-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, GnKRgjik20fKQOc9/q/NLLSHF4CXlDiBNfoRa+Gjlbu5DTcGYCxt043s9q4pCwKY xsD2Kdxjg+9LUftwCbvwfw== 0000912057-02-020980.txt : 20020516 0000912057-02-020980.hdr.sgml : 20020516 20020516150812 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000912057-02-020980 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20020516 ITEM INFORMATION: Changes in registrant's certifying accountant ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20020516 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SEACOAST FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001061692 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6036] IRS NUMBER: 041659040 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-25077 FILM NUMBER: 02654835 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE COMPASS PLACE CITY: NEW BEDFORD STATE: MA ZIP: 02740 BUSINESS PHONE: 5089846000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE COMPASS PLACE CITY: NEW BEDFORD STATE: MA ZIP: 02740 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: 1855 BANCORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980512 8-K 1 a2080183z8-k.txt 8-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 02549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): MAY 16, 2002 SEACOAST FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION --------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MASSACHUSETTS 000-25077 04-1659040 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) ONE COMPASS PLACE, NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 02740 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (508) 984-6000 NOT APPLICABLE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) Item 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT. The registrant's audit committee has recommended and the executive committee of the registrant's board of directors has unanimously voted (i) to dismiss Arthur Andersen LLP, and (ii) to engage KPMG LLP as its independent accountants, effective upon adjournment of the registrant's Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 16, 2002. During the registrant's fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, and the subsequent interim period prior to May 16, 2002, Arthur Andersen LLP did not have any disagreement with the registrant on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Arthur Andersen LLP, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on the registrant's financial statements. The reports of Arthur Andersen LLP on the registrant's financial statements for the period from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2001 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the period from January 1, 2000 through May 16, 2002, there were no "reportable events" within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Item 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. --------------------------------- (a) Not Applicable (b) Not Applicable (c) Exhibits NUMBER TITLE ------ ----- 16.1 Arthur Andersen LLP letter dated May 16, 2002 regarding the change in the registrant's certifying accountants. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SEACOAST FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION Dated: May 16, 2002 By: /s/ Kevin G. Champagne ------------------------------------- Kevin G. Champagne President and Chief Executive Officer EXHIBIT INDEX NUMBER TITLE ------ ----- 16.1 Arthur Andersen LLP letter dated May 16, 2002 regarding the change in the registrant's certifying accountants. EX-16.1 3 a2080183zex-16_1.txt EXHIBIT 16.1 Exhibit 16.1 May 16, 2002 Securities and Exchange Commission Mail Stop 9-5 450 5th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Dear Sirs/Madams: We have read and, except as described in the next sentence, agree with the comments in Item 4 of Form 8-K of Seacoast Financial Services Corporation dated May 16, 2002. We have no basis to agree or disagree with the comments relating to the executive committee of the registrant's board of directors and the registrant's audit committee appearing in the first paragraph of Item 4. Yours truly, /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----