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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT
REPORT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January&nbsp;7, 2019 </B></P>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>HOPFED BANCORP, INC. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Delaware</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">0-23667</FONT></B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">61-1322555</FONT></B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or Other Jurisdiction</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of Incorporation)</B></P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>File Number)</B></P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>4155 Lafayette Road, Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42240 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(270) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">885-1171</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </B></P>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below if the Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of
the registrant under any of the following provisions: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-12</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17
CFR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.14a-12)</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Pre-commencement</FONT> communications pursuant to Rule <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14d-2(b)</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.14d-2(b))</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Pre-commencement</FONT> communications pursuant to Rule <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">13e-4(c)</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.13e-4(c)).</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this
chapter) or Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">12b-2</FONT> of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(&#167;240.12b-2</FONT> of this chapter). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Emerging growth company&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If an emerging
growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) of the Exchange
Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744;</P> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;1.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On January&nbsp;7, 2019, HopFed Bancorp, Inc. (&#147;<B>HopFed</B>&#148;) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the &#147;<B>Merger
Agreement</B>&#148;) with First Financial Corporation, an Indiana corporation (&#147;<B>First Financial</B>&#148;). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, HopFed will merge with and into First Financial, with First Financial as the surviving corporation
(the &#147;<B>Merger</B>&#148;). Immediately following the Merger, Heritage Bank USA, Inc., a Kentucky commercial bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of HopFed, will merge with and into First Financial Bank, N.A., the wholly-owned national banking
association subsidiary of First Financial (&#147;<B>First Financial Bank</B>&#148;), with First Financial Bank as the surviving bank. The Merger Agreement will be filed as an amendment to this Current Report on Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K.</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The boards of directors of each of First Financial and HopFed have approved the Merger and
the Merger Agreement. Subject to the approval of the Merger by HopFed&#146;s stockholders, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions, the parties anticipate completing the Merger in the second quarter of 2019. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Upon completion of the Merger, each HopFed stockholder may elect to receive either (or a combination of) 0.444 shares of First Financial
common stock or $21.00 in cash for each share of HopFed&#146;s common stock, subject to proration provisions specified in the Merger Agreement that provide for an aggregate split of 50% of HopFed shares being exchanged for First Financial common
stock and 50% for cash. Based on First Financial&#146;s January&nbsp;4, 2019 closing price of $43.01&nbsp;per share as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the transaction has an implied valuation of approximately $128.3&nbsp;million. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Members of the board of directors of HopFed, in their capacity as stockholders, have entered into voting agreements pursuant to which they
have agreed to vote their shares of HopFed common stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Merger. The form of voting agreement is attached to the Merger Agreement and will be filed as an amendment to this Current
Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K.</FONT> In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement and subject to certain terms and conditions, the board of directors of HopFed has agreed to recommend the approval and adoption of the Merger
Agreement and the Merger to the HopFed stockholders and will solicit proxies voting in favor of the Merger Agreement and Merger from HopFed&#146;s stockholders. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">First Financial and certain stockholders of HopFed entered into a Standstill Agreement pursuant to which such stockholders agreed to vote in
favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and any actions required in furtherance thereof. The stockholders who entered into a Standstill&nbsp;Agreement include
Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P., Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P., Stilwell Associates, L.P., Stilwell Value LLC, and Joseph Stilwell. A copy of the Standstill Agreement will be filed as an amendment to this Current Report on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K.</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties from both First Financial
and HopFed, and each party has agreed to customary covenants, including, among others, in the case of HopFed covenants relating to (1)&nbsp;the conduct of its business during the interim period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the
effective time of the Merger, (2)&nbsp;its obligation to call a meeting of its stockholders to adopt the Merger Agreement, (3)&nbsp;its obligation, subject to certain exceptions, to recommend that its stockholders approve the Merger Agreement and
the Merger, and (4)&nbsp;its obligations relating to the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-solicitation</FONT> of alternative acquisition proposals. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Merger Agreement also provides certain termination rights for both First Financial and HopFed, and further provides that upon termination
of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances, HopFed will be obligated to pay First Financial a termination fee of $5.1&nbsp;million. Also, HopFed may terminate the Merger Agreement if, during the
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">seven-day</FONT> period following the receipt of all regulatory and stockholder approvals and consents necessary for consummation of the Merger, both (i) </P>
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the average daily closing sales prices of a share of First Financial common stock during the 20 consecutive trading days (counting only days on which shares actually traded on the NASDAQ Global
Select Market) before the date of receipt of the approvals and consents is less than $41.29,&nbsp;and (ii)&nbsp;First Financial&#146;s share price declines by an amount that is at least 20% greater than the corresponding price decline in the NASDAQ
Bank Index. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As referenced above, the consummation of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including (i)&nbsp;receipt of the
requisite approval of the Merger Agreement and Merger by the stockholders of HopFed, (ii)&nbsp;receipt of all required regulatory approvals, (iii)&nbsp;the absence of any law or order prohibiting the closing of the Merger, and (iv)&nbsp;the
effectiveness of the registration statement to be filed by First Financial with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;<B>SEC</B>&#148;) with respect to the First Financial common stock to be issued in the Merger. In addition,
HopFed&#146;s consolidated stockholders&#146; equity as of the end of the month prior to the effective time of the Merger, after certain adjustments, must not be less than $87.17&nbsp;million. To the extent the actual consolidated stockholders&#146;
equity is less than such amount, the merger consideration will be reduced dollar for dollar. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Each party&#146;s obligation to consummate
the Merger is subject to certain other conditions, including the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party and compliance of the other party with its covenants. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement, and the Standstill Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement, and the Standstill Agreement, which will be filed as an amendment to this Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K.</FONT> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement and as of
specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, and are subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures exchanged between the parties in
connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement. The representations and warranties may have been made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts,
and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Investors are not third-party beneficiaries under the Merger Agreement and should not rely on the representations,
warranties, and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or conditions. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger
Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the parties&#146; public disclosures. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;8.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Other Events </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement discussed in Item 1.01 above, First Financial and HopFed issued a joint press release.
A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, First Financial intends
to provide supplemental information regarding the proposed transaction in connection with presentations to analysts and investors. A copy of the slides that will be made available in connection with the presentations is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.2. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Forward-Looking Statements </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain statements contained in this Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K,</FONT> which are not statements of historical
fact, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and benefits relating to the
Merger, which are subject to numerous </P>
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assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Words such as &#145;&#145;believes,&#146;&#146; &#145;&#145;anticipates,&#146;&#146; &#147;may,&#148; &#147;will,&#148; &#147;should,&#148;
&#147;likely,&#148; &#147;expected,&#148; &#147;estimated,&#148; &#145;&#145;intends,&#146;&#146; &#147;future,&#148; &#147;plan,&#148; &#147;goal,&#148; &#147;seek,&#148; &#147;project,&#148; and other similar expressions may identify
forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Please refer to each of First Financial&#146;s and HopFed&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the year ended
December&nbsp;31, 2017, as well as their other filings with the SEC, for a more detailed discussion of risks, uncertainties, and factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead express only management&#146;s beliefs regarding future results or events,
many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management&#146;s control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these
forward-looking statements. In addition to factors previously disclosed in reports filed by First Financial and HopFed with the SEC, risks and uncertainties for First Financial, HopFed, and the combined company include, but are not limited to: the
possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Merger will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that integration of HopFed&#146;s operations with those of First Financial will be materially
delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; the inability to close the Merger in a timely manner; the inability to complete the Merger due to the failure of HopFed&#146;s stockholders to adopt the Merger Agreement; diversion of
management&#146;s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the Merger, including receipt of required regulatory and other approvals; the failure of the Merger to close for
any other reason; the challenges of integrating and retaining key employees; the effect of the announcement of the Merger on First Financial&#146;s, HopFed&#146;s, or the combined company&#146;s respective customer relationships, operating results,
or market price; the possibility that the Merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected or unknown factors, events, or liabilities; potential litigation or regulatory action related to the Merger; and
general competitive, economic, political and market conditions, and fluctuations. All forward-looking statements included in this Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> are made as of the date hereof and are based on
information available at the time of the Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K.</FONT> Except as required by law, neither First Financial nor HopFed assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Important Additional Information and Where to Find It </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with the Merger, First Financial intends to file a registration statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT>
with the SEC, which will include a proxy statement of HopFed and a prospectus of First Financial, and each party will file other documents regarding the Merger with the SEC. A definitive proxy statement/prospectus will also be sent to the HopFed
stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the Merger. <B>Before making any voting or investment decision, HopFed stockholders are urged to carefully read the entire registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and any
other relevant documents filed with the SEC, including any amendments or supplements thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein, when they become available because they will contain important information about the Merger. </B> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC (when they become available) and
any other documents filed by First Financial or HopFed with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC&#146;s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, these documents filed by First Financial may be obtained free of charge at the &#147;Investor
Relations&#148; section of First Financial&#146;s website at www.first-online.com and the documents filed by HopFed may be obtained free of charge at the &#147;Investor Relations&#148; section of HopFed&#146;s website at www.bankwithheritage.com.
Alternatively, these documents can be obtained free of charge from First Financial upon written request to First Financial Corporation, Attention: Rodger A. McHargue, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, One First Financial Plaza, P.O. Box 540,
Terre Haute, Indiana 47808 or by calling (812) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">238-6000</FONT> or from HopFed upon written request to HopFed Bancorp, Inc., Attention: Michael Woolfolk, Secretary, P.O. Box 537, Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42241 or by
calling (270) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">887-8400.</FONT> </P>
</DIV></Center>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Proxy Solicitation </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">HopFed, First Financial and their directors, executive officers, and certain other persons may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants
in the solicitation of proxies from HopFed&#146;s stockholders in connection with the Merger. Information regarding the interests of such individuals in the Merger will be included in the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus
when they become available. You may obtain information about First Financial&#146;s executive officers and directors in First Financial&#146;s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on
March&nbsp;14, 2018. You may obtain information about HopFed&#146;s executive officers and directors in HopFed&#146;s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April&nbsp;20, 2018. To the
extent holdings of such participants in First Financial&#146;s or HopFed&#146;s respective securities are not reported, or have changed since the amounts described in the previously mentioned proxy statements, such changes have been reflected on
Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>No Offer or Sale </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Current Report on
Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. This Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> is also not a solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Merger
or otherwise. No offer of securities or solicitation will be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section&nbsp;10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This Current Report on Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus that will be filed with the SEC. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>(d)&nbsp;Exhibits </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; display:table-cell; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="center"><B>Exhibit<BR>No.</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; display:table-cell; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="center"><B>Description</B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;2.1</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January&nbsp;7, 2019, by and between First Financial Corporation and HopFed Bancorp, Inc.* (Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-K.</FONT> Copies of any of the omitted schedules will be furnished upon request by the SEC).</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">10.1</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Form of Voting Agreement, dated January&nbsp;7, 2019*</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">10.2</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Standstill Agreement, dated December 21, 2018*</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">10.3</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Form of Mutual Termination of Employment Agreement*</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">10.4</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Employment Agreement, dated January&nbsp;7, 2019, by and among John E. Peck, First Financial Bank and First Financial Corporation.*</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">10.5</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Retention Bonus Agreement, dated January&nbsp;7, 2019, by and between John E. Peck and First Financial Bank.*</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV></Center>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>10.6</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Form of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Disclosure</FONT> and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Solicitation</FONT> Agreement *</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d659820dex991.htm">Press Release, dated January&nbsp;7, 2019</A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d659820dex992.htm">Investor Presentation, dated January&nbsp;7, 2019</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*To be filed
by amendment. </P>
</DIV></Center>


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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


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<TD WIDTH="4%"></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">By</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ John E. Peck</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Dated:&nbsp;January 8, 2019</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">John E. Peck</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV></Center>

</BODY></HTML>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d659820d8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 39274}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HOPFED BANCORP INC", "cik": "0001041550", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "561995728", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-23667", "film-number": "19514464"}, "business-address": {"street1": "4155 LAFAYETTE ROAD", "city": "HOPKINSVILLE", "state": "KY", "zip": "42440", "phone": "270-885-1171"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "4155 LAFAYETTE ROAD", "city": "HOPKINSVILLE", "state": "KY", "zip": "42440"}}
Form 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 7, 2019
HOPFED BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware
0-23667
61-1322555
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
4155 Lafayette Road, Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42240
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(270)
885-1171
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form
8-K
filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of
the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☒
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c)).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this
chapter) or Rule
12b-2
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(§240.12b-2
of this chapter).
Emerging growth company  ☐
If an emerging
growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act.  ☐
Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On January 7, 2019, HopFed Bancorp, Inc. ("
HopFed
") entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "
Merger
Agreement
") with First Financial Corporation, an Indiana corporation ("
First Financial
"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, HopFed will merge with and into First Financial, with First Financial as the surviving corporation
(the "
Merger
"). Immediately following the Merger, Heritage Bank USA, Inc., a Kentucky commercial bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of HopFed, will merge with and into First Financial Bank, N.A., the wholly-owned national banking
association subsidiary of First Financial ("
First Financial Bank
"), with First Financial Bank as the surviving bank. The Merger Agreement will be filed as an amendment to this Current Report on Form
8-K.
The boards of directors of each of First Financial and HopFed have approved the Merger and
the Merger Agreement. Subject to the approval of the Merger by HopFed's stockholders, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions, the parties anticipate completing the Merger in the second quarter of 2019.
Upon completion of the Merger, each HopFed stockholder may elect to receive either (or a combination of) 0.444 shares of First Financial
common stock or $21.00 in cash for each share of HopFed's common stock, subject to proration provisions specified in the Merger Agreement that provide for an aggregate split of 50% of HopFed shares being exchanged for First Financial common
stock and 50% for cash. Based on First Financial's January 4, 2019 closing price of $43.01 per share as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the transaction has an implied valuation of approximately $128.3 million.
Members of the board of directors of HopFed, in their capacity as stockholders, have entered into voting agreements pursuant to which they
have agreed to vote their shares of HopFed common stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Merger. The form of voting agreement is attached to the Merger Agreement and will be filed as an amendment to this Current
Report on Form
8-K.
In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement and subject to certain terms and conditions, the board of directors of HopFed has agreed to recommend the approval and adoption of the Merger
Agreement and the Merger to the HopFed stockholders and will solicit proxies voting in favor of the Merger Agreement and Merger from HopFed's stockholders.
First Financial and certain stockholders of HopFed entered into a Standstill Agreement pursuant to which such stockholders agreed to vote in
favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and any actions required in furtherance thereof. The stockholders who entered into a Standstill Agreement include
Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P., Stilwell Activist Investments, L.P., Stilwell Associates, L.P., Stilwell Value LLC, and Joseph Stilwell. A copy of the Standstill Agreement will be filed as an amendment to this Current Report on Form
8-K.
The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties from both First Financial
and HopFed, and each party has agreed to customary covenants, including, among others, in the case of HopFed covenants relating to (1) the conduct of its business during the interim period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the
effective time of the Merger, (2) its obligation to call a meeting of its stockholders to adopt the Merger Agreement, (3) its obligation, subject to certain exceptions, to recommend that its stockholders approve the Merger Agreement and
the Merger, and (4) its obligations relating to the
non-solicitation
of alternative acquisition proposals.
The Merger Agreement also provides certain termination rights for both First Financial and HopFed, and further provides that upon termination
of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances, HopFed will be obligated to pay First Financial a termination fee of $5.1 million. Also, HopFed may terminate the Merger Agreement if, during the
seven-day
period following the receipt of all regulatory and stockholder approvals and consents necessary for consummation of the Merger, both (i)
the average daily closing sales prices of a share of First Financial common stock during the 20 consecutive trading days (counting only days on which shares actually traded on the NASDAQ Global
Select Market) before the date of receipt of the approvals and consents is less than $41.29, and (ii) First Financial's share price declines by an amount that is at least 20% greater than the corresponding price decline in the NASDAQ
Bank Index.
As referenced above, the consummation of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including (i) receipt of the
requisite approval of the Merger Agreement and Merger by the stockholders of HopFed, (ii) receipt of all required regulatory approvals, (iii) the absence of any law or order prohibiting the closing of the Merger, and (iv) the
effectiveness of the registration statement to be filed by First Financial with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "
SEC
") with respect to the First Financial common stock to be issued in the Merger. In addition,
HopFed's consolidated stockholders' equity as of the end of the month prior to the effective time of the Merger, after certain adjustments, must not be less than $87.17 million. To the extent the actual consolidated stockholders'
equity is less than such amount, the merger consideration will be reduced dollar for dollar.
Each party's obligation to consummate
the Merger is subject to certain other conditions, including the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party and compliance of the other party with its covenants.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement, and the Standstill Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement, and the Standstill Agreement, which will be filed as an amendment to this Current Report on Form
8-K.
The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement and as of
specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, and are subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures exchanged between the parties in
connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement. The representations and warranties may have been made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts,
and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Investors are not third-party beneficiaries under the Merger Agreement and should not rely on the representations,
warranties, and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or conditions. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger
Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the parties' public disclosures.
Item 8.01
Other Events
In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement discussed in Item 1.01 above, First Financial and HopFed issued a joint press release.
A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
In addition, First Financial intends
to provide supplemental information regarding the proposed transaction in connection with presentations to analysts and investors. A copy of the slides that will be made available in connection with the presentations is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.2.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Current Report on Form
8-K,
which are not statements of historical
fact, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and benefits relating to the
Merger, which are subject to numerous
assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Words such as ''believes,'' ''anticipates,'' "may," "will," "should,"
"likely," "expected," "estimated," ''intends,'' "future," "plan," "goal," "seek," "project," and other similar expressions may identify
forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Please refer to each of First Financial's and HopFed's Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the year ended
December 31, 2017, as well as their other filings with the SEC, for a more detailed discussion of risks, uncertainties, and factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead express only management's beliefs regarding future results or events,
many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management's control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these
forward-looking statements. In addition to factors previously disclosed in reports filed by First Financial and HopFed with the SEC, risks and uncertainties for First Financial, HopFed, and the combined company include, but are not limited to: the
possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Merger will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that integration of HopFed's operations with those of First Financial will be materially
delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; the inability to close the Merger in a timely manner; the inability to complete the Merger due to the failure of HopFed's stockholders to adopt the Merger Agreement; diversion of
management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the Merger, including receipt of required regulatory and other approvals; the failure of the Merger to close for
any other reason; the challenges of integrating and retaining key employees; the effect of the announcement of the Merger on First Financial's, HopFed's, or the combined company's respective customer relationships, operating results,
or market price; the possibility that the Merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected or unknown factors, events, or liabilities; potential litigation or regulatory action related to the Merger; and
general competitive, economic, political and market conditions, and fluctuations. All forward-looking statements included in this Current Report on Form
8-K
are made as of the date hereof and are based on
information available at the time of the Current Report on Form
8-K.
Except as required by law, neither First Financial nor HopFed assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Important Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the Merger, First Financial intends to file a registration statement on Form
S-4
with the SEC, which will include a proxy statement of HopFed and a prospectus of First Financial, and each party will file other documents regarding the Merger with the SEC. A definitive proxy statement/prospectus will also be sent to the HopFed
stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the Merger.
Before making any voting or investment decision, HopFed stockholders are urged to carefully read the entire registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and any
other relevant documents filed with the SEC, including any amendments or supplements thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein, when they become available because they will contain important information about the Merger.
The registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC (when they become available) and
any other documents filed by First Financial or HopFed with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, these documents filed by First Financial may be obtained free of charge at the "Investor
Relations" section of First Financial's website at www.first-online.com and the documents filed by HopFed may be obtained free of charge at the "Investor Relations" section of HopFed's website at www.bankwithheritage.com.
Alternatively, these documents can be obtained free of charge from First Financial upon written request to First Financial Corporation, Attention: Rodger A. McHargue, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, One First Financial Plaza, P.O. Box 540,
Terre Haute, Indiana 47808 or by calling (812)
238-6000
or from HopFed upon written request to HopFed Bancorp, Inc., Attention: Michael Woolfolk, Secretary, P.O. Box 537, Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42241 or by
calling (270)
887-8400.
Proxy Solicitation
HopFed, First Financial and their directors, executive officers, and certain other persons may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants
in the solicitation of proxies from HopFed's stockholders in connection with the Merger. Information regarding the interests of such individuals in the Merger will be included in the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus
when they become available. You may obtain information about First Financial's executive officers and directors in First Financial's definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on
March 14, 2018. You may obtain information about HopFed's executive officers and directors in HopFed's definitive proxy statement for its 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 20, 2018. To the
extent holdings of such participants in First Financial's or HopFed's respective securities are not reported, or have changed since the amounts described in the previously mentioned proxy statements, such changes have been reflected on
Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.
No Offer or Sale
This Current Report on
Form
8-K
shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. This Current Report on Form
8-K
is also not a solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Merger
or otherwise. No offer of securities or solicitation will be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This Current Report on Form
8-K
is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus that will be filed with the SEC.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Description
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 7, 2019, by and between First Financial Corporation and HopFed Bancorp, Inc.* (Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation
S-K.
Copies of any of the omitted schedules will be furnished upon request by the SEC).
10.1
Form of Voting Agreement, dated January 7, 2019*
10.2
Standstill Agreement, dated December 21, 2018*
10.3
Form of Mutual Termination of Employment Agreement*
10.4
Employment Agreement, dated January 7, 2019, by and among John E. Peck, First Financial Bank and First Financial Corporation.*
10.5
Retention Bonus Agreement, dated January 7, 2019, by and between John E. Peck and First Financial Bank.*
10.6
Form of
Non-Disclosure
and
Non-Solicitation
Agreement *
99.1
Press Release, dated January 7, 2019
99.2
Investor Presentation, dated January 7, 2019
*To be filed
by amendment.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
By
/s/ John E. Peck
Dated: January 8, 2019
John E. Peck
President and Chief Executive Officer