SEC Form SC 13D/A filed by Dime Community Bancshares Inc. (Amendment)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)

 (Amendment No. 9)*

 

(Name of Issuer)

 

(Title of Class of Securities)

(CUSIP Number)

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

(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-l(e), 240.13d-l(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 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 ("Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Exchange Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Exchange Act (however, see the Notes).

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CUSIP No. 108035106

1.		Name of Reporting Person   Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
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
5.		Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)    ☐
6.		Citizenship or Place of Organization   Delaware
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With				7.		Sole Voting Power   0
				8.		Shared Voting Power   2,809,653
				9.		Sole Dispositive Power   0
				10.		Shared Dispositive Power   2,809,653
11.		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   2,809,653
12.		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)    ☐
13.		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)   7.16%
14.		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   IA

CUSIP No. 108035106

1.		Name of Reporting Person   Basswood Partners, L.L.C.
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
5.		Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)    ☐
6.		Citizenship or Place of Organization   Delaware
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With				7.		Sole Voting Power   0
				8.		Shared Voting Power   658,869
				9.		Sole Dispositive Power   0
				10.		Shared Dispositive Power   658,869
11.		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   658,869
12.		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)    ☐
13.		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)   1.68%
14.		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   OO

CUSIP No. 108035106

1.		Name of Reporting Person   Basswood Opportunity Partners, LP
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)   WC
5.		Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)    ☐
6.		Citizenship or Place of Organization   Delaware
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With				7.		Sole Voting Power   0
				8.		Shared Voting Power   438,361
				9.		Sole Dispositive Power   0
				10.		Shared Dispositive Power   438,361
11.		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   438,361
12.		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)    ☐
13.		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)   1.12%
14.		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   PN

CUSIP No. 108035106

1.		Name of Reporting Person   Basswood Opportunity Fund, Inc.
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)   WC
5.		Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)    ☐
6.		Citizenship or Place of Organization   Cayman Islands
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With				7.		Sole Voting Power   0
				8.		Shared Voting Power   6,394
				9.		Sole Dispositive Power   0
				10.		Shared Dispositive Power   6,394
11.		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   6,394
12.		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)    ☐
13.		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)   0.02%
14.		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   CO

CUSIP No. 108035106

1.		Name of Reporting Person   Basswood Financial Fund, LP
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)   WC
5.		Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)    ☐
6.		Citizenship or Place of Organization   Delaware
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With				7.		Sole Voting Power   0
				8.		Shared Voting Power   150,963
				9.		Sole Dispositive Power   0
				10.		Shared Dispositive Power   150,963
11.		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   150,963
12.		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)    ☐
13.		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)   0.38%
14.		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   PN

CUSIP No. 108035106

1.		Name of Reporting Person   Basswood Financial Long Only Fund, LP
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)   WC
5.		Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)    ☐
6.		Citizenship or Place of Organization   Delaware
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With				7.		Sole Voting Power   0
				8.		Shared Voting Power   69,545
				9.		Sole Dispositive Power   0
				10.		Shared Dispositive Power   69,545
11.		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   69,545
12.		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)    ☐
13.		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)   0.18%
14.		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   PN

CUSIP No. 108035106

1.		Name of Reporting Person   Basswood Co-Investment Fund (SPC), Ltd., For and on Behalf of Segregated Portfolio C-1
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)   WC
5.		Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)    ☐
6.		Citizenship or Place of Organization   Cayman Islands
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With				7.		Sole Voting Power   0
				8.		Shared Voting Power   18,660
				9.		Sole Dispositive Power   0
				10.		Shared Dispositive Power   18,660
11.		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   18,660
12.		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)    ☐
13.		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)   0.05%
14.		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   CO

CUSIP No. 108035106

1.		Name of Reporting Person   Matthew Lindenbaum
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
5.		Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)    ☐
6.		Citizenship or Place of Organization   United States
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With				7.		Sole Voting Power   167,970.82
				8.		Shared Voting Power   2,809,653.00
				9.		Sole Dispositive Power   167,970.82
				10.		Shared Dispositive Power   2,809,653.00
11.		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   2,977,623.82
12.		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)    ☐
13.		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)   7.59%
14.		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   IN/HC

CUSIP No. 108035106

1.		Name of Reporting Person   Bennett Lindenbaum
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
5.		Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)    ☐
6.		Citizenship or Place of Organization   United States
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With				7.		Sole Voting Power   138,282
				8.		Shared Voting Power   2,809,653
				9.		Sole Dispositive Power   138,282
				10.		Shared Dispositive Power   2,809,653
11.		Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person   2,947,935
12.		Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)    ☐
13.		Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)   7.51%
14.		Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)   IN/HC

This Amendment No. 9 to Schedule 13D (this “Amendment No. 9”) is being filed with respect to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (formerly Bridge Bancorp, Inc.) to amend the Schedule 13D filed on June 29, 2015, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed on June 28, 2016, Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D filed on November 25, 2016, Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13D filed on July 24, 2017, Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D filed on November 16, 2017, Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D filed on December 18, 2017, Amendment No. 6 to Schedule 13D filed on September 10, 2018, Amendment No. 7 to Schedule 13D filed on December 20, 2019 and Amendment No.8 to Schedule 13D filed on February 5, 2021 (as amended by Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2, Amendment No. 3, Amendment No. 4, Amendment No. 5, Amendment No. 6, Amendment No .7 and Amendment No.8, the “Schedule 13D”).

Items 5(a) – 5(c) of the Schedule 13D are amended to reflect the following:

(a) and (b). As of the date of this Amendment No. 9, each of the Reporting Persons beneficially owns shares of Common Stock in such numbers as set forth on the cover pages of this Schedule 13D.The total number of shares each of the Reporting Persons beneficially owns represents such percentages of the Common Stock outstanding as set forth on the cover pages to this Schedule 13D based upon the approximately 39.2 million shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 30, 2022, as reported in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2022.

SIGNATURE

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

Dated: May 20, 2022
	Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
	Basswood Partners, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
	Basswood Opportunity Partners, LP By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
	Basswood Opportunity Fund, Inc.
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member

	Basswood Financial Fund, LP
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
	Basswood Financial Long Only Fund, LP By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
	Basswood Co-Investment Fund (SPC), Ltd., For and on Behalf of Segregated Portfolio C-1 By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member

	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
	Matthew Lindenbaum
	/s/ Bennett Lindenbaum
	Bennett Lindenbaum