EX-99.4 21 dex994.htm LETTER OF RP FINANCIAL, LC. WITH RESPECT TO SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS Letter of RP Financial, LC. with respect to Subscription Rights

Exhibit 99.4

RP® FINANCIAL, LC.

Financial Services Industry Consultants

June 28, 2006

Board of Directors

Ben Franklin Bank of Illinois

14 North Dryden Place

Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004

 

Re: Plan of Reorganization Subscription Rights

Ben Franklin Bank of Illinois

Gentlemen:

All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this letter have the meanings given such terms in the Pan of Reorganization adopted by the Board of Directors of Ben Franklin Bank of Illinois (“Ben Franklin Bank” or the “Bank”). Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, Ben Franklin Bank will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ben Franklin Financial, Inc. (the “Company”), a federal corporation, and the Company will issue a majority of its common stock to Ben Franklin Financial, MHC, a federal mutual holding company, and sell a minority of its common stock to the public.

We understand that in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock in the Company are to be issued to: (1) Eligible Account Holders; (2) Tax-Qualified Employee Plans; (3) Supplemental Eligible Account Holders; and (4) Other Members. Based solely upon our observation that the subscription rights will be available to such parties without cost, will be legally non-transferable and of short duration, and will afford such parties the right only to purchase shares of common stock at the same price as will be paid by members of the general public in the community offering, but without undertaking any independent investigation of state or federal law or the position of the Internal Revenue Service with respect to this issue, we are of the belief that, as a factual matter:

 

  (1) the subscription rights will have no ascertainable market value; and

 

  (2) the price at which the subscription rights are exercisable will not be more or less than the pro forma market value of the shares upon issuance.

Changes in the local and national economy, the legislative and regulatory environment, the stock market, interest rates, and other external forces (such as natural disasters or significant world events) may occur from time to time, often with great unpredictability and may materially impact the value of thrift stocks as a whole or the Company’s value alone. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that persons who subscribe to shares of common stock in the subscription offering will thereafter be able to buy or sell such shares at the same price paid in the subscription offering.

 

Sincerely,
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RP® FINANCIAL, LC.