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.