-----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, OQWLXBeIeBthE++zwGLnriPLBO/C1ry54dJK8blumcRkeUJ80SbvAW0MaqdATl47 sUCJS8ckW0TEEVAY6zg9+A== 0000950144-04-005901.txt : 20040528 0000950144-04-005901.hdr.sgml : 20040528 20040528115421 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950144-04-005901 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 FILED AS OF DATE: 20040528 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20040528 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000764402 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022] IRS NUMBER: 621222567 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TN FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3D SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-115975 FILM NUMBER: 04837272 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 NORTH MAIN STREET CITY: GREENEVILLE STATE: TN ZIP: 37743-4992 BUSINESS PHONE: 4236395111 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P O BOX 1120 CITY: GREENEVILLE STATE: TN ZIP: 37744-1120 S-3D 1 g89412sv3d.htm GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES, INC. FORM S-3D GREENE GOUNTY BANCSHARES, INC. FORM S-3D
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As Filed With the Securities and Exchange Commission
on May 28, 2004

Registration No. 333-________    


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Tennessee

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

62-1222757
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

100 North Main Street
Greeneville, Tennessee 37743-4992
423-639-5111

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of the
Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

R. Stan Puckett
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Greene County Bancshares, Inc.
100 North Main Street
Greeneville, Tennessee 37743-4992
(423) 639-5111

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of
Agent For Service)

Copy to:

Bob F. Thompson, Esq.
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
315 Deaderick Street, Suite 2700
Nashville, Tennessee 37238-0002

 


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     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined by the Registrant.

     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please 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. o

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

     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. o

     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

                                 
            Proposed   Proposed    
Title of securities   Amount to be   maximum offering   maximum aggregate   Amount of
to be registered
  registered(1)
  price per share(2)
  offering price(2)
  registration fee
Common Stock, $2.00 par value
    2,000,000     $ 20.65     $ 41,300,000     $ 5,232.71  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act, includes an indeterminate number of additional shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of the registration fee pursuant to paragraph (c) of Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act and is based on the average of the high and low prices of the Registrant’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market May 24, 2004.

 


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PROSPECTUS

[GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES, INC. LOGO]

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND COMMON STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

2,000,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

(PAR VALUE $2.00 PER SHARE)

     We are offering through our Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan to all holders of record of our common stock, par value $2.00 per share, the opportunity to reinvest automatically your cash dividends in additional shares of common stock and to make optional cash purchases of our common stock. Key provisions of the Plan are set forth in this Prospectus.

     The price to be paid for shares of common stock purchased under the Plan will be the then current market price for our common stock, determined as provided in the Plan. Shares issued under the Plan will be either newly issued shares or shares purchased for Plan participants in the open market. (See “Purchases” and “Price.”) The shares of common stock registered by the Prospectus will be traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market’s National Market System under the symbol “GCBS”.

     This Prospectus relates to 2,000,000 shares of common stock which we have registered for purchase under the Plan. We are providing this Prospectus to present and prospective participants in the Plan. You should keep this Prospectus for future reference.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE COMMON STOCK OR DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

CASH DIVIDENDS, OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS AND SHARES OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASED PURSUANT TO THE PLAN ARE NOT SAVINGS OR DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE BANK INSURANCE FUND OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.

The date of this Prospectus is May 28, 2004

 


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Information About the Plan
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 EX-4.2 AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
 EX-5.1 OPINION OF BASS, BERRY & SIMS PLC
 EX-23.1 CONSENT OF CROWE CHIZEK AND COMPANY LLC

YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ANY OTHER INFORMATION. WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER OF SECURITIES IN ANY PLACE WHERE THE OFFER IS NOT PERMITTED. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THIS DOCUMENT.

 


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[GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES, INC. LOGO]

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND COMMON STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

     The following, in question and answer form, are the provisions of the Greene County Bancshares, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”). At times, the Plan may refer to Greene County Bancshares, Inc. as “Greene County Bancshares,” “Greene County,” the “Company,” “we” or “us.” Those holders of Greene County common stock who do not wish to participate in the Plan will continue to receive cash dividends, if and when declared, by check or by direct deposit if the holder so chooses.

Purpose

1. What is the purpose of the Plan?

     The Plan provides record owners of Greene County common stock with a simple and convenient way of investing cash dividends in shares of common stock and of investing optional cash payments in common stock, all without payment of any brokerage commissions, service charge or other expense. To the extent such shares are purchased from us, we will receive additional funds to finance our continuing operations. The Plan offers eligible holders an opportunity to invest conveniently for the long-term. The Plan is not intended to provide a mechanism for generating short-term profits or engaging in other strategies involving rapid turnover of shares or proliferation of accounts. We accordingly reserve the right to refuse to allow participation in the Plan and to modify, suspend or terminate participation by otherwise eligible record owners who engage in, or who we believe may engage in, such practices or other practices we deem to be inconsistent with the purposes of the Plan or detrimental to the Plan or other participants.

Advantages

2. What are the advantages of the Plan?

     As a participant in the Plan you may:

    Reinvest all or part of your dividends on shares of common stock automatically.
 
    Invest additional cash, from $100 per payment up to $10,000 per payment with a limit of $50,000 per year, in common stock.
 
    Avoid charges for brokerage commissions or fees on all investments or purchases under the Plan.
 
    Invest the full amount of all dividends and optional cash payments since the Plan allows fractions of a share to be held under the Plan.
 
    Avoid cumbersome safekeeping requirements through optional custodial services under the Plan.
 
    Avoid inconvenience and expense of recordkeeping through the reporting provisions of the Plan.

Participation

3. Who is eligible to participate?

     If you are a record owner of Greene County common stock, you are eligible to participate in the Plan. If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are registered in a name other than your own (for example, in the name of a broker or bank nominee) you must become an owner of record by having the number of shares as to which you wish to participate transferred into your name. You can participate with respect to all or less than all of your shares.

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4. How do I join the Plan?

     If you are eligible to participate, you may join the Plan by signing an Authorization Card and returning it to Illinois Stock Transfer Company as follows:

 
Greene County Bancshares
c/o Illinois Stock Transfer Company
Attn: Dividend Reinvestment Department
209 West Jackson Blvd, Suite 903
Chicago, IL 60606-6905
Telephone: (312) 427-2953 / (800) 757-5755
Facsimile: (312) 427-2879
Web site: www.illinoisstocktransfer.com
Hours: 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Central Time

     An Authorization Card may be obtained at any time by written request to Illinois Stock Transfer Company at the above address or by calling Illinois Stock Transfer Company.

5. When may I join the Plan?

     If you are eligible to participate, you may join the Plan at any time. When you receive your Authorization Card from Illinois Stock Transfer Company sign it and return it to Illinois Stock Transfer Company at the above address. Sign your name exactly as it appears on your Authorization Card. If the stock is owned jointly, each joint owner must sign the Authorization Card.

     If Illinois Stock Transfer Company receives your Authorization Card specifying reinvestment of dividends before the record date for a dividend payment, reinvestment will commence with that dividend payment. However, if Illinois Stock Transfer Company receives your Authorization Card on or after a dividend record date, the reinvestment of dividends through the Plan will begin with the dividend payment following the next record date.

     The record date for determining shareholders who will receive dividends normally precedes the dividend payment date by two weeks. Dividend payment dates ordinarily are on or about:

     
March 20;
  September 20; and
June 20;
  December 20.

     (See Questions 11, 12, 13, and 14 for information concerning the investment of optional cash payments.)

     Our ability to pay dividends is restricted by federal laws and regulations applicable to bank holding companies and by Tennessee laws relating to the payment of dividends by Tennessee corporations. These restrictions are described in more detail in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     We may, in the future, choose to suspend the payment of dividends. During any periods in which we have suspended the payment of dividends, participants may be prohibited from making optional cash payments. If a participant has submitted an optional cash payment to us and we thereafter suspend the ability of participants to make optional cash payments prior to such payment being invested, we will return the optional cash payment that was not invested to the participant without interest.

6. What does the Authorization Card provide?

     By marking the appropriate spaces of the Authorization Card you may choose among the following investment options:

    To reinvest automatically cash dividends on all shares registered in your name.
 
    To reinvest automatically cash dividends on less than all of the shares registered in your name (a specified number of whole shares) and continue to receive cash dividends on the remaining shares.

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    To invest by making optional cash payments in any amount from $100 per payment, up to a total of $10,000 per payment; provided, however, that you may not make purchases under the Plan in excess of $50,000 in any calendar year. Optional cash payments will be invested as explained under Question 11.
 
    To deposit for safekeeping certificates for common stock with the Agent (as defined below) as explained under Question 18.

     Dividends on all shares purchased for your account under the Plan, whether through dividend reinvestment or optional cash payments, will be reinvested automatically in additional shares of common stock.

7. May I change my method of participation after enrollment?

     Yes. You may change your investment option at any time by signing a new Authorization Card and returning it to Illinois Stock Transfer Company as provided under Question 4. If you elect to participate through the reinvestment of dividends but later decide to reduce the number of shares on which dividends are being reinvested a new Authorization Card indicating a change of options must be received by Illinois Stock Transfer Company prior to a particular dividend record date in order to stop any unwanted reinvestment of dividends paid on that dividend payment date. If you want to terminate your participation in the Plan, see Question 19.

Agent

8. Who administers the Plan?

     Illinois Stock Transfer Company (the “Agent”) administers the Plan for participants, keeps records, sends statements of account to participants and performs other duties relating to the Plan. Shares purchased under the Plan will be registered in the name of the Agent or its nominee as agent for participants in the Plan.

          The Agent’s mailing address is:

 
Greene County Bancshares
c/o Illinois Stock Transfer Company
Attn: Dividend Reinvestment Department
209 West Jackson Blvd, Suite 903
Chicago, IL 60606-6905

     The Agent may be reached at either of (312) 427-2953 or (800) 757-5755. All completed Authorization Cards, requests for withdrawal, optional cash payments, requests for certificates and all other written communications regarding the Plan should be sent to the Agent at the above address (please include the name Greene County Bancshares and your Plan account number in your correspondence with the Agent).

     The Agent may at any time (1) resign by giving written notice to us, or (2) be removed by us. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of Agent, we shall appoint a successor Agent, which may be us, one of our subsidiaries or another designated entity.

Costs

9. Are there any expenses to participants in connection with purchases under the Plan?

     No. You will incur no brokerage commissions or service charges for the purchases made under the Plan. We will pay all costs of administration of the Plan. However, if you request the Agent to sell your Plan shares, you will pay certain charges as explained under Question 17. Also, you may incur tax liability as a result of our payment of expenses in connection with open market purchases of shares for you as a Plan participant, as explained under Question 20.

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Purchases

10. How many shares of common stock will be purchased for my Plan account and what is the source of shares purchased under the Plan?

     If you become a participant in the Plan, the number of shares purchased for you will depend on the amount of your dividends, optional cash payments, or both, and market prices of the common stock. The number of shares purchased for your account, including fractions computed to three (3) decimal places, will be equal to the total amount to be invested by you, divided by the purchase price per share. (See Question 12.)

     Shares purchased under the Plan will be, at our discretion, either newly issued shares or shares purchased for Plan participants in the open market, or a combination of the foregoing. Newly issued shares will be purchased directly from the Company. We will decide whether to purchase shares for Plan participants in the open market based upon general market conditions, the relationship between purchase price and book value per share, regulatory requirements and other factors.

     Shares purchased under the Plan in the open market will be purchased by an agent (the “Purchasing Agent”) who normally will not be affiliated with us. The Purchasing Agent may at any time (1) resign by giving written notice to us, or (2) be removed by us. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of Purchasing Agent, we will appoint a successor Purchasing Agent, which may be us, one of our subsidiaries or another designated entity. We may change the Purchasing Agent without notifying Plan participants.

11. When will shares of common stock be purchased under the Plan?

     When shares are purchased directly from us, purchases will be made on the dividend payment date with dividends paid on, and optional cash payments received by the Agent on or before the fifth business day prior to, that dividend payment date in those months when dividends are also paid and on or before the fifth business day prior to the fourteenth day of the month in those months when dividends are not paid.

     When shares are purchased in the open market, the Purchasing Agent will use dividends paid on, and optional cash payments received on or before the fifth business day prior to, a dividend payment date in those months when dividends are also paid and on or before the fifth business day prior to the fourteenth day of the month in those months when dividends are not paid to purchase shares in the open market as soon as practical and within 30 days after that dividend payment date or optional cash payment investment date, unless a longer period is necessary or advisable because of federal securities laws or market conditions. In the event that federal securities laws or market conditions dictate that open market purchases be delayed for longer than 45 days from the dividend date, we will return your unallocated optional cash payments to you. Such open market purchases may be made on any securities exchange or market where shares of the common stock are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions and may be subject to such terms with respect to price, delivery and other matters as the Purchasing Agent may agree to. Neither Greene County Bancshares, the Agent nor any Plan participant shall have the authority to direct the time, price or manner of such open market purchases, or the selection of the broker or dealer through or from whom purchases are to be made, all of which are in the sole discretion of the Purchasing Agent.

Price

12. At what price will shares of common stock be purchased under the Plan?

     Common stock will be purchased under the Plan from us at a price per share equal to the then current market price for the common stock which is defined as the average of the bid and ask prices for the common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market’s National Market System or such other market as the common stock is then traded, for the applicable investment date. If no trading occurs on the applicable investment date, the current market price will be determined as of the trading day immediately preceding the investment date. No shares will be purchased from us under the Plan at less than their par value ($2.00 per share).

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     The price to you of shares purchased in the open market for your Plan account will be the weighted average price of common stock purchased in the open market for all Plan participants in respect of a particular dividend payment or investment date. For the purpose of making purchases, the Agent or Purchasing Agent, as the case may be, will commingle each participant’s funds with those of all other holders of Greene County common stock who are participants in the Plan. The price per share of shares purchased for each participant’s account shall be the average price of all shares purchased with the funds available from that dividend and any optional cash payments being concurrently invested. The Agent will hold the total shares purchased in the market for all participants in its name or the name of its nominee and will have no responsibility for the value of such shares after their purchase.

Optional Cash Payments

13. Who is eligible to make optional cash payments and how does a participant make optional cash payments?

     Record owners of common stock who have submitted a signed Authorization Card are eligible to make optional cash payments. However, you may not make optional cash payments unless you also reinvest dividends on common stock registered in your name. After an Authorization Card has been received by Illinois Stock Transfer Company, optional cash investments may be made by mailing to Illinois Stock Transfer Company at the address set forth in Question 4 above a check or money order together with a properly executed cash payment form which will accompany the statement of account sent to participants. Your check or money order should be made payable to “Illinois Stock Transfer Company” (be sure to include the name of Greene County Bancshares and your Plan account number on your check or money order). Do not send cash. Checks or money orders drawn against non-United States banks must have the United States currency imprinted on such checks or money orders. Monthly optional cash investments must be received no later than five (5) business days prior to a dividend payment date in those months when a dividend is paid and no later than five (5) business days prior to the fourteenth day of the month in those months in which a dividend is not paid and checks or other drafts must clear prior to such investment date, for an optional cash investment to be invested on such investment date. Optional cash investments received thereafter will be reinvested as of the next following investment date.

     In the event that any check or money order is returned unpaid for any reason, Illinois Stock Transfer Company will consider the request for investment of such optional cash investment void and shall immediately remove from the participant’s account shares of common stock, if any, purchased upon the prior credit of such money. In addition, you will be charged a returned check fee by the Agent. Illinois Stock Transfer Company shall thereupon be entitled to sell such shares to satisfy any uncollected amounts. If the net proceeds of the sale of such shares are insufficient to satisfy the balance of such uncollected amounts, Illinois Stock Transfer Company shall be entitled to sell such additional shares from the participant’s account to satisfy the uncollected balance.

     Any optional cash payment received from you on or before the fifth business day prior to a dividend payment date in those months in which a dividend is paid, or on or before the fifth business day prior to the fourteenth day of the month in those months in which a dividend is not paid, will be applied to the purchase of common stock for your Plan account on that dividend payment date or investment date, as the case may be, if such common stock is purchased from the Company and as soon as practical (as explained under Question 11) after that dividend payment date or investment date, as the case may be, if such common stock is purchased in the open market.

     If you choose to make optional cash payments, dividends on shares purchased with optional cash payments will be reinvested automatically. (See Question 16.)

     You may make an initial optional cash payment when you join the Plan by enclosing a check or money order with the Authorization Card, if the Authorization Card is received by the Agent on or before the fifth business day prior to the next dividend payment date or investment date, as the case may be. You must return your check or money order along with the Authorization Card. Thereafter, you may make optional cash payments through the use of cash payment forms sent to you with statements of your account as described above.

     WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU SEND OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS SO THEY WILL BE RECEIVED SHORTLY BEFORE A DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE IN THOSE MONTHS IN WHICH A

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DIVIDEND IS PAID OR THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF THE MONTH IN THOSE MONTHS IN WHICH A DIVIDEND IS NOT PAID, BUT BEFORE THE FIFTH BUSINESS DAY PRIOR TO THE NEXT DIVIDEND DATE OR INVESTMENT DATE, AS THE CASE MAY BE. NO INTEREST WILL BE PAID ON THESE PAYMENTS. YOU MAY OBTAIN THE RETURN OF ANY OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENT BY WRITTEN REQUEST RECEIVED BY THE AGENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE NEXT DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE OR OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENT DATE, AS THE CASE MAY BE.

14. What are the limitations on making optional cash payments?

     You may not make optional cash payments unless you also reinvest dividends on common stock registered in your name. The Agent must receive your optional cash payment on or before the fifth business day before a dividend payment date in those months in which a dividend is paid and on or before the fifth business day before the fourteenth day of the month in those months in which a dividend is not paid. You do not need to send the same amount of money each time, and you are under no obligation to make an optional cash payment at any time. Any optional cash payments you wish to make must not be less than $100 nor greater than $10,000 per payment, nor may your payments aggregate more than $50,000 in any calendar year.

Reports to Participants

15. What reports will be sent to participants in the Plan?

     As soon as practicable after (i) receipt by the Agent of any optional cash payment; or (ii) each purchase you will receive a statement of your account showing amounts invested, purchase prices, shares purchased and other information for the year to date. This statement will provide a record of the cost of purchases under the Plan and should be retained for tax purposes. In addition, you will receive, or be entitled to receive, copies of the same communications sent to every other holder of common stock, including our annual and quarterly reports to shareholders, proxy statements and information for income tax reporting purposes.

Dividends

16. Will I be credited with dividends on shares held in my account under the Plan?

     Yes. The Agent will receive dividends (less the amount of any tax withheld) for all Plan shares held on the dividend record date and credit them to participants’ accounts on the basis of full shares and fractions of a share credited to those accounts on that record date. Such dividends received will be reinvested automatically in additional shares of common stock as a dividend reinvestment. (See Question 12.)

Certificates

17. Will certificates be issued for shares of common stock purchased under the Plan?

     Certificates for shares of common stock purchased under the Plan will not be issued to you unless you request them. All shares credited to your account under the Plan will be issued to the Agent or its nominee, as your agent. The number of shares credited to your account will be shown on your statement of account. This convenience protects against loss, theft or destruction of stock certificates, permits ownership of fractional shares and reduces the costs to be borne by us.

     A certificate for any number of whole shares credited to your account under the Plan will be issued on your written request, and the shares represented by that certificate will be withdrawn from your account. Your written request should be mailed to the Agent. Any remaining full shares and fractions of a share will continue to be credited to your account. If you have authorized the reinvestment of dividends on all shares registered in your name, dividends on shares represented by the certificate issued to you will continue to be reinvested. Otherwise, dividend reinvestment will continue with respect to the number of shares registered in your name specified for dividend reinvestment on your Authorization Card. Certificates for fractions of a share will not be issued under any circumstances. (See Question 19.)

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     You may not pledge shares credited to your account. If you wish to pledge the whole shares credited to your account, you must request that certificates for those shares be issued in your name.

     Accounts under the Plan are maintained in the name in which your certificates were registered at the time you entered the Plan. Consequently, certificates for whole shares will be similarly registered when issued to you.

     You may at any time request the Agent to sell up to 10,000 of the shares credited to your account under the Plan in any period of five (5) consecutive trading days. The sale will be made for your account as soon as practicable after receipt by the Agent of your request but in no event later than ten (10) business days. You will receive the proceeds of the sale, less any related brokerage commission, Agent’s fee and transfer tax.

     Participants selling shares through the Plan should be aware that the common stock price may fluctuate during the period between a request for sale, its receipt by the Agent and the ultimate sale in the open market. This risk should be evaluated by the participant and the risk of a price decline is borne solely by the participant. The net proceeds will be mailed after the settlement of funds from the brokerage firm selected by the Agent.

18. May I deposit certificates for shares of common stock with the Agent?

     If you are a record holder of certificates for common stock, you may send the unendorsed certificates to the Agent at the address set forth under Question 4 and have them held for safekeeping by the Agent. The method of delivery of your certificates is at your election and at your risk. We recommend that you send certificates by registered mail. You may send your certificates to the Agent when you join the Plan by enclosing your certificates and the completed safekeeping transmittal form with the Authorization Card. If you are already a participant in the Plan and wish to have your certificates held by the Agent, you should mail the certificates along with the completed safekeeping transmittal form to the Agent. Additional forms may be obtained by written request to the Agent at the address set forth under Question 4 or by calling the Agent at either (312) 427-2953 or (800) 757-5755. Dividends on all shares represented by certificates deposited with the Agent will be reinvested automatically in additional shares of common stock pursuant to the Plan.

Termination of Participation

19. How do I terminate participation in the Plan?

     You may at any time terminate your participation in the Plan by notifying the Agent in writing. If your notice of termination is received on or after the record date for the next dividend, that dividend will be reinvested for your account, but all subsequent dividends on those shares will be paid to you in cash in the event that it is a cash dividend. If you elect to terminate your participation in the Plan, any optional cash payment received by the Agent before it receives your notice of termination will be invested for your account unless you specifically request return of the payment by written request received by the Agent at least 48 hours prior to the next dividend payment date in those months in which a dividend is paid and at least 48 hours prior to the fourteenth day of the month in those months in which a dividend is not paid.

     If you terminate your participation in the Plan or if we terminate the Plan, certificates for whole shares credited to your account under the Plan will be issued to you and a cash payment will be made for any fraction of a share. The cash payment will be based on the closing price of the common stock reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market’s National Market System, or such other market as the common stock is then traded, on the day the notice of termination is received by the Agent or on the next day trading in the common stock is open if it is closed when the notice is received. However, if upon termination you prefer to receive cash for all your Plan shares, you may request the Agent to sell your shares as explained under Question 17.

Other Information

20. What are the federal income tax consequences of participation in the Plan?

     Under Internal Revenue Service rulings in connection with similar plans, dividends which you reinvest in additional shares of common stock under the Plan will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having been received by you as a dividend. Under these rulings, an amount equal to the fair market value on the dividend

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payment date of shares acquired from Greene County Bancshares with reinvested dividends on that date will be treated as a dividend paid to you which must be included in your gross income. When the Purchasing Agent purchases shares for your Plan account in the open market with reinvested dividends, you must include in gross income a dividend equal to the actual price paid by the Purchasing Agent for those shares.

     The Internal Revenue Service has issued a letter ruling which held that brokerage commissions and service charges paid by a corporation in connection with the open market purchase of shares pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan are includible in the gross income of participants in that plan. To the extent that ruling is a correct interpretation of the law and applicable to the Plan, when shares are purchased for your Plan account in the open market, you must include in your gross income a dividend equal to that portion of any brokerage commissions and service charges paid by us which are attributable to the purchase of such shares. Any such service charges (but not brokerage commissions) included in income would be deductible by participants who itemize deductions, subject to certain other limitations thereon.

     You will not realize any taxable income when you receive certificates for whole shares credited to your account, either upon your request for such certificates or upon withdrawal from or termination of the Plan. However, you will recognize tax gain or loss (which, for most participants, will be capital gain or loss) when whole shares acquired under the Plan are sold or exchanged — either by the Agent at your request or by you. (See Questions 17 and 19.) You also will recognize gain or loss when you receive a cash payment for a fractional share credited to your account. The amount of such gain or loss will be the difference between the amount which you receive for your shares or fractional share and the tax basis thereof.

     Under the rulings referred to above, the tax basis of shares acquired from Greene County Bancshares under the Plan by reinvestment of dividends will be equal to the fair market value of the shares on the dividend payment date on which the shares are purchased for your Plan account. The tax basis of shares acquired by the Purchasing Agent in the open market with reinvested dividends will be the purchase price thereof paid by the Purchasing Agent plus an allocable share of any brokerage commissions paid by Greene County Bancshares. The tax basis of shares purchased with an optional cash payment will be the amount of such optional cash payment plus allocable brokerage commissions. The holding period of shares of common stock acquired under the Plan, whether purchased with dividends or optional cash payments, will begin on the day following the date as of which the shares are purchased for you.

     The federal tax laws impose certain reporting obligations upon brokers and other middlemen. As a result, the Agent will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service and you any sales of common stock by the Agent for your Plan account. If your dividends become subject to the backup withholding tax of the tax laws, dividends reinvested for you under the Plan will be reduced by the amount of tax required to be withheld.

     The foregoing is only an outline of our understanding of some of the applicable federal tax provisions. For further information as to the tax consequences of participation in the Plan, including state, local and foreign tax consequences and any future changes in applicable law or interpretations thereof, you should consult with your own tax advisors.

21. What happens if I as a Plan participant sell a portion of the shares of common stock registered in my name?

     If you have authorized the reinvestment of dividends on all shares registered in your name and then dispose of a portion of those shares, the dividends on the remaining shares will continue to be reinvested.

     If you have authorized the reinvestment of dividends on part of the shares registered in your name and then dispose of a portion of those shares, the dividends on the lesser of (1) the shares with respect to which reinvestment of dividends was originally authorized, or (2) all of the remaining shares, will continue to be reinvested.

22. What happens when I as a Plan participant sell or transfer all of the shares held by me in certificated form?

     If a participant disposes of all or a portion of the shares of common stock for which such participant holds certificates without disposing of shares in the Plan account, the Agent will continue to reinvest dividends on shares

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of common stock credited to such participant’s Plan account in additional shares unless and until a written request to withdraw such shares from the participant’s Plan account is received by the Agent.

23. What happens if Greene County has a rights offering?

     If we have a rights offering in which separately tradable and exercisable rights are issued to registered holders of shares of common stock, the rights attributable to whole shares of common stock held in a participant’s account will be transferred to the participant as promptly as practicable after the rights are issued. Rights attributable to fractional shares will be sold, and the proceeds therefrom will be treated as an optional cash investment. Rights attributable to shares of common stock registered in the participant’s own name will be treated in the same manner as rights attributable to the shares of common stock of nonparticipants.

24. What happens if the Company issues a stock dividend or declares a stock split?

     Any stock dividends or split shares distributed by us on shares of common stock credited to your account under the Plan will be added to your account. Stock dividends or split shares distributed on shares of common stock registered in your name will also be credited to your Plan account if you participate in the Plan.

25. How will shares in my Plan account be voted at meetings of shareholders?

     You will receive a proxy indicating the total number of your shares of common stock, including shares of common stock registered in your name and shares of common stock credited to your account under the Plan.

     If your proxy is returned properly signed and marked for voting, all the shares covered by the proxy — those registered in your name and those credited to your account under the Plan — will be voted as marked.

     If your proxy is returned properly signed but without indicating instructions as to the manner in which shares are to be voted with respect to any item thereon, all of your shares — those registered in your name and those credited to your account under the Plan — will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the board of directors of Greene County Bancshares. If the proxy is not returned, or if it is returned unsigned or improperly signed, your shares may be voted only if you vote in person.

26. What is the responsibility of Greene County Bancshares, the Agent and the Purchasing Agent under the Plan?

     The Agent and the Purchasing Agent have had no responsibility with respect to the preparation and contents of this Plan. Neither Greene County Bancshares, the Agent nor the Purchasing Agent, in administering the Plan, will be liable for any act done in good faith, or for any good faith omissions to act, including, without limitation, (1) any claims of liability arising out of failure to terminate a participant’s account upon the participant’s death prior to receipt of notice in writing of the death, (2) with respect to the prices at which shares are purchased for participant accounts and the time such purchases are made and (3) with respect to any fluctuation in the market value of the common stock.

     Neither Greene County Bancshares, the Agent nor the Purchasing Agent can assure any participant of a profit or protect any participant against a loss on the shares purchased by him or her under the Plan.

27. Who regulates and interprets the Plan?

     We reserve the right to interpret and regulate the Plan as we deem necessary or desirable with the assistance of the Agent.

28. May the Plan be amended, suspended or terminated?

     We may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time or times. Appropriate notice of such action will be mailed to each participant at his or her last address of record. Any such amendment may include the appointment by us in Illinois Stock Transfer Company’s place and stead of a successor company organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof under the terms and conditions of the Plan, in which event we are authorized to

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pay such successor agent for the account of the participants, all dividends and distributions payable on the shares of common stock held by any participants for application by the successor agent as provided under the Plan.

29. May the Plan be changed or discontinued?

     We reserve the right to suspend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time. Notice of any suspension, modification or termination will be mailed to all participants at a participant’s last address of record.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 to register the common stock to be issued under the Plan. As allowed by Commission rules, this Prospectus does not contain all the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits thereto. The registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about us and our common stock. This Prospectus is a part of the registration statement.

     In addition to filing the registration statement with the Commission, we also file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy the information at the public reference room of the Commission at the following location: Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549.

     Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. Our filings with the Commission are also available to the public at the Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, we maintain a web site at http://www.mybankconnection.com where you can obtain copies of our annual reports, quarterly reports and current reports, and any amendments of those reports. Please note that our web site address is provided as an inactive textual reference only.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be an important part of this Prospectus. In addition, information that we file later with the Commission will automatically update and supersede the information in this Prospectus and be incorporated by reference.

     We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until we no longer issue securities under the Plan:

  1)   Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003;
 
  2)   Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2004; and
 
  3)   Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed January 28, 2004 and April 20, 2004 and Amendments to Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on March 15, 2004 and May 25, 2004.
 
  4)   The description of our common stock contained in that certain Amendment to Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on May 25, 2004, including all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description prior to the termination of the offering of the common stock offered hereby.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, information furnished under Items 9 and 12 of our Current Reports on Form 8-K, including the related Exhibits, is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the registration statement to which this prospectus relates.

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     We will promptly furnish you, at no cost, a copy of any and all of the information that we have incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (without exhibits, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference) upon your telephone or written request to:

 
100 North Main Street, P.O. Box 1120
Greeneville, Tennessee 37743
Attention: William F. Richmond
423-787-1211

USE OF PROCEEDS

     We do not know either the number of shares that will ultimately be purchased under the Plan or the prices at which the shares will be sold, and therefore we cannot determine how the proceeds will be used. We intend to add the net proceeds of sales under the Plan of these shares to our general funds to be available for general corporate purposes. We will not receive any proceeds from open market purchases made through the Purchasing Agent for the Plan.

INDEMNIFICATION

     Our bylaws provide that we shall indemnify each present and future director and officer of Greene County, or any person who may have served at our request as a director or officer of another company (and, in either case, his heirs, executors and administrators) to the full extent allowed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, both as now in effect and as hereafter adopted unless otherwise prohibited by federal law or regulations.

     Our amended and restated charter provides that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Greene County or is or was serving at the request of Greene County as a director or officer of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by Greene County to the fullest extent authorized by Tennessee law against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith. The right to indemnification conferred by our amended and restated charter continues as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and inures to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. However, the right to indemnification conferred by our amended and restated charter does not extend to any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee unless the proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors of Greene County. The right to indemnification conferred in our amended and restated charter includes the right to be paid by Greene County the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition if the following conditions are satisfied:

     (i) an undertaking is delivered to Greene County, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal, that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses;

     (ii) delivery to Greene County by the indemnitee of a written affirmation by the indemnitee (a) of his good faith belief that he has conducted himself in good faith, (b) that he reasonably believed, in the case of his official capacity with Greene County, that his conduct was in Greene County’s best interest, (c) that he reasonably believed, in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to Greene County’s best interest, and (d) that, in the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; and

     (iii) a determination is made that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under Tennessee law.

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     Our amended and restated charter also provides that Greene County may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification, and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of Greene County to the fullest extent of the provisions of our amended and restated charter with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of Greene County.

     Our amended and restated charter eliminates, with exceptions, the potential personal liability of a director for monetary damages to Greene County and its shareholders for breach of a duty as a director. There is, however, no elimination of liability for:

  -   a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to Greene County or its shareholders;
 
  -   an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; or
 
  -   any payment of a dividend or approval of a stock repurchase that is illegal under the Tennessee Business Corporation Act.

     The TBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify any of its directors and officers against liability incurred in connection with a proceeding if (i) the director or officer acted in good faith, (ii) in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity with the corporation, the director or officer reasonably believed such conduct was in the corporation’s best interests, (iii) in all other cases, the director or officer reasonably believed that his or her conduct was not opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and (iv) in connection with any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. In actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, however, the TBCA provides that no indemnification may be made if the director or officer was adjudged to be liable to the corporation. In cases where the director or officer is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding instigated because of his or her status as an officer or director of a corporation, the TBCA mandates that the corporation indemnify the director or officer against reasonable expenses incurred in the proceeding. The TBCA also provides that in connection with any proceeding charging improper personal benefit to an officer or director, no indemnification may be made if such officer or director is adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the TBCA provides that a court of competent jurisdiction, upon application, may order that an officer or director be indemnified for reasonable expenses if, in consideration of all relevant circumstances, the court determines that such individual is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, whether or not the standard of conduct set forth above was met.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Greene County pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Greene County has been informed that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     Except to the extent shares are purchased in the open market by the Purchasing Agent, the shares of common stock sold under the Plan are being distributed directly by us rather than through an underwriter, broker or dealer. We will pay all costs of administration of the Plan. There will be no brokerage commissions or other fees or expenses charged to participants in connection with the purchase of shares under the Plan. Upon withdrawal by a participant from the Plan by the sale of common stock held under the Plan, the participant will receive proceeds of such sale less a nominal fee per transaction paid to the Agent (if such sale is made by the Agent at the request of a participant), any related brokerage commissions and any applicable transfer taxes.

LEGAL OPINION

     The validity of the shares of common stock offered under the Plan has been passed upon for us by Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.

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EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements of Greene County Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries appearing in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 have been audited by Crowe Chizek and Company LLC, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

         
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration fee
  $ 5,232.71  
Legal fees*
  $ 2,500.00  
Accounting Fees*
  $ 1,700.00  
Printing Expenses*
  $ 7,000.00  
Miscellaneous*
  $ 1,000.00  
 
   
 
 
Total*
  $ 17,432.71  
 
   
 
 


*   Estimated

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     Our bylaws provide that we shall indemnify each present and future director and officer of Greene County, or any person who may have served at our request as a director or officer of another company (and, in either case, his heirs, executors and administrators) to the full extent allowed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, both as now in effect and as hereafter adopted unless otherwise prohibited by federal law or regulations.

     Our amended and restated charter provides that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Greene County or is or was serving at the request of Greene County as a director or officer of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by Greene County to the fullest extent authorized by Tennessee law against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith. The right to indemnification conferred by our amended and restated charter continues as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and inures to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. However, the right to indemnification conferred by our amended and restated charter does not extend to any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee unless the proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors of Greene County. The right to indemnification conferred in our amended and restated charter includes the right to be paid by Greene County the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition if the following conditions are satisfied:

     (i) an undertaking is delivered to Greene County, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal, that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses;

     (ii) delivery to Greene County by the indemnitee of a written affirmation by the indemnitee (a) of his good faith belief that he has conducted himself in good faith, (b) that he reasonably believed, in the case of his official capacity with Greene County, that his conduct was in Greene County’s best interest, (c) that he reasonably believed, in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to Greene County’s best interest, and (d) that, in the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; and

     (iii) a determination is made that the facts then known to those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under Tennessee law.

     Our amended and restated charter also provides that Greene County may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification, and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of Greene County to the fullest extent of the provisions of our amended and restated charter with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of Greene County.

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     Our amended and restated charter eliminates, with exceptions, the potential personal liability of a director for monetary damages to Greene County and its shareholders for breach of a duty as a director. There is, however, no elimination of liability for:

  -   a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to Greene County or its shareholders;
 
  -   an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; or
 
  -   any payment of a dividend or approval of a stock repurchase that is illegal under the Tennessee Business Corporation Act.

     The TBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify any of its directors and officers against liability incurred in connection with a proceeding if (i) the director or officer acted in good faith, (ii) in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity with the corporation, the director or officer reasonably believed such conduct was in the corporation’s best interests, (iii) in all other cases, the director or officer reasonably believed that his or her conduct was not opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and (iv) in connection with any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. In actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, however, the TBCA provides that no indemnification may be made if the director or officer was adjudged to be liable to the corporation. In cases where the director or officer is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding instigated because of his or her status as an officer or director of a corporation, the TBCA mandates that the corporation indemnify the director or officer against reasonable expenses incurred in the proceeding. The TBCA also provides that in connection with any proceeding charging improper personal benefit to an officer or director, no indemnification may be made if such officer or director is adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the TBCA provides that a court of competent jurisdiction, upon application, may order that an officer or director be indemnified for reasonable expenses if, in consideration of all relevant circumstances, the court determines that such individual is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, whether or not the standard of conduct set forth above was met.

Item 16. Exhibits

     
Exhibit No.
  Exhibit Description
4.1
  Amended and Restated Charter, incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration Statement No. 333-107842) filed with the SEC on August 11, 2003.
 
   
4.2
  Amended and Restated Bylaws (Restated for SEC electronic filing purposes only).
 
   
5.1
  Opinion of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.
 
   
23.1
  Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC.
 
   
23.2
  Consent of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC (included in Exhibit 5).
 
   
24.1
  Power of Attorney (included at pages II-4 and II-5).

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Item 17. Undertakings

     (a) 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:

  (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
  (ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the 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 a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
 
  (iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

      provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
 
  2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such 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.

  (b)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for 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 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 such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, 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 City of Greeneville, State of Tennessee, on this 28th day of May 2004.

             
    GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES, INC.
 
           
  By:   /s/ R. Stan Puckett    
     
 
   
      R. Stan Puckett    
      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer    

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints R. Stan Puckett and William F. Richmond and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.

         
Signature
  Title
  Date
/s/ R. Stan Puckett
R. Stan Puckett
  Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   May 28, 2004
 
       
/s/ William F. Richmond
William F. Richmond
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)   May 28, 2004
 
       
/s/ Phil M. Bachman
Phil M. Bachman
  Director   May 28, 2004
 
       
/s/ Charles S. Brooks
Charles S. Brooks
  Director   May 28, 2004
 
       

Bruce Campbell
  Director    
 
       
/s/ W.T. Daniels
W.T. Daniels
  Director   May 28, 2004
 
       
/s/ Jerald K. Jaynes
Jerald K. Jaynes
  Director   May 28, 2004
 
       

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Signature
  Title
  Date
/s/ Terry Leonard

Terry Leonard
  Director   May 28, 2004
 
       
/s/ Ronald E. Mayberry
Ronald E. Mayberry
  Director   May 28, 2004
 
       

John Tolsma
  Director    
 
       
/s/ Kenneth R. Vaught
Kenneth R. Vaught
  Director   May 28, 2004
 
       
/s/ Charles H. Whitfield, Jr.
Charles H. Whitfield, Jr.
  Director   May 28, 2004

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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit No.
  Exhibit Description
4.1
  Amended and Restated Charter, and incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration Statement No. 333-107842) filed with the SEC on August 11, 2003.
 
   
4.2
  Amended and Restated Bylaws (Restated for SEC electronic filing purposes only).
 
   
5.1
  Opinion of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.
 
   
23.1
  Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC.
 
   
23.2
  Consent of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC (included in Exhibit 5.1).
 
   
24.1
  Power of Attorney (included at pages II-4 and II-5).

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EX-4.2 2 g89412exv4w2.txt EX-4.2 AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS EXHIBIT 4.2 AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF GREENE COUNTY BANCSHARES, INC. OFFICE 1. Principal Office The principal office of the Corporation shall be in Greeneville, Tennessee, and the Corporation shall have such other offices at such other places within or without the State of Tennessee as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require. SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS 2. Annual Meeting An annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date as may be determined by the Board of Directors. The business to be transacted at such meeting shall be the election of directors and such other business as shall be properly brought before the meeting. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated by the Board of Directors for any annual meeting, or at any adjournment of such meeting, the Board of Directors shall call a special meeting of the shareholders as soon as conveniently possible thereafter. At such special meeting the election of directors shall take place and such election and any other business transacted thereat shall have the same force and effect as if transacted at an annual meeting duly called and held. 3. Special Meetings Special meetings of the shareholders may only be called by the Board of Directors or a committee duly designated by the Board of Directors. 4. Place of Meetings Annual and special meetings of the shareholders shall be held at the Corporation's principal office or at such other place within or without the State of Tennessee as may be designated by the Board of Directors. 5. Notice of Meetings; Waiver (a) Annual Meetings. Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the annual meeting of shareholders shall be given in person or by mail to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be delivered not less than ten (10) days nor more than two (2) months before the meeting. Mailed notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited, with postage prepaid, in the United States mail addressed to the shareholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation at the close of business on the record date established for such meeting. If delivered personally, such notice shall be delivered not less than ten (10) days nor more than two (2) months before the date of the meeting and shall be deemed delivered when actually received by the shareholder. (b) Special Meetings. Written or printed notice of every special meeting of shareholders shall be given in person or by mail to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. Such notice shall state the place, day, hour, purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the person or persons calling the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be delivered not less than ten (10) days nor more than two (2) months before the meeting. Mailed notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited, with postage prepaid, in the United States mail addressed to the 1 EXHIBIT 4.2 shareholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation at the close of business on the record date established for such meeting. If delivered personally, such notice shall be delivered not less than ten (10) days nor more than two (2) months before the date of the meeting and shall be deemed delivered when actually received by the shareholder. (c) Waiver. A shareholder may waive the notice of either an annual or a special meeting by the submission by the shareholder or his proxy holder of a written waiver of notice either before or after such meeting. 6. Quorum Except as otherwise required by law or provided in these Bylaws, a quorum at any meeting of shareholders shall consist of the holders of record of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or by proxy. If, however, such majority shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the shareholders, the shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereat shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, and to any other place, without notice other than announcement at the meeting of the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned. At any adjourned meeting at which the requisite amount of voting stock to constitute a quorum shall be represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. 7. Record Date The record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, shall be such date as shall be determined by the Board of Directors, but which in any event shall not be less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors does not fix such record date, the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders or at any adjournment thereof shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given. 8. Voting of Shares Unless otherwise provided in the Charter, each shareholder of the Corporation shall be entitled, at each meeting of the shareholders and upon each proposal presented at such meeting, to one vote for each share of the capital stock having voting power registered in his name on the books of the Corporation on the record date. Each shareholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing executed by such shareholder or his duly authorized attorney-in-fact and bearing a date not more than eleven (11) months prior to said meeting, unless said instrument provides for a longer period. Unless the Charter, these Bylaws or applicable law specifically provide otherwise, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares represented and entitled to vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the shareholders, except that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election. At each election of directors, every shareholder shall have the right to vote the number of shares which he is entitled to vote at such meeting for as many persons as there are directors to be elected at said meeting, but cumulative voting for such nominees shall not be permitted unless the Charter otherwise provides. 9. Presiding Officer Meetings of the shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman, or if he is not present, by the President, or if he is not present, by a Vice President, or if neither the Chairman, President nor a Vice President is present, by a chairman to be chosen by a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting shall choose any person present to act as secretary of the meeting. DIRECTORS 2 EXHIBIT 4.2 10. Powers and Duties The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by these Bylaws, the Board may exercise all the powers of the Corporation and do all lawful acts and things as are not by applicable law, by the Charter of the Corporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the shareholders. 11. Number, Classification, Term, Qualification, and Vacancies (a) Number, Classification and Term. The Board of Directors shall consist of eleven (11) members. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes equal in number. The members of each class shall be elected for a term of three (3) years and until their successors are elected and qualified, except during an interim arrangement immediately following adoption of the provisions in the Corporation's Charter regarding the Classified Board. One (1) class shall be elected by ballot annually. (b) Vacancies. In case there are vacancies on the Board of Directors, other than vacancies created by the removal of a director or directors (which shall be governed by paragraph 15(c)), the remaining directors may by a majority vote of the directors then in office elect a successor or successors who shall hold office until his or their successors are elected or qualified. (c) Qualification. Directors must be of legal age and be shareholders of the Corporation. (d) Retirement of Directors. No person 70 years of age or older shall be eligible for election, re-election, appointment or re-appointment as a director of the Company. No director shall serve beyond the annual meeting of the Company immediately following the director becoming 70 years old, and such director shall thereafter be a retired director of the Company. The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may name retired directors to the classification of Director Emeritus, who may attend meetings but will not have any vote or any liability for serving. 12. Quorum A majority of the total number of directors in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If, at any meeting of the Board of Directors, there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting, without further notice, from time to time until a quorum shall have been obtained. 13. Manner of Acting The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall, unless otherwise provided by applicable law or these Bylaws, be the act of the Board of Directors. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of directors may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all the directors. Such written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting of the Board of Directors. 14. Meetings; Notice Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held either within or without the State of Tennessee. Notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not state the purpose of, nor the business to be transacted at, such meeting. (a) Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times as are fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board, and may be held without notice of the time or place therefor. (b) Special Meetings. Special meetings may be held at any time upon call of the Chairman, the 3 EXHIBIT 4.2 President, a Vice President or any two (2) directors. Notice of the time and place of each special meeting shall be given to each director at either his business or residence address, as shown by the records of the Corporation, at least forty-eight (48) hours prior thereto if mailed and on the day prior thereto if delivered or given in person or by telephone or telegraph. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited, so addressed and with postage prepaid, in the United States mail. If notice is given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram, so addressed, is delivered to the telegraph company. If notice is given in person, such notice shall be deemed to have been given when it is hand delivered to the director at his business or residence address. Any director may waive notice of any meeting before, at or after such meeting and the attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when a director attends for the sole, express purpose of objecting to the transaction of business thereat, on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, and so states in writing prior to the conduct of any business at the meeting. 15. Removal (a) By Shareholders. Unless the Charter otherwise provides, at any meeting of the shareholders, the entire Board of Directors or any number of directors may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the shares represented and entitled to vote thereat. (b) By Directors. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, any director or directors may be removed from office for cause, as that term is defined by applicable law, by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. (c) Replacement. When any director or directors are removed, new directors may be elected to fill the vacancies created thereby at the same meeting of the shareholders or Board of Directors, as the case may be, for the unexpired term of the director or directors removed. If the shareholders fail to elect persons to fill the unexpired term or terms of the director or directors removed by them, such unexpired terms shall be considered vacancies on the Board to be filled by the remaining directors as provided in paragraph 11(b). 16. Compensation Directors, and members of any committee of the Board of Directors, shall be entitled to such reasonable compensation for their services as directors and members of any such committee as shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, and shall also be entitled to reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred in attending such meetings. Any director receiving compensation under these provisions shall not be barred from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving reasonable compensation for such other services. COMMITTEES 17. Executive Committee There may be, if so determined by a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, an Executive Committee of the Board consisting of two (2) or more directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to such Executive Committee all the power and authority of the Board that it deems desirable, except for any matters which cannot by law be delegated by the Board of Directors. Unless specifically authorized by the Board, the Executive Committee shall not have the power to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws, to submit to shareholders any matter that by law requires their authorization, to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors or in any committee or to declare dividends or make other corporate distributions. 18. Other Committees The Board of Directors may create such other committees as it may determine to be helpful in discharging its responsibilities for the management and administration of the Corporation. Each such committee shall consist of such persons, whether directors, officers or others, as may be elected thereto by the Board of 4 EXHIBIT 4.2 Directors, and each committee shall perform such functions as may be lawfully assigned to it by the Board of Directors. OFFICERS 19. Number The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman, a President, a Secretary and such other officers as may be from time to time elected by the Board of Directors. One person may hold more than one office except the President may not hold the office of Secretary. 20. Election and Term of Office The principal officers shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board following the shareholders' annual meeting, or as soon thereafter as is conveniently possible. Subordinate officers may be elected from time to time. Each officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Board for such term as the Board of Directors may set and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his death, resignation or removal. 21. Removal Any officer may be removed from office by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall not prejudice the contract rights, if any, of the persons so removed. 22. Vacancies Any vacancy in an office from any cause may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors. 23. Duties (a) Chairman. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders or directors and have such other duties as the Board of Directors may designate from time to time and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. If the Board shall so determine, the Chairman may be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. (b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for carrying out the orders of and the resolutions and policies adopted by the Board of Directors and shall have general management of the business of the Corporation and shall exercise general supervision over all of its affairs. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided for herein and as are normally incident to the office and as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. If and at such time as the Board of Directors so determines, the Chief Executive Officer may also serve as the Chairman, or the President of the Corporation. (c) President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation unless the Board of Directors has appointed another person to such office, in which case the President shall be the Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be provided for herein and as are normally incident to the office and as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer. (d) Vice President. The Executive Vice President and the Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer (if any) shall be active executive officers of the Corporation, shall assist the President in the active management of the business, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. 5 EXHIBIT 4.2 (e) Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the shareholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose; he shall perform like duties for any committee when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors when required, and unless directed otherwise by the Board of Directors, shall keep a stock record containing the names of all persons who are shareholders of the Corporation, showing their place of residence and the number of shares held by them respectively. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors. (f) Other Officers. Other officers appointed by the Board of Directors shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be delegated to them by the Board of Directors. (g) Delegation of Duties. In case of the absence or disability of any officer of the Corporation or of any person authorized to act in his place, the Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any officer, or any director, or any other person whom it may select, during such period of absence or disability. 24. Indemnification of Officers and Directors The Corporation shall indemnify each present and future director and officer of the Corporation, or any person who may have served at its request as a director or officer of another company (and, in either case, his heirs, executors and administrators) to the full extent allowed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, both as now in effect and as hereafter adopted unless otherwise prohibited by federal law or regulations. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES OF STOCK 25. Form (a) Stock Certificates. The interest of each shareholder of the Corporation shall be evidenced by a certificate or certificates for shares of stock. The certificate shall include the following on its face: (i) the Corporation's name, (ii) the fact that the Corporation is organized under the laws of the State of Tennessee, (iii) the name of the owner of record of the shares represented thereby, (iv) the number of shares represented thereby, (v) the class of shares and the designation of the series, if any, which the certificate represents, (vi) the par value of each share or a statement that the shares are without par value, and (vii) such other information as applicable law may require or as may be lawful. (b) Signatures. The certificates for stock shall be signed by the President and by the Secretary. Where any certificate is manually countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar who is not an officer or employee of the Corporation, the signatures of the President and the Secretary may be facsimiles, engraved or printed. In case any officer who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon, any certificate shall have ceased to be such before the certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer had not ceased to be such at the time of its issue. 26. Subscriptions for Shares Subscriptions for shares of the Corporation shall be valid only if they are in writing, signed and delivered by the subscriber. Unless the subscription agreement provides otherwise, subscriptions for shares, regardless of the time when they are made, shall be paid in full at such time, or in such installments and at such periods, as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. All calls for payments on subscriptions shall be uniform as to all shares of the same class or of the same series. 27. Transfers Transfers of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the 6 EXHIBIT 4.2 Corporation by (i) the holder of record thereof, (ii) by his legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or (iii) his attorney, authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or a duly appointed transfer agent. Such transfers shall be made only upon surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed and with all taxes thereon paid. 28. Lost, Destroyed, or Stolen Certificates No certificate for shares of stock of the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed, or stolen except on production of evidence, satisfactory to the Board of Directors, of such loss, destruction or theft, and, if the Board of Directors so requires, upon the furnishing of an indemnity bond in such amount (but not to exceed twice the value of the shares represented by the certificate) and with such terms and such surety as the Board of Directors may in its discretion require. CORPORATE ACTIONS 29. Contracts Unless otherwise required by the Board of Directors, the Chairman and/or the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President shall execute contracts or other instruments on behalf of and in the name of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may from time to time authorize any other officer or officers or agent or agents to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation as it may deem appropriate, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. 30. Loans No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. 31. Checks, Drafts, etc. Unless otherwise required by the Board of Directors, all checks, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable instruments of the Corporation shall be signed by either the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, the Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, or their designees, in each case to the extent authorized to do so by the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific business, and, if so directed by the Board, the signatures of two or more such officers may be required. 32. Deposits All funds of the Company not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or other depositories as the Board of Directors may authorize. 33. Voting Securities Held by the Corporation Unless otherwise required by the Board of Directors, the Chairman or the President shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend any meeting of security holders, or to take action on written consent as a security holder, of other corporations in which the Corporation may hold securities. In connection therewith the Chairman or the President shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities which the Corporation possesses. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, confer like powers upon any other person or persons. 34. Dividends 7 EXHIBIT 4.2 The Board of Directors may, from time to time, declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares of capital stock in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by applicable law. The record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive the payment of any dividend shall be determined by the Board of Directors, but which in any event shall not be less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such payment. FISCAL YEAR 35. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and in the absence of such determination, shall be the calendar year. CORPORATE SEAL 36. The Corporation shall not have a corporate seal. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS 37. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, and new Bylaws may be adopted at any meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the stock represented at such meeting, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are present at any regular or special meeting; provided, however, that any amendment to these Bylaws changing the number of directors, if adopted by the Board of Directors, shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the entire Board of Directors. 8 EX-5.1 3 g89412exv5w1.txt EX-5.1 OPINION OF BASS, BERRY & SIMS PLC . . . EXHIBIT 5.1 BASS, BERRY & SIMS PLC A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY KNOXVILLE OFFICE ATTORNEYS AT LAW DOWNTOWN OFFICE: 900 SOUTH GAY STREET, SUITE 1700 AMSOUTH CENTER KNOXVILLE, TN 37902 REPLY TO: 315 DEADERICK STREET, SUITE 2700 (865) 521-6200 AMSOUTH CENTER NASHVILLE, TN 37238-3001 315 DEADERICK STREET, SUITE 2700 (615) 742-6200 MEMPHIS OFFICE NASHVILLE, TN 37238-3001 THE TOWER AT PEABODY PLACE (615) 742-6200 MUSIC ROW OFFICE: 100 PEABODY PLACE, SUITE 950 29 MUSIC SQUARE EAST MEMPHIS, TN 38103-2625 WWW.BASSBERRY.COM NASHVILLE, TN 37203-4322 (901) 543-5900 (615) 255-6161
May 28, 2004 Greene County Bancshares, Inc. 100 North Main Street Greenville, TN 37743-4992 RE: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as your counsel in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 2004, covering 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $2.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Greene County Bancshares, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the "Company"), to be offered by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"). In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon such records, documents and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate in order to express the opinions hereinafter set forth and have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies. Based on the foregoing and such other matters as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common Stock to be offered by the Company, when and as described in the Registration Statement (after the Registration Statement is declared effective) and pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. We hereby consent to the reference to our law firm in the Registration Statement under the caption "Legal Opinion" and to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Sincerely, /s/ Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
EX-23.1 4 g89412exv23w1.txt EX-23.1 CONSENT OF CROWE CHIZEK AND COMPANY LLC EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Greene County Bancshares, Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated January 16, 2004 on the consolidated financial statements of Greene County Bancshares, Inc. appearing in the registrant's 2003 Form 10-K, and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus. /s/ Crowe Chizek and Company LLC Oak Brook, Illinois May 28, 2004
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