In Brief: New Jersey Proxy Fight Goes to Court

A thrift company says it won a proxy vote last month, but dissident shareholders have blocked the seating of its board candidates.

IBS Financial Corp. said last week that the final tally from its annual meeting showed that its two candidates got the most votes.

They had been challenged by two backed by shareholders led by activist thrift investor Lawrence Seidman.

Mr. Seidman, who owns 7.7% of the $750 million-asset thrift's stock, is contesting proxy results. He has filed a lawsuit New Jersey Superior Court saying IBS should not have counted the votes of unallocated shares held by its employee stock option plan.

A judge prohibited IBS from seating its candidates until the court settles the issue. Mr. Seidman said he wouldn't discuss the case until then.

"We are disappointed that Mr. Seidman is unable to accept the wishes of the stockholders," said Joseph M. Ochman Sr., chairman, president, and chief executive officer, in a news release.

Candidates of the dissident group lost a previous shareholder vote.

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