<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, For Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
Annunity and Life Re (Holdings), Ltd.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement no.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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[Annuity and Life Re (Holdings), Ltd. logo]
ANNUITY AND LIFE RE (HOLDINGS), LTD.
CUMBERLAND HOUSE
1 VICTORIA STREET
HAMILTON, HM 11, BERMUDA
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TIME 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2000
PLACE Elbow Beach Hotel
60 South Shore Road
Paget, PG 04, Bermuda
ITEMS OF BUSINESS (1) To elect three directors to hold office as specified in
the accompanying Proxy Statement;
(2) To approve and adopt an amendment to the Company's
Bye-Laws increasing the Common Share ownership and
voting limitations applicable to non-United States
persons from 10% to 17%;
(3) To appoint KPMG Peat Marwick as independent accountants
for the Company for the current fiscal year; and
(4) To act upon any other matters properly coming before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
RECORD DATE The close of business on March 8, 2000 has been fixed as the
record date for the meeting. All shareholders of record at
that time are entitled to notice of and are entitled to vote
in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
IMPORTANT It is important that your shares be voted at this meeting.
Please MARK, SIGN, DATE and MAIL your proxy PROMPTLY in the
return envelope provided, even if you plan to attend the
meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may withdraw your
proxy and vote your shares in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
WILLIAM W. ATKIN
Senior Vice President and Secretary
March 31, 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES.............................................1
PROPOSAL ONE - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS...........................................2
Nominees for Director.................................................3
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2001..................................3
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2002..................................4
Information Concerning Meetings and Certain Committees................5
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation...........6
Compensation of Directors.............................................6
PROPOSAL TWO - AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S BYE-LAWS.............................7
Description of Existing Bye-Laws......................................7
Proposed Amendment to Bye-Laws........................................7
Interested Directors..................................................8
PROPOSAL THREE - APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS.......................................9
PROPOSAL FOUR - OTHER MATTERS..................................................9
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.........................................................9
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance...............9
Executive Officers...................................................10
Executive Compensation...............................................11
Employment Contracts.................................................12
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation..............13
Performance Graph....................................................15
Principal Shareholders...............................................16
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.................19
Proposals of Shareholders............................................21
Miscellaneous........................................................21
<PAGE> 4
[Annuity and Life Re (Holdings), Ltd. logo]
ANNUITY AND LIFE RE (HOLDINGS), LTD.
CUMBERLAND HOUSE
1 VICTORIA STREET
HAMILTON, HM 11, BERMUDA
PROXY STATEMENT
MARCH 31, 2000
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Annuity and Life Re
(Holdings), Ltd. (the "Company") will be held at the Elbow Beach Hotel, 60 South
Shore Road, Paget, PG 04, Bermuda at 9:00 a.m. on April 27, 2000 (the "Annual
Meeting"). We are mailing this Proxy Statement on or about March 31, 2000 to
each holder of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common
Shares") entitled to vote at the meeting in order to furnish information
relating to the business to be transacted at the meeting. We have included our
Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999,
including financial statements, with this Proxy Statement for informational
purposes and not as a means of soliciting your proxy.
We have fixed the close of business on March 8, 2000 as the record date
for the Annual Meeting (the "Record Date"). All shareholders of record at that
time are entitled to notice of and are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
and any adjournment or postponement thereof. On the Record Date, there were
outstanding 25,499,999 Common Shares.
VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
We hope you will be present at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you
plan to attend, please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy in the
accompanying envelope so that your Common Shares will be represented. The
envelope is addressed to the Company's transfer agent and requires no postage.
If you receive more than one proxy card - because you have multiple accounts -
you should sign and return all proxies received in order to be sure all of your
Common Shares are voted.
On each matter voted upon at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or
postponement thereof, each record holder of Common Shares will be entitled to
one vote per share, except that with respect to the election of directors, the
voting rights of two institutional shareholders of the Company are restricted.
See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions." In addition, certain
provisions of the Company's Bye-Laws reduce the total voting power of any
shareholder beneficially owning 10% or more of the Common Shares to less than
10% of the total voting power of the Company's capital stock.
Directors are to be elected by a majority of the votes of the Common
Shares present, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting and entitled to
vote. Approval of Proposals Two and Three requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the Common Shares present, in
<PAGE> 5
person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote. If you mark your
proxy as "Withhold Authority" or "Abstain" on any matter, or if you give
specific instructions that no vote be cast on any specific matter (a "Specified
Non-Vote"), the shares represented by your proxy will not be voted on such
matter but will count in determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting.
You may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy.
All valid proxies received before the Annual Meeting will be voted according to
their terms. If you complete your proxy properly, but do not provide
instructions as to how to vote your shares, your proxy will be voted "FOR" the
election of all directors, "FOR" the approval of the amendment to the Company's
Bye-Laws and "FOR" the ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick as
the Company's independent accountants for 2000. If any other business is brought
before the Annual Meeting, proxies with or without voting instructions will be
voted, to the extent permitted by the rules and regulations of the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), in accordance with the
judgment of the persons voting the proxies. After providing your proxy, you may
revoke it at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by filing with
the Secretary of the Company an instrument revoking it or a duly executed proxy
bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and giving notice of
revocation. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself constitute
revocation of a proxy.
The Company will bear the cost of preparing and soliciting proxies,
including the reasonable charges and expenses of brokerage firms or other
nominees for forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of Common Shares.
In addition to solicitation by mail, the Company may solicit proxies by
telephone, telegraph or personally by certain directors, officers and employees
of the Company and its subsidiaries without extra compensation. The enclosed
proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has nominated three persons for election as
directors whose terms will expire at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in the
year 2003. The nominees are Robert M. Lichten, Brian M. O'Hara and Walter A.
Scott, all of whom are currently directors of the Company. The Board of
Directors recommends that you vote for the election of each of the nominees.
While the Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the
nominees will not be available to serve as a director, if for any reason any of
them should become unavailable to serve as a director, the shares represented by
proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee(s) as may be
designated by the Board of Directors.
Set forth below is biographical information concerning each nominee for
election as a director and each person who is continuing as a director,
including the individual's principal occupation and the period during which such
person has served as a director of the Company.
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NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
Robert M. Lichten, age 59, was elected Deputy Chairman of the Board and
a director of the Company upon its formation in December 1997. Mr. Lichten has
been Co-Chairman of Inter-Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc., which provides
investment banking services for insurance companies and other financial services
firms, since 1998. He previously served as a Vice Chairman of Inter-Atlantic
Capital Partners, Inc. from 1994 to 1998. He currently serves as a director of
XL America, a United Stated based subsidiary of XL Capital Ltd. Mr. Lichten
served as a Managing Director of Smith Barney Inc. from 1990 to 1994 and as a
Managing Director of Lehman Brothers Inc. from 1988 to 1990. Prior thereto, he
served as an Executive Vice President of The Chase Manhattan Corporation, where
he was responsible for asset liability management and was President of The Chase
Investment Bank.
Brian M. O'Hara, age 51, was elected a director of the Company on
February 19, 1998. Mr. O'Hara has been Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer of XL Insurance, Ltd. since April 1998 and President and
Chief Executive Officer and a Director of XL Capital Ltd, a diversified
Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer, since 1994. Mr. O'Hara served as President
and Chief Operating Officer of X.L. Insurance Company, Ltd. and as Vice Chairman
of the Board of XL Capital Ltd from 1986 to 1994. Prior thereto, he served as a
director and Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer of Trenwick
America Group from 1979 to 1986.
Walter A. Scott, age 62, was elected a director of the Company on
February 19, 1998. Mr. Scott has been a director of ACE Ltd., a Bermuda-based
property casualty insurance company, since 1989. He served as a consultant to
ACE Ltd. from 1994 to 1996 and was Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer of ACE Ltd. from 1991 to 1994 and was President and Chief
Executive Officer of ACE Ltd. from 1989 to 1991. Prior to 1989 Mr. Scott served
as Executive Vice President of Primerica Corporation, now Citigroup, Inc. and
Chief Executive Officer of Associated Madison Companies, where he was
responsible for life, health and specialty insurance operations. Mr. Scott
currently serves as a director of Overseas Partners Ltd.
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 2001
Lawrence S. Doyle, age 56, was elected President, Chief Executive
Officer and a director of the Company upon its formation in December 1997. Mr.
Doyle was formerly the President and Chief Executive Officer of GCR Holdings
Limited, a Bermuda-based start up reinsurer specializing in catastrophe risk,
and its subsidiary Global Capital Reinsurance Limited from 1993 until their
acquisition by EXEL Limited, a diversified Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer,
in 1997, whereupon Mr. Doyle became an Executive President of EXEL Limited.
Prior thereto, Mr. Doyle was Senior Vice President of the Hartford Insurance
Group in charge of international operations, where he was employed for 27 years,
the last six of which he was also the President of Hartford Fire International.
Michael P. Esposito, Jr., age 60, was elected a director of the Company
upon its formation in December 1997. Mr. Esposito has been Co-Chairman of
Inter-Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. since 1998. He previously served as a Vice
Chairman of Inter-Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. from 1994 to 1998. He has been
non-executive Chairman of the Board of XL Capital Ltd since 1995 and a director
since 1986. He also serves as a director of Risk Capital Holdings, Inc., Forest
City
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Enterprises, Inc., Sedgewick CMS Holdings, Inc. and Cybersettle.com. Mr.
Esposito served as Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Compliance,
Control and Administration Officer of The Chase Manhattan Corporation from 1992
to 1995, having previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer from 1987 to 1992.
Mark Grier, age 47, was elected a director of the Company on May 27,
1998. Mr. Grier has been Executive Vice President, Corporate Governance of The
Prudential Insurance Company of America since 1998. He served as the Chief
Financial Officer of The Prudential Insurance Company of America from 1995 to
1997. Prior thereto, Mr. Grier served as co-head of Chase Global Markets and as
an Executive Vice President of The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. from 1994 to 1995
and as an Executive Vice President of The Chase Manhattan Bank, Retail Banking
businesses, from 1991 to 1994. He currently serves as a director of Rochester
Gas & Electric Company.
Donald J. Matthews, age 66, was elected a director of the Company on
February 19, 1998. Mr. Matthews has been President, Chief Executive Officer and
a director of Capital Markets Access Ltd., a Bermuda-based company that proposes
to engage in the business of financial guaranty insurance and reinsurance, since
1998. Prior thereto, Mr. Matthews served as President, Chief Operating Officer
and a director of American Capital Access, a financial guaranty company, from
1997 to 1998. From 1992 to 1997, he served as Senior Vice President and a
Principal of Johnson and Higgins, where he was employed for 23 years and where
he also most recently served as Chairman of the Global Financial Group.
Jerry S. Rosenbloom, age 60, was elected a director of the Company on
February 19, 1998. Mr. Rosenbloom has been the Frederick H. Ecker Professor of
Insurance and Risk Management at the Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania since 1974. He currently serves as a director of Mutual Risk
Management Ltd., Harleysville Insurance Group, Terra Nova Bermuda Holdings and
Century Shares Trust.
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 2002
Frederick S. Hammer, age 63, was elected Chairman of the Board and a
director of the Company upon its formation in December 1997. Mr. Hammer has been
Co-Chairman of Inter-Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. since 1998. He previously
served as a Vice Chairman of Inter-Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. from 1994 to
1998. He currently serves as a director of Medallion Financial Corporation. Mr.
Hammer served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mutual of America
Capital Management Corporation from 1993 to 1994 and as President of SEI Asset
Management Group from 1989 to 1993. From 1985 to 1989, Mr. Hammer was Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Meritor Savings Bank, and prior thereto he was an
Executive Vice President of The Chase Manhattan Corporation, where he was
responsible for its global consumer activities.
Robert Clements, age 66, has served as a director of the Company since
February 19, 1998. Mr. Clements has been Chairman and a director of Risk Capital
Holdings, Inc., a global reinsurance company, since its formation in 1995. He
also currently serves as an advisor to Marsh & McLennan Capital Corp., a
subsidiary of J&H Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., and he served as Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Marsh & McLennan Capital Corp. from
1994 to 1996. Prior thereto, he served as President of Marsh & McLennan
Companies, Inc. from 1992 to 1994, having been Vice Chairman of the Board in
1991. Mr. Clements was Chairman of Marsh &
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McLennan Incorporated, a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. from
1988 to 1992. Mr. Clements presently serves as a director of EXEL Limited,
Danish Re and New Market, and serves as Chairman of the Board of the College of
Insurance. Mr. Clements is serving as a director of the Company as the nominee
of Risk Capital Reinsurance Company. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Party Transactions."
Lee M. Gammill, Jr., age 65, has served as a director of the Company
since February 19, 1998. Mr. Gammill currently serves as Chairman of the Gammill
Group, a provider of financial and consulting services to the insurance
industry. From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Gammill served as Vice Chairman of the Board of
New York Life Insurance Company, where he was employed for more than 40 years.
He currently serves as a director of Guarantee Life Insurance Company and
National Affiliated Corporation.
Jon W. Yoskin, II, age 60, has served as a director of the Company
since February 19, 1998. Mr. Yoskin has been Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Tri-Arc Financial Services, Inc., an insurance broker,
since 1988 and has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of Magellan Insurance Company, Ltd. since 1996.
INFORMATION CONCERNING MEETINGS AND CERTAIN COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors held four meetings during 1999. The Board has
established Executive, Finance and Investment, Audit and Compensation
committees. Each committee reports to the Board.
Executive Committee. The Board has appointed an Executive Committee to
exercise all of the authority of the Board between meetings of the full Board.
The Executive Committee does not, however, have authority to take any action on
matters committed or reserved by Bermuda law, the Company's Bye-Laws or
resolution of the Board of Directors to the full Board or another committee of
the Board. The Executive Committee reviews the Company's business and reports
and makes recommendations to the Board thereon. The Executive Committee
presently consists of five directors of the Company (Messrs. Hammer (Chairman),
Doyle, Esposito, Lichten and Scott). During 1999, the Executive Committee met
twice.
Finance and Investment Committee. The Board has appointed a Finance and
Investment Committee to establish and monitor the Company's investment policies
and the performance of the Company's investment managers. The Finance and
Investment Committee presently consists of seven directors of the Company
(Messrs. Lichten (Chairman), Hammer, Esposito, Gammill, and Grier, as well as
Mr. Doyle, who serves as an ex-officio member). During 1999, the Finance and
Investment Committee met four times.
Audit Committee. The Board has appointed an Audit Committee to review
the Company's internal administrative and accounting controls and to recommend
to the Board the appointment of independent auditors. The Audit Committee
presently consists of four directors of the Company (Messrs. Scott (Chairman),
Dowden, Matthews and Rosenbloom), none of whom is an officer or employee of the
Company or its subsidiaries. During 1999, the Audit Committee met three times.
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Compensation Committee. The Board has appointed a Compensation Committee
to review the performance of corporate officers and the Company's compensation
policies and procedures and to make recommendations to the Board with respect to
such policies and procedures. The Compensation Committee also administers the
stock option plans and incentive compensation plans of the Company. The
Compensation Committee presently consists of four directors of the Company
(Messrs. Esposito (Chairman), Clements, O'Hara and Yoskin), none of whom is an
officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries. During 1999, the
Compensation Committee met three times.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
No member of the Compensation Committee is an officer or employee of the
Company or its subsidiaries. No executive officer of the Company served as a
director or a member of the compensation committee of another company, one of
whose executive officers serves as a member of the Company's Board or
Compensation Committee
Mr. Esposito is an owner and officer of the Inter-Atlantic Capital
Partners, Inc., the parent corporation of Inter-Atlantic Securities Corporation.
See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors who are employees of the Company or any subsidiary are not
paid any fees or additional compensation for services as members of the
Company's Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Effective in April 2000,
non-employee directors will receive cash in the amount of $25,000 per annum and
$1,250 per board or committee meeting attended. The Chairman of the Board and
Committee Chairmen will receive an additional $2,500 per annum. These amounts
represent an increase over the prior period. Non-employee directors who were not
directors, officers or employees of Inter-Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. or its
affiliates received options to acquire 15,000 Common Shares upon their initial
election to the Company's Board of Directors. Such options become exercisable in
three equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the date
of grant. On the date of each annual meeting of the Company's shareholders, each
non-employee director whose term as a director has not ended as of the date of
such annual meeting will receive options to acquire 2,500 Common Shares. Such
options will be immediately exercisable if granted after April 8, 1999 and will
have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Shares on
the date of grant. All directors are reimbursed for travel and other expenses
incurred in attending meetings of the Board or committees thereof.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING "FOR" THE ELECTION OF
EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
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PROPOSAL TWO
AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S BYE-LAWS
DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING BYE-LAWS
The Company's Bye-Laws currently require the Board of Directors to
decline to register a proposed transfer of Common Shares if after the transfer
any person would hold 10% or more of the Company's outstanding voting shares,
subject to an exception for transfers executed on The Nasdaq National Market.
The Bye-Laws further provide that if any person acquires 10% or more of the
outstanding voting shares of the Company, the person's right to vote those
shares will be reduced to 9.9%. To enforce this limitation, the Board monitors
public filings made by the Company's shareholders under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and has the power under the Bye-Laws to require shareholders to
provide information about their share holdings. These provisions were designed
to prevent the Company from being classified as a "controlled foreign
corporation" for United States income tax purposes and to prevent a person from
acquiring a significant amount of Common Shares in a transaction not approved by
our shareholders. The Company's Bye-Law provisions, as currently in force and as
proposed to be amended, may deter purchases of large blocks of Common Shares,
even if those purchases were in the best interest of the Company or its
shareholders.
Under Section 951(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company would be
deemed to be a "controlled foreign corporation" if United States shareholders
who each own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of the Company's
outstanding capital stock collectively own 25% or more of the total combined
voting power or total value of the Company's outstanding capital stock for an
uninterrupted period of 30 days or more. The Code contains complicated
constructive ownership rules that include, for purposes of calculating share
ownership, certain options and shares owned by family members, partnerships,
estates, trusts, controlled corporations and other entities. If the Company were
deemed to be a controlled foreign corporation, each of the Company's United
States shareholders that owned 10% or more of the Common Shares directly or
indirectly through foreign entities on the last day of the Company's taxable
year would be required to include in their gross income for United States
federal income tax purposes their pro-rata share of the Company's "subpart F
income," even if the subpart F income was not distributed. Substantially all of
the Company's income is subpart F income.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO BYE-LAWS
Recently, Risk Capital Holdings, Inc. and XL Capital Ltd, two of the
Company's largest shareholders, announced a transaction through which XL Capital
Ltd would acquire the Common Shares and Class B Warrants to purchase Common
Shares of the Company owned by Risk Capital Holdings, Inc. However, because the
transaction would cause XL Capital Ltd to own more than 10% of the Company's
outstanding Common Shares, the transaction cannot be completed unless the
ownership and voting restrictions contained in the Company's Bye-Laws, which are
described above, are amended. An amendment to the Company's Bye-Laws requires
shareholder approval.
At its regular meeting held on March 2, 2000, the Board of Directors
discussed whether the ownership and voting restrictions in the Company's
Bye-Laws were necessary with respect to non-
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United States persons in light of the fact that the "controlled foreign
corporation" rules of the Code only apply to shareholders that are United States
persons. The Board determined that the existing powers granted to the Board in
the Bye-Laws to require shareholders to provide information as to beneficial
share ownership, relationships with other shareholders and any other facts
deemed relevant by the Board would enable the Board to monitor whether Common
Shares held by a non-United States person may be attributed to a United States
person. In addition, the Board noted that if the Company were classified as a
"controlled foreign corporation," the classification would only have adverse tax
consequences on United States persons owning, directly or indirectly, more than
10% of the Company's outstanding shares. This classification would not have an
adverse tax effect on the Company or the Company's other shareholders.
Based on the foregoing, the Board approved an amendment to Sections 52,
53 and 63 and parts of the definitional section of the Company's Bye-Laws that
would allow non-United States persons to own up to 17% of the Company's voting
shares and would limit the voting power of any non-United States person
acquiring 17% or more of the outstanding voting power of the issued voting
shares of the Company to 16.9%. The Bye-Laws continue to limit ownership by
United States persons to 10%. Attached as Exhibit A to this proxy statement is a
copy of Sections 52, 53 and 63 and the pertinent parts of the definitional
section of the Company's Bye-Laws, marked to show the differences between the
Company's existing Bye-Laws and the Bye-Laws as they are proposed to be amended.
INTERESTED DIRECTORS
As noted above, some of the Company's directors are affiliated with
either Risk Capital Holdings, Inc. or XL Capital Ltd. (See "Certain
Relationships and Related Party Transactions" on page 19 of this proxy
statement.) These directors did not vote on the proposed amendment to the
Company's Bye-Laws.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING "FOR" THE APPROVAL
OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE BYE-LAWS
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PROPOSAL THREE
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
The firm of KPMG Peat Marwick served as the Company's independent
accountants for 1999. The Audit Committee has recommended to the Board, and the
Board has approved KPMG Peat Marwick as the Company's independent accountants
for 2000. The Board asks you to appoint KPMG Peat Marwick to serve as the
Company's independent accountants for 2000. The affirmative vote of holders of a
majority of the outstanding Common Shares present, in person or by proxy, at the
Annual Meeting and entitled to vote is required to appoint KPMG Peat Marwick. If
a majority of the votes cast on this matter are not cast in favor of the
appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick, the Company will select other independent
accountants as soon as practicable.
A representative of KPMG Peat Marwick is expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. The
representative will also have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she
so desires.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING "FOR"
THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK AS THE COMPANY'S
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR 2000.
PROPOSAL FOUR
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no matters to be presented for action
at the Annual Meeting other than those set forth in the attached notice and
customary procedural matters. However, if any other matters should properly come
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the
proxies solicited hereby will be voted on such matters, to the extent permitted
by the rules and regulations of the Commission and Bermuda law, in accordance
with the judgment of the persons voting such proxies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), requires the Company's directors, executive
officers and certain other officers, as well as persons beneficially owning more
than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities
(collectively, the "Covered Persons") to file reports of ownership and changes
in ownership of the Company's securities with the Commission. Copies of such
reports also must be provided to the Company. Based solely upon the Company's
review of the reports provided to the Company, and written representations of
Covered Persons that no other reports were required, to the
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Company's knowledge, all of the Section 16(a) filings required to be made by
Covered Persons for 1999 were made on a timely basis.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following provides the name, principal occupation and certain other
information concerning the executive officers of the Company who do not also
serve as directors. (Information concerning Mr. Doyle is set forth above.) There
are no arrangements or understandings between the executive officers and any
other person pursuant to which the executive officers were selected, other than
the employment agreements more fully described herein.
Robert J. Reale, age 43, is Senior Vice President and the Chief
Underwriter of the Company. Mr. Reale, who has over 20 years of experience in
the insurance and reinsurance industries, was a consultant at Tillinghast Towers
Perrin, a consulting and actuarial company, from 1997 to 1998. He served as a
Vice President of Swiss Re Life & Health America, Inc. from 1989 to 1997 and as
the President of Swiss-Am Reassurance Company and Atlantic International
Reinsurance Company (Barbados), two companies affiliated with Swiss Re, from
1995 to 1996. Mr. Reale has been a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries since
1986.
William W. Atkin, age 52, is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company. Mr. Atkin, who has over 29
years of experience, served from 1987 to 1998 as an Executive Vice President and
the Chief Financial Officer of Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New
York, where he was employed for 24 years. Mr. Atkin also served as a director of
such company from 1990 to 1998. Mr. Atkin has been a Certified Public Accountant
since 1972, a Chartered Life Underwriter since 1978 and became a Chartered
Accountant in 1999.
Bryan Featherstone, age 46, is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Annuity & Life Re America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Mr.
Featherstone, who has over 24 years of experience in the insurance and
reinsurance industries, served from 1995 to 1999 as an Executive Vice President
and Chief Actuary of Life Reassurance Corp., where he was employed for 11 years.
Prior thereto Mr. Featherstone was employed by Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance
Company for 13 years serving in various actuarial positions. Mr. Featherstone
has been a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries since 1980.
-10-
<PAGE> 14
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table presents information concerning the annual and
long-term compensation paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and four
other most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the "Named
Officers"). The Company did not grant any options to purchase Common Shares to
the named officers in 1999.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------ -------------------
OTHER
ANNUAL RESTRICTED SECURITIES
COMPEN- STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER ANNUAL
NAME PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR(1) SALARY BONUS SATION(2) AWARD OPTIONS COMPENSATION(3)
---- ------------------ ------- ------ ----- ------- ----- ------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lawrence S. Doyle President and Chief 1999 $370,833 $750,000 $120,000 -- 764,999 $37,083
Executive Officer 1998 $322,550 $400,000 $ 79,166 $26,250
Robert J. Reale Senior Vice President 1999 $220,833 $325,000 $ 99,996 -- 174,499 $22,083
and Chief Underwriter 1998 $183,333 $224,993 $ 70,831 $15,000
William W. Atkin Senior Vice President, 1999 $190,833 $150,000 $ 99,996 -- 127,499 $19,083
Chief Financial Officer, 1998 $142,500 $110,000 $ 70,831 $13,500
Treasurer and Secretary
Richard Tucker Vice President 1999 $177,500 $180,000 $120,000 -- 66,666 $17,750
1998 $130,625 $120,000 $ 83,836 $12,375
Gary W. Scofield Vice President 1999 $160,000 $240,000 $ 99,996 -- 30,000 $16,000
1998 -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
(1) The Company commenced paying its executive officers in 1998. Prior thereto,
the Company's executive officers did not receive any compensation from or on
behalf of the Company.
(2) The amounts listed represent monthly housing and travel allowances paid
pursuant to employment agreements.
(3) The amounts listed represent payments to the Company's defined contribution
retirement program.
-11-
<PAGE> 15
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1999 AND 1999 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END AT FISCAL YEAR-END(1)
------------------------------- ----------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lawrence S. Doyle 254,999 510,000 $ 2,836,864 $5,673,750
Robert J. Reale 59,499 119,000 $ 661,926 $1,323,875
William W. Atkin 42,500 84,999 $ 472,813 $ 945,614
Richard Tucker 22,222 44,444 $ 247,220 $ 494,440
Gary Scofield 10,000 20,000 $ 111,250 $ 222,500
</TABLE>
(1) The value of the unexercised options is based on the difference between the
exercise price and the closing price of the Common Shares on December 31,
1999, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market. No options were exercised
by any of the named executive officers in 1999.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of the
Named Officers. The employment agreements were approved by the Board of
Directors and are for initial terms of three years, with consecutive one year
terms thereafter, subject to three months' advance notice by either party of a
decision not to renew.
Each employment agreement provides that if the Named Officer is
terminated by the Company for serious cause or the Named Officer resigns without
good reason, the Named Officer will forfeit all bonus amounts for the then
current fiscal year, and the Company will be liable to the Named Officer only
for accrued but unpaid salary, accrued but unpaid bonuses from a prior fiscal
year and reimbursable business expenses incurred prior to the termination. If
the employment of Mr. Doyle is terminated by the Company without serious cause
or by Mr. Doyle with good reason, the Company will continue to pay Mr. Doyle's
base salary for a period of 18 months from such termination. If the employment
of Messrs. Reale, Tucker or Scofield is terminated by the Company without
serious cause or by Messrs. Reale, Tucker or Scofield with good reason, the
Company will continue to pay Messrs. Reale's, Tucker's or Scofield's base
salary, as the case may be, for a period of one year from such termination. If
the employment of Mr. Atkin is terminated by the Company without serious cause
or by Mr. Atkin with good reason, the Company will pay Mr. Atkin not less than
$15,000 per month for a period of one year from such termination. Additionally,
in each such case, Messrs. Doyle, Reale, Atkin, Tucker and Scofield shall be
entitled to any accrued but unpaid salary, any earned but unpaid bonuses from a
prior fiscal year, reimbursement of business expenses incurred prior to the
termination, travel and housing allowances for six months after the date of
termination and reasonable relocation expenses from Bermuda to the United
States.
Pursuant to each of the employment agreements, upon a change in control
of the Company, the Named Officers' respective options to purchase Common Shares
of the Company will become
-12-
<PAGE> 16
exercisable immediately, and if their employment with the Company is terminated
without serious cause, or if they terminate their employment with the Company
for good reason within one year following a change in control, they will be
entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to two times their respective
annual base salaries as of the date of termination, travel and housing
allowances for one year from the date of termination, reasonable relocation
expenses from Bermuda to the United States plus an amount equal to any income
taxes payable by them by reason of such payments occurring in connection with a
change of control.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee recommends the Company's compensation
policies and procedures to the Board of Directors, reviews performance of
Company officers, approves base salary levels and administers the Company's
Stock Option Plan and other incentive compensation plans.
The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee believe that the
Company's success requires a small, highly motivated and professional staff. The
compensation policies, therefore, are designed to attract, retain and motivate
such a staff by providing competitive levels of compensation, rewarding superior
corporate performance and recognizing individual initiative and achievements.
The Executive Compensation Program adopted by the Compensation Committee
combines base salary, annual bonus and long-term incentive in the form of a
stock ownership program. Base salaries are governed by employment agreements
negotiated between the Company and senior management. Base salary levels and
adjustments thereto are based on individual responsibilities and performance
expectation as to future contributions, market salary rates and cost of living
factors. Annual bonus compensation includes a substantial at-risk component, to
provide a link between Company and individual performance. To further align the
interests of senior management with the interests of shareholders, the program
provides management with a significant stock ownership component to their
compensation program through the Company's Stock Option Plan.
Awards under the Annual Bonus Plan are based on individual and corporate
performance during the prior fiscal year in relationship to established
performance targets. Factors taken into consideration in making awards include,
but may not be limited to, share performance relative to a peer group or other
index, revenue and business growth, investment management results and return on
shareholder equity. The most heavily weighted factor is the growth of operating
income.
The bonuses awarded to the Company's senior management for 1999 followed
the principles outlined in the preceding paragraphs. The Compensation Committee
judged that senior management bonuses for 1999 were consistent with the level of
accomplishment and appropriately reflected individual and Company performance in
1999.
The Company adopted the Initial Stock Option Plan to provide stock
options to employees as a means of creating long-term compensation incentives.
Option grants are made at fair market value on the date of grant and vest
cumulatively to the extent of one third of the amount granted on each of the
first three anniversary dates of the effective date of such grants.
-13-
<PAGE> 17
Mr. Doyle's base salary for 1999 was governed by the employment
agreement between him and the Company. Mr. Doyle's bonus award for 1999 was
determined based upon the same measures used for all senior management of the
Company, including, but not limited to, the share performance of the Company
relative to a peer group or other index, revenue and business growth, investment
management results and return on shareholder equity. The most heavily weighted
factor in the determination of Mr. Doyle's bonus award was the growth of the
Company's operating income.
Since April 8, 1998, the date of the Company's initial public offering,
the increase in value of the Company's common shares from the initial public
offering price has significantly outperformed both the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock Index and peer groups.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Michael P. Esposito, Jr. (Chairman)
Robert Clements
Brian M. O'Hara
Jon W. Yoskin, II
-14-
<PAGE> 18
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph set forth below compares the cumulative total returns to
holders of Common Shares of the Company with the cumulative total return of the
Standard & Poor's 500 Index, the Standard & Poor's Life/Health Index and a Peer
Group Index for the period beginning April 8, 1998, the date trading first began
in the Company's Common Shares on the Nasdaq National Market, through December
31, 1999. The Peer Group Index is comprised of American General Corp., ARM
Financial Group, Inc., Conseco, Inc., The Equitable Companies Incorporated, ESG
Re Limited, Jefferson-Pilot Corporation, Lincoln National Corporation,
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., Protective Life Insurance Company,
ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York, Reinsurance Group of America and
Scottish Annuity and Life Holdings, Ltd. The Company removed Sun America Inc.
from its Peer Group Index as presented in last year's proxy statement and
replaced it with Scottish Annuity and Life Holdings, Ltd. because Sun America,
Inc. was acquired by American International Group, Inc. in January of 1999. The
indices are included for comparative purposes only. They do not necessarily
reflect management's opinion that such indices are an appropriate measure of
relative performance of the Company's Common Shares, and are not intended to
forecast or be indicative of future performance of the Common Shares. The graph
assumes that the value of the investment in the relevant stock or index was $100
on April 8, 1998 and that all dividends were reinvested. The closing market
price of the Company's Common Shares on December 31, 1999 was $26.125 per share.
[PERFORMANCE GRAPH]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P LIFE/HEALTH
ANNUITY & LIFE RE S&P 500 INDEX INDEX PEER GROUP
----------------- ------------- --------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
April 9, 1998 $ 100 $ 100 $ 100 $ 100
Dec. 1999 175.58 136.58 79.75 94.33
</TABLE>
-15-
<PAGE> 19
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The table below sets forth, as of March 15, 2000, certain information
regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Shares by (a) each shareholder
known to the Company to be the beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act, of more than 5% of the Common Shares, based upon Company
records or the records of the Commission, (b) each director of the Company, (c)
each of the Named Officers, and (d) all executive officers and directors of the
Company as a group. Each of the shareholders named below has sole voting power
and sole investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially
owned, unless otherwise indicated. Information regarding beneficial ownership of
shareholders that are not directors and/or officers of the Company is based on
filings with the Commission available to the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS(1) OF SHARES OF CLASS
- ---------------------------------------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Wellington Management Company, LLP........................................ 2,239,800 8.78%
Citigroup Inc............................................................. 2,128,221 8.40
Oppenheimer Capital....................................................... 1,965,688 7.40
Overseas Partners, Ltd.(2)................................................ 1,856,383 6.75
Risk Capital Reinsurance Company(3)....................................... 1,485,106 5.40
XL Capital Ltd(4)......................................................... 1,485,106 5.40
Lawrence S. Doyle(5)...................................................... 583,973 2.12
Michael P. Esposito, Jr.(6)............................................... 459,749 1.67
Frederick S. Hammer(7).................................................... 313,760 1.14
Robert M. Lichten(8)...................................................... 314,222 1.14
Robert J. Reale(9)........................................................ 140,276 *
William W. Atkin(10)...................................................... 64,027 *
Richard Tucker(11)........................................................ 79,905 *
Robert Clements(12)....................................................... 42,000 *
Donald J. Matthews(13).................................................... 22,000 *
Jerry S. Rosenbloom(13)................................................... 22,000 *
Walter A. Scott(13)....................................................... 22,000 *
Jon W. Yoskin, II(13)..................................................... 16,200 *
Gary Scofield(14)......................................................... 10,000 *
Albert R. Dowden(13)...................................................... 14,000 *
Lee M. Gammill, Jr.(13)................................................... 14,000 *
Brian M. O'Hara(13)....................................................... 14,000 *
Mark Grier(13)............................................................ 7,000 *
--------- ----
All directors and executive officers as a group (eighteen persons)(15).... 2,181,611 7.89%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) The address for Wellington Management Company, LLP is 75 State Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The address for Citigroup Inc. is 153 East
53rd Street, New York, New York 10043. The address for Oppenheimer
Capital is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105. The
address for Overseas Partners, Ltd. is Mintflower Place, 8
-16-
<PAGE> 20
Par-la-Ville Road, PO Box HM 1581, Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda. The address
of Risk Capital Reinsurance Company is 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich,
Connecticut 06830. The address for XL Capital Ltd is Cumberland House,
One Victoria Street, P.O. Box HM2245, Hamilton, HM JX, Bermuda. The
address for each other beneficial owner is c/o Annuity and Life Re
(Holdings), Ltd., Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, P.O. Box HM 98,
Hamilton, HM 11, Bermuda.
(2) Includes 83,333 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Class B
Warrants which are currently exercisable. Does not include 41,667
Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Class B Warrants which are not
currently exercisable.
(3) Includes 66,666 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Class B
Warrants which are currently exercisable. Does not include 33,334
Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Class B Warrants which are not
currently exercisable. For so long as Risk Capital Reinsurance Company
owns at least 500,000 Common Shares, the Company has agreed to nominate
for election as a director of the Company one person selected by Risk
Capital Reinsurance Company. In exchange for such right and for so long
as any person selected by Risk Capital Reinsurance Company is a
director (and during any period after such person's designation but
before his or her election), Risk Capital Reinsurance Company will not
vote or permit any of the Common Shares beneficially owned by it to be
voted for the election of any director of the Company, other than the
nominee selected by Risk Capital Reinsurance Company. Risk Capital
Holdings, Inc. and XL Capital Ltd recently announced a transaction
through which XL Capital Ltd would acquire the Common Shares and Class
B Warrants to purchase Common Shares of the Company owned by Risk
Capital Holdings, Inc.
(4) Includes 66,666 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Class B
Warrants which are currently exercisable. Does not include 33,334
Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Class B Warrants which are not
currently exercisable. Risk Capital Holdings, Inc. and XL Capital Ltd
recently announced a transaction through which XL Capital Ltd would
acquire the Common Shares and Class B Warrants to purchase Common
Shares of the Company owned by Risk Capital Holdings, Inc.
(5) Includes 509,999 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Does not include 255,000 Common Shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not currently exercisable.
(6) Includes 2,000 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Includes 120,000 Common Shares held by
M.A.&M. Esposito Company and Red Towers Securities, companies in which
Mr. Esposito has voting control. Includes 337,749 Common Shares
issuable upon exercise of Class A Warrants which are currently
exercisable. Does not include 168,875 Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of Class A Warrants which are not currently exercisable. Also,
does not include 150,000 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Class
A Warrants owned by adult children of Mr. Esposito, as to which he
disclaims beneficial ownership.
(7) Includes 2,000 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Includes 291,760 Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of Class A Warrants
-17-
<PAGE> 21
which are currently exercisable. Does not include 145,880 Common Shares
issuable upon exercise of Class A Warrants which are not currently
exercisable. Also does not include 218,983 Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of Class A Warrants owned by certain trusts for the benefit of
Mr. Hammer's children and grandchildren, as to which he disclaims
beneficial ownership.
(8) Includes 2,000 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Includes 302,222 Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of Class A Warrants which are currently exercisable. Does not
include 151,111 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Class A
Warrants which are not currently exercisable. Also does not include
203,288 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Class A Warrants owned
by certain trusts for the benefit of Mr. Lichten's children and
grandchildren, as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.
(9) Includes 118,999 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Does not include 59,500 Common Shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not currently exercisable.
(10) Includes 42,500 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Does not include 21,250 Common Shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not currently exercisable.
Also does not include 42,499 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of
options which are currently exercisable and owned by Mr. Atkin's wife,
as to which Mr. Atkin disclaims beneficial interest.
(11) Includes 44,444 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Does not include 22,222 Common Shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not currently exercisable.
(12) Includes 12,000 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Does not include 5,000 Common Shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not currently exercisable.
Mr. Clements has transferred certain shares to a family-owned entity.
(13) Includes 12,000 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Does not include 5,000 Common Shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not currently exercisable.
(14) Includes 10,000 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of options which
are currently exercisable. Does not include 20,000 Common Shares
issuable upon exercise of options which are not currently exercisable.
(15) Includes 1,148,396 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of Warrants
that are currently exercisable and 755,942 Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of options that are currently exercisable.
-18-
<PAGE> 22
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Messrs. Esposito, Hammer and Lichten, directors of the Company, are owners,
directors and/or officers of Inter-Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. and/or its
subsidiary, Inter-Atlantic Securities Corporation. Inter-Atlantic Capital
Partners, Inc. is a United States domiciled corporation and Inter-Atlantic
Securities Corporation is a registered broker-dealer which provides investment
banking services for insurance companies and other financial services firms.
Pursuant to an agreement between Inter-Atlantic Securities Corporation and the
Company, Inter-Atlantic Securities Corporation provided certain services in
connection with the formation of the Company, including assistance in recruiting
senior management and obtaining necessary governmental permits. The agreement
also required Inter-Atlantic Securities Corporation to provide certain services
related to the Company's initial public offering, including assistance in
preparing a registration statement for the Company's Common Shares, retaining
underwriters in connection with the Company's initial public offering and
certain other services. Pursuant to such agreement, Inter-Atlantic Securities
Corporation is entitled to an annual fee of $600,000 for services provided after
April 8, 1998, payable in quarterly installments commencing on April 8, 1999
through April 8, 2003. In exchange, Inter-Atlantic Securities Corporation is
required to assist the Company in the development of products, financial
planning, management of assets and liabilities, international marketing efforts
and such other services as the Company may request. In 1999, Inter-Atlantic
Securities Corporation assigned its interest under this agreement to Insurance
Consulting Services, Ltd., which is under common control with Inter-Atlantic
Securities Corporation. In addition, in 1999, the Company prepaid its entire
obligation through the end of the agreement's term, discounted at a rate of 10%.
For so long as Risk Capital Reinsurance Company owns at least 500,000
Common Shares, the Company has agreed to nominate for election as a director of
the Company one person selected by Risk Capital Reinsurance Company. In exchange
for such right, and, for so long as any person selected by Risk Capital
Reinsurance Company is a director (and during any period after such person's
designation but before his or her election), Risk Capital Reinsurance Company
will not vote or permit any of the Common Shares beneficially owned by it to be
voted for the election of any director of the Company, other than the nominee
selected by it. Risk Capital Reinsurance Company is permitted to assign its
right to select one person to be nominated for election as a director of the
Company only upon the prior written consent of the Company, which may not be
unreasonably withheld. Robert Clements, the Chairman and a director of Risk
Capital Reinsurance Company and its parent company Risk Capital Holdings, Inc.,
is serving as a director of the Company as the nominee of Risk Capital
Reinsurance Company.
Risk Capital Holdings, Inc. recently announced a transaction through
which XL Capital Ltd would acquire the Common Shares and Class B Warrants to
purchase Common Shares of the Company owned by Risk Capital Reinsurance Company.
In connection with the pending transfer, the Company expects Risk Capital
Reinsurance Company to seek to assign its rights to select a nominee for
election as a director under its agreement with the Company to XL Capital Ltd.
In addition, the Company expects that some of the other terms of the current
agreement between Risk Capital Reinsurance Company and the Company may be
renegotiated upon assignment of the agreement to XL Capital Ltd. XL Capital Ltd
has indicated its intention to nominate Brian M. O'Hara, a current director of
the Company, to serve as its nominee upon the assignment of the right of
appointment from Risk Capital Reinsurance Company and upon the expiration of
the term of Risk Capital Reinsurance Company's current nominee.
-19-
<PAGE> 23
Brian M. O'Hara, a director of the Company, currently serves as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of XL Capital Ltd, one of the Company's
principal shareholders. In addition, Michael P. Esposito, Jr., a director of the
Company, currently serves as the non-executive Chairman of the Board of XL
Capital Ltd and as a director of Risk Capital Reinsurance Company and Risk
Capital Holdings, Inc. Robert Clements, a director of the Company, currently
serves as a director of XL Capital Ltd. Robert M. Lichten, a director of the
Company, has agreed to serve as a director of XL America, a United States-based
subsidiary of XL Capital Ltd.
For so long as Overseas Partners, Ltd. owns at least 500,000 Common Shares,
the Company has agreed to nominate for election as a director of the Company one
person selected by Overseas Partners, Ltd. In exchange for such right (and
during any period after such person's designation but before his or her
election), Overseas Partners, Ltd. will not vote or permit any of the Common
Shares beneficially owned by it to be voted for the election of any director of
the Company, other than the nominee selected by it. Walter A. Scott is a
director of both Overseas Partners, Ltd. and the Company, but Overseas Partners,
Ltd. has not designated Mr. Scott nor anyone else as its nominee.
During 1998, Messrs. Lawrence S. Doyle, Robert J. Reale and William W.
Atkin all of whom are officers of the Company, purchased an aggregate total of
113,476 Common Shares from the Company. The Company made loans to Messrs. Doyle,
Reale and Atkin, in the amounts of $500,000, $225,000 and $225,000,
respectively, to partially finance such purchases. Such loans bear interest at
7% per annum. As of March 15, 2000, the aggregate amount outstanding under such
loans was $500,000, $150,000 and $150,000 for Messrs. Doyle, Reale and Atkin,
respectively, plus accrued interest. The outstanding loans and accrued interest
must be repaid by April 2003.
-20-
<PAGE> 24
PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS
In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials
for the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, shareholder proposals to take
action at such meeting must comply with applicable Commission rules and
regulations, must be directed to the Secretary of the Company at its office set
forth on page one of this Proxy Statement and must be received by the Company
not later than December 1, 2000. Where a shareholder does not seek inclusion of
a proposal in the proxy material and submits a proposal outside of the process
described in Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the proposal
must be received by February 15, 2001, in which case the Company is not required
to include the proposal in its proxy materials.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Company, upon request, will furnish to record and beneficial holders
of its Common Shares, free of charge, a copy of its Annual Report on Form 10-K
(including financial statements but without exhibits and schedules) for fiscal
1999. Copies of exhibits to the Form 10-K also will be furnished upon request
and the payment of a reasonable fee. All requests should be directed to the
Secretary, at the offices of the Company set forth on page one of this Proxy
Statement.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
William W. Atkin
Senior Vice President and Secretary
March 31, 2000
-21-
<PAGE> 25
[X] Please mark your
votes as in this
example. 3007
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED AND TIMELY DELIVERED, WILL BE VOTED AS
DIRECTED HEREIN, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE
NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES LISTED IN
PROPOSAL 1 AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.
FOR WITHHELD
1. Election of Directors. [ ] [ ]
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):
- ---------------------------------------
Nominees:
Robert M. Lichten
Brian M. O'Hara
Walter A. Scott
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. To approve and adopt an amendment to the Company's [ ] [ ] [ ]
Bye-Laws increasing the Common Share ownership and
voting limitations applicable to non-United States persons from 10% to 17%.
3. To appoint KPMG Peat Marwick as the Company's [ ] [ ] [ ]
independent accountants for 2000.
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters
as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND OR COMMENTS MARK HERE [ ]
Page 1
<PAGE> 26
The signature on this proxy should correspond exactly with the shareholder's
name as printed to the left. In the case of joint tenancies, co-executors or
co-trustees, all should sign. Persons signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian should indicate their full title. Please
sign, date and return this Proxy in the enclosed postage paid envelope.
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE (S) DATE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[] Fold and Detach Here []
Page 2
<PAGE> 27
ANNUITY AND LIFE RE (HOLDINGS), LTD.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD
PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Lawrence
S. Doyle and William W. Atkin, or either of them, or failing them, the Chairman
of the Annual Meeting, as the undersigned's proxies, with full power of
substitution, to vote all the common shares of Annuity and Life Re (Holdings),
Ltd. (the "Company") standing in the name of the undersigned on the Company's
books on March 8, 2000, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to
be held on April 27, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. at the Elbow Beach Hotel, 60 South Shore
Road, Paget, PG 04, Bermuda, or at any adjournments thereof, with all the powers
the undersigned would possess if personally present as follows:
SEE REVERSE SIDE
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EXHIBIT A
B Y E - L A W S
of
ANNUITY AND LIFE RE (HOLDINGS), LTD.(1)
1. INTERPRETATION
(1) In these Bye-laws the following words and expressions shall,
where not inconsistent with the context, have the following
meanings respectively:
* * *
(aa) "Proscribed Shareholder" means a United States Person
who owns, in the aggregate, (i) directly, (ii) by
application of the attribution and constructive
ownership rules of Sections 958(a) and 958(b) of the
Code or (iii) beneficially, directly or indirectly,
within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act, issued Common Shares of the Company
representing ten percent (10%) or more of the total
combined voting rights attaching to the issued Common
Shares and the issued shares of any other class or
classes of shares of the Company, or a Person, other
than a United States Person, who owns, in the
aggregate, (i) directly, (ii) by application of the
attribution and constructive ownership rules of
sections 958(a) and 958(b) of the Code or (iii)
beneficially, directly or indirectly, within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act,
issued Common Shares of the Company representing
seventeen percent (17%) or more of the total combined
voting rights attaching to the issued Common Shares
and the issued shares of any other class or classes
of shares of the Company;
* * *
10. POWER TO PURCHASE SHARES OF THE COMPANY
(1) Exercise of Power to Repurchase Shares of the Company
The Board may exercise all the powers of the Company to purchase all or
any part of its own shares pursuant to Sections 42 and 42A of the Act or to
discontinue the Company to a named country or jurisdiction outside Bermuda
pursuant to Section 132G of the Act.
(2) Unilateral Repurchase Right
Subject to Section 42A of the Act, if the Board in its absolute and
unfettered discretion, on behalf of the Company, determines that share ownership
by any Member may result in adverse tax, regulatory or legal consequences to the
Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of the Members, the Company will have
the option, but not the obligation, to repurchase all or part of the shares held
by such Member (to the extent the Board, in the reasonable exercise of its
discretion, determines it is necessary to avoid or cure such adverse
consequences) for immediately available funds in an amount equal to the Fair
Market Value of such shares on the date the Company sends the Repurchase Notice
referred to below (the "Repurchase Price"); provided, that the Board will use
reasonable efforts to exercise this option equally among similarly situated
Members (to the extent possible under the
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(1) Only the sections proposed to be amended are shown. Breaks in the documents
are indicated by strings of asterisks. Language proposed to be added by the
proposed amendment is double underlined; language proposed to be deleted by the
proposed amendment is struck through.
<PAGE> 2
circumstances). In that event, the Company will also be entitled to assign its
repurchase right to a third party or parties including one or more of the other
Members, with the consent of such assignee. Each Member shall be bound by the
determination by the Company to repurchase or assign its right to repurchase
such Member's shares and, if so required by the Company, shall sell the number
of shares that the Company requires it to sell.
In the event that the Company or its assignee(s) determines to
repurchase any such shares, the Company shall provide each Member concerned with
written notice of such determination (a "Repurchase Notice") at least seven (7)
calendar days prior to such repurchase or such shorter period as each such
Member may authorize, specifying the date on which any such shares are to be
repurchased and the Repurchase Price. The Company may revoke the Repurchase
Notice at any time before it (or its assignee(s)) pays for the shares. Neither
the Company nor its assignee(s) shall be obliged to give general notice to the
Members of any intention to purchase or the conclusion of any purchase of
shares. Payment of the Repurchase Price by the Company or its assignee(s) shall
be by wire transfer or certified check and made at a closing to be held no less
than seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the Repurchase Notice by the
Member.
(3) Restrictions on repurchases
If the Company redeems or purchases shares pursuant to this Bye-law 10,
it shall do so only in a manner the Board believes would not result, upon
consummation of such redemption or purchase, in any Person becoming a Proscribed
Shareholder, on an Unadjusted Basis.
* * *
52. LIMITATION ON VOTING RIGHTS OF CONTROLLED SHARES
(1) Subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached
to any class or classes of shares, on a poll at a general meeting every Member
of record present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for each Common
Share and such voting rights, if any, for each Preferred Share registered in his
name in the register; provided, however, that, subject to the following
provisions of this Bye-law 52:
(a) If and for so long as the number of issued Controlled Shares
of any United States Person would constitute ten percent (10%)
or more of the total combined voting rights attaching to the
issued shares of the Company (calculated after giving effect
to any prior reduction in voting rights attaching to
Controlled Shares of other Persons as provided in this Bye-law
52), each such issued Controlled Share, regardless of the
identity of the registered holder thereof, shall confer only a
fraction of a vote as determined by the following formula (the
"U.S. Formula"):
(T - C) Divided By (9.1 x C)
Where: "T" is the aggregate number of votes conferred by all the
issued shares immediately prior to that application of the
U.S. Formula with respect to any particular Member, adjusted
to take into account any prior reduction taken with respect to
any other Member pursuant to Bye-law 52(4) as at the same
date;
"C" is the number of issued Controlled Shares attributable to
such United States Person.
(b) If and for so long as the number of issued Controlled Shares
of any Person, other than a United States Person, would
constitute seventeen percent (17%) or more of the total
combined voting rights attaching to the issued shares of the
Company (calculated after giving effect to any prior reduction
in voting rights attaching to Controlled Shares of other
Persons as provided in this Bye-law 52), each such issued
Controlled Share, regardless of the identity of the registered
holder thereof, shall confer only a fraction of a vote as
determined by the following formula (the "Non-U.S. Formula"
and, together with the U.S. Formula, the "Formulas"):
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(T - C) Divided By (4.9 x C)
Where: "T" is the aggregate number of votes conferred by all the
issued shares immediately prior to that application of the
Non-U.S. Formula with respect to any particular Member,
adjusted to take into account any prior reduction taken with
respect to any other Member pursuant to Bye-law 52(4) as at
the same date;
"C" is the number of issued Controlled Shares attributable to
such non-United States Person.
(2) The Directors may, by notice in writing, require any Member to
provide within not less than ten (10) Business Days, complete and accurate
information to the registered office or such other place as the Directors may
designate in respect of any or all of the following matters:
(a) the number of shares in which such Member is legally or
beneficially interested;
(b) the Persons who are beneficially interested in shares in
respect of which such Member is the registered holder;
(c) the relationship, association or affiliation of such Member
with any other Member or Person whether by means of common
control or ownership or otherwise; or
(d) any other facts or matters which the Directors may consider
relevant to the determination of the number of Controlled
Shares attributable to any Person.
(3) If any Member does not respond to any notice given pursuant to
Bye-law 52(2) above within the time specified therein or the Directors shall
have reason to believe that any information provided in relation thereto is
incomplete or inaccurate, the Directors may determine that the votes attaching
to any Common Shares registered in the name of such Member shall be disregarded
for all purposes until such time as a response (or additional response) to such
notice reasonably satisfactory to the Directors has been received as specified
therein.
(4) The Formulas shall be applied successively as many times as may be
necessary to ensure that no Person shall be a Proscribed Shareholder at any
time. For the purposes of determining the votes exercisable by Members as at any
date, the relevant Formula shall be applied to the shares of each Member in
declining order based on the respective numbers of total Controlled Shares
attributable to each Member. Thus, the Formulas will be applied first to the
votes of shares held by the Member to whom the largest number of total
Controlled Shares is attributable and thereafter sequentially with respect to
the Member with the next largest number of total Controlled Shares. In each
case, calculations are made on the basis of the aggregate number of votes
conferred by the issued Common Shares as of such date, as reduced by the
application of the relevant Formula to any issued Common Shares of any Member
with a larger number of total Controlled Shares as of such date.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this
Bye-law 52 above, having applied the provisions thereof as best as they consider
reasonably practicable, the Directors may make such final adjustments to the
aggregate number of votes attaching to the Controlled Shares of any Member that
they consider fair and reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that no
Person shall be a Proscribed Shareholder at any time.
(6) Notwithstanding anything in these Bye-laws, this bye-law shall not
apply for so long as the Company shall have only one Member.
53. POWER TO ISSUE SHARES
(1) Subject to the provisions of these Bye-laws and to any rights
attaching to issued shares of the Company, the unissued shares of the Company
(whether forming part of the original share capital or any increased
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<PAGE> 4
share capital) shall be at the disposal of the Board, which may issue, offer,
allot, exchange or otherwise dispose of shares or options, warrants or other
rights to purchase shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
shares (including any employee benefit plan providing for the issuance of shares
or options or rights in respect thereof), at such times, for such consideration
and on such terms and conditions as it may determine (including, without
limitation, such preferred or other special rights or restrictions with respect
to dividend, voting, liquidation or other rights of the shares as may be
determined by the Board).
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Bye-law, the
Company shall not issue any shares in a manner that the Board believes would
cause, by reason of such issuance, any Person to become a Proscribed
Shareholder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Bye-law, the
restrictions of this Bye-law 53(2) shall not apply to any issuance of shares to
a person acting as an underwriter in the ordinary course of its business,
purchasing such shares pursuant to a purchase agreement to which the Company is
a party, for resale.
(3) The Board shall, in connection with the issue of any share, have
the power to pay such commission and brokerage as may be permitted by law.
(4) The Company shall not give, whether directly or indirectly, whether
by means of loan, guarantee, provision of security or otherwise, any financial
assistance for the purpose of or in connection with a purchase or subscription
made or to be made by any person of or for any shares in the Company, but
nothing in this Bye-law shall prohibit transactions permitted pursuant to
Sections 39A, 39B, and 39C of the Act.
* * *
63. RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER
(1) Subject to the Act, this Bye-law 63 and such other of the
restrictions contained in these Bye-laws and elsewhere as may be applicable, and
except, in the case of any shares other than the Common Shares, as may otherwise
be provided by the terms of issuance thereof, any Member may sell, assign,
transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of the Company at the time owned by it
and, upon receipt of a duly executed form of transfer in writing, the Directors
shall procure the timely registration of the same. If the Directors refuse to
register a transfer for any reason they shall notify the proposed transferor and
transferee within thirty days of such refusal.
(2) Except with respect to transfers of the Company's shares executed
on the Nasdaq National Market, the Directors shall decline to register a
transfer of shares if the Directors have reason to believe that the effect of
such transfer would be to make any Person a Proscribed Shareholder, on an
Unadjusted Basis.
(3) Except with respect to transfers of the Company's shares executed
on the Nasdaq National Market, the Directors may, in their absolute and
unfettered discretion, decline to register the transfer of any shares if the
Directors have reason to believe (i) that such transfer may expose the Company,
any subsidiary thereof, any Member or any Person ceding insurance to the Company
or any such subsidiary to adverse tax or regulatory treatment in any
jurisdiction or (ii) that registration of such transfer under the Securities Act
or under any blue sky or other United States state securities laws or under the
laws of any other jurisdiction is required and such registration has not been
duly effected (provided, however, that in this case (ii) the Directors shall be
entitled to request and rely on an opinion of counsel to the transferor or the
transferee, in form and substance satisfactory to the Directors, that no such
approval or consent is required and no such violation would occur, and the
Directors shall not be obligated to register any transfer absent the receipt of
such an opinion).
(4) Without limiting the foregoing, the Board shall decline to approve
or register a transfer of shares unless all applicable consents, authorisations,
permissions or approvals of any governmental body or agency in
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<PAGE> 5
Bermuda, the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction required to be
obtained prior to such transfer shall have been obtained.
(5) The registration of transfers may be suspended at such time and for
such periods as the Directors may from time to time determine; PROVIDED that
such registration shall not be suspended for more than forty-five days in any
period of three hundred and sixty five (365) consecutive days.
(6) The Directors may require any Member, or any Person proposing to
acquire shares of the Company, to certify or otherwise provide information in
writing as to such matters as the Directors may request for the purpose of
giving effect to Bye-laws 10(2), 10(3), 53(2), 63(2) and 63(3), including as to
such Person's status as a United States Person, its Controlled Shares and other
matters of the kind contemplated by Bye-law 52(2). Such request shall be made by
written notice and the certification or other information requested shall be
provided to such place and within such period (not less than ten (10) Business
Days after such notice is given unless the Directors and such Member or proposed
acquiror otherwise agree) as the Directors may designate in such request. If any
Member or proposed acquiror does not respond to any such request by the
Directors as requested, or if the Directors have reason to believe that any
certification or other information provided pursuant to any such request is
inaccurate or incomplete, the Directors may decline to register any transfer or
to effect any issuance or purchase of shares to which such request relates.
(7) With respect to a transfer of the Company's shares executed on the
Nasdaq National Market, if the Directors have reason to believe that the effect
of such transfer would be to make any Person a Proscribed Shareholder, on an
Unadjusted Basis. The Directors may, in their absolute and unfettered
discretion, within ten business days of learning of such transfer, cause a
notice to be delivered to such Person demanding that such Person surrender to an
agent designated by the Directors certificates representing the shares and any
dividends or distributions that the Person has received as a result of owning
the shares. Such a Person who has resold the shares before receiving such notice
will be required to transfer to the agent the proceeds of the sale, to the
extent such proceeds exceed the amount that the transferee paid for the shares,
together with any dividends or distributions that the transferee received from
the Company. As soon as practicable after receiving the shares and any dividends
or distributions that the transferee received, the agent will use its best
efforts to sell such shares and any non-cash dividends or distributions in an
arm's-length transaction on the Nasdaq National Market. After applying the
proceeds from such sale toward reimbursing the transferee for the price paid for
the shares, the agent will pay any remaining proceeds and any cash dividends and
distributions to organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United
States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that the Directors designate.
The proceeds of any such sale by the Agent or the surrender of dividends or
distributions will not inure to the benefit of the Company or the agent, but
such amounts may be used to reimburse expenses incurred by the agent in
performing its duties.
(8) With respect to a transfer of the Company's shares executed on the
Nasdaq National Market, if the Directors have reason to believe that such
transfer may expose the Company, any subsidiary thereof, any Member or any
Person ceding insurance to the Company or any such subsidiary to adverse tax or
regulatory treatment in any jurisdiction, the Directors may, in their absolute
and unfettered discretion, within ten business days of learning of such
transfer, cause a notice to be delivered to such person demanding that such
Person surrender to an agent designated by the directors certificates
representing the shares and any dividends or distributions that the Person has
received as a result of owning the shares. A Person who has resold the shares
before receiving such notice will be required to transfer to the agent the
proceeds of the sale, to the extent such proceeds exceed the amount that the
Person paid for the shares, together with any dividends or distributions that
the Person received from the Company. As soon as practicable after receiving the
shares and any dividends or distributions that the Person received, the agent
will use its best efforts to sell such shares and any non-cash dividends or
distributions in an arm's-length transaction on the Nasdaq National Market.
After applying the proceeds from such sale toward reimbursing the Person for the
price paid for the shares, the agent will pay any remaining proceeds and any
cash dividends and distributions to organizations described in Section 501(c)(3)
of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that the
Directors designate. The proceeds of any such sale by the agent or the surrender
of dividends or distributions will not inure to the benefit of the Company or
the agent, but such amounts may be used to reimburse expenses incurred by the
agent in performing its duties.
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