Sec Form 13D Filing - NORCROSS GEORGE E III filing for REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP INC (FRBK) - 2022-06-06

Insider filing report for Changes in Beneficial Ownership

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  • Schedule 13G is a shorter version of Schedule 13D with fewer reporting requirements.
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Schedule 13D/A

(Rule 13d-101)

Information to be Included in Statements

Filed Pursuant to § 240.13d-1(a) and Amendments Thereto

Filed Pursuant to § 240.13d-2(a)

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 16)*

 

 

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

760416107

(CUSIP Number)

George E. Norcross, III

350 Royal Palm Way, Suite 500

Palm Beach, Florida 33480

(561) 500-4600

 

 

With a Copy to:

H. Rodgin Cohen

Mitchell S. Eitel

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

125 Broad Street

New York, NY 10004

212-558-4000

(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive notices and communications)

June 3, 2022

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box [    ].

 

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

 

 

*

The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D    Page 2 of 13

 

  1    

  Names of Reporting Persons

 

  George E. Norcross, III

  2  

  Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

  a.  ☒        b.  ☐

 

  3  

  SEC Use Only

 

  4  

  Source of Funds (See Instructions)

 

  PF

  5  

  Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  6  

  Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

  United States of America

Number of

Shares

 Beneficially 

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

     7    

  Sole Voting Power

 

  674,572

     8  

  Shared Voting Power

 

  0

     9  

  Sole Dispositive Power

 

  674,572

   10  

  Shared Dispositive Power

 

  0

11    

  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

  674,572(1)

12  

  Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

  ☐

13  

  Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

  1.1%(2)

14  

  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

  IN

 

(1)

The Reporting Person is reporting on this Schedule 13D as a member of a “group” with the other Reporting Persons. The group beneficially owns 6,091,450 shares of Common Stock owned by all of the Reporting Persons in the aggregate, representing approximately 9.6% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. See Item 5.

(2)

For purposes of calculating beneficial ownership percentages in this statement on Schedule 13D, the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2022 is 63,741,533, as reported in the Schedule 13D/A filed by Vernon W. Hill, II with the SEC on April 18, 2022.


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D    Page 3 of 13

 

  1    

  Names of Reporting Persons

 

  Avery Conner Capital Trust

  2  

  Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

  a.  ☒        b.  ☐

 

  3  

  SEC Use Only

 

  4  

  Source of Funds (See Instructions)

 

  AF, WC

  5  

  Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  6  

  Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

  Florida

Number of

Shares

 Beneficially 

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

     7    

  Sole Voting Power

 

  0

     8  

  Shared Voting Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

     9  

  Sole Dispositive Power

 

  0

   10  

  Shared Dispositive Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

11    

  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

  4,527,184(1)

12  

  Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

  ☐

13  

  Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

  7.1%(2)

14  

  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

  OO

 

(3)

4,527,184 shares of Common Stock held by the Avery Conner Capital Trust, of which Philip A. Norcross, Susan D. Hudson, Geoffrey B. Hudson and Rose M. Guida serve as Trustees and may be deemed to have shared beneficial ownership as Trustees.


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D    Page 4 of 13

 

  1    

  Names of Reporting Persons

 

  Philip A. Norcross

  2  

  Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

  a.  ☒        b.  ☐

 

  3  

  SEC Use Only

 

  4  

  Source of Funds (See Instructions)

 

  PF, OO See Item 3

  5  

  Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  6  

  Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

  United States of America

Number of

Shares

 Beneficially 

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

     7    

  Sole Voting Power

 

  427,310

     8  

  Shared Voting Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

     9  

  Sole Dispositive Power

 

  427,310

   10  

  Shared Dispositive Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

11    

  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

  4,954,494(1), (3)

12  

  Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

  ☐

13  

  Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

  7.8%(2)

14  

  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

  IN


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D    Page 5 of 13

 

  1    

  Names of Reporting Persons

 

  Susan D. Hudson, in her capacity as a Trustee

  2  

  Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

  a.  ☒        b.  ☐

 

  3  

  SEC Use Only

 

  4  

  Source of Funds (See Instructions)

 

  OO See Item 3

  5  

  Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  6  

  Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

  United States of America

Number of

Shares

 Beneficially 

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

     7     

  Sole Voting Power

 

  0

     8   

  Shared Voting Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

     9   

  Sole Dispositive Power

 

  0

   10   

  Shared Dispositive Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

11    

  Aggre gate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

  4,527,184(1), (3)

12  

  Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

  ☐

13  

  Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

  7.1%(2)

14  

  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

  IN


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D    Page 6 of 13

 

  1    

  Names of Reporting Persons

 

  Geoffrey B. Hudson, in his capacity as a Trustee

  2  

  Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

  a.  ☒        b.  ☐

 

  3  

  SEC Use Only

 

  4  

  Source of Funds (See Instructions)

 

  OO See Item 3

  5  

  Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  6  

  Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

  United States of America

Number of

Shares

 Beneficially 

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

     7     

  Sole Voting Power

 

  0

     8   

  Shared Voting Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

     9   

  Sole Dispositive Power

 

  0

   10   

  Shared Dispositive Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

11    

  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

  4,527,184(1), (3)

12  

  Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

  ☐

13  

  Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

  7.1%(2)

14  

  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

  IN


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D    Page 7 of 13

 

  1    

  Names of Reporting Persons

 

  Rose M. Guida, in her capacity as a Trustee

  2  

  Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

  a.  ☒        b.  ☐

 

  3  

  SEC Use Only

 

  4  

  Source of Funds (See Instructions)

 

  OO See Item 3

  5  

  Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  6  

  Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

  United States of America

Number of

Shares

 Beneficially 

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

     7     

  Sole Voting Power

 

  0

     8   

  Shared Voting Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

     9   

  Sole Dispositive Power

 

  0

   10   

  Shared Dispositive Power

 

  4,527,184(3)

11    

  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

  4,527,184(1), (3)

12  

  Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

  ☐

13  

  Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

  7.1%(2)

14  

  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

  IN


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D/A    Page 8 of 13

 

  1    

  Names of Reporting Persons

 

  Gregory B. Braca

  2  

  Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

  a.  ☒        b.  ☐

 

  3  

  SEC Use Only

 

  4  

  Source of Funds (See Instructions)

 

  PF

  5  

  Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ☐

  6  

  Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

  United States of America

Number of

Shares

 Beneficially 

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

     7    

  Sole Voting Power

 

  462,384

     8  

  Shared Voting Power

 

  0

     9  

  Sole Dispositive Power

 

  462,384

   10  

  Shared Dispositive Power

 

  0

11    

  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

  462,384(1)

12  

  Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

  ☐

13  

  Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

  0.7%(2)

14  

  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

  IN


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D/A    Page 9 of 13

 

This Amendment No. 16 (“Amendment No. 16”) amends the statement on Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 31, 2022, as amended prior to the date of this Amendment No. 16 (the “Original Schedule 13D”) as specifically set forth herein (as so amended, the “Schedule 13D”). Except as provided herein, each Item of the Original Schedule 13D remains unchanged.

 

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

Item 3 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended to add the following:

From May 27 until June 2, as set forth in Schedule A, the Avery Conner Capital Trust acquired 3,038 shares of Common Stock through a broker on the open market for a total of approximately $12,218.68. The source of funds for such purchases was trust funds.

On June 1, as set forth in Schedule A, Gregory B. Braca acquired 6,185 shares of Common Stock through a broker on the open market for a total of approximately $24,864.52. The source of funds for such purchase was personal funds.

From June 1 until June 2, as set forth in Schedule A, Philip A. Norcross acquired 1,413 shares of Common Stock through a broker on the open market for a total of approximately $5,666.13. The source of funds for such purchases was personal funds.

 

Item 4.

Purpose of the Transaction.

Item 4 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended to add the following immediately prior to the last paragraph of this item:

On June 3, 2022, the Group notified Driver Management Company LLC that the Group was revoking any proxies previously provided for the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders of the Issuer in light of the delayed annual meeting and the upcoming special election of shareholders of the Issuer for the election of a director to replace the late Theodore J. Flocco, Jr. on the Board.

 

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

Items 5(a) through 5(c) of the Original Schedule 13D are hereby amended and restated as follows:

(a) The Reporting Persons may be deemed to beneficially own 6,091,450 shares of Common Stock or approximately 9.6% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, which percentage was calculated based upon 63,741,533 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2022 as reported in the Schedule 13D/A filed by Vernon W. Hill, II with the SEC on April 18, 2022. Specifically, each Reporting Person beneficially owns such number of shares of Common Stock and such percentage of the outstanding Common Stock as reflected on Items 11 and 13 of the applicable cover page to this Statement.


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D/A    Page 10 of 13

 

(b) Each Reporting Person has the sole or shared power to vote or direct the vote and sole or shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition the number of shares of Common Stock reflected on Items 7-10 of the applicable cover page to this Statement.

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto, none of the Reporting Persons has engaged in transactions in shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable for Common Stock) since the filing of the Original Schedule 13D.


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D/A    Page 11 of 13

 

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: June 6, 2022

 

George E. Norcross, III
By:   /s/ George E. Norcross, III
Avery Conner Capital Trust
By:   /s/ Philip A. Norcross
Name:   Philip A. Norcross
Title:   Trustee
Philip A. Norcross
By:   /s/ Philip A. Norcross
Susan D. Hudson
By:   /s/ Susan D. Hudson
Geoffrey B. Hudson
By:   /s/ Geoffrey B. Hudson
Rose M. Guida
By:   /s/ Rose M. Guida
Gregory B. Braca
By:   /s/ Gregory B. Braca


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D/A    Page 12 of 13

 

SCHEDULE A

Transactions in the Common Stock of the Issuer Since the Filing of the Original Schedule 13D

The following table sets forth all the transactions in the Common Stock of the Issuer effected since the filing of the Original Schedule 13D by the Reporting Persons. Except as otherwise noted, all such transactions were effected in the open market through brokers.

Philip A. Norcross

 

Trade Date

   Shares Purchased (Sold)      Price Per Share ($)  

5/27/2022(1)

     403        4.110  

6/1/2022(1)

     2,335        4.008  

6/1/2022

     915        4.010  

6/2/2022

     498        4.010  

6/2/2022(1)

     300        4.010  

Gregory A. Braca

 

Trade Date

   Shares Purchased (Sold)      Price Per Share ($)  

6/1/2022

     6,185        4.020  

Avery Conner Capital Trust

 

Trade Date

   Shares Purchased (Sold)      Price Per Share ($)  

5/27/2022

     403        4.110  

6/1/2022

     2,335        4.008  

6/2/2022

     300        4.010  

Susan D. Hudson

 

Trade Date

   Shares Purchased (Sold)      Price Per Share ($)  

5/27/2022(1)

     403        4.110  

6/1/2022(1)

     2,335        4.008  

6/2/2022(1)

     300        4.010  

Geoffrey B. Hudson

 

Trade Date

   Shares Purchased (Sold)      Price Per Share ($)  

5/27/2022(1)

     403        4.110  

6/1/2022(1)

     2,335        4.008  

6/2/2022(1)

     300        4.010  


CUSIP No. 760416107    SCHEDULE 13D/A    Page 13 of 13

 

Rose M. Guida

 

Trade Date

   Shares Purchased (Sold)      Price Per Share ($)  

5/27/2022(1)

     403        4.110  

6/1/2022(1)

     2,335        4.008  

6/2/2022(1)

     300        4.010  

 

(1) 

Indicates transaction of the Avery Conner Capital Trust (with respect to which the Trustees have the power to invest and dispose of trust property).