13D Filing: Clover Partners, L.p. and Si Financial Group Inc. (NASDAQ:SIFI)

You can access the original SEC filing by clicking here.

Ownership Summary Table

Name Sole Voting Power Shared Voting Power Sole Dispositive Power Shared Dispositive Power Aggregate Amount Owned Power Percent of Class
MHC Mutual Conversion Fund 617,773 0 617,773 0 617,773 5.1%
Clover Partners 0 617,773 0 617,773 617,773 5.1%
Clover Partners Management 0 617,773 0 617,773 617,773 5.1%
Johnny Guerry 0 617,773 0 617,773 617,773 5.1%

Page 1 of 10 – SEC Filing


CUSIP No. 78425V104
Page 1 of 10 Pages
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Amendment No. ___)
(Rule 13d-101)
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
SI Financial Group, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
78425V104
(CUSIP Number)
Clover Partners, L.P.
100 Crescent Court, Suite 575
Dallas, TX  75201
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
– with copies to-
Phillip M. Goldberg
Foley & Lardner LLP
321 North Clark Street
Suite 2800
Chicago, IL  60654-5313
(312) 832-4549
Peter D. Fetzer
Foley & Larder LLP
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 3800
Milwaukee, WI  53202-5306
(414) 297-5596
March 24, 2017
(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 which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box £.
The information required in 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, as amended (the “Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act.

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Page 2 of 10 – SEC Filing

1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
MHC Mutual Conversion Fund, L.P.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a)    £
(b)    £
3
SEC USE ONLY
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
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
Texas
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
617,773
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
0
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
617,773
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
617,773
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
£
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.1%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
PN

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Page 3 of 10 – SEC Filing

1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
Clover Partners, L.P.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a)    £
(b)    £
3
SEC USE ONLY
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
OO/AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)
£
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Texas
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
0
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
617,773
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
617,773
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
617,773
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
£
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.1%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
PN, IA

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Page 4 of 10 – SEC Filing

1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
Clover Partners Management, L.L.C.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a)    £
(b)    £
3
SEC USE ONLY
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
OO/AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)
£
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Texas
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
0
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
617,773
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
617,773
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
617,773
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
£
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.1%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
CO

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Page 5 of 10 – SEC Filing

1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
Johnny Guerry
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a)    £
(b)    £
3
SEC USE ONLY
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
OO/AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)
£
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
USA
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
0
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
617,773
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
617,773
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
617,773
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
£
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.1%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
IN

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Page 6 of 10 – SEC Filing

SCHEDULE 13D
This Schedule 13D (this “Schedule 13D”) is being filed on behalf of MHC Mutual Conversion Fund, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (the “Fund”), Clover Partners, L.P., a Texas limited partnership and the general partner of the Fund (the “GP”), Clover Partners Management, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company and the general partner of the GP (“Clover”), and Johnny Guerry, the managing partner of Clover (collectively, the “MHC Mutual Conversion Fund Group”), relating to common stock ($0.01 par value) (the “Common Stock”) of SI Financial Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”).
Specifically, this Schedule 13D relates to Common Stock of the Issuer purchased by the GP through the account of the Fund.  The Fund may direct the vote and disposition of the 617,773 shares of Common Stock it holds directly.  The GP serves as the investment adviser and general partner to the Fund and may direct the vote and disposition of the 617,773 shares of Common Stock held by the Fund.  Clover serves as the general partner of the GP and may direct the GP to direct the vote and disposition of the 617,773 shares of Common Stock held by the Fund.  As the managing partner of Clover, Mr. Guerry may direct the vote and disposition of the 617,773 shares of Common Stock held by the Fund.
Item 1.
Security and Issuer
Securities acquired:
Common Stock
Issuer:
SI Financial Group, Inc.
803 Main Street
Willimantic, Connecticut 06226
Item 2.
Identity and Background
(a)-(b)            This Schedule 13D is jointly filed by the Fund, the GP, Clover and Mr. Guerry.  Because Mr. Guerry is the managing partner of Clover, which is the general partner of the GP (with Mr. Guerry, the Fund and Clover hereinafter referred to as the “Controlling Persons”), the Controlling Persons may be deemed, pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, to be the beneficial owners of all of the Common Stock held by the Fund.
Each of the persons identified in this Schedule 13D is sometimes referred to as a “Reporting Person” and, collectively, as the “Reporting Persons.”  Each of the Reporting Persons is a party to that certain Joint Filing Agreement attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Schedule 13D.
The principal place of business for each of the Reporting Persons is 100 Crescent Court, Suite 575, Dallas, TX 75201.
(c)            The principal occupation of Mr. Guerry is serving as the managing partner of Clover.  The principal business of Clover is acting as the general partner of the GP.  The principal business of the GP is investment management.  The principal business of the Fund is investing in securities.

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Page 7 of 10 – SEC Filing

(d)            During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons have been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e)            During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons have been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and, as a result of such proceeding, were or are subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f)            The Fund, the GP and Clover are organized under the laws of the State of Texas.  Mr. Guerry is a citizen of the United States of America.
Item 3.
Source and Amount of Funds
As of the date of this Schedule 13D, the Fund had invested $8,790,913 (inclusive of brokerage commissions) in Common Stock of the Issuer.  The source of these funds was the working capital of the Fund.
Item 4.
Purpose of the Transaction
The Reporting Persons purchased the Common Stock for investment purposes.  The MHC Mutual Conversion Fund Group’s intent is to influence the policies of the Issuer and assert shareholder rights, with a goal of maximizing the value of the Common Stock.
Consistent with its investment purpose, the MHC Mutual Conversion Fund Group may engage in communications with one or more officers of the Issuer and/or one or more members of the board of directors of the Issuer, and/or one or more representatives of the Issuer regarding the Issuer, including, but not limited to its business, management, operations, assets, capitalization, financial condition, governance, strategy and future plans.
The Reporting Persons may purchase, sell or transfer Common Stock beneficially owned by them from time to time in public transactions depending on economic considerations and, subject to the below, the results of such communications.  Any such transactions may be effected at any time or from time to time subject to any applicable limitations imposed on the sale of the Common Stock by applicable law.
The Reporting Persons may purchase, sell or transfer Common Stock beneficially owned by them from time to time in public transactions depending on economic considerations and, subject to the below, the results of such communications.  Any such transactions may be effected at any time or from time to time subject to any applicable limitations imposed on the sale of the Common Stock by applicable law.
Except to the extent the foregoing may be deemed a plan or proposal, the Reporting Persons have no plans or proposals which relate to, or could result in, any of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) through (j), inclusive, of the instructions to Item 4 of the Schedule 13D.  The Reporting Persons may, at any time and from time to time, review or reconsider their position and/or change their purpose and/or formulate plans or proposals with respect thereto.

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Page 8 of 10 – SEC Filing

Item 5.
Interest in Securities of the Issuer
(a) – (b) The MHC Mutual Conversion Fund Group beneficially owns 617,773 shares of Common Stock, which represents 5.1% of the Issuer’s outstanding shares of Common Stock.  The percentage of beneficial ownership of the Reporting Persons, as reported in this Schedule 13D, was calculated by dividing (i) the total number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the MHC Mutual Conversion Fund Group as set forth in this Schedule 13D, by (ii) the 12,203,593 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 10, 2017, as reported in the Issuer’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2017.
The GP, in its capacity as investment manager and general partner to the Fund has power to vote the 617,773 shares of Common Stock and the power to dispose of the 617,773 shares of Common Stock held in the Fund.  Clover, in its capacity as general partner of the GP and Mr. Guerry, as the managing partner of Clover, may each be deemed to beneficially own the Common Stock held in the Fund.
(c)            The Fund effected the following transactions in the Common Stock within the past sixty days:
Date
Number of Shares
Purchased
Price Per Share
Where and How
Transaction Effected
1/23/2017
1,366
$14.7467
Open Market
1/26/2017
1,027
$14.75
Open Market
1/30/2017
11,324
$14.75
Open Market
1/31/2017
78,900
$14.9988
Open Market
2/6/2017
25,900
$14.9
Open Market
2/7/2017
2,000
$14.9
Open Market
2/8/2017
7,800
$14.9
Open Market
2/9/2017
1,019
$14.9
Open Market
2/17/2017
89,181
$15.0118
Open Market
3/10/2017
16,953
$14.1751
Open Market
3/22/2017
11,000
$13.9383
Open Market
3/24/2017
2,682
$13.95
Open Market
The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be construed as admission that the GP, Clover, or Mr. Guerry is for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange Act the beneficial owner of any of the 617,773 shares of Common Stock owned by the Fund.  Pursuant to Rule 13d-4, the GP, Clover, and Mr. Guerry disclaim all such beneficial ownership.
(d)            No person other than the Reporting Persons is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the Common Stock.
(e)            Not applicable.

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Page 9 of 10 – SEC Filing

Item 6.
Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer
With respect to the Fund, GP is entitled to (1) an allocation of a portion of profits, if any, and (2) a management fee based upon a percentage of total capital.
Other than the foregoing agreements and arrangements, and the Joint Filing Agreement, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the persons named in Item 2 hereof and between such persons and any person with respect to any securities of the Issuer.
Item 7.
Material to be Filed as Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
Exhibit 99.1
Joint Filing Agreement by and among the Reporting Persons.

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Page 10 of 10 – SEC Filing

SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of their knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated:  March 29, 2017
MHC Mutual Conversion Fund, L.P.
By:            Clover Partners, L.P.
By:      Clover Partners Management, L.L.C., general partner
By:                       /s/ John Guerry                                                                                
Name:            John Guerry
Title:                 Managing Partner
Clover Partners, L.P.
By:      Clover Partners Management, L.L.C., general partner
By:                       /s/ John Guerry                                                                                
Name:            John Guerry
Title:                 Managing Partner
Clover Partners Management, L.L.C.
By:                       /s/ John Guerry                                                                                
Name:            John Guerry
Title:                 Managing Partner
/s/ Johnny Guerry                                                                                                        
Johnny Guerry

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