Form S-3
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 27, 2010

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

HERITAGE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Washington   91-1857900

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

201 Fifth Avenue S.W.

Olympia, Washington 98501

(360) 943-1500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Brian L. Vance

President and Chief Executive Officer

Heritage Financial Corporation

201 Fifth Avenue S.W.

Olympia, Washington 98501

(360) 943-1500

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy of communications to:

 

John F. Breyer, Jr., Esq.

Breyer & Associates PC

8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 785

McLean, Virginia 22102

(703) 883-1100

(703) 883-2911 (fax)

  

Dave M. Muchnikoff, P.C.

Craig M. Scheer, P.C.

Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.

3299 K Street, N.W., Suite 100

Washington, D.C. 20007

(202) 295-4500

(202) 337-5502 (fax)

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

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

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.  x

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.  ¨

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.  ¨


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If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨

  Accelerated filer                   x
Non-accelerated filer    ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company  ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF

SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

 

AMOUNT

TO BE

REGISTERED(1)

 

PROPOSED

MAXIMUM

OFFERING PRICE

PER UNIT(1)(2)

 

PROPOSED

MAXIMUM

AGGREGATE

OFFERING

PRICE(1)(2)

 

AMOUNT OF

REGISTRATION

FEE(3)(4)

Common Stock(4)

               

Preferred Stock(5)

               

Warrants(6)

               

Total

  $100,000,000   100%   $100,000,000   $7,130
 
 
(1) In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all securities issued exceed $100,000,000. The registered securities may be sold separately or together.
(2) Certain information as to each class of securities to be registered is not specified, in accordance with General Instruction II.D. to Form S-3 under the Securities Act.
(3) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely to calculate the registration fee under Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act.
(4) Subject to note (1) above, we are registering an indeterminate number of shares of common stock. We are also registering an indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issuable upon conversion of the preferred stock or upon exercise of warrants registered hereby.
(5) Subject to note (1) above, we are registering an indeterminate number of shares of preferred stock as may be sold from time to time by us. We are also registering an indeterminate number of shares of preferred stock as shall be issuable upon exercise of warrants registered hereby.
(6) Subject to note (1) above, we are registering an indeterminate number of warrants representing rights to purchase shares of common stock or preferred stock registered hereby.

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

$100,000,000

Heritage Financial Corporation

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

We may offer and sell from time to time, shares of our common stock or preferred stock and warrants. The preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock. This prospectus provides you with a general description of these securities. Each time we offer any securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a pricing supplement, that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. These supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To understand the terms of the securities offered, you should carefully read this prospectus with the applicable supplements, which together provide the specific terms of the securities we are offering.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “HFWA.”

These securities are not deposits or obligations of a bank or savings association and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by the prospectus supplement for those securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2010


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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND

THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

We may provide information to you about the securities we are offering in three separate documents that progressively provide more detail:

 

   

this prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may not apply to your securities;

 

   

the accompanying prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of the securities, some of which may not apply to your securities; and

 

   

if necessary, a pricing supplement, which describes the specific terms of your securities.

If the terms of your securities vary among the pricing supplement, the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in the following order of priority:

 

   

the pricing supplement, if any;

 

   

the prospectus supplement; and

 

   

the prospectus.

We include cross-references in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement to captions in these materials where you can find further related discussions. The following table of contents and the table of contents included in the accompanying prospectus supplement provide the pages on which these captions are located.

Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we have not taken any action that would permit us to publicly sell these securities in any jurisdiction outside the United States. If you are an investor outside the United States, you should inform yourself about and comply with any restrictions as to the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   1

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   3

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

   5

RISK FACTORS

   6

HERITAGE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

   6

CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENT

   7

USE OF PROCEEDS

   8

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

   8

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK

   9

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

   19

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   21

LEGAL MATTERS

   22

EXPERTS

   22

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount for all offerings of $100,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities covered by it. Each time we offer these securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offer and include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

In this prospectus, “Heritage,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer to Heritage Financial Corporation, which is a bank holding company headquartered in Olympia, Washington, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context otherwise requires. References to “Heritage Bank” and “Central Valley Bank” in this prospectus mean our subsidiaries, Heritage Bank and Central Valley Bank, respectively, each of which is a Washington state-chartered commercial bank. We sometimes collectively refer to Heritage Bank and Central Valley Bank as the “Banks,” and each individually as a “Bank.” References to “Heritage Financial Corporation” refer to Heritage Financial Corporation, a Washington corporation, on an unconsolidated basis.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, or the “Securities Act,” that registers the offer and sale of the securities that we may offer under this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules included or incorporated by reference in the registration statement, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information included in the registration statement from this prospectus. In addition, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the “Exchange Act.”

You may read and copy this information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Room at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

The SEC also maintains an Internet world wide web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers like us who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is:

http://www.sec.gov

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we file separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document or in a more recent incorporated document.

 

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This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC.

 

SEC Filings

 

Period or Filing Date (as applicable)

Annual Report on Form 10-K (including the portions of our 2010 annual meeting proxy statement incorporated therein by reference)   Year ended December 31, 2009
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q   Quarter ended March 31, 2010
Current Reports on Form 8-K (In each case other than those portions furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K)   Filed on May 7, 2010 and May 18, 2010

This prospectus also incorporates by reference the description of our common stock set forth in the registration statement on Form 8-A (No. 000-29480) filed on January 6, 1998, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

In addition, we incorporate by reference all future documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of our initial registration statement relating to the securities until the completion of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus or until we terminate this offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K (other than current reports furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K), as well as proxy statements.

The information incorporated by reference contains information about us and our business, financial condition and results of operations and is an important part of this prospectus.

You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this document through us, or from the SEC through the SEC’s Internet world wide web site at www.sec.gov. Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in those documents. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the following address:

 

Heritage Financial Corporation

201 Fifth Avenue S.W.

Olympia, Washington 98501

360-943-1500

Attention: Corporate Secretary

In addition, we maintain a corporate website, www.HF-WA.com. We make available, through our website, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. This reference to our website is for the convenience of investors as required by the SEC and shall not be deemed to incorporate any information on the website into this registration statement.

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, those contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplements and the other documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.

Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future goals, plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identified by use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “strive,” “try,” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations, as reflected in these forward-looking statements, are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved or realized. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplements or any document incorporated by reference. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are set forth under Item 1A—“Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, and in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional factors include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in our allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses that may be impacted by deterioration in the housing and commercial real estate markets;

 

   

changes in general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas;

 

   

changes in the levels of general interest rates, and the relative differences between short and long term interest rates, deposit interest rates, our net interest margin and funding sources;

 

   

fluctuations in the demand for loans, the number of unsold homes, land and other properties and fluctuations in real estate values in our market areas;

 

   

secondary market conditions for loans and our ability to sell loans in the secondary market;

 

   

results of examinations of us by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) and of our bank subsidiaries by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks (the “Washington DFI”) or other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, institute a formal or informal enforcement action against us or any of the Banks, require us to increase our reserve for loan losses, write-down assets, change our regulatory capital position or affect our ability to borrow funds or maintain or increase deposits, which could adversely affect our liquidity and earnings;

 

   

our ability to manage loan delinquency rates;

 

   

legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business including changes in regulatory policies and principles, or the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain deposits;

 

   

further increases in premiums for deposit insurance;

 

   

our ability to control operating costs and expenses;

 

   

the use of estimates in determining fair value of certain of our assets, which estimates may prove to be incorrect and result in significant declines in valuation;

 

   

difficulties in reducing risks associated with the loans on our balance sheet;

 

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staffing fluctuations in response to product demand or the implementation of corporate strategies that affect our workforce and potential associated charges;

 

   

computer systems on which we depend could fail or experience a security breach;

 

   

our ability to retain key members of our senior management team;

 

   

costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments;

 

   

our ability to implement our expansion strategy;

 

   

our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel we may in the future acquire into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related thereto;

 

   

increased competitive pressures among financial services companies;

 

   

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

 

   

the availability of resources to address changes in laws, rules, or regulations or to respond to regulatory actions;

 

   

our ability to pay dividends on our common and preferred stock;

 

   

adverse changes in the securities markets;

 

   

inability of key third-party providers to perform their obligations to us;

 

   

changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the financial institution regulatory agencies or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including additional guidance and interpretation on accounting issues and details of the implementation of new accounting methods;

 

   

other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services and the other risks described elsewhere in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the incorporated documents; and

 

   

future legislative or regulatory changes in the United States Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) Capital Purchase Program.

Additionally, the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond our control.

Any forward-looking statements are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements discussed in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement or the incorporated documents might not occur, and you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary provides a general description of the securities we may offer. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a more complete understanding of us and the terms of the securities we will offer, you should read carefully this entire prospectus, including the “Risk Factors” section, the applicable prospectus supplement for the securities and the other documents we refer to and incorporate by reference. In particular, we incorporate important business and financial information into this prospectus by reference.

The Securities We May Offer

We may use this prospectus to offer securities in an aggregate amount of up to $100,000,000 in one or more offerings. A prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we offer securities, will describe the amounts, prices and detailed terms of the securities and may describe risks associated with an investment in the securities in addition to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus. We will also include in the prospectus supplement, where applicable, information about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities. Terms used in this prospectus will have the meanings described in this prospectus unless otherwise specified.

We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. We, as well as any agents acting on our behalf, reserve the sole right to accept or to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of our securities. Each prospectus supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of our securities described in that prospectus supplement and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.

Common Stock

We may sell our common stock, no par value per share. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the aggregate number of shares offered and the offering price or prices of the shares.

Preferred Stock

We may sell shares of our preferred stock in one or more series. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the specific designation, the aggregate number of shares offered, the dividend rate or manner of calculating the dividend rate, the dividend periods or manner of calculating the dividend periods, the ranking of the shares of the series with respect to dividends, liquidation and dissolution, the stated value of the shares of the series, the voting rights of the shares of the series, if any, whether and on what terms the shares of the series will be convertible or exchangeable, whether and on what terms we can redeem the shares of the series, whether we will list the preferred stock on a securities exchange and any other specific terms of the series of preferred stock.

Warrants

We may sell warrants to purchase shares of our preferred stock or shares of our common stock. In a prospectus supplement, we will inform you of the exercise price and other specific terms of the warrants, including whether our or your obligations, if any, under any warrants may be satisfied by delivering or purchasing the underlying securities or their cash value.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our updates to those Risk Factors in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any Current Report on Form 8-K in which we update those Risk Factors, together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. In addition to those risk factors, there may be additional risks and uncertainties of which management is not aware of focused on or that management deems immaterial. Our business, financial condition or results or operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

HERITAGE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Heritage Financial Corporation is a bank holding company incorporated in the State of Washington. We are primarily engaged in the business of planning, directing and coordinating the business activities of our wholly owned bank subsidiaries, Heritage Bank and Central Valley Bank. Heritage Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business from its main office in Olympia, Washington and its 13 branch offices located in Thurston, Pierce, Mason and south King counties in Washington. Central Valley Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business from its main office in Toppenish, Washington and its five branch offices located in Yakima and Kittitas counties in Washington. As a bank holding company, Heritage Financial Corporation is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board. Heritage Bank and Central Valley Bank are subject to regulation by the Washington DFI and the FDIC. As of March 31, 2010, we had total consolidated assets of $1.0 billion, total net loans receivable of $732.6 million, total deposits of $835.9 million and total stockholders’ equity of $159.6 million.

Our business consists primarily of lending and deposit relationships with small businesses and their owners in our market areas and attracting deposits from the general public. We also make residential and commercial construction, income property, and consumer loans and originate for sale or investment purposes first mortgage loans on residential properties located in western and central Washington State.

Heritage Bank, the larger of our two bank subsidiaries, was established in 1927 and primarily serves the South Puget Sound region of Washington. Originally founded as a savings and loan, Heritage Bank implemented a growth strategy in 1994 to expand its offerings from traditional savings and loan products to a full range of products and services for both personal and business banking, which culminated in its conversion to a commercial bank charter in 2004. We acquired our other subsidiary bank, Central Valley Bank, in 1999. Central Valley Bank first opened for business in 1962 and serves the Yakima Valley region of Washington with a primary focus on small business and agricultural lending.

In addition to our acquisition of Central Valley Bank, we have completed two other acquisitions. In 1998, we acquired North Pacific Bank, a Washington-chartered commercial bank in Tacoma, Washington. In 2006, we acquired Western Washington Bancorp and its wholly owned subsidiary, Washington State Bank, N.A. located in Federal Way, Washington. Both banks were merged into Heritage Bank.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “HFWA.” Our principal executive offices are located at 201 Fifth Avenue S.W., Olympia, Washington 98501. Our telephone number is (360) 943-1500.

Additional information about us and our subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 1 of this prospectus.

 

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CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED

STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENT

Our historical consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirement for the periods indicated, both including and excluding interest on deposits, are set forth in the table below. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirement is computed by dividing (i) income from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges by (ii) the sum of total fixed charges and (pre-tax) preferred stock dividend requirement. For purposes of computing these ratios, fixed charges excluding interest on deposits represents interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowed funds and fixed charges including interest on deposits represents all interest expense.

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
    Year Ended December 31,
     2010    2009     2009    2008    2007    2006    2005

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirement

                   

Including interest on deposits

   1.38x    0.73x      1.01x    1.50x    1.62x    1.82x    2.34x

Excluding interest on deposits

   3.07x    (1.20)x (1)    1.04x    20.23x    11.46x    14.03x    17.28x

 

(1) The earnings coverage for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was inadequate to cover total fixed charges. The coverage deficiency for that period was $553,000.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a specific issue of securities. Our general corporate purposes may include repaying the funds we received from the TARP Capital Purchase Program, financing possible acquisitions of branches, other financial institutions, other businesses that are related to banking or diversification into other banking-relating businesses, extending credit to, or funding investments in, our subsidiaries and repaying, reducing or refinancing indebtedness.

The precise amounts and the timing of our use of the net proceeds will depend upon market conditions, our subsidiaries’ funding requirements, the availability of other funds and other factors. Until we use the net proceeds from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, we will use the net proceeds to reduce our indebtedness or for temporary investments. We expect that we will, on a recurrent basis, engage in additional financings as the need arises to finance our corporate strategies, to fund our subsidiaries, to finance acquisitions or otherwise.

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

Our subsidiary banks, Heritage Bank and Central Valley Bank, are Washington-chartered commercial banks and are subject to regulation and supervision by the Washington DFI and by the FDIC. As the holding company for the Banks, we are a bank holding company subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board.

Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of the holders of the preferred stock and common stock we may offer under this prospectus to participate in the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.

In addition, dividends, loans and advances from the Banks are restricted by federal and state statutes and regulations. The FDIC and the Washington DFI can limit each Bank’s payment of dividends based on, among other factors, the maintenance of adequate capital for such Bank.

In addition, there are various statutory and regulatory limitations on the extent to which the Banks can finance us or otherwise transfer funds or assets to us, whether in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments or asset purchases. These extensions of credit and other transactions involving the Banks and us are limited in amount to 10% of each Bank’s capital and surplus and, with respect to us and any nonbanking subsidiaries, to an aggregate of 20% of each Bank’s capital and surplus. Furthermore, loans and extensions of credit are required to be secured in specified amounts and are required to be on terms and conditions consistent with safe and sound banking practices.

For a discussion of the material elements of the regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiaries, and specific information relevant to us, you should refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the subsequent quarterly and current reports filed by us with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This regulatory framework is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the deposit insurance funds that insure deposits of banks, rather than for the protection of security holders.

Changes to the laws and regulations applicable to us or our subsidiaries can affect the operating environment of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries in substantial and unpredictable ways. We cannot accurately predict whether those changes in laws and regulations will occur, and, if those changes occur, the ultimate effect they would have upon our or our subsidiaries’ financial condition or results of operations.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK

Our authorized capital stock consists of:

 

   

50,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value per share; and

 

   

2,500,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share.

As of April 30, 2010, there were 11,082,554 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and 24,000 shares of our preferred stock issued and outstanding, all of which consisted of our Fixed Rate, Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). In this section we describe certain features and rights of our common stock and preferred stock. The summary does not purport to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and to applicable Washington law. You should refer to the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws because they, and not the summaries, define the rights of holders of shares of our common stock and preferred stock. Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws have been filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and may be obtained by following the directions under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Common Stock

We may issue, either separately or together with other securities, shares of common stock. Upon our receipt of the full specified purchase price, the common stock issued will be fully paid and nonassessable. A prospectus supplement relating to an offering of common stock, or other securities convertible or exchangeable for, or exercisable into, common stock, will describe the relevant offering terms, including the number of shares offered, the initial offering price, and market price and dividend information, as well as, if applicable, information on other related securities.

General. Except as described below under “—Anti-takeover Effects – Restrictions on Voting Rights,” each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted upon by the common shareholders. There are no cumulative voting rights. Subject to preferences to which holders of any shares of preferred stock may be entitled, holders of common stock will be entitled to receive ratably any dividends that may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock will be entitled to share in our assets remaining after the payment or provision for payment of our debts and other liabilities, distributions or provisions for distributions in settlement of the liquidation account established in connection with the conversion of Heritage Bank from the mutual to the stock form of ownership, and the satisfaction of any liquidation preferences granted to the holders of any shares of preferred stock that may be outstanding. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions that apply to the common stock. All shares of common stock currently outstanding are fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate in the future.

Restrictions on Dividends and Repurchases Under Agreement with Treasury. The securities purchase agreement we entered into with the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) in connection with the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock to Treasury pursuant to the TARP Capital Purchase Program provides that prior to the earlier of (i) November 21, 2011 and (ii) the date on which all of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock have been redeemed by us or transferred by Treasury to third parties, we may not, without the consent of Treasury, (a) increase the cash dividend on our common stock or (b) subject to limited exceptions, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire shares of our common stock or preferred stock (other than the Series A Preferred Stock) or trust preferred securities.

 

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Preferred Stock

The following summary contains a description of the general terms of the preferred stock that we may issue. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The terms of any series of preferred stock may differ from the terms described below. Certain provisions of the preferred stock described below and in any prospectus supplement are not complete. You should refer to the amendment to our Articles of Incorporation, with respect to the establishment of a series of preferred stock which will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such series of preferred stock. For a description of the terms of our Series A Preferred Stock we issued to the Treasury pursuant to the TARP Capital Purchase Program, see “—Series A Preferred Stock” below.

General. Our Articles of Incorporation permits our Board of Directors to authorize the issuance of up to 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share, in one or more series, without shareholder action. The Board of Directors can fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of each series. Therefore, without shareholder approval (except as may be required under the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock or by the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market or any other exchange or market on which our securities may then be listed or quoted), our Board of Directors can authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting, dividend, liquidation and conversion and other rights that could dilute the voting power or other rights or adversely affect the market value of the common stock and may assist management in impeding any unfriendly takeover or attempted change in control. See “—Anti-Takeover Effects – Authorized Shares.”

The preferred stock has the terms described below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the preferred stock. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of the preferred stock being offered for specific terms, including:

 

   

the designation and stated value per share of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered;

 

   

the amount of liquidation preference per share, if any;

 

   

the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

 

   

the dividend rate, or method of calculation, the dates on which dividends will be payable, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will commence to accumulate;

 

   

any listing of the preferred stock being offered on any securities exchange or other securities market;

 

   

any voting rights;

 

   

any redemption or sinking fund provisions;

 

   

any conversion provisions; and

 

   

any other specific terms of the preferred stock being offered.

Upon our receipt of the full specified purchase price, the preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and liquidation rights in all respects with each other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

Rank. Any series of the preferred stock will, with respect to the priority of the payment of dividends and the priority of payments upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, rank:

 

   

senior to all classes of common stock and all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank junior to the preferred stock (referred to as the “junior securities”);

 

   

equally with all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank equally with the preferred stock (referred to as the “parity securities”); and

 

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junior to all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank senior to the preferred stock.

The terms of the Series A Preferred Stock provide that we must obtain the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock in order to amend our Articles of Incorporation to authorize or create or increase the authorized amount of, or any issuance of, any shares of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and/or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Dividends are payable quarterly on the Series A Preferred Stock at a rate of 5% per annum from the date of issuance through but excluding February 15, 2014 and at a rate of 9% per annum on and after February 15, 2014. The Series A Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock. See “—Series A Preferred Stock.”

Dividends. Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates described, if any, in the prospectus supplement. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based on different methods of calculation. The dividend rate may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on record dates fixed by our Board of Directors, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dividends on any series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our Board of Directors does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of noncumulative preferred stock, then the holders of that noncumulative preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment dates. Dividends on any series of cumulative preferred stock will accrue from the date we initially issue shares of such series or such other date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No full dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of any dividends on any parity securities unless dividends have been paid or set apart for payment on the preferred stock. If full dividends are not paid, the preferred stock will share dividends pro rata with the parity securities. No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any junior securities unless full cumulative dividends for all dividend periods terminating on or prior to the date of the declaration or payment will have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment set apart for payment on the preferred stock.

Rights Upon Liquidation. If we dissolve, liquidate or wind up our affairs, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, before any payment or distribution of assets is made to holders of junior securities, liquidating distributions in the amount described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of the preferred stock, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and, if the series of the preferred stock is cumulative, for all dividend periods prior to that point in time. If the amounts payable with respect to the preferred stock of any series and any other parity securities are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of that series and of the parity securities will share proportionately in the distribution of our assets in proportion to the full liquidation preferences to which they are entitled. After the holders of preferred stock and the parity securities are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

Because we are a bank holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors and of our shareholders, including the holders of any shares of preferred stock then outstanding, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.

 

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Redemption. We may provide that a series of the preferred stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option or at the option of the holder of the stock. In addition, a series of preferred stock may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise. The redemption provisions that may apply to a series of preferred stock, including the redemption dates and the redemption prices for that series, will be described in the prospectus supplement.

In the event of partial redemptions of preferred stock, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, our Board of Directors will determine the method for selecting the shares to be redeemed, which may be by lot or pro rata or by any other method determined to be equitable.

On or after a redemption date, unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of preferred stock called for redemption. In addition, all rights of holders of the shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock, if any dividends on any other series of preferred stock ranking equally as to payment of dividends and liquidation rights with such series of preferred stock are in arrears, no shares of any such series of preferred stock may be redeemed, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, unless all shares of preferred stock are redeemed, and we will not purchase any shares of such series of preferred stock. This requirement, however, will not prevent us from acquiring such shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all such shares outstanding.

Voting Rights. Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the preferred stock will have no voting rights except as otherwise required by law or in our Articles of Incorporation.

Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, if the holders of any series of the preferred stock are or become entitled to vote for the election of directors, such series may then be deemed a “class of voting securities” and a holder of 10% or more of such series that is a company may then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company. In addition, at such time as such series is deemed a class of voting securities, (a) any holder that is a bank holding company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire or retain more than 5% of that series and (b) any person may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire or retain 10% or more of that series.

Series A Preferred Stock

This section summarizes specific terms and provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock. The description of the Series A Preferred Stock contained in this section is qualified in its entirety by the actual terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, as are stated in the articles of amendment to our Articles of Incorporation, a copy of which is included in Exhibit 3.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General. The Series A Preferred Stock constitutes a single series of our preferred stock, consisting of 24,000 shares, no par value per share, having a liquidation preference amount of $1,000 per share. The Series A Preferred Stock has no maturity date. We issued the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to Treasury on November 21, 2008 in connection with the TARP Capital Purchase Program for a purchase price of $24.0 million.

Dividend Rate. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are payable quarterly in arrears, when, as and if authorized and declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds, on a cumulative basis on the $1,000 per share liquidation preference amount plus the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends for any prior dividend periods, at a rate of (i) 5% per annum, from the original issuance date to but excluding the first day of the first dividend period commencing after the fifth anniversary of the original issuance date (i.e., 5% per annum

 

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from November 21, 2008 to but excluding February 15, 2014), and (ii) 9% per annum, from and after the first day of the first dividend period commencing after the fifth anniversary of the original issuance date (i.e., 9% per annum on and after February 15, 2014). Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on February 15, 2009.

Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are cumulative. If for any reason our Board of Directors does not declare a dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock for a particular dividend period, or if the Board of Directors declares less than a full dividend, we will remain obligated to pay the unpaid portion of the dividend for that period and the unpaid dividend will compound on each subsequent dividend date (meaning that dividends for future dividend periods will accrue on any unpaid dividend amounts for prior dividend periods).

We are not obligated to pay holders of the Series A Preferred Stock any dividend in excess of the dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock that are payable as described above. There is no sinking fund with respect to dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock.

Priority of Dividends. So long as the Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding, we may not declare or pay a dividend or other distribution on our common stock or any other shares of Junior Stock (other than dividends payable solely in common stock) or Parity Stock (other than dividends paid on a pro rata basis with the Series A Preferred Stock), and we generally may not directly or indirectly purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of common stock, Junior Stock or Parity Stock unless all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods are paid in full.

“Junior Stock” means our common stock and any other class or series of our stock the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks junior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Heritage Financial Corporation. We currently have no outstanding class or series of stock constituting Junior Stock other than our common stock.

“Parity Stock” means any class or series of our stock, other than the Series A Preferred Stock, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Heritage Financial Corporation, in each case without regard to whether dividends accrue cumulatively or non-cumulatively. We currently have no outstanding class or series of stock constituting Parity Stock.

Liquidation Rights. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Heritage Financial Corporation, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, out of the assets of Heritage Financial Corporation or proceeds available for distribution to our shareholders, subject to any rights of our creditors, before any distribution of assets or proceeds is made to or set aside for the holders of our common stock and any other class or series of our stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, payment of an amount equal to the sum of (i) the $1,000 liquidation preference amount per share and (ii) the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock (including dividends accrued on any unpaid dividends). To the extent the assets or proceeds available for distribution to shareholders are not sufficient to fully pay the liquidation payments owing to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of any other class or series of our stock ranking equally with the Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and such other stock will share ratably in the distribution.

For purposes of the liquidation rights of the Series A Preferred Stock, neither a merger or consolidation of Heritage Financial Corporation with another entity nor a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of Heritage Financial Corporation’s assets will constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Heritage Financial Corporation.

Redemption and Repurchases Subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board, the Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable at our option in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the

 

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liquidation preference amount of $1,000 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to but excluding the date of redemption (including dividends accrued on any unpaid dividends), provided that any declared but unpaid dividend payable on a redemption date that occurs subsequent to the record date for the dividend will be payable to the holder of record of the redeemed shares on the dividend record date, and provided further that the Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed prior to the first dividend payment date falling after the third anniversary of the original issuance date (i.e., prior to February 15, 2012) only if (i) we have, or our successor following a business combination with another entity which also participated in the TARP Capital Purchase Program has, raised aggregate gross proceeds in one or more Qualified Equity Offerings of at least the Minimum Amount and (ii) the aggregate redemption price of the Series A Preferred Stock does not exceed the aggregate net proceeds from such Qualified Equity Offerings by us and any successor. The “Minimum Amount” means $6.0 million plus, in the event we are succeeded in a business combination by another entity which also participated in the TARP Capital Purchase Program, 25% of the aggregate liquidation preference amount of the preferred stock issued by that entity to Treasury. A “Qualified Equity Offering” is defined as the sale for cash by Heritage Financial Corporation (or its successor) of preferred stock or common stock that qualifies as Tier 1 capital under applicable regulatory capital guidelines.

Subsequent to our issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, on February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “ARRA”) into law. Among other things, the ARRA provides that subject to consulting with the appropriate federal banking agency (the Federal Reserve in our case), Treasury must permit repayment of funds provided under the TARP Capital Purchase Program without regard to whether the institution which received the funds has replaced the funds from any other source.

Shares of Series A Preferred Stock that we redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire will revert to authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock, which may then be reissued by us as any series of preferred stock other than the Series A Preferred Stock.

No Conversion Rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have no right to exchange or convert their shares into common stock or any other securities.

Voting Rights. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock do not have voting rights other than those described below, except to the extent specifically required by Washington law.

Whenever dividends have not been paid on the Series A Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not consecutive, the authorized number of directors of Heritage Financial Corporation will automatically increase by two and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have the right, with the holders of shares of any other classes or series of Voting Parity Stock outstanding at the time, voting together as a class, to elect two directors (the “Preferred Directors”) to fill such newly created directorships at our next annual meeting of shareholders (or at a special meeting called for that purpose prior to the next annual meeting) and at each subsequent annual meeting of shareholders until all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past dividend periods on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been paid in full at which time this right will terminate with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent default by us in the payment of dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock.

No person may be elected as a Preferred Director who would cause us to violate any corporate governance requirements of any securities exchange or other trading facility on which our securities may then be listed or traded that listed or traded companies must have a majority of independent directors. Upon any termination of the right of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and Voting Parity Stock as a class to vote for directors as described above, the Preferred Directors will cease to be qualified as directors, the terms of office of all Preferred Directors then in office will terminate immediately and the authorized number of directors will be reduced by the number of Preferred Directors which had been elected by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Voting Parity Stock. Any Preferred Director may be removed at any time, with or without cause, and any vacancy created by such a removal may be filled, only by the affirmative vote of the holders a majority of the

 

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outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock voting separately as a class together with the holders of shares of Voting Parity Stock, to the extent the voting rights of such holders described above are then exercisable. If the office of any Preferred Director becomes vacant for any reason other than removal from office, the remaining Preferred Director may choose a successor who will hold office for the unexpired term of the office in which the vacancy occurred.

The term “Voting Parity Stock” means with regard to any matter as to which the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, any series of Parity Stock (as defined under “—Dividends-Priority of Dividends”) upon which voting rights similar to those of the Series A Preferred Stock have been conferred and are exercisable with respect to such matter. We currently have no outstanding shares of Voting Parity Stock.

In addition to any other vote or consent required by Washington law or by our Articles of Incorporation, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, is required in order to do the following:

 

   

amend our Articles of Incorporation or the articles of amendment for the Series A Preferred Stock to authorize or create or increase the authorized amount of, or any issuance of, any shares of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Heritage Financial Corporation; or

 

   

amend our Articles of Incorporation or the articles of amendment for the Series A Preferred Stock in a way that materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock; or

 

   

consummate a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series A Preferred Stock or a merger or consolidation of Heritage Financial Corporation with another entity, unless (i) the shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of a merger or consolidation in which Heritage Financial Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (ii) the shares of Series A Preferred Stock remaining outstanding or such preference securities, have such rights, preferences, privileges, voting powers, limitations and restrictions, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable than the rights, preferences, privileges, voting powers, limitations and restrictions of the Series A Preferred Stock prior to consummation of the transaction, taken as a whole;

provided, however, that (1) any increase in the amount of our authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock, and (2) the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any other series of preferred stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other series of preferred stock, ranking equally with and/or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock and will not require the vote or consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.

To the extent holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to one for each share then held.

Anti-takeover Effects

The provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, our Bylaws, and Washington law summarized in the following paragraphs may have anti-takeover effects and may delay, defer, or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider to be in such shareholder’s best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by shareholders, and may make removal of management more difficult.

 

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Authorized Shares. Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of common stock and 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock. These shares of common stock and preferred stock provide our Board of Directors with as much flexibility as possible to effect, among other transactions, financings, acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and the exercise of employee stock options. However, these additional authorized shares may also be used by the Board of Directors consistent with its fiduciary duty to deter future attempts to gain control of us. The Board of Directors also has sole authority to determine the terms of any one or more series of preferred stock, including voting rights, conversion rates, and liquidation preferences. As a result of the ability to fix voting rights for a series of preferred stock, the Board has the power to the extent consistent with its fiduciary duty to issue a series of preferred stock to persons friendly to management in order to attempt to block a tender offer, merger or other transaction by which a third party seeks control of us, and thereby assist members of management to retain their positions.

Restrictions on Voting Rights. Our Articles of Incorporation provide for restrictions on voting rights of shares owned in excess of 10% of any class of our equity security. Specifically, our Articles of Incorporation provide that if any person or group acting in concert acquires the beneficial ownership of more than 10% of any class of our equity security without the prior approval by a two-thirds vote of our “Continuing Directors,” (as defined therein) then, with respect to each vote in excess of 10% of the voting power of our outstanding shares of voting stock which such person would otherwise have been entitled to cast, such person shall be entitled to cast only one-hundredth of one vote per share. Exceptions from this limitation are provided for, among other things, any proxy granted to one or more of our “Continuing Directors” and for our employee benefit plans. Under our Articles of Incorporation, the restriction on voting shares beneficially owned in violation of the foregoing limitations is imposed automatically, and the Articles of Incorporation provide that a majority of our Continuing Directors have the power to construe the forgoing restrictions and to make all determinations necessary or desirable to implement these restrictions. These restrictions would, among other things, restrict voting power of a beneficial owner of more than 10% of our outstanding shares of common stock in a proxy contest or on other matters on which such person is entitled to vote.

Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, each of which contains approximately one-third of the members of the Board. The members of each class are elected for a term of three years, with the terms of office of all members of one class expiring each year so that approximately one-third of the total number of directors is elected each year. The classification of directors is intended to provide for Board continuity. The classification of directors, together with the provisions in our Articles of Incorporation described below that limit the ability of shareholders to remove directors and that permit only the remaining directors to fill any vacancies on the Board of Directors, has the effect, however, of making it more difficult for shareholders to change the composition of the Board of Directors. As a result, at least two annual meetings of shareholders will be required for the shareholders to change a majority of the directors, whether or not a change in the Board of Directors would be beneficial and whether or not a majority of shareholders believe that such a change would be desirable.

Our Articles of Incorporation provides that the size of the Board shall be not less than five or more than 25 (exclusive of directors to be elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, voting separately as a class) as set in accordance with the Bylaws. In accordance with the Bylaws, the number of directors is currently set at ten. The Articles of Incorporation provide that any vacancy occurring in the Board, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors, shall be filled by a vote of two-thirds of the directors then in office and any director so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of the class to which the director has been chosen expires. The Articles of Incorporation further provide that a director may be removed from the Board of Directors prior to the expiration of his term only for cause and only upon the vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as a single class.

The foregoing description of our Board of Directors does not apply with respect to directors that may be elected by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. The terms of the Series A Preferred Stock provide that the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have the right to elect two directors in the event we do not pay dividends

 

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on the Series A Preferred Stock for six or more dividend periods, whether or not consecutive. This right will terminate and the terms of such directors will end at the time all unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock have been paid in full. See “—Series A Preferred Stock-Voting Rights.”

Cumulative Voting, Special Meetings and Action by Written Consent. Our Articles of Incorporation do not provide for cumulative voting for any purpose. Our Bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, our Chief Executive Officer, a majority of the Board of Directors, or any shareholder or shareholders holding in the aggregate at least ten percent of all shares entitled to vote at the special meeting. The Washington Business Corporation Act provides that any action taken by written consent in lieu of a shareholder meeting must receive the consent of all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.

Shareholder Vote Required to Approve Business Combinations with Principal Shareholders. The Articles of Incorporation require the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total shares attributable to persons other than a “Control Person” (as defined therein), considered as one class, to approve certain “Business Combinations” (as defined therein) involving a Control Person except in cases where the proposed transaction has been approved in advance by a majority of the “Continuing Directors” (as defined therein) or certain fair price and procedure criteria have been met. The term “Control Person” is defined to include any individual, corporation, partnership or other entity which, together with the affiliates and associates of such person or entity, owns beneficially 20% or more of the outstanding shares of the common stock of Heritage Financial Corporation or an affiliate or associate of such person or entity. The term “Continuing Director” means a director of Heritage Financial Corporation who was a director prior to the time when the Control Person became the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the common stock of Heritage Financial Corporation or who was designated as a Continuing Director before initially becoming a director by a majority of the Continuing Directors. The term “Business Combination” is defined to include: (i) any merger or consolidation of Heritage Financial Corporation with or into a Control Person; (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of Heritage Financial Corporation, or of a subsidiary, to a Control Person; (iii) any merger or consolidation of a Control Person with or into Heritage Financial Corporation or a subsidiary of Heritage Financial Corporation; (iv) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of a Control Person to Heritage Financial Corporation or a subsidiary of Heritage Financial Corporation; (v) the issuance of any securities of Heritage Financial Corporation or a subsidiary of Heritage Financial Corporation to a Control Person; (vi) the acquisition by Heritage Financial Corporation or a subsidiary of Heritage Financial Corporation of any securities of a Control Person; (vii) any reclassification of common stock of Heritage Financial Corporation, or any recapitalization involving the common stock of Heritage Financial Corporation, consummated within five years after a Control Person becomes a Control Person; or (viii) any agreement or other arrangement providing for any of the foregoing.

Washington law imposes restrictions on certain transactions between a corporation and certain significant shareholders. Chapter 23B.19 of the Washington Business Corporation Act prohibits a “target corporation,” with certain exceptions, from engaging in certain “significant business transactions” with an “Acquiring Person” who acquires 10% or more of the voting securities of a target corporation for a period of five years after such acquisition, unless the transaction or acquisition of shares is approved by a majority of the members of the target corporation’s board of directors prior to the date of the acquisition or, at or subsequent to the date of the acquisition, the transaction is approved by a majority of the members of the target corporation’s board of directors and authorized at a shareholders’ meeting by the vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares of the target corporation, excluding shares owned or controlled by the Acquiring Person. The prohibited transactions include, among others, a merger or consolidation with, disposition of assets to, or issuance or redemption of stock to or from, the Acquiring Person, termination of 5% or more of the employees of the target corporation as a result of the Acquiring Person’s acquisition of 10% or more of the shares, or allowing the Acquiring Person to receive any disproportionate benefit as a shareholder. After the five-year period during which significant business transactions are prohibited, certain significant business transactions may occur if certain “fair price” criteria or shareholder approval requirements are met. Target corporations include all publicly-traded corporations incorporated under Washington law, as well as publicly traded foreign corporations that meet certain requirements.

 

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Amendment of Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Amendments to our Articles of Incorporation must be approved by our Board of Directors by a majority vote of the Board and by our shareholders by a majority of the voting group comprising all the votes entitled to be cast on the proposed amendment, and a majority of each other voting group entitled to vote separately on the proposed amendment; provided, however, that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of the stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (giving effect to the 10% voting limitation described above), voting together as a single class, is required to amend or repeal certain provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, including the provisions relating to the number of directors, classification of the Board and the filling of Board vacancies, the 10% voting limitation, “Business Combinations” with “Control Persons,” indemnification and amendment of the Articles of Incorporation. Our Bylaws may be amended by our Board of Directors by vote of a majority of the whole Board or by our shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and entitled to vote on the subject matter.

The cumulative effect of the restrictions on a potential acquisition of us that are contained in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and federal and Washington law, may be to discourage potential takeover attempts and perpetuate incumbent management, even though certain shareholders may deem a potential acquisition to be in their best interests, or deem existing management not to be acting in their best interests.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock or preferred stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any shares of our common stock or preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from the shares of common stock or preferred stock. The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between Heritage Financial Corporation and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as is named in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of Heritage Financial Corporation in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants.

The following outlines some of the anticipated general terms and conditions of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the warrants in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the applicable warrant agreement.

General

If warrants are offered, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:

 

   

the offering price;

 

   

the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of any common stock warrants and the price at which such shares of common stock may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

   

the designation, number of shares and terms of the preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of any preferred stock warrants and the price at which such shares of preferred stock may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related common stock or preferred stock will be separately transferable;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which such right will expire;

 

   

whether the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

 

   

a discussion of certain federal income tax, accounting and other special considerations, procedures and limitations relating to the warrants; and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants.

If in registered form, warrants may be presented for registration of transfer, and may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase such number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or can be calculated according to information contained in, the prospectus supplement relating to the warrant. Warrants may be exercised at such times as are set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants. After the close of business on the expiration date of the warrants, or such later date to which such expiration date may be extended by Heritage Financial Corporation, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

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Subject to any restrictions and additional requirements that may be set forth in the prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised by delivery to the warrant agent of the certificate evidencing such warrants properly completed and duly executed and of payment as provided in the prospectus supplement of the amount required to purchase the shares of common stock or preferred stock upon such exercise. The exercise price will be the price applicable on the date of payment in full, as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Upon receipt of such payment and the certificate representing the warrants to be exercised, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by such certificate are exercised, a new certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of warrants.

Additional Provisions

The exercise price payable and the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of each stock warrant will be subject to adjustment in certain events, including:

 

   

the issuance of the stock dividend to holders of common stock or preferred stock, respectively;

 

   

a combination, subdivision or reclassification of common stock or preferred stock, respectively; or

 

   

any other event described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In lieu of adjusting the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of each stock warrant, we may elect to adjust the number of stock warrants. No adjustment in the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the stock warrants will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% thereof. We may, at our option, reduce the exercise price at any time. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of stock warrants, but we will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case of any consolidation, merger, or sale or conveyance of the property of Heritage Financial Corporation as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, the holder of each outstanding stock warrant will have the right upon the exercise thereof to the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property, including cash, receivable by a holder of the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock into which such stock warrants were exercisable immediately prior thereto.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell our securities in any of three ways (or in any combination):

 

   

through underwriters or dealers;

 

   

through agents; or

 

   

directly to purchasers or to a single purchaser.

Each time that we use this prospectus to sell our securities, we will also provide a prospectus supplement that contains the specific terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of such securities, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the type and amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them; and

 

   

the public offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities.

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase our securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions or discounts we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

Pursuant to a requirement by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer may not be greater than 8% of the gross proceeds received by us from the sale of any securities registered pursuant to SEC Rule 415.

Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates in connection with those derivatives, then the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. In that event, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Breyer & Associates PC, McLean, Virginia.

EXPERTS

The consolidated statements of financial condition of Heritage Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the expenses, other than underwriting compensation, expected to be incurred in connection with the registration and sale of the securities covered by this Registration Statement.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 7,130

Blue Sky fees and expenses

     10,000

Legal fees and expenses

     150,000

Accounting fees and expenses

     50,000

Printing and engraving fees and expenses

     20,000

Miscellaneous

     12,870
      

Total

   $ 250,000
      

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors

The registrant, Heritage Financial Corporation (“Heritage” or the “Registrant”), is organized under the Washington Business Corporation Act (the “WBCA”) which, in general, empowers Washington corporations to indemnify a person made a party to a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another enterprise, against expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, amounts paid in settlements, penalties and fines actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith if the person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders and, with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, if the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Washington corporations may not indemnify a person in connection with such proceedings if the person was adjudged to have received an improper personal benefit.

The WBCA also empowers Washington corporations to provide similar indemnity to such a person in connection with actions or suits by or in the right of the corporation if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the interests of the corporation or its shareholders, unless the person was adjudged liable to the corporation.

If authorized by the articles of incorporation of a Washington corporation or by its shareholders, a Washington corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to the persons described above without regard to the limitations described above, provided that such indemnity will not cover acts or omissions of the person finally adjudged to be intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, conduct finally adjudged to involve a violation of WBCA Section 310 (related to certain unlawful distributions), and any transaction with respect to which it was finally adjudged that the person received a benefit to which such person was not legally entitled.

The WBCA also permits a Washington corporation to purchase and maintain on behalf of such person insurance against liabilities incurred in such capacities. Heritage has obtained a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

The WBCA further permits a Washington corporation to include provisions in its articles of incorporation that eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for conduct as a director . However, such provisions may not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any of the following: (i) acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct by a director or a knowing

 

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violation of law by a director; (ii) conduct violating WBCA Section 310; or (iii) any transaction from which the director will personally receive a benefit in money, property or services to which the director is not legally entitled.

Heritage’s Articles of Incorporation

Article 16 of Heritage’s Articles of Incorporation provides that Heritage will reimburse and indemnify the directors and officer-directors of Heritage and its subsidiaries for judgments, penalties or penalty taxes, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees actually incurred by such person in connection with any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer-director unless the liability and expenses were on account of conduct finally adjudged to be egregious conduct as defined in the Articles of Incorporation. In addition, Article 16 provides that the directors and officer-directors of Heritage shall not be personally liable for monetary damages to Heritage for conduct as a director or officer-director unless the conduct is finally adjudged to be egregious conduct as defined in the Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation define “egregious conduct” as conduct falling under any of items (i) – (iii) of the immediately preceding paragraph, for which the liability of a director cannot be eliminated or limited under the WBCA.

 

Item 16. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this registration statement:

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Document

  1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement for any offering of securities(1)
  3.1(a)   Articles of Incorporation of Heritage Financial Corporation (“Heritage”)(2)
  3.1(b)   Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Heritage(3)
  3.1(c)   Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Heritage(4)
  3.2   Bylaws of Heritage(5)
  4.1   Letter Agreement between Heritage and the United States Department of the Treasury dated November 21, 2008 in connection with Heritage’s participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program, and related documents(3)
  4.2   Form of Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Heritage for Preferred Stock which may be issued under this Registration Statement(1)
  4.3   Form of Warrant Agreement(1)
  5.1   Opinion of Breyer & Associates PC
12.1   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirement
23.1   Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2   Consent of Breyer & Associates PC (contained in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
24.1   Powers of attorney (contained in the signature page of the registration statement)

 

(1) To be filed as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-35573) declared effective on November 12, 1997
(3) Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2008.
(4) Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2010.
(5) Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 29, 2007.

 

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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; and

(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 the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) 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 registration pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of 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;

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such

 

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effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining any liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for the 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 this 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;

(c) With respect to any warrants:

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

(d) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

(i) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(ii) For the purposes of determining of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(e) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,

 

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the Registrant has been advised 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. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 Olympia, State of Washington, on the 27th day of May, 2010.

 

HERITAGE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

By:

 

/S/    BRIAN L. VANCE        

 

Brian L. Vance

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Duly Authorized Representative)

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Brian L. Vance or Donald J. Hinson, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in fact and agent may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/S/    BRIAN L. VANCE        

  

/S/    DONALD J. HINSON        

Brian L. Vance    Donald J. Hinson

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Date: May 27, 2010

   Date: May 27, 2010

/S/    DONALD V. RHODES        

  

/S/    BRIAN S. CHARNESKI        

Donald V. Rhodes    Brian S. Charneski
Chairman of the Board    Director

Date: May 27, 2010

   Date: May 27, 2010

/S/    GARY B. CHRISTENSEN        

  

/S/    JOHN A. CLEES        

Gary B. Christensen    John A. Clees
Director    Director

Date: May 27, 2010

   Date: May 27, 2010

/S/    KIMBERLY T. ELLWANGER        

  

/S/    PETER N. FLUETSCH        

Kimberly T. Ellwanger    Peter N. Fluetsch
Director    Director

Date: May 27, 2010

   Date: May 27, 2010

 

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/S/    DARYL D. JENSEN        

  

/S/    JEFFREY S. LYON        

Daryl D. Jensen    Jeffrey S. Lyon
Director    Director

Date: May 27, 2010

   Date: May 27, 2010

/S/    PHILIP S. WEIGAND        

  
Philip S. Weigand   
Director   

Date: May 27, 2010

  

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Document

  1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement for any offering of securities(1)
  3.1(a)   Articles of Incorporation of Heritage Financial Corporation (“Heritage”)(2)
  3.1(b)   Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Heritage(3)
  3.1(c)   Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Heritage(4)
  3.2   Bylaws of Heritage(5)
  4.1   Letter Agreement between Heritage and the United States Department of the Treasury dated November 21, 2008 in connection with Heritage’s participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program, and related documents(3)
  4.2   Form of Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Heritage for Preferred Stock which may be issued under this Registration Statement(1)
  4.3   Form of Warrant Agreement(1)
  5.1   Opinion of Breyer & Associates PC
12.1   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirement
23.1   Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2   Consent of Breyer & Associates PC (contained in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
24.1   Powers of attorney (contained in the signature page of the registration statement)

 

(1) To be filed as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-35573) declared effective on November 12, 1997
(3) Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2008.
(4) Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2010.
(5) Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 29, 2007.

 

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