SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION |
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Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of |
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Filed by the Registrant x |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
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FIRST MARINER BANCORP |
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Filing Party: |
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Date Filed: |
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IMPORTANT
Dear Stockholder:
We have previously mailed you proxy materials for the Special Meeting of First Mariner Bancorp to be held on March 19, 2010.
According to our latest records we have not yet received your vote. The Special Meeting is now only a short time away. It is important that you return your proxy card today in order to make sure your shares will be voted at the meeting in accordance with your desires.
Your vote is important! First Mariner has called this Special Meeting to ask our stockholders to vote on the following proposal; (1) the issuance of up to $2.6 million of common stock and warrants to acquire additional shares of common stock in exchange for up to $26.0 million aggregate liquidation amount of trust preferred securities; and (2) to grant management the authority to adjourn the Special Meeting to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes to approve proposal 1. If proposal (1) is approved and the exchange is completed, First Mariner Bancorp will eliminate of $20.0 million in debt and will no longer accrue interest expense with the respect to the $20.0 million of trust preferred securities to be exchanged. First Mariner accrued interest expense of $1.25 million on the $20.0 million of trust preferred securities during the year ended December 31, 2008 and $832,865 during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The exchange also will increase First Mariner Bancorps total stockholders equity by approximately $12.8 million, although the exact amount is subject to variation based on the valuation of the warrants at closing.
Your board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote For proposals 1 and 2
Whether your holdings are large or small your vote is important
In the event that your proxy material has been misplaced we are enclosing for your use a duplicate proxy card and return envelope. If you need another copy of the proxy statement, please contact our proxy solicitor, Laurel Hill Advisory Group, at (888)-742-1305.
Please mark, date sign and return the enclosed proxy card (or follow the telephone or internet instructions on your proxy card) today. In the event that two proxy cards are received from you, the one bearing the latest date will be counted, as it automatically revokes all prior proxy cards.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.
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Sincerely, |
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EDWIN F.HALE, SR. |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors |