambert

James D. Morefield

Charles P. Olinger

H. Ramsey White, Jr.



Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation


Except for Mr. Morefield, who is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, no member of the Compensation Committee is a current or former officer of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.  In addition, there are no compensation committee interlocks with other entities with respect to any such member.




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Executive Officer Compensation


The following table shows, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the cash compensation paid by the Bank, as well as certain other compensation paid or accrued for those years, to the executive officers of the Corporation whose total compensation exceeds $100,000 in all capacities in which they served.  The named executive officers also receive compensation from the Corporation in the form of stock options, which may be exercised and converted into shares of Common Stock.


Summary Compensation Table


  


Annual Compensation

Long Term Compensation

 


Name and

Principal Position



Year



Salary ($)



Bonus ($)


Other Annual Compensation ($)

Securities Underlying Options (#)

All Other Compensation ($)(a)

Samuel L. Neese

Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer


2004

2003

2002


$ 172,800

   157,000

   145,312


$      -

8,750

8,000


*

*

*


1,000

1,000

1,000


22,100

20,466

19,830

James T. Riffe

Executive Vice President and Cashier


2004

2003

2002


$ 153,700

   139,500

   128,854


$     -

8,750

8,000


*

*

*


1,000

1,000

1,000


16,614

17,299

18,920


*

All benefits that might be considered of a personal nature did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of total annual salary and bonus.

(a)

Amounts for 2004 consist of amounts funded by the Bank for the benefit of Mr. Neese and Mr. Riffe under its qualifying 401(k) plan of $8,375 and $3,036, respectively.  Amounts for 2004 also include bank board fees payable to Mr. Neese and Mr. Riffe of $13,250 and $13,250, respectively.  Amounts also include the economic benefit attributable to a Death Benefit Only Plan of $475 and $328 for Mr. Neese and Mr. Riffe, respectively.  The Plan provides a survivor death benefit to Mr. Neese’s and Mr. Riffe’s named beneficiaries of $200,000. The death benefit is subject to income tax when received, and is tax-deductible to the Bank.  The Bank has purchased life insurance policies on Mr. Neese and Mr. Riffe that are intended to provide the funds to pay this benefit.

  





10



Stock Options


The following table sets forth for the year ended December 31, 2004, the grants of stock options to the named executive officers:


Option Grants In Last Fiscal Year


 

Individual Grants

 






Name


Number of

Securities

Underlying

Options

Granted (a)

% of Total

Options

Granted to

Employees

in Fiscal

Year



Exercise

or Base

Price

($/Sh) (b)





Expiration

Date



Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term

     

5%($)

10%($)

       

Samuel L. Neese

1,000

3.26%

29.00

7/14/14

47,238

75,219

       

James T. Riffe

1,000

3.26%

29.00

7/14/14

47,238

75,219


(a)

Stock options were granted at or above the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock at the date of award.  Each grant is immediately exercisable.

(b)

Options to purchase 30,700 shares of Common Stock were granted to employees, officers and directors during the year ended December 31, 2004.



Option Exercises and Holdings


The following table sets forth information with respect to the exercise of stock options by the named executive officers in 2004 and the amount and value of stock options held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2004:


Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year

and Fiscal Year End Option Values


Name

Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)

Value Realized ($)(a)

Number of

Securities Underlying Unexercised Options at Fiscal Year End (#)

Value of Unexercised

In-the-Money Options at Fiscal Year End ($)(b)

Exercisable

Unexercisable

Exercisable

Unexercisable

       

Samuel L. Neese

 --

 --

12,000

--

124,500

--

       

James T. Riffe

 --

 --

5,000

--

14,000

--


(a) The value realized was calculated by determining the difference between (i) the fair market value of Common Stock underlying the options at the date of exercise and (ii) the exercise price of the options.

(b)

The value of unexercised in-the-money options at fiscal year end was calculated by determining the difference between the fair market value of a share of Common Stock underlying the options on December 31, 2004, $29.00 per share, and the exercise price of the options.  Shares of Common Stock are not actively traded, and thus fair market value reflects the good faith determination by management based on information received from purchasers and sellers of such stock.





11



Equity Compensation Plans


The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2004, with respect to compensation plans under which shares of Common Stock are authorized for issuance.


Equity Compensation Plan Information






Plan Category


Number of Securities to Be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights


Weighted Average

Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

Number of Securities Remaining Available

for Future Issuance

Under Equity

Compensation Plans (a)

    

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders


172,955


$23.63


31,700

    

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders (b)



--



--



--

    

Total

172,955

$23.63

31,700


(a)

Amounts exclude any securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights.

(b)

The Corporation does not have any equity compensation plans that have not been approved by shareholders.



CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS


Some of the Directors and officers of the Corporation and some of the corporations and firms with which these individuals are associated are also customers of the Corporation in the ordinary course of business, or are indebted to the Corporation with respect to loans, and it is anticipated that some of the persons, corporations and firms will continue to be customers of, and indebted to, the Corporation on a similar basis in the future.   All loans extended to such persons, corporations and firms were made in the ordinary course of business, did not involve more than normal collection risk or present other unfavorable features, and were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable Corporation transactions with unaffiliated persons.  No such loan as of December 31, 2004 was non-accruing, past due or restructured.  At December 31, 2004, the aggregate amounts of loans outstanding to all Directors and executive officers of the Corporation and members of their immediate families were approximately $7,773,000, representing 19.78% of the total equity of the Corporation.


Management is not aware of any arrangements that may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Corporation.


Management of the Corporation is not aware of any material proceedings to which any Director, officer or affiliate of the Corporation, any owner of record or beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Common Stock, or any associate of any such Director, officer, affiliate or shareholder, is a party adverse to the Corporation or has a material interest adverse to the Corporation.


In the normal course of business, the Corporation conducts arms length business transactions with some of its related parties. The Corporation is required to disclose those transactions that exceed 5% of its or the related party’s gross sales.  During 2004, the Corporation retained William E. Chaffin, a Director, as a technology consultant due to his expertise. The Corporation paid Mr. Chaffin $60,000 in retainers for his consulting services during 2004. Mr. Chaffin also supplies the Corporation with some of its technology hardware, software and related periphery items through his company, Chaffin & Company. During 2004, the Corporation paid $309,055 to Chaffin & Company for the purchase of computer hardware, software and related periphery items. The terms of these



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transactions were substantially similar to the terms of similar purchases that are the result of “arms length” negotiations between unrelated parties, and the prices involved were comparable to current market rates at that time.



STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH


The Common Stock is not listed on any exchange or quoted on any market.  Shares of Common Stock have periodically been sold in a limited number of privately negotiated transactions.  The following graph compares the cumulative total return to the shareholders of the Corporation, based on transactions known to the Corporation, for the last five fiscal years with the total return on the Russell 2000 Index, SNL Bank Index and the S & P Banks Index, assuming an investment of $100 in shares of Common Stock on December 31, 1999, and the reinvestment of dividends. The Corporation is transitioning from the S & P Banks Index to the SNL Bank Index. The SNL Bank Index is more representative of the Corporation’s peer group.


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APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P. (“Brown Edwards”) to perform the audit of the Corporation’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2004. Brown Edwards has acted as the Corporation’s auditors for 2004 and as the Bank’s auditors for the past 19 years and has reported on financial statements during those periods.  Representatives from Brown Edwards will be present at the Annual Meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.



AUDIT INFORMATION


Services and Fees


As the Corporation’s independent accountants for 2004, Brown Edwards provided various audit and non-audit services for which the Corporation was billed for fees as further described below. None of the hours expended on Brown Edwards’ audit of the Corporation’s financial statements were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.  The Audit Committee has considered whether Brown Edwards’ provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining its independence.


Audit Fees


The aggregate fees billed by Brown Edwards for professional services rendered for the audit of the Corporation’s annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, and for the review of the financial statements included in the Corporation’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements, for those fiscal years were $70,650 for 2004 and $69,000 for 2003.


Audit Related Fees


The aggregate fees billed by Brown Edwards for professional services for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Corporation’s financial statements and not reported under the heading “Audit Fees” above for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $28,650 and $20,251, respectively. During 2004, these services included FDICIA testing. During 2004 and 2003, these services included an Information Technology Audit related to financial information systems design and implementation and the audit of the Corporation’s 401(k) retirement plan, during 2003, these services included the agreed upon procedures pertaining to the Federal Home Loan Bank.


Tax Fees


The aggregate fees billed by Brown Edwards for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $9,300 and $9,000, respectively. During 2004 and 2003, these services included the preparation of federal and state tax returns.


All Other Fees


During 2004, the aggregate fees billed by Brown Edwards for unplanned client assistance totaled $3,407. There were no fees billed by Brown Edwards for any other services rendered to the Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.


Pre-Approved Policies and Procedures


All services not related to the annual audit and quarterly review of the Corporation’s financial statements, as described above, were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which concluded that the provision of such services



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by Brown Edwards was compatible with the maintenance of that firms’ independence in the conduct of their auditing functions.


Audit Committee Report


The Audit Committee of the Board is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of the Corporation’s accounting functions and internal controls.  The Audit Committee was is composed of independent directors, and acts under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board of Directors.  Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent as defined by the Corporation’s policy and by Nasdaq Stock Market’s listing standards.


The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include selecting and retaining an accounting firm to be engaged as the Corporation’s independent accountants.  Additionally, and as appropriate, the Audit Committee reviews and evaluates, and discusses and consults with the Corporation’s management, the Corporation’s internal audit personnel and the independent accountant regarding, the following:


·

The plan for, and independent accountants’ report on, each audit of the Corporation’s financial statements.

·

The Corporation’s financial disclosure documents, including all financial statements and reports filed with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions or sent to shareholders.

·

Changes in the Corporation’s accounting practices, principles, controls or methodologies, or in the Corporation’s financial statements.

·

Significant developments in accounting rules.

·

The adequacy of the Corporation’s internal accounting controls, and accounting, financial and auditing personnel.

·

Managements report regarding internal controls over financial reporting and compliance with designated laws and regulations as required by FDICIA.

·

The establishment and maintenance of an environment at the Corporation that promotes ethical behavior.


The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board that the Corporation’s financial statements be included in the Corporation’s annual report.  The Committee took a number of steps in making this recommendation for 2004.  First, the Audit Committee discussed with Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P. the Corporation’s independent accountant for 2004, those matters that the accountant communicated to and discussed with the Audit Committee under applicable auditing standards, including information regarding the scope and results of the audit.  These communications and discussions are intended to assist the Audit Committee in overseeing the financial reporting and disclosure process.  Second, the Audit Committee discussed Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.’s independence with them and received a letter from them concerning independence as required under applicable independence standards for auditors of public companies.  This discussion and disclosure informed the Audit Committee of Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.’s independence, and assisted the Audit Committee in evaluating such independence.  Finally, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with the Corporation’s management and Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P. the Corporation’s audited consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and consolidated statements of income, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for the three years ended December 31, 2004.  Based on the discussions with Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P., and management concerning the audit, the independence discussions, and the financial statement review, and such other matters deemed relevant and appropriate by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that these financial statements be included in the Corporation’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Audit Committee


E. Craig Kendrick

J. Carter Lambert

Charles P. Olinger

H. Ramsey White, Jr.



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PROPOSALS FOR 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS


Under the regulations of the SEC, any shareholder desiring to make a proposal to be acted upon at the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders must cause such proposal to be received, in proper form, at the Corporation’s principal executive offices at 340 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia  24210, no later than December 2, 2005, in order for the proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Corporation’s Proxy Statement for that meeting.  The Corporation presently anticipates holding the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders on May 10, 2006.


The Corporation’s Bylaws also prescribe the procedure that a shareholder must follow to nominate directors or to bring other business before shareholders’ meetings outside of the proxy statement process.  For a shareholder to nominate a candidate for director at the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, notice of nomination must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 60 days and not more than 90 days prior to the date of the 2006 annual meeting.  The notice must describe various matters regarding the nominee and the shareholder giving the notice.  For a shareholder to bring other business before the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, notice must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 60 days and not more than 90 days prior to the date of the 2006 annual meeting.  The notice must include a description of the proposed business, the reasons therefor, and other specified matters.  Any shareholder may obtain a copy of the Corporation’s Bylaws, without charge, upon written request to the Secretary of the Corporation.  Based upon an anticipated date of May 10, 2006 for the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, the Corporation must receive any notice of nomination or other business no later than March 11, 2006 and no earlier than February 9, 2006.



ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


A copy of the Corporation’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2004 accompanies this Proxy Statement.  Additional copies may be obtained without charge by written request to the Secretary of the Corporation at the address indicated below.  Such Annual Report is not part of the proxy solicitation materials.


UPON RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY PERSON WHO, ON THE RECORD DATE, WAS RECORD OWNER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OR WHO REPRESENTS IN GOOD FAITH THAT HE OR SHE WAS ON SUCH DATE THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SUCH STOCK ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH TO SUCH PERSON, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND THE EXHIBITS THERETO REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT.  ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO ROBERT M. LITTLE, JR., SECRETARY, HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES, INC., 340 WEST MAIN STREET, ABINGDON, VIRGINIA  24210.  THE FORM 10-K IS NOT PART OF THE PROXY SOLICITATION MATERIALS.



OTHER MATTERS


The Board of Directors of the Corporation is not aware of any other matters that may come before the Annual Meeting.  However, the proxies may be voted with discretionary authority with respect to any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.




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HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES, INC.

340 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia 24210


PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The undersigned hereby constitutes J.D. Morefield, James D. Moore, Jr. and J. Carter Lambert or any of them, attorneys and proxies, with power of substitution in each, to act for the undersigned with respect to all shares of Common Stock of Highlands Bankshares, Inc. (the “Corporation”) held of record by the undersigned on March 9, 2005 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center ballroom on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, Virginia on May 11, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., or any adjournment thereof, for the following purposes:


1.

Election of Directors

 FOR all nominees listed below

 WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees

(except as marked to the contrary)


(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write such nominee’s name on the line below)



William E. Chaffin

E. Craig Kendrick

Clydes B. Kiser

J. Carter Lambert

James D. Moore, Jr.

J.D. Morefield

Charles P. Olinger

William J. Singleton

H. Ramsey White, Jr.





2.

In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on such other business as may properly come before the meeting.


(Continued and to be signed and dated on the reverse side and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope.)































































THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION OF DIRECTORS LISTED IN ITEM 1.


Please sign name exactly as it appears on the stock certificate. All owners should sign. Fiduciaries should give full title.



______________________________________________________

     Signature



______________________________________________________

         Date



______________________________________________________

     Signature



______________________________________________________

         Date


I plan________________, do not plan___________________, to

attend the 2005 Annual Meeting.


PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY

SHEET PROMPTLY.