BANK ONE CORP
POS AM, 1998-10-09
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 9, 1998
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-38387
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 UNITED STATES
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
                                 POST-EFFECTIVE
 
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                              BANK ONE CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
                      DELAWARE                                             31-1597175
           (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
           INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                              IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
       ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, 60670, (312) 732-4000
 
         (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
            AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               ROBERT A. ROSHOLT
   
                            CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
    
                              BANK ONE CORPORATION
                            ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA
                            CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670
                                 (312) 732-3209
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                With Copies to:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
               LAURENCE GOLDMAN, ESQ.                              B. ROBBINS KIESSLING, ESQ.
                BANK ONE CORPORATION                                 CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
              ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA                                   WORLDWIDE PLAZA
               CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670                                  825 EIGHTH AVENUE
                                                                    NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
</TABLE>
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, subject to
market conditions and other factors.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  [ ]
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [X]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier registration statement for the same
offering.  [ ]
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [X]
                            ------------------------
   
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
     This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 amends the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (File No. 333-38387) (the "Registration Statement") which was filed by
BANC ONE CORPORATION (the "Original Registrant"). Pursuant to Rule 414
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), BANK ONE
CORPORATION ("BANK ONE") is deemed to be the successor registrant to the
Original Registrant due to the merger of the Original Registrant into BANK ONE.
BANK ONE hereby adopts the Registration Statement of the Original Registrant as
its own for all purposes of the Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. BANK ONE is filing, in connection with this Post-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement, a new prospectus to reflect all material
changes made in connection with or resulting from the merger and succession of
BANK ONE as successor registrant to the Original Registrant.
<PAGE>   3
 
   
PROSPECTUS
    
 
                                                                 [BANK ONE LOGO]
   
                              BANK ONE CORPORATION
    
   
               ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670
    
   
                                 (312) 732-4000
    
 
   
                                 $2,850,000,000
    
   
    
   
                       DEBT SECURITIES AND DEBT WARRANTS
    
   
           CURRENCY WARRANTS, STOCK-INDEX WARRANTS AND OTHER WARRANTS
    
   
        PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES AND PREFERRED STOCK WARRANTS
    
   
                     COMMON STOCK AND COMMON STOCK WARRANTS
    
 
   
     From time to time, we may sell any of the following securities:
    
 
   
     - DEBT SECURITIES which may be
    
   
      -- senior or subordinated in priority of payment
    
   
      -- convertible or exchangeable into other of our securities or the
       securities of another issuer
    
 
   
     - DEBT WARRANTS which would allow a buyer to purchase our debt securities
    
 
   
     - CURRENCY WARRANTS which would allow a buyer to receive a cash payment
       based on the difference in value between two currencies or currency units
    
 
   
     - STOCK-INDEX WARRANTS which would allow a buyer to receive a cash payment
       based on an increase or decrease in the level of a stock index
    
 
   
     - OTHER WARRANTS which would allow a buyer to purchase government
       securities, commodities or some other item or to receive a cash payment
       based upon the increase or decrease of some index other than a stock
       index
    
 
   
     - PREFERRED STOCK which may be convertible into our common stock or
       exchangeable for our debt securities
    
 
   
     - DEPOSITARY SHARES which represent a fractional share of our preferred
       stock
    
 
   
     - PREFERRED STOCK WARRANTS which would allow a buyer to purchase our
       preferred stock
    
 
   
     - COMMON STOCK
    
 
   
     - COMMON STOCK WARRANTS which would allow a buyer to purchase our common
       stock
    
 
   
     When we decide to sell a particular series of securities, we will prepare a
Prospectus Supplement describing such securities offering and the particular
terms of the securities. You should read this Prospectus and any Prospectus
Supplement carefully.
    
 
   
     Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading
symbol "ONE".
    
 
   
     One or more of our subsidiaries may buy and sell any of the securities
after the securities are issued as part of their business as a broker-dealer.
Those subsidiaries may use this Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement
in such transactions. Any such sale will be made at the prevailing market price
at the time of sale.
    
 
   
     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED UNDER THIS
PROSPECTUS OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR ADEQUATE. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT
SAVINGS OR DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK OR NONBANK
SUBSIDIARY OF BANK ONE CORPORATION, AND THEY ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE BANK INSURANCE FUND OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY.
    
                         ------------------------------
 
   
                THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS OCTOBER   , 1998.
    
<PAGE>   4
 
   
                             ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
    
 
   
     This Prospectus is part of a Registration Statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") utilizing a "shelf"
registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time over
approximately the next two years, sell any combination of the securities
described in this Prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar
amount of $2,850,000,000 or the equivalent of this amount in foreign currencies
or foreign currency units.
    
 
   
     This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities
we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a Prospectus
Supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that
offering. The Prospectus Supplement may also add, update or change information
contained in this Prospectus. You should read both this Prospectus and any
Prospectus Supplement together with additional information described under the
heading "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page 2 of this
Prospectus.
    
 
   
     You should rely only on the information provided in this Prospectus and in
any Prospectus Supplement including the information incorporated by reference.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are
not offering the securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You
should not assume that the information in this Prospectus, or any supplement to
this Prospectus, is accurate at any date other than the date indicated on the
cover page of these documents.
    
 
   
                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
    
 
   
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement under
the Securities Act that registers the distribution of the securities (the
"Registration Statement"). The Registration Statement, including the attached
exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about the
Company and the Company's securities. The rules and regulations of the
Commission allow us to omit certain information included in the Registration
Statement from this Prospectus.
    
 
   
     In addition, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Commission under the Exchange Act. Our predecessor corporations, BANC ONE
CORPORATION ("BANC ONE") and First Chicago NBD Corporation ("FCN"), filed
similar information with the Commission under the Exchange Act. You may read and
copy this information at the following locations of the SEC.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                       <C>
     Public Reference Room        New York Regional Office      Chicago Regional Office
     450 Fifth Street, N.W.         7 World Trade Center            Citicorp Center
           Room 1024                     Suite 1300             500 West Madison Street
     Washington, D.C. 20549       New York, New York 10048             Suite 1400
                                                              Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-
0330.
    
 
   
     The Commission also maintains an Internet world wide web site that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like the Company,
who file electronically with the Commission. The address of that site is
http://www.sec.gov.
    
 
   
     You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about
the Company, BANC ONE and FCN at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20
Broad Street, New York, New York, and the Chicago Stock Exchange, 440 South
LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.
    
 
   
     The Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into
this Prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to another document filed separately with the Commission. The
information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this
Prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is
included directly in this document.
    
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
   
     This Prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that
the Company, BANC ONE and FCN have previously filed with the Commission. They
contain important information about us and our predecessors.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    COMPANY SEC FILINGS                                            PERIOD
                    -------------------                                            ------
<S>                                                          <C>
Current Reports of Form 8-K................................  Dated:
                                                                 - October 2, 1998
                                                                 - October 6, 1998
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.         Filed:
  333-60313)...............................................  - July 31, 1998
The description of the Company Common Stock set forth in     Dated:
  our Current Report on Form 8-K...........................  - October 2, 1998
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   BANC ONE SEC FILINGS                                             PERIOD
                   --------------------                                             ------
<S>                                                           <C>
Annual Report on Form 10-K.................................   Year ended December 31, 1997
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.............................   Quarters ended March 31, 1998 and
                                                              June 30, 1998
Current Reports on Form 8-K................................   Dated:
                                                                 - January 26, 1998
                                                                 - April 14, 1998, as amended by the Form 8-K/A
                                                                   filed April 21, 1998, as amended by the Form
                                                                   8-K/A filed May 19, 1998, as amended by the
                                                                   Form 8-K/A filed August 17, 1998
                                                                 - April 22, 1998
                                                                 - July 21, 1998
                                                                 - July 22, 1998
                                                                 - July 24, 1998, as amended by a Form 8-K/A
                                                                   filed August 11, 1998
                                                                 - July 24, 1998
                                                                 - August 28, 1998
                                                                 - September 11, 1998
                                                                 - September 17, 1998
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      FCN SEC FILINGS                                              PERIOD
                      ---------------                                              ------
<S>                                                          <C>
Annual Report on Form 10-K.................................  Year ended December 31, 1997
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.............................  Quarters ended March 31, 1998 and
                                                             June 30, 1998
Current Reports on Form 8-K................................  Dated:
                                                                 - January 16, 1998
                                                                 - February 17, 1998
                                                                 - April 10, 1998
                                                                 - April 13, 1998
                                                                 - April 21, 1998
                                                                 - May 19, 1998
                                                                 - July 13, 1998
                                                                 - August 17, 1998
                                                                 - September 11, 1998
                                                                 - September 15, 1998
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
   
     The Company incorporates by reference additional documents that it may file
with the Commission between the date of this Prospectus and the termination of
the offering of the securities. These documents include periodic reports, such
as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current
Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.
    
 
   
     You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this
document through us, or from the Commission through the Commission's web site at
the address described above. Documents incorporated by reference are available
from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the
exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this
Prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the
following addresses:
    
 
   
                               Investor Relations
    
   
                              BANK ONE CORPORATION
    
   
                            One First National Plaza
    
   
                                Mail Suite 0460
    
   
                            Chicago, Illinois 60670
    
   
                            Telephone (312) 732-4812
    
 
   
     If you request any incorporated documents from us, we will mail them to you
by first class mail, or another equally prompt means, within one business day
after we receive your request.
    
 
   
                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    
 
   
     This Prospectus (including information included or incorporated by
reference herein) contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to
the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future
performance and business of the Company and its predecessors, BANC ONE and FCN,
as well as certain information relating to the merger of BANC ONE and FCN to
form the Company, including, without limitation, statements relating to the cost
savings, revenue enhancement and restructuring charges estimated to result from
the merger and statements preceded by, followed by or that included the words
"believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. These
forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking
statements due to, among others, the following factors: (a) expected cost
savings and revenue enhancements from the merger may not be fully realized or
realized within the expected time frame; (b) revenues following the merger may
be lower than expected, or deposit attrition, operating costs or customer loss
and business disruption following the merger may be greater than expected; (c)
competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may
increase significantly; (d) costs or difficulties related to the integration of
the business of BANC ONE and FCN may be greater than expected; (e) changes in
the interest rate environment may reduce margins; (f) general economic or
business conditions, either nationally or in the states in which the Company is
doing business, may be less favorable than expected resulting in, among other
things, a deterioration in credit quality or a reduced demand for credit; (g)
legislative or regulatory changes may adversely affect the business in which the
Company is engaged; (h) technological changes (including the costs of
remediating or failing to remediate "Year 2000" and "Euro" data systems
compliance issues, including those of the Company and those of other persons by
whom the Company's business may be affected) may be more difficult or expensive
than anticipated; and (i) changes may occur in the securities and capital
markets.
    
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
   
                              BANK ONE CORPORATION
    
 
   
     BANK ONE CORPORATION (the "Company") is a multi-bank holding company
organized in 1998 under the laws of the State of Delaware to effect the merger,
effective October 2, 1998 (the "Merger"), of First Chicago NBD Corporation
("FCN") with BANC ONE CORPORATION ("BANC ONE").
    
 
   
     Through its bank subsidiaries, the Company provides domestic retail
banking, worldwide corporate and institutional banking, and trust and investment
management services. At October 2, 1998, the Company operated banking offices in
Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The Company also owns
nonbank subsidiaries that engage in businesses related to banking and finance,
including credit card and merchant processing, consumer and education finance,
mortgage lending and servicing, insurance, venture capital, investment and
merchant banking, trust, brokerage, investment management, leasing, community
development and data processing.
    
 
   
     The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its affiliate
banks and its nonbank subsidiaries (collectively, the "affiliates").
Accordingly, the right of the Company, and thus the right of the Company's
creditors and shareholders, to participate in any distribution of the assets or
earnings of any affiliate is necessarily subject to the prior claims of
creditors of the affiliate except to the extent that claims of the Company in
its capacity as a creditor may be recognized. The principal sources of the
Company's revenues are dividends, interest on loans and fees from its
affiliates.
    
 
   
     The Company's executive offices are located at One First National Plaza,
Chicago, Illinois 60670, and the telephone number is (312) 732-4000.
    
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
   
     The ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the Company, which are computed
on the basis of the total enterprise (as defined by the Commission) by dividing
earnings before fixed charges and income taxes by fixed charges, are set forth
below for the periods indicated. Also set forth below are the ratios of earnings
to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, which are computed on
the basis of the total enterprise by dividing earnings before fixed charges and
income taxes by fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements for the
periods indicated. Fixed charges consist principally of interest expense on all
long- and short-term borrowings, excluding or including interest on deposits as
indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       SIX MONTHS
                                                                                         ENDED
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,        JUNE 30,
                                                       ----------------------------    ----------
                                                       1997    1996    1995    1994       1998
                                                       ----    ----    ----    ----       ----
<S>                                                    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Earnings to Fixed Charges:
  Excluding interest expense on deposits.............  2.4     2.6     2.2     2.6        2.6
  Including interest expense on deposits.............  1.5     1.6     1.5     1.6        1.6
Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred
  Dividends:
  Excluding interest expense on deposits.............  2.3     2.5     2.1     2.5        2.6
  Including interest expense on deposits.............  1.5     1.6     1.5     1.6        1.6
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
    
 
   
     The Company currently intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of any
Securities for general corporate purposes, which may include the reduction of
its short-term indebtedness, investments at the holding company level,
investments in or extensions of credit to its affiliates and other banks and
companies engaged in other financial service activities, possible acquisitions
and such other purposes as may be stated in any Prospectus Supplement. Pending
such use, the Company may temporarily invest the net proceeds. The precise
amounts and timing of the application of proceeds will depend upon the funding
requirements of the Company and its affiliates and the availability of other
funds. Except as may be described in any Prospectus Supplement, specific
allocations of the proceeds to such purposes will not have been made at the date
of such Prospectus Supplement. Based upon the historical and anticipated future
growth of the Company and the
    
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
   
financial needs of its affiliates, the Company anticipates that it will, on a
recurrent basis, engage in additional financings of a character and amount to be
determined as the need arises.
    
 
                               REGULATORY MATTERS
 
     The following discussion sets forth certain of the material elements of the
regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiaries
and provides certain specific information relevant to the Company. This
regulatory framework is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and
the federal deposit insurance funds and not for the protection of security
holders. To the extent that the following information describes statutory and
regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to those
provisions. A change in the statutes, regulations or regulatory policies
applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries may have a material effect on the
business of the Company.
 
GENERAL
 
   
     As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to regulation under the
Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the BHCA), and to inspection,
examination and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (the "Federal Reserve"). Under the BHCA, bank holding companies generally
may not acquire the ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares or
substantially all the assets of any company, including a bank, without the
Federal Reserve's prior approval. In addition, bank holding companies generally
may engage, directly or indirectly, only in banking and such other activities as
are determined by the Federal Reserve to be closely related to banking.
    
 
   
     Various governmental requirements, including Sections 23A and 23B of the
Federal Reserve Act, as amended, limit borrowings by the Company and its nonbank
subsidiaries from the Company's affiliate banks. These requirements also limit
various other transactions between the Company and its nonbank subsidiaries, on
the one hand, and the Company's affiliate banks, on the other. For example,
Section 23A limits to no more than 10% of its total capital the aggregate
outstanding amount of any bank's loans and other "covered transactions" with any
particular nonbank affiliate, and limits to no more than 20% of its total
capital the aggregate outstanding amount of any bank's covered transactions with
all of its nonbank affiliates. Section 23A also generally requires that a bank's
loans to its nonbank affiliates be secured, and Section 23B generally requires
that a bank's transactions with its nonbank affiliates be on arms' length terms.
    
 
   
     Most of the Company's affiliate banks (the "Banks") are national banking
associations and, as such, are subject to regulation primarily by the Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") and, secondarily, by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and the Federal Reserve. The Company's
state-chartered banks also are subject to regulation by the FDIC and the Federal
Reserve and, in addition, by their respective state banking departments. The
Company and its subsidiaries also are affected by the fiscal and monetary
policies of the federal government and the Federal Reserve, and by various other
governmental requirements and regulations.
    
 
LIABILITY FOR BANK SUBSIDIARIES
 
   
     The Federal Reserve has a policy to the effect that a bank holding company
is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of
its subsidiary banks and to maintain resources adequate to support each such
subsidiary bank. This support may be required at times when the Company may not
have the resources to provide it. In addition, Section 55 of the National Bank
Act, as amended, permits the OCC to order the pro rata assessment of
shareholders of a national bank whose capital has become impaired. If a
shareholder fails within three months to pay such an assessment, the OCC can
order the sale of the shareholder's stock to cover the deficiency. In the event
of a bank holding company's bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding
company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a
subsidiary bank would be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to
priority of payment.
    
 
     Any depository institution insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any
loss incurred, or reasonably expected to be incurred, by the FDIC in connection
with (i) the default of a commonly controlled
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
   
FDIC-insured depository institution or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC
to a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution in danger of
default. "Default" is defined generally as the appointment of a conservator or
receiver and "in danger of default" is defined generally as the existence of
certain conditions indicating that a "default" is likely to occur in the absence
of regulatory assistance. All of the Company's subsidiary banks are FDIC-insured
institutions. Also, in the event that such a default occurred with respect to a
bank, any capital loans to the bank from its parent holding company would be
subordinate in right of payment to payment of the bank's depositors and certain
of its other obligations.
    
 
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
 
   
     The Company is subject to capital requirements and guidelines imposed by
the Federal Reserve, which are substantially similar to the capital requirements
and guidelines imposed by the Federal Reserve, the OCC and the FDIC on the
depository institutions within their respective jurisdictions. For this purpose,
a depository institution's or holding company's assets and certain specified
off-balance sheet commitments are assigned to four risk categories, each
weighted differently based on the level of credit risk that is ascribed to such
assets or commitments. In addition, risk weighted assets are adjusted for
low-level recourse and market risk equivalent assets. A depository
institutions's or holding company's capital, in turn, is divided into three
tiers: core ("Tier 1") capital, which includes common equity, non-cumulative
perpetual preferred stock and a limited amount of cumulative perpetual preferred
stock and related surplus (excluding auction rate issues), and minority
interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill,
certain identifiable intangible assets and certain other assets; and
supplementary ("Tier 2") capital, which includes, among other items, perpetual
preferred stock not meeting the Tier 1 definition, mandatory convertible
securities, subordinated debt and allowances for loan and lease losses, subject
to certain limitations, less certain required deductions; and market risk ("Tier
3") capital, which includes qualifying unsecured subordinated debt.
    
 
   
     The Company, like other bank holding companies, currently is required to
maintain Tier 1 and total capital (the sum of Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 capital)
equal to at least 4% and 8% of its total risk-weighted assets, respectively. At
June 30, 1998, the Company met both requirements, with Tier 1 and total capital
equal to 8.3% and 12.3% of its total risk-weighted assets, respectively.
    
 
   
     The Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the OCC have adopted rules to incorporate
market and interest rate risk components into their risk-based capital
standards. Amendments to the risk-based capital requirements, incorporating
market risk, became effective January 1, 1998. Under the new market risk
requirements, capital will be allocated to support the amount of market risk
related to a financial institution's ongoing trading activities.
    
 
   
     The Federal Reserve also requires bank holding companies to maintain a
minimum "leverage ratio" (Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets) of 3%, if the
holding company has the highest regulatory rating or has implemented the
risk-based capital measures for market risk, or 4% if the holding company does
not meet these requirements. At June 30, 1998, the Company's leverage ratio was
8.0%.
    
 
     The Federal Reserve may set capital requirements higher than the minimums
noted above for holding companies whose circumstances warrant it. For example,
holding companies experiencing or anticipating significant growth may be
expected to maintain capital ratios including tangible capital positions well
above the minimum levels. The Federal Reserve has not, however, imposed any such
special capital requirement on the Company.
 
   
     Each of the Banks is subject to similar risk-based and leverage capital
requirements adopted by its applicable federal banking agency. Each of the
Company's Banks was in compliance with the applicable minimum capital
requirements as of June 30, 1998.
    
 
   
     Failure to meet capital requirements could subject a bank to a variety of
enforcement remedies, including the termination of deposit insurance by the
FDIC, and to certain restrictions on its business, which are described below.
    
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
   
     The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991
("FDICIA"), among other things, identifies five capital categories for insured
depository institutions (well capitalized, adequately capitalized,
undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically
undercapitalized) and requires the respective Federal regulatory agencies to
implement systems for "prompt corrective action" for insured depository
institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements within such
categories. FDICIA imposes progressively more restrictive constraints on
operations, management and capital distributions, depending on the category in
which an institution is classified. Failure to meet the capital guidelines could
also subject a depository institution to capital raising requirements. An
"undercapitalized" depository institution must develop a capital restoration
plan and its parent holding company must guarantee that bank's compliance with
the plan. The liability of the parent holding company under any such guarantee
is limited to the lesser of 5% of the depository institution's assets at the
time it became "undercapitalized" or the amount needed to comply with the plan.
Furthermore, in the event of the bankruptcy of the parent holding company, such
guarantee would take priority over the parent's general unsecured creditors. In
addition, FDICIA requires the various regulatory agencies to prescribe certain
non-capital standards for safety and soundness relating generally to operations
and management, asset quality and executive compensation and permits regulatory
action against a financial institution that does not meet such standards.
    
 
   
     As of December 31, 1997, each Bank was "well capitalized," based on the
"prompt corrective action" ratios and guidelines described above. It should be
noted, however, that a Bank's capital category is determined solely for the
purpose of applying the OCC's (or the FDIC's) "prompt corrective action"
regulations and that the capital category may not constitute an accurate
representation of the Bank's overall financial condition or prospects.
    
 
DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
 
   
     Various federal and state statutory provisions limit the amount of
dividends the Company's affiliate banks can pay to the Company without
regulatory approval. Dividend payments by national banks are limited to the
lesser of (i) the level of undivided profits and (ii) absent regulatory
approval, an amount not in excess of net income for the current year combined
with retained net income for the preceding two years. Likewise, the approval of
the appropriate bank regulator is required for any dividend by a state-chartered
bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System (a "state member bank") if
the total of all dividends declared by the bank in any calendar year would
exceed the total of its net profits, as defined by regulatory agencies, for such
year combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two years. In
addition, a state member bank may not pay a dividend in an amount greater than
its net profits then on hand. At June 30, 1998, $2.0 billion of the total
stockholders' equity of the affiliate banks was available for payment of
dividends to the Company without approval by the applicable regulatory
authority.
    
 
   
     In addition, federal bank regulatory authorities have authority to prohibit
the Company's affiliate banks from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice in
conducting their business. The payment of dividends, depending upon the
financial condition of the bank in question, could be deemed to constitute such
an unsafe or unsound practice. The ability of the Company's affiliate banks to
pay dividends in the future is currently, and could be further, influenced by
bank regulatory policies and capital guidelines.
    
 
DEPOSIT INSURANCE ASSESSMENTS
 
     The deposits of each of the Company's affiliate banks are insured up to
regulatory limits by the FDIC and, accordingly, are subject to deposit insurance
assessments to maintain the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF") and Savings Association
Insurance Fund ("SAIF") administered by the FDIC. The FDIC has adopted
regulations establishing a permanent risk-related deposit insurance assessment
system. Under this system, the FDIC places each insured bank in one of nine risk
categories based on (a) the bank's capitalization and (b) supervisory
evaluations provided to the FDIC by the institution's primary federal regulator.
Each insured bank's insurance assessment rate is then determined by the risk
category in which it is classified by the FDIC.
 
     Effective January 1, 1997, the annual insurance premiums on bank deposits
insured by the BIF and SAIF vary between $0.00 per $100 of deposits for banks
classified in the highest capital and supervisory evaluation
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
categories to $0.27 per $100 of deposits for banks classified in the lowest
capital and supervisory evaluation categories.
 
   
     The Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996 provides for assessments to be
imposed on insured depository institutions with respect to deposits insured by
the BIF and the SAIF (in addition to assessments currently imposed on depository
institutions with respect to BIF- and SAIF-insured deposits) to pay for the cost
of Financing Corporation ("FICO") funding. The FDIC established the FICO
assessment rates effective January 1, 1997 at $0.013 per $100 annually for
BIF-assessable deposits and $0.0648 per $100 annually for SAIF-assessable
deposits. The Company's affiliate banks held approximately $10.4 billion of
SAIF-assessable deposits as of June 30, 1998. The FICO assessments do not vary
depending upon a depository institution's capitalization or supervisory
evaluations.
    
 
DEPOSITOR PREFERENCE STATUTE
 
     Federal legislation has been enacted providing that deposits and certain
claims for administrative expenses and employee compensation against an insured
depository institution would be afforded a priority over other general unsecured
claims against such institution, including federal funds and letters of credit,
in the "liquidation or other resolution" of the institution by any receiver.
 
BROKERED DEPOSITS
 
     Under FDIC regulations, no FDIC-insured depository institution can accept
brokered deposits unless it (a) is well capitalized, or (b) is adequately
capitalized and receives a waiver from the FDIC. In addition, these regulations
prohibit any depository institution that is not well capitalized from (i) paying
an interest rate on deposits in excess of 75 basis points over certain
prevailing market rates or (ii) offering "pass through" deposit insurance on
certain employee benefit plan accounts unless it provides certain notice to
affected depositors.
 
INTERSTATE BANKING
 
   
     Under the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of
1994 ("Riegle-Neal"), subject to certain concentration limits and other
requirements, (a) bank holding companies such as the Company are permitted, to
acquire banks and bank holding companies located in any state; (b) any bank that
is a subsidiary of a bank holding company is permitted to receive deposits,
renew time deposits, close loans, service loans and receive loan payments as an
agent for any other bank subsidiary of that holding company; and (c) banks are
permitted to acquire branch offices outside their home states by merging with
out-of-state banks, purchasing branches in other states, and establishing de
novo branch offices in other states; provided that, in the case of any such
purchase or opening of individual branches, the host state has adopted
legislation "opting in" to those provisions of Riegle-Neal; and provided that,
in the case of a merger with a bank located in another state, the host state has
not adopted legislation "opting out" of that provision of Riegle-Neal. The
Company might use Riegle-Neal to acquire banks in additional states and to
consolidate its affiliate banks under a smaller number of separate charters.
    
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The debt securities will be unsecured (the "Debt Securities") and may be
issued in one or more series. Such Debt Securities may be either senior (the
"Senior Securities") or subordinated (the "Subordinated Securities") in priority
of payment. The Senior Securities will be issued under an Indenture dated as of
March 3, 1997, originally between BANC ONE and The Chase Manhattan Bank
("Chase"), as trustee, which was supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture
dated as of October 2, 1998, between the Company and Chase, as trustee (as so
supplemented, the "Senior Indenture"). The Subordinated Securities will be
issued under an Indenture dated as of March 3, 1997, originally between BANC ONE
and Chase, as trustee, which was supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture
dated as of October 2, 1998, between the Company and Chase, as trustee (as so
supplemented the "Subordinated Indenture"). The Senior Indenture and the
Subordinated Indenture are collectively referred to herein as the "Indentures".
References to the "Trustee" shall mean Chase in its capacity as trustee under
the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture, as applicable. The
statements under this caption are brief summaries of certain provisions
contained in the Indentures, do not purport to be complete and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to the applicable Indenture, copies of which are
exhibits to the Registration Statement. Whenever defined terms are used but not
defined in this Prospectus, such terms shall have the meanings given to them in
the applicable Indenture.
    
 
     The following description of the terms of the Debt Securities sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of any Debt Securities
and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to such Debt
Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt
Securities.
 
   
     Neither of the Indentures limits the aggregate principal amount of Debt
Securities which may be issued under it. Rather, each Indenture provides that
Debt Securities of any series may be issued under it up to the aggregate
principal amount which may be authorized from time to time by the Company and
may be denominated in any currency or currency unit designated by the Company.
Neither the Indentures nor the Debt Securities will limit or otherwise restrict
the amount of other indebtedness which may be incurred or the other securities
which may be issued by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
    
 
     Debt Securities of a series may be issuable in registered form without
coupons ("Registered Securities"), in bearer form with or without coupons
attached ("Bearer Securities") or in the form of one or more global securities
in registered or bearer form (each a "Global Security"). Bearer Securities, if
any, will be offered only to non-United States persons and to offices located
outside the United States of certain United States financial institutions.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for a description of the
following terms, where applicable, of each series of Debt Securities in respect
of which this Prospectus is being delivered:
 
   
          - the title of such Debt Securities;
    
 
   
          - the limit, if any, on the aggregate principal amount or aggregate
     initial public offering price of such Debt Securities;
    
 
   
          - the priority of payment of such Debt Securities;
    
 
   
          - the price or prices (which may be expressed as a percentage of the
     aggregate principal amount thereof) at which the Debt Securities will be
     issued;
    
 
   
          - the date or dates on which the principal of the Debt Securities will
     be payable;
    
 
   
          - the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at
     which such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, or the method of
     determining the same;
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
   
          - the date or dates from which such interest, if any, on the Debt
     Securities will accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any,
     will be payable, the date or dates on which payment of such interest, if
     any, will commence and the Regular Record Dates for such Interest Payment
     Dates;
    
 
   
          - the extent to which any of the Debt Securities will be issuable in
     temporary or permanent global form, or the manner in which any interest
     payable on a temporary or permanent global Debt Security will be paid;
    
 
   
          - each office or agency where, subject to the terms of the applicable
     Indenture, the Debt Securities may be presented for registration of
     transfer or exchange;
    
 
   
          - the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and
     interest, if any, on the Debt Securities will be payable;
    
 
   
          - the date or dates, if any, after which such Debt Securities may be
     redeemed or purchased in whole or in part, at the option of the Company or
     mandatorily pursuant to any sinking, purchase or analogous fund or may be
     required to be purchased or redeemed at the option of the holder, and the
     redemption or repayment price or prices thereof;
    
 
   
          - the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities may be convertible
     into or exchanged for securities or indebtedness of any kind of the Company
     or of any other issuer or obligor and the terms and conditions upon which
     such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial
     conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion period and any other
     additional provisions;
    
 
   
          - the denomination or denominations in which such Debt Securities are
     authorized to be issued;
    
 
   
          - the currency, currencies or units based on or related to currencies
     for which the Debt Securities may be purchased and the currency, currencies
     or currency units in which the principal of, premium, if any, and any
     interest on such Debt Securities may be payable;
    
 
   
          - any index used to determine the amount of payments of principal of,
     premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities;
    
 
   
          - whether any of the Debt Securities are to be issuable as Bearer
     Securities and/or Registered Securities, and if issuable as Bearer
     Securities, any limitations on issuance of such Bearer Securities and any
     provisions regarding the transfer or exchange of such Bearer Securities
     (including exchange for registered Debt Securities of the same series);
    
 
   
          - the payment of any additional amounts with respect to the Debt
     Securities;
    
 
   
          - whether any of the Debt Securities will be issued as Original Issue
     Discount Securities (as defined below);
    
 
   
          - information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
    
 
   
          - any additional covenants or Events of Default not currently set
     forth in the applicable Indenture; and
    
 
   
          - any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
     provisions of the applicable Indenture.
    
 
   
     If any of the Debt Securities are sold for one or more foreign currencies
or foreign currency units or if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest
on any series of Debt Securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies or
foreign currency units, the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific
terms and other information with respect to such issue of Debt Securities and
such currencies or currency units will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. A judgment for money damages by courts in the United States,
including a money judgment based on an obligation expressed in a foreign
currency, will ordinarily be rendered only in U.S. dollars. New York statutory
law provides that a court shall render a judgment or decree in the
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
foreign currency of the underlying obligation and that the judgment or decree
shall be converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date
of entry of the judgment or decree.
 
   
     Debt Securities may be issued as original issue discount Debt Securities
(bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is
below market rates) ("Original Issue Discount Securities"), to be sold at a
substantial discount below the stated principal amount thereof due at the stated
maturity of such Debt Securities. There may not be any periodic payments of
interest on Original Issue Discount Securities. In the event of an acceleration
of the maturity of any Original Issue Discount Security, the amount payable to
the holder of such Original Issue Discount Security upon such acceleration will
be determined in accordance with the Prospectus Supplement, the terms of such
security and the Indenture, but will be an amount less than the amount payable
at the maturity of the principal of such Original Issue Discount Security.
Federal income tax considerations with respect to Original Issue Discount
Securities will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
    
 
REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
   
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt
Securities will be issued only as Registered Securities. If Bearer Securities
are issued, the United States Federal income tax consequences and other special
considerations, procedures and limitations relating to such Bearer Securities
will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
    
 
   
     Debt Securities issued as Registered Securities will be without interest
coupons. Debt Securities issued as Bearer Securities shall have interest coupons
attached, unless issued as zero coupon securities.
    
 
     Registered Securities (other than a Global Security) may be presented for
transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) or exchanged
for other Debt Securities of the same series at the office of the Note Registrar
specified according to the terms of the applicable Indenture. The Company has
agreed in each of the Indentures that, with respect to Registered Securities
having The City of New York as a place of payment, the Company will appoint a
Note Registrar or Co-Note Registrar located in The City of New York for such
transfer or exchange. Such transfer or exchange shall be made without service
charge, but the Company may require payment of any taxes or other governmental
charges as described in the applicable Indenture. Provisions relating to the
exchange of Bearer Securities for other Debt Securities of the same series
(including, if applicable, Registered Securities) will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. In no event, however, will Registered
Securities be exchangeable for Bearer Securities.
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
   
     The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more Global Securities. Each Global Security will be deposited
with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Global Securities may be issued in either
registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and
until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Debt Securities
which it represents, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole
by the Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by
a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such
Depositary or by the Depositary or any nominee to a successor Depositary or any
nominee of such successor.
    
 
   
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series
of Debt Securities and certain limitations and restrictions relating to a series
of Bearer Securities in the form of one or more Global Securities will be
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company anticipates that
the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements.
    
 
   
     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer
system, the respective principal amounts of the individual Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security to the accounts of persons that have
accounts with such Depositary. The underwriters or agents for such Debt
Securities will designate such accounts. Ownership of beneficial interests in a
Global Security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the
applicable Depositary ("participants") or persons that may hold interests
through participants. Ownership of beneficial
    
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that
ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable
Depositary or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) and the
records of participants (with respect to interests of persons other than
participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in
a Global Security.
 
     So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the
Indenture governing such Debt Securities. Except as provided below, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have any of
the individual Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global Security
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of any such Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and will
not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture governing
such Debt Securities.
 
     Payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on
individual Debt Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the
name of a Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security
representing such Debt Securities. Neither the Company, the Trustee for such
Debt Securities, any Paying Agent, nor the Note Registrar for such Debt
Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of the Global Security for such Debt Securities or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests.
 
     Subject to certain restrictions relating to Bearer Securities, the Company
expects that the Depositary for a series of Debt Securities or its nominee, upon
receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of a
permanent Global Security representing any of such Debt Securities will credit
participants' accounts immediately with payments in amounts proportionate to
their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global
Security for such Debt Securities as shown on the records of such Depositary or
its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in such Global Security held through such participants will
be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in "street name". Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.
With respect to owners of beneficial interests in a temporary Global Security
representing Bearer Securities, receipt by such beneficial owners of payments of
principal, premium or interest in respect thereof will be subject to additional
restrictions.
 
   
     A Global Security is exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities registered
in the name of, and a transfer of a Global Security may be registered to, any
person other than the Depositary or its nominee, only if:
    
 
   
          (i) the Depositary for a series of Debt Securities is at any time
     unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and a successor
     depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days;
    
 
   
          (ii) the Company at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to
     any limitations described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
     Debt Securities, determines not to have any Debt Securities of a series
     represented by one or more Global Securities or the Company, in its
     discretion, specifies with respect to the Debt Securities of a series, that
     an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security representing Debt
     Securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to the Company, the
     Trustee and the Depositary for such Global Security, receive Debt
     Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for such
     beneficial interests, subject to any limitations described in the
     applicable Prospectus Supplement.
    
 
     In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global
Security will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of Debt
Securities of the series represented by such Global Security equal in principal
amount to such beneficial interest and to have such Debt Securities registered
in its name (if the
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
Debt Securities of such series are issuable as Registered Securities). Debt
Securities of such series so issued in definitive form will be issued (a) as
Registered Securities in denominations, unless otherwise specified by the
Company, of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof if the Debt Securities of such
series are issuable as Registered Securities, (b) as Bearer Securities in the
denomination, unless otherwise specified by the Company, of $5,000 if the Debt
Securities of such series are issuable as Bearer Securities or (c) as either
Registered or Bearer Securities, if the Debt Securities of such series are
issuable in either form. Certain restrictions may apply, however, on the
issuance of a Bearer Security in definitive form in exchange for an interest in
a Global Security.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
   
     Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of, premium, if any, and any interest on Registered Securities will
be made at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company may
designate from time to time. In addition, at the option of the Company, payment
of any interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the person
entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the applicable Note Register or
(ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the person entitled thereto as
specified in the applicable Note Register. Unless otherwise indicated in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of any installment of interest on
Registered Securities will be made to the person in whose name such Debt
Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for
such payment.
    
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of, premium, if any, and any interest on Bearer Securities will be
payable, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of such
Paying Agents outside the United States as the Company may designate from time
to time, at the option of the Holder, by check or by transfer to an account
maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States. Unless
otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest
on Bearer Securities will be made only against surrender of the coupon relating
to such Interest Payment Date. No payment with respect to any Bearer Security
will be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by
check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account
maintained with a bank located in the United States.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS
 
     Each Indenture provides that the Company may, without the consent of the
holders of any of the Debt Securities outstanding under the applicable
Indenture, consolidate with, merge into or transfer its assets substantially as
an entirety to any person, provided that (i) any such successor assumes the
Company's obligations on the applicable Debt Securities and under the applicable
Indenture, (ii) after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default (as defined in
the Senior Indenture) in the case of the Senior Securities, or Default (as
defined in the Subordinated Indenture) in the case of the Subordinated
Securities, shall have happened and be continuing and (iii) certain other
conditions under the applicable Indenture are met. Accordingly, any such
consolidation, merger or transfer of assets substantially as an entirety, which
meets the conditions described above, would not create any Event of Default or
Default which would entitle holders of the Debt Securities, or the Trustee on
their behalf, to take any of the actions described below under "Senior
Securities--Events of Default, Waivers, etc." or "Subordinated
Securities--Events of Default, Waivers, etc."
 
LEVERAGED AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
     Each Indenture and the Debt Securities do not contain, among other things,
provisions which would afford holders of the Debt Securities protection in the
event of a highly leveraged or other transaction involving the Company which
could adversely affect the holders of Debt Securities.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE; WAIVER OF COVENANTS
 
     Each Indenture provides that, with the consent of the holders of not less
than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities
of each affected series, modifications and alterations of such Indenture may be
made which affect the rights of the holders of such Debt Securities; provided,
however,
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
that no such modification or alteration may be made without the consent of the
holder of each Debt Security so affected which would, among other things, (i)
change the maturity of the principal of, or of any installment of interest (or
premium, if any) on, any Debt Security issued pursuant to such Indenture, or
reduce the principal amount thereof or any premium thereon, or change the method
of calculation of interest or the currency of payment of principal or interest
(or premium, if any) on, or reduce the minimum rate of interest thereon, or
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
with respect to any such Debt Security, or reduce the amount of principal of an
Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an
acceleration of the maturity thereof; or (ii) reduce the above-stated percentage
in principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities required to modify or alter
such Indenture.
 
REGARDING CHASE
 
   
     Chase is the Trustee under both the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated
Indenture. Chase serves as trustee for certain subordinated debt securities
issued by the Company under indentures originally dated as of July 1, 1986, July
15, 1992, April 30, 1993, May 17, 1995 and December 1, 1995. Chase also serves
as the institutional or property trustee under declarations of trust for three
statutory business trusts formed under the laws of the State of Delaware and
sponsored by the Company. In connection with those transactions, Chase also
serves as the debt trustee under indentures originally dated as of November 15,
1996 and as of January 1, 1997, with respect to junior subordinated debentures
of the Company purchased by such trusts and is the also the guarantee trustee
under each of three guarantee agreements dated as of December 3, 1996, December
5, 1996 and January 31, 1997, respectively, from the Company to the applicable
trust guaranteeing certain payments to such trust. Chase has a principal
corporate trust office at 450 West 33rd Street, New York, New York 10001.
    
 
   
     Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware ("Chase Delaware"), an affiliate of Chase,
serves as trustee for subordinated debt securities issued by the Company under
an indenture originally dated March 1, 1989. Chase Delaware also serves as the
Delaware trustee for the three Delaware business trusts described in the
preceding paragraph.
    
 
   
     The Company and its affiliates have normal banking relationships with
Chase, Chase Delaware and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
    
 
                               SENIOR SECURITIES
 
     The Senior Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company
and will rank pari passu with all outstanding unsecured senior indebtedness of
the Company.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, WAIVERS, ETC.
 
     An Event of Default with respect to Senior Securities of any series is
defined in the Senior Indenture as
 
          (i) default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any
     of the Senior Securities of that series outstanding under the Senior
     Indenture when due;
 
          (ii) default in the payment of interest on any of the Senior
     Securities of that series outstanding under the Senior Indenture when due
     and continuance of such default for 30 days;
 
          (iii) default in the performance of any other covenant of the Company
     in the Senior Indenture with respect to Senior Securities of such series
     and continuance of such default for 90 days after written notice;
 
   
          (iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
     Company; and
    
 
          (v) any other event that may be specified in a Prospectus Supplement
     with respect to any series of Senior Securities.
 
     If an Event of Default with respect to any series of Senior Securities for
which there are Senior Securities outstanding under the Senior Indenture occurs
and is continuing, either the applicable Trustee or the holders of not less than
25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Securities of such series
outstanding may
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
declare the principal amount (or if such Senior Securities are Original Issue
Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in
the terms of that series) of all Senior Securities of that series to be
immediately due and payable. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Senior Securities of any series outstanding under the Senior
Indenture may waive an Event of Default resulting in acceleration of such Senior
Securities, but only if all Events of Default with respect to Senior Securities
of such series have been remedied and all payments due (other than those due as
a result of acceleration) have been made.
 
   
     If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the applicable Trustee
may, in its discretion, and at the written request of holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Securities of any series
outstanding under the Senior Indenture and upon reasonable indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request
and subject to certain other conditions set forth in the Senior Indenture shall,
proceed to protect the rights of the holders of all the Senior Securities of
such series. Prior to acceleration of maturity of the Senior Securities of any
series outstanding under the Senior Indenture, the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of such Senior Securities may waive any past default
under the Senior Indenture except a default in the payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on the Senior Securities of such series.
    
 
     The Senior Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default specified in clauses (i) or (ii) of the first paragraph under "-- Events
of Defaults, Waivers, etc.", the Company will, upon demand of the applicable
Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the holder of any such Senior Security,
the whole amount then due and payable on such Senior Securities for principal,
premium, if any, and interest. The Senior Indenture further provides that if the
Company fails to pay such amount forthwith upon such demand, such Trustee may,
among other things, institute a judicial proceeding for the collection thereof.
 
     The Senior Indenture also provides that notwithstanding any other provision
of the Senior Indenture, the holder of any Senior Security of any series shall
have the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal
of, premium, if any, and interest on such Senior Securities when due and that
such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such holder.
 
     The Company is required to file annually with the applicable Trustee a
written statement of officers as to the existence or non-existence of defaults
under the Senior Indenture or the Senior Securities.
 
                            SUBORDINATED SECURITIES
 
     The Subordinated Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the
Company and, unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
a particular series of Subordinated Securities offered thereby, will be subject
to the subordination provisions described below.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
   
     It is the intent of the Company that Subordinated Securities issued by the
Company be treated as capital for calculation of regulatory capital ratios. The
Federal Reserve has issued interpretations of its capital regulations
indicating, among other things, that subordinated debt of bank holding companies
issued on or after September 4, 1992 is includable in capital for calculation of
regulatory capital ratios only if the subordination of the debt meets certain
criteria and if the debt may be accelerated only for bankruptcy, insolvency and
similar matters (the "Subordination Interpretations"). Accordingly, the
Subordinated Indenture contains subordination and acceleration provisions for
the Subordinated Securities which are intended to be consistent with the
Subordination Interpretations. Subordinated debt of the Company (including any
of its predecessor corporations) issued after September 4, 1992, which meets the
Subordination Interpretations are referred to herein as "New Subordinated
Securities". Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
a particular series of Subordinated Securities offered thereby, Subordinated
Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus will constitute New Subordinated
Securities. See "Events of Default, Defaults, Waivers, etc." below.
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
   
     Upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution,
winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Subordinated Securities is to be
subordinated in right of payment, to the extent provided in the Subordinated
Indenture, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. In certain
events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the payment of the principal of and interest
on the Subordinated Securities will, to the extent provided in the Subordinated
Indenture, also be effectively subordinated in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all General Obligations (as defined below).
    
 
   
     Upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution,
winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the holders of Senior Indebtedness
will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to
become due before the holders of the Subordinated Securities will be entitled to
receive any payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest
on the Subordinated Securities. If upon any such payment or distribution of
assets there remain, after giving effect to such subordination provisions in
favor of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, any amounts of cash, property or
securities available for payment or distribution in respect of the Subordinated
Securities ("Excess Proceeds") and if, at such time, any creditors in respect of
General Obligations have not received payment in full of all amounts due or to
become due on or in respect of such General Obligations, then such Excess
Proceeds shall first be applied to pay or provide for the payment in full of
such General Obligations before any payment or distribution may be made in
respect of the Subordinated Securities. The other New Subordinated Securities
issued prior to the date of this Prospectus contain similar provisions
subordinating any payment or distribution on such New Subordinated Securities to
the payment of amounts due or to become due on or in respect of general
obligations of the Company.
    
 
     In addition, no payment may be made of the principal of, premium, if any,
or interest on the Subordinated Securities, or in respect of any redemption,
retirement, purchase or other acquisition of any of the Subordinated Securities,
at any time when (i) there is a default in the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, interest on or otherwise in respect of any Senior Indebtedness
or (ii) any event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness has
occurred and is continuing, or would occur as a result of such payment on the
Subordinated Securities or any redemption, retirement, purchase or other
acquisition of any of the Subordinated Securities, permitting the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity thereof. Except as described
above, the obligation of the Company to make payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on the Subordinated Securities will not be
affected.
 
   
     By reason of such subordination in favor of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, in the event of a distribution of assets upon any dissolution,
winding up, liquidation or reorganization, certain creditors of the Company who
are not holders of Senior Indebtedness or of the Subordinated Securities may
recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness and may recover more,
ratably, than holders of the Subordinated Securities. By reason of the
subordination of payments and distributions on the New Subordinated Securities
to creditors in respect of general obligations, in the event of a distribution
of assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization,
holders of Old Subordinated Securities (as defined herein) may recover less,
ratably, than creditors in respect of general obligations and may recover more,
ratably, than the holders of New Subordinated Securities.
    
 
     Subject to payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of
Subordinated Securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of
Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or
securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness. Subject to payment
in full of all General Obligations, the holders of the New Subordinated
Securities will be subrogated to the rights of the creditors in respect of
General Obligations to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or
securities of the Company applicable to such creditors in respect of General
Obligations.
 
   
     "Senior Indebtedness" for purposes of the Subordinated Indenture is the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on (i) all of the Company's
indebtedness for money borrowed, other than subordinated securities (including
the Subordinated Securities) issued under the Subordinated Indenture, the
Company's 7.25% Subordinated Notes Due August 1, 2002, the Company's 8.74%
Subordinated Notes Due September 15, 2003, the Company's 7.00% Subordinated
Notes due July 15, 2005 (the "July 2005 Notes"), the Company's
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
   
9.875% Subordinated Notes Due March 1, 2009, the Company's 10.00% Subordinated
Notes Due August 15, 2010, the Company's 7.75% Subordinated Debentures due on
July 15, 2025 (the "July 2025 Debentures"), the Company's 7.625% Subordinated
Debentures due October 15, 2026 (the "2026 Debentures"), the Company's 9 7/8%
Subordinated Notes Due July 1999, the Company's 9% Subordinated Notes Due June
15, 1999, the Company's 9 7/8% Subordinated Notes Due August 15, 2000, the
Company's 11 1/4% Subordinated Notes Due February 20, 2001, the Company's
10 1/4% Subordinated Notes Due May 1, 2001, the Company's 9 1/4% Subordinated
Notes Due November 15, 2001, the Company's 8 7/8% Subordinated Notes Due March
15, 2002, the Company's 8 1/4% Subordinated Notes Due June 15, 2002, the
Company's 9 1/5% Subordinated Notes Due December 17, 2001, the Company's 7 5/8%
Subordinated Notes Due January 15, 2003 (the "January 2003 Notes"), the
Company's 6 7/8% Subordinated Notes Due June 15, 2003 (the "June 2003 Notes"),
the Company's Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Due July 28, 2003 (the "July 2003
Notes"), the Company's 6 3/8% Subordinated Notes Due January 30, 2009 (the
"January 2009 Notes"), the Company's 7 1/8% Subordinated Notes Due 2007 (the
"2007 Notes"), the Company's 7 1/4% Subordinated Debentures Due 2004 (the "2004
Notes"), the Company's 8.10% Subordinated Notes Due 2002, the Company's 7.40%
Subordinated Debenture due May 10, 2023 (the "2023 Debentures"), the Company's
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Due 2005, the Company's 6 1/8% Subordinated
Notes Due February 15, 2006 (the "February 2006 Notes") and the subordinated
notes issued pursuant to FCN's Medium-Term Note Program, Series G (the "MTN
Notes") (collectively, all of the foregoing notes and debentures are hereinafter
referred to as the "Existing Subordinated Indebtedness"), whether outstanding on
the date of execution of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created,
assumed or incurred, except such indebtedness as is by its terms expressly
stated to be not superior in right of payment to the subordinated securities
issued under the Subordinated Indenture or the Existing Subordinated
Indebtedness or to rank pari passu with the subordinated securities issued under
the Subordinated Indenture or the Existing Subordinated Indebtedness; and (ii)
any deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Senior Indebtedness. The term
"indebtedness for money borrowed" as used in the prior sentence includes,
without limitation, any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, the
Company for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other written instruments, and any deferred obligation for
the payment of the purchase price of property or assets. There is no limitation
on the issuance of additional Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
    
 
   
     Subordinated securities (including the Subordinated Securities) issued
under the Subordinated Indenture, the January 2003 Notes, the June 2003 Notes,
the July 2003 Notes, the July 2005 Notes, the February 2006 Notes, the January
2009 Notes, the 2007 Notes, the 2023 Debentures, the July 2025 Debentures, the
October 2026 Debentures and the MTN Notes all constitute New Subordinated
Securities; all other Existing Subordinated Indebtedness constitutes "Old
Subordinated Securities".
    
 
   
     The Subordinated Securities rank and will rank pari passu with the Existing
Subordinated Indebtedness, subject to the obligations of the holders of
Subordinated Securities (and, generally, holders of other New Subordinated
Securities) to pay over to creditors in respect of general obligations any
proceeds remaining after payments and distributions to holders of Senior
Indebtedness. Thus, in the event of a distribution of assets of the Company upon
any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the holders of the
New Subordinated Securities (including holders of the Subordinated Securities
offered hereby) may receive less, ratably, than holders of Old Subordinated
Securities. The Subordinated Securities rank and will rank senior to Junior
Subordinated Indebtedness (as defined herein) of the Company.
    
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a
particular series of Subordinated Securities offered thereby, "General
Obligations" means all obligations of the Company to make payment on account of
claims in respect of derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange
rate contracts, commodity contracts and similar arrangements, other than (i)
obligations on account of Senior Indebtedness, (ii) obligations on account of
indebtedness for money borrowed ranking pari passu with or subordinate to the
Subordinated Securities and (iii) obligations which by their terms are expressly
stated not to be superior in right of payment to the Subordinated Securities or
to rank on parity with the Subordinated Securities; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any rule, guideline or
interpretation promulgated or issued by the Federal Reserve (or other competent
regulatory agency or authority), as from
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
time to time in effect, establishes or specifies criteria for the inclusion in
regulatory capital of subordinated debt of a bank holding company requiring that
such subordinated debt be subordinated to obligations to creditors in addition
to those set forth above, then the term "General Obligations" shall also include
such additional obligations to creditors, as from time to time in effect
pursuant to such rules, guidelines or interpretations. For purposes of this
definition, "claim" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 101(4) of
the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended to the date of the Subordinated
Indenture.
 
   
     Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a
particular series of Subordinated Securities offered thereby, "Junior
Subordinated Indebtedness", with respect to the Subordinated Securities, means
the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all of the Company's
indebtedness for money borrowed (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in
the ordinary course of business) whether outstanding on the date of execution of
the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred and any
deferrals, renewals or extensions of such debt, provided such debt (i) is by its
terms subordinated to the Subordinated Securities, (ii) is between or among the
Company and certain affiliated financing entities including all debt securities
and guarantees in respect of those debt securities issued to certain financing
entities or a trustee of a financing entity sponsored by the Company, (iii) is
evidenced by securities issued under one of the indentures dated either as of
November 15, 1996 or as of January 1, 1997, each between the Company and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (unless such securities are by their terms
senior in right of payment to the securities heretofore issued under said
indentures), or (iv) is a guarantee of the Company on a subordinated basis under
certain guarantee agreements dated December 3, 1996, December 5, 1996 or January
31, 1997, relating to securities issued by certain financing entities affiliated
with the Company. The term "indebtedness for money borrowed" as used in the
prior sentence includes, without limitation, any obligation of, or any
obligation guaranteed by, the Company for the repayment of borrowed money,
whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written
instruments, and any deferred obligation for the payment of the purchase price
of property or assets.
    
 
   
     As of June 30, 1998, the aggregate amount of Senior Indebtedness and
General Obligations of the Company was approximately $7.1 billion.
    
 
LIMITED RIGHTS OF ACCELERATION
 
   
     Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to any
series of Subordinated Securities, payment of principal of the Subordinated
Securities may be accelerated only in case of the bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company. There is no right of acceleration in the case of
a default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the
Subordinated Securities or the performance of any other covenant of the Company
in the Subordinated Indenture. Payment of principal of the Old Subordinated
Securities may be accelerated in the case of the bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company. For certain Old Subordinated Securities, payment
of principal also may be accelerated in the case of insolvency or receivership
of The First National Bank of Chicago or NBD Bank, Detroit, Michigan.
    
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, DEFAULTS, WAIVERS, ETC.
 
   
     An Event of Default with respect to Subordinated Securities of any series
is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as certain events involving the
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company and any other Event of
Default provided with respect to Subordinated Securities of that series. A
"Default" with respect to Subordinated Securities of any series is defined in
the Subordinated Indenture as
    
 
          (i) an Event of Default with respect to such series,
 
          (ii) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on
     any Subordinated Security of such series when due,
 
          (iii) default in the payment of interest upon any Subordinated
     Security of such series when due and the continuance of such default for a
     period of 30 days,
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
   
          (iv) default in the performance of any other covenant or agreement of
     the Company in the Subordinated Indenture with respect to Subordinated
     Securities of such series and continuance of such default for 90 days after
     written notice; or
    
 
          (v) any other Default provided with respect to Subordinated Securities
     of any series.
 
   
     If an Event of Default with respect to any series of Subordinated
Securities for which there are Subordinated Securities outstanding under the
Subordinated Indenture occurs and is continuing, either the applicable Trustee
or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Subordinated Securities of such series may declare the principal amount (or if
such Subordinated Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such
portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series)
of all Subordinated Securities of that series to be immediately due and payable.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
Securities of any series outstanding under the Subordinated Indenture may waive
an Event of Default resulting in acceleration of such Subordinated Securities,
but only if all Defaults have been remedied and all payments due (other than
those due as a result of acceleration) have been made.
    
 
   
     If a Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion,
and at the written request of holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Subordinated Securities of any series outstanding under
the Subordinated Indenture and upon reasonable indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request and
subject to certain other conditions set forth in the Subordinated Indenture
shall, proceed to protect the rights of the holders of all the Subordinated
Securities of such series. Prior to acceleration of maturity of the Subordinated
Securities of any series outstanding under the Subordinated Indenture, the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Subordinated
Securities may waive any past default under the Subordinated Indenture except a
default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the
Subordinated Securities of such series.
    
 
   
     The Subordinated Indenture provides that in the event of a Default
specified in clauses (ii) or (iii) of the definition thereof in payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Subordinated Security of any
series, the Company will, upon demand of the applicable Trustee, pay to it, for
the benefit of the holder of any such Subordinated Security, the whole amount
then due and payable on such Subordinated Security for principal, premium, if
any, and interest. The Subordinated Indenture further provides that if the
Company fails to pay such amount forthwith upon such demand, the applicable
Trustee may, among other things, institute a judicial proceeding for the
collection thereof.
    
 
     The Subordinated Indenture also provides that notwithstanding any other
provision of the Subordinated Indenture, the holder of any Subordinated Security
of any series shall have the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Subordinated
Security on the respective Stated Maturities (as defined in the Subordinated
Indenture) expressed in such Subordinated Security and that such right shall not
be impaired without the consent of such holder.
 
     The Company is required to file annually with the applicable Trustee a
written statement of officers as to the existence or non-existence of defaults
under the Subordinated Indenture or the Subordinated Securities.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS
 
   
     The Company may issue warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities ("Debt
Warrants"). Debt Warrants may be issued independently or together with any
Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and may be attached to or
separate from such Securities. The Debt Warrants are to be issued under warrant
agreements (each a "Debt Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the
Company and a warrant agent which will be designated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement (the "Debt Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular issue of Debt Warrants (the
"Offered Debt Warrants"). The Debt Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of
the Company in connection with the Debt Warrants and will not assume any
obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or
beneficial owners of Debt Warrants. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the form of Debt Warrant Agreement and form of certificate, if
any, representing the Debt Warrants (the "Debt Warrant
    
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
Certificates"), do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Debt
Warrant Agreement and the Debt Warrant Certificates, respectively, including the
definitions therein of certain terms, which Agreement and Certificate, if any,
will be filed as exhibits to or incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
 
     If Debt Warrants are offered, the Prospectus Supplement will describe the
terms of the Offered Debt Warrants, the Debt Warrant Agreement relating to the
Offered Debt Warrants and, if applicable, the Debt Warrant Certificates,
including the following:
 
   
          - the offering price;
    
 
   
          - the currency or currency unit in which the price for the Offered
     Debt Warrants may be payable;
    
 
   
          - the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the Debt
     Securities purchasable upon exercise of the Offered Debt Warrants;
    
 
   
          - if applicable, the designation and terms of the Securities with
     which the Offered Debt Warrants are issued and the number of Offered Debt
     Warrants issued with each such Security;
    
 
   
          - if the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of Offered Debt
     Warrants are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S.
     dollars, the denomination of such Debt Securities and the currency or units
     based on or relating to currencies (including ECU) in which the principal
     of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debt Securities will be payable;
    
 
   
          - if applicable, the date on and after which the Offered Debt Warrants
     and the related Securities will be separately transferable;
    
 
   
          - the principal amount of Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of
     an Offered Debt Warrant and the price at which, and currency or currency
     units based on or relating to currencies (including ECU) in which, such
     principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
    
 
   
          - the date on which the right to exercise the Offered Debt Warrants
     shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
    
 
   
          - if applicable, a discussion of certain Federal income tax,
     accounting and other special considerations, procedures and limitations;
    
 
   
          - whether the Debt Warrants will be represented by certificates or
     issued in book-entry form; and
    
 
   
          - any other terms of the Offered Debt Warrants, including terms,
     procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the
     Offered Debt Warrants.
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF CURRENCY WARRANTS
 
   
     The Company may issue options, warrants or other rights relating to the
exchange of certain currencies ("Currency Warrants") which, upon exercise at a
permitted time or times in the future, entitle any holder thereof to receive the
Cash Settlement Value (as defined below) of two designated currencies. Currency
Warrants may be issued independently or together with any Securities offered by
any Prospectus Supplement and may be attached to or separate from such
Securities. The Currency Warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements
(each a "Currency Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and
a warrant agent which will be designated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
(the "Currency Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the particular issue of Currency Warrants (the "Offered Currency
Warrants"). The Currency Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the
Company in connection with the Currency Warrants and will not assume any
obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holder or
beneficial owners of Currency Warrants. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the form of Currency Warrant Agreement and the form of
certificate, if any, representing the Currency Warrants (the "Currency Warrant
Certificates") do not purport to be complete and are subject to and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to all the provisions of the Currency
Warrant Agreement and the Currency Warrant Certificates, respectively, including
the definitions therein of certain terms, which Agreement and Certificate, if
any, will be filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
    
 
     The Currency Warrants will not require, or entitle, any holder thereof to
sell any foreign currency to the Company. The Company will make only a U.S.
dollar cash settlement upon exercise of a Currency Warrant and will not be
obligated to purchase or take delivery of any foreign currency from any holder
of a Currency Warrant.
 
     The "Cash Settlement Value" of an exercised Currency Warrant will be an
amount stated in U.S. dollars which is the greater of (i) zero and (ii) an
amount equal to (a) the nominal amount of such Currency Warrant, minus (b) an
amount equal to the nominal amount of such Currency Warrant times a fraction,
the numerator of which is the Strike Price of such Currency Warrant and the
denominator of which is the Spot Rate of such Currency Warrant on the Exercise
Date. The "nominal amount" of a Currency Warrant refers to the principal amount,
expressed in U.S. dollars, of a currency (the "Base Currency") which is to be
compared to another currency (the "Second Currency") upon exercise of such
Currency Warrant. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Base Currency shall be U.S. dollars. The "Strike Price" is the
designated rate of exchange of the Base Currency for the Second Currency which
the Company will specify in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offered
Currency Warrants. The "Spot Rate" refers to the floating rate of exchange of
the Base Currency for the Second Currency on any given date, as quoted by a
reference bank or banks or other institution at a designated time of day, such
source of quotations and time to be specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. The "Exercise Date" refers to the effective date on which the holder
of a Currency Warrant exercises such Currency Warrant.
 
     If Currency Warrants are offered, the Prospectus Supplement will describe
the terms of the Offered Currency Warrants, the Currency Warrant Agreement
relating to the Offered Currency Warrants and, if applicable, the Currency
Warrant Certificates, including the following:
 
   
          - the aggregate number of Offered Currency Warrants;
    
 
   
          - the nominal amount of each Offered Currency Warrant;
    
 
   
          - the price of the Offered Currency Warrants;
    
 
   
          - the Base Currency and the Second Currency;
    
 
   
          - the Strike Price for the Offered Currency Warrants;
    
 
   
          - the reference bank or banks or other institution and time of day to
     be used to determine the Spot Rate;
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
   
          - the date on which the right to exercise the Offered Currency
     Warrants shall begin and the date on which such right shall terminate;
    
 
   
          - if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of Offered Currency
     Warrants which may be exercised at any one time;
    
 
   
          - the place or places at which payment of the Cash Settlement Value is
     to be made by the Company;
    
 
   
          - whether the Offered Currency Warrants will be represented by
     certificates or issued in book-entry form;
    
 
   
          - the method by which the Offered Currency Warrants are to be
     exercised;
    
 
   
          - the Federal income tax consequences and other special
     considerations, procedures and limitations applicable to such Offered
     Currency Warrants; and
    
 
   
          - any other terms of the Offered Currency Warrants, including risk
     factors specifically relating to the Base Currency or Second Currency and
     Currency Warrants relating to such currencies.
    
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF STOCK-INDEX WARRANTS
 
   
     The Company may issue options, warrants or other rights which, upon
exercise at a permitted time or times in the future, entitle any holder thereof
to receive an amount of cash determined by references to increases and/or
decreases in the level of a specified stock index ("Stock-Index Warrants").
Stock-Index Warrants may be issued independently or together with other
Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and may be attached to or
separate from such other Securities. The Stock-Index Warrants are to be issued
under one or more warrant agreements (each a "Stock-Index Warrant Agreement") to
be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as stock-index
warrant agent which will be designated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
(the "Stock-Index Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the particular issue of Stock-Index Warrants (the "Offered
Stock-Index Warrants"). The Stock-Index Warrant Agent will act solely as an
agent of the Company in connection with the Stock-Index Warrants and will not
assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holder
or beneficial owners of Stock-Index Warrants. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the form of Stock-Index Warrant Agreement and form of certificate,
if any, representing the Stock-Index Warrants (the "Stock-Index Warrant
Certificates") do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the
Stock-Index Warrant Agreement and the Stock-Index Warrant Certificates,
respectively, including the definitions therein of certain terms, which
Agreement and Certificate, if any, will be filed as an exhibit to or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
forms a part.
    
 
   
     The Company may issue Stock-Index Warrants either in the form of
"Stock-Index Put Warrants" entitling the holders thereof to receive from the
Company the Stock-Index Cash Settlement Value (as described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement) in U.S. dollars, which amount will be determined by
reference to the amount, if any, by which the Stock-Index Exercise Price (as
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) exceeds the closing value of
the Index on the valuation date (the "Index Value") at the time of exercise, or
in the form of "Stock-Index Call Warrants" entitling the holders thereof to
receive from the Company the Stock-Index Cash Settlement Value in U.S. dollars,
which amount will be determined by reference to the amount, if any, by which the
Index Value at the time of exercise exceeds the Stock-Index Exercise Price.
    
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for the Offered Stock-Index Warrants will set
forth the formula pursuant to which the Stock-Index Cash Settlement Value will
be determined. In addition, if so specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, following the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event (as defined
therein), the Stock-Index Cash Settlement Value may be determined on a different
basis than under normal exercise of a Stock-Index Warrant.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, a Stock-Index
Warrant will be settled only in cash and, accordingly, will not require or
entitle a holder thereof to sell, deliver, purchase or take delivery of any
shares of any underlying stock or any other securities. The holders will not be
entitled to any of the rights of the holders of any underlying stock.
 
     If Stock-Index Warrants are offered, the Prospectus Supplement will
describe the terms of the Offered Stock-Index Warrants, the Stock-Index Warrant
Agreement relating to the Offered Stock-Index Warrants and, if applicable, the
Stock-Index Warrant Certificates, including the following:
 
   
          - whether such Stock-Index Warrants are Stock-Index Put Warrants,
     Stock-Index Call Warrants or both;
    
 
   
          - the aggregate number of Offered Stock-Index Warrants;
    
 
   
          - the offering price;
    
 
   
          - the stock index for the Offered Stock-Index Warrants, which may be
     based on one or more U.S. or foreign stocks or a combination thereof and
     may be a preexisting U.S. or foreign stock index compiled and published by
     a third party or an index based on one or more underlying stock or stocks
     selected by the Company solely in connection with the issuance of the
     Offered Stock-Index Warrants, and certain information regarding such stock
     index and the underlying stock or stocks;
    
 
   
          - the date on which the right to exercise the Offered Stock-Index
     Warrants commences and the date on which such right expires;
    
 
   
          - the procedures and conditions relating to exercise;
    
 
   
          - the circumstances, if any, which will cause the Offered Stock-Index
     Warrants to be deemed to be automatically exercised;
    
 
   
          - the minimum number, if any, of Stock-Index Warrants to be exercised
     at any one time other than upon automatic exercise and any other
     restrictions on exercise;
    
 
   
          - the maximum number, if any, of the Offered Stock-Index Warrants that
     may, subject to the Company's election, be exercised by all owners (or by
     any person or entity) on any day;
    
 
   
          - the method of providing for a substitute index or otherwise
     determining the amount payable in connection with the exercise of the
     Offered Stock-Index Warrants if the stock index changes or ceases to be
     made available by its publisher, which determination will be made by an
     independent expert;
    
 
   
          - the national securities exchange on which the Offered Stock-Index
     Warrants will be listed, if any;
    
 
   
          - whether the Offered Stock-Index Warrants will be issued in
     certificated or book-entry form;
    
 
   
          - the place or places at which payment of the Stock-Index Cash
     Settlement Value is to be made by the Company;
    
 
   
          - information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
    
 
   
          - the plan of distribution of the Offered Stock-Index Warrants;
    
 
   
          - the identity of the Stock-Index Warrant Agent;
    
 
   
          - any provisions permitting a holder of a Stock-Index Warrant to
     condition a stock-index exercise notice on the absence of certain specified
     changes in the Index Value after the Stock-Index Warrant exercise date; and
    
 
   
          - any other terms of the Offered Stock-Index Warrants, including risk
     factors specifically relating to fluctuations in the applicable stock index
     and possible illiquidity in the secondary market.
    
 
     Prospective purchasers of Stock-Index Warrants should be aware that special
U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable
to instruments such as Stock-Index Warrants. The Prospectus Supplement relating
to any issue of Stock-Index Warrants will describe such considerations.
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF OTHER WARRANTS
 
   
     The Company may issue other options, warrants or rights ("Other Warrants"),
if permitted under applicable law, to buy or sell debt securities of or
guaranteed by the United States, to buy or sell a commodity or a unit of a
commodity index or to buy or sell some other item or unit of an index other than
indices covered by Stock-Index Warrants (collectively, "Exercise Items"). Owners
of Other Warrants will be entitled to receive from the Company the cash
settlement value in U.S. dollars of the right to buy or sell the Exercise Items
(the "Other Warrant Cash Settlement Value"). An Owner of Other Warrants will
receive a cash payment upon exercise only if the Other Warrants have an Other
Warrant Cash Settlement Value in excess of zero at that time.
    
 
     Other Warrants may be issued independently or together with other
Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and may be attached to or
separate from such other Securities. The Other Warrants are to be issued under
one or more other warrant agreements (the "Other Warrant Agreements") to be
entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent
which will be designated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Other
Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the
particular issue of Other Warrants. The Other Warrant Agent will act solely as
an agent of the Company in connection with the Other Warrants and will not
assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holder
or beneficial owners of the Other Warrants. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the form of Other Warrant Agreement and form of certificate, if
any, representing the Other Warrants (the "Other Warrant Certificates") do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to, all the provisions of the Other Warrant Agreement and the Other
Warrant Certificates, respectively, including the definitions therein of certain
terms which Agreement and Certificate, if any, will be filed as an exhibit to or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
forms a part.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, an Other Warrant
will be settled only in cash, in U.S. dollars, and accordingly, will not require
or entitle an owner thereof to sell, deliver, purchase or take delivery of any
Exercise Items.
 
     If Other Warrants are offered, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will
describe the terms of such Other Warrants, including, where applicable, the
following:
 
   
          - the title and aggregate number of such Other Warrants;
    
 
   
          - the offering price;
    
 
   
          - the Exercise Items that such Other Warrants represent the right to
     buy or sell;
    
 
   
          - the procedures and conditions relating to exercise;
    
 
   
          - the date on which the right to exercise the Other Warrants shall
     commence and the date such right shall expire (the "Other Warrant
     Expiration Date");
    
 
   
          - the method of determining the Other Warrant Cash Settlement Value;
    
 
   
          - whether such Other Warrants will be issued in certificated or
     book-entry form;
    
 
   
          - whether such Other Warrants will be listed on a national securities
     exchange;
    
 
   
          - information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
    
 
   
          - the identity of the Other Warrant Agent; and
    
 
   
          - any other terms of such Other Warrants, including risk factors
     relating to significant fluctuations in the market for the applicable
     Exercise Item, the potential illiquidity of the secondary market and the
     risk that the Other Warrants may expire worthless.
    
 
     Prospective purchasers of Other Warrants should be aware that special U.S.
Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to
instruments such as Other Warrants. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any
issue of Other Warrants will describe such considerations.
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
   
                         DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
    
 
   
     The following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. Certain other terms of any series of Preferred
Stock offered by any Prospectus Supplement will be specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. If so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the terms of any series of Preferred Stock may differ from the terms set forth
below. The description of the terms of the Preferred Stock set forth below and
in any Prospectus Supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to
and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate of Designation
relating to the applicable series of Preferred Stock, which Certificate will be
filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
    
 
   
GENERAL
    
 
   
     Pursuant to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the
"Certificate of Incorporation"), the Board of Directors of the Company has the
authority, without further stockholder action, to issue from time to time a
maximum of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value, in one or more
series and for such consideration, as may be fixed from time to time by the
Board of Directors of the Company, and to fix before the issuance of any shares
of preferred stock of a particular series, the designation of such series, the
number of shares to comprise such series, the dividend rate or rates payable
with respect to the shares of such series, the redemption price or prices, if
any, and the terms and conditions of the redemption, the voting rights, any
sinking fund provisions for the redemption or purchase of the shares of such
series, the terms and conditions upon which the shares are convertible, if they
are convertible, and any other relative rights, preferences and limitations
pertaining to such series.
    
 
   
     As of October 2, 1998, there were issued and outstanding 1,191,000 shares
of the Company's Preferred Stock with Cumulative and Adjustable Dividends,
Series B ($100 stated value) (the "Series B Preferred Stock") and 713,800 shares
of the Company's Preferred Stock with Cumulative and Adjustable Dividends,
Series C ($100 stated value) (the "Series C Preferred Stock") (collectively, the
"Existing Preferred Stock"). In addition, the Company has issued 6,000,000
preferred share purchase units ("Preferred Purchase Units") which may require
the holder of which to purchase, no later than 2023, the Company's 7 1/2%
Cumulative Preferred Stock (the "7 1/2% Preferred Stock"). See "Description of
Existing Preferred Stock and Preferred Purchase Units" herein.
    
 
   
     As described under "Description of Depositary Shares" below, the Company
may, at its option, elect to offer depositary shares ("Depositary Shares")
evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fraction (to be specified
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of Preferred
Stock) of a share of the particular series of the Preferred Stock issued and
deposited with a depositary, in lieu of offering full shares of such series of
the Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
     Under interpretations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, if the holders
of Preferred Stock of any series become entitled to vote for the election of
directors because dividends on such series are in arrears as described under
"Voting Rights" below, such series may then be deemed a "class of voting
securities" and a holder of 25% or more of such series (or a holder of 5% or
more if it otherwise exercises a "controlling influence" over the Company) may
then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company in accordance with the
Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. In addition, at such time as such
series is deemed a class of voting securities, any other bank holding company
may be required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to
acquire 5% or more of such series, and any person other than a bank holding
company may be required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve
Board to acquire 10% or more of such series.
    
 
   
     The Preferred Stock shall have the dividend, liquidation, redemption,
voting and conversion rights set forth below unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the particular series of Preferred Stock offered thereby for
specific terms, including:
    
 
   
          - the designation, stated value and liquidation preference of such
     Preferred Stock and the number of shares offered;
    
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
   
          - the initial public offering price at which such shares will be
     issued;
    
 
   
          - the dividend rate or rates (or method of calculation), the dividend
     periods, the date on which dividends shall be payable and whether such
     dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the
     dates from which dividends shall commence to cumulate;
    
 
   
          - any redemption or sinking fund provisions;
    
 
   
          - any conversion provisions;
    
 
   
          - whether the Company has elected to offer Depositary Shares as
     described below under "Description of Depositary Shares"; and
    
 
   
          - any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and
     other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of such
     Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
     The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the shares
of each series of Preferred Stock will upon issuance rank on a parity in all
respects with the Company's Existing Preferred Stock, described below, and each
other then outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company. The Preferred
Stock will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities
which may be issued by the Company. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, First Chicago Trust Company of New York, or an affiliate,
will be the transfer agent and registrar for the Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
     Because the Company is a holding company, its rights and the rights of
holders of its securities, including the holders of Preferred Stock, to
participate in the assets of any Company subsidiary upon the latter's
liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of such
subsidiary's creditors and preferred stockholders, except to the extent the
Company may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against such subsidiary
or a holder of preferred shares of such subsidiary.
    
 
   
DIVIDENDS
    
 
   
     The holders of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as
and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, out of funds legally
available therefor, dividends at such rates and on such dates as will be
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Such rates may be fixed or
variable or both. If variable, the formula used for determining the dividend
rate for each dividend period will be specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on
the stock books of the Company (or, if applicable, the records of the Depositary
referred to below under "Description of Depositary Shares") on such record dates
as will be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company. Dividends may be paid
in the form of cash, Preferred Stock (of the same or a different series) or
Common Stock of the Company, in each case as specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
    
 
   
     Dividends on any series of Preferred Stock may be cumulative or
noncumulative, as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the
Board of Directors of the Company fails to declare a dividend payable on a
dividend payment date on any Preferred Stock for which dividends are
noncumulative ("Noncumulative Preferred Stock"), then the holders of such
Preferred Stock will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the
dividend period relating to such dividend payment date, and the Company will
have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period, whether or not
dividends on such Preferred Stock are declared or paid on any future dividend
payment dates.
    
 
   
     The Company shall not declare or pay or set apart for payment any dividends
on any series of its preferred shares ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with
or junior to the outstanding Preferred Stock of any series unless (i) if such
Preferred Stock has a cumulative dividend ("Cumulative Preferred Stock"), full
cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment
on such Preferred Stock for all dividend periods terminating on or prior to the
date of payment of any such dividends on such other series of preferred shares
of the Company, or (ii) if such Preferred Stock is Noncumulative Preferred
Stock, full dividends for the then-current dividend
    
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
   
period on such Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and
paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such
payment.
    
 
   
     When dividends are not paid in full upon Preferred Stock of any series and
any other shares of preferred stock of the Company ranking on a parity as to
dividends with such Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon such Preferred
Stock and any other preferred shares of the Company ranking on a parity as to
dividends with such Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the
amount of dividends declared per share on such Preferred Stock and such other
shares shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the accrued
dividends per share on such Preferred Stock (which shall not, if such Preferred
Stock is Noncumulative Preferred Stock, include any accumulation in respect of
unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods) and such other preferred shares
bear to each other.
    
 
   
     Except as set forth in the preceding paragraph, unless full dividends on
the outstanding Cumulative Preferred Stock of any series have been paid for all
past dividend periods and full dividends for the then-current dividend period on
the outstanding Noncumulative Preferred Stock of any series have been declared
and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for
such payment, no dividends(other than in Common Stock of the Company or other
shares of the Company ranking junior to such Preferred Stock as to dividends and
upon liquidation) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment, nor shall
any other distribution be made on the Common Stock of the Company or on any
other shares of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with such Preferred
Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation. Unless full dividends on the
Cumulative Preferred Stock of any series have been paid for all past dividend
periods and full dividends for the then-current dividend period on the
Noncumulative Preferred Stock of any series have been declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such
payment, no Common Stock or any other shares of the Company ranking junior to or
on a parity with such Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation shall
be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any
moneys be paid or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any
such shares) by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company except by
conversion into or exchange for shares of the Company ranking junior to such
Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation.
    
 
   
REDEMPTION
    
 
   
     A series of the Preferred Stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at
the option of the Company, and may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant
to a sinking fund or otherwise, in each case upon terms, at the times and at the
redemption prices specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and subject
to the rights of holders of other securities of the Company. Preferred Stock
redeemed by the Company will be restored to the status of authorized but
unissued preferred shares.
    
 
   
     The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock that is
subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of such
Preferred Stock that shall be redeemed by the Company in each year commencing
after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified,
together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (which
shall not, if such Preferred Stock is Noncumulative Preferred Stock, include any
accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods) to the
date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other
property, as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the
redemption price for Preferred Stock of any series is payable only from the net
proceeds of the issuance of capital stock of the Company, the terms of such
Preferred Stock may provide that, if no such capital stock shall have been
issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to
pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such Preferred Stock shall
automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of the applicable capital
stock of the Company pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
    
 
   
     If fewer than all the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of any series
are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed will be determined in a
manner designated by the Board of Directors of the Company and such shares shall
be redeemed pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in proportion to
the number of such shares held by such holders (with adjustments to avoid
redemption of fractional shares) or by lot or by any other method as may be
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
 
   
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any dividends, including any
accumulation, on Cumulative Preferred Stock of any series are in arrears, no
Preferred Stock of such series shall be redeemed unless all outstanding
Preferred Stock of such series is simultaneously redeemed and the Company shall
not purchase or otherwise acquire any Preferred Stock of such series; provided,
however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of
Preferred Stock of such series pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer provided
such offer is made on the same terms to all holders of the Preferred Stock of
such series.
    
 
   
     Notice of redemption shall be given by mailing the same to each record
holder of the Preferred Stock to be redeemed, not less than 30 nor more than 60
days prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof, to the respective addresses
of such holders as the same shall appear on the stock books of the Company. Each
notice shall state:
    
 
   
          (i) the redemption date;
    
 
   
          (ii) the number of shares and series of the Preferred Stock to be
     redeemed;
    
 
   
          (iii) the redemption price;
    
 
   
          (iv) the place or places where certificates for such Preferred Stock
     are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;
    
 
   
          (v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue
     on such redemption date; and
    
 
   
          (vi) the date upon which the holder's conversion rights, if any, as to
     such shares, shall terminate.
    
 
   
     If fewer than all the shares of Preferred Stock of any series held by any
holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify
the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed from such holder.
    
 
   
     If notice of redemption of any shares of Preferred Stock has been given,
from and after the redemption date for such shares (unless the Company defaults
in providing money for the payment of the redemption price of such shares),
dividends on such shares shall cease to accrue and such shares shall no longer
be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holders thereof as
shareholders of the Company (except the right to receive the redemption price)
shall cease. Upon surrender in accordance with such notice of the certificates
representing any such shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the
Board of Directors of the Company shall so require and the notice shall so
state), the redemption price set forth above shall be paid out of the funds
provided by the Company. If fewer than all the shares represented by any such
certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the
unredeemed shares without cost to the holder thereof.
    
 
   
CONVERSION RIGHTS
    
 
   
     The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of the Preferred Stock that
is convertible will state the terms on which shares of such series are
convertible into the Company's Common Stock, or another series of Preferred
Stock.
    
 
   
RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION
    
 
   
     In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, the holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
receive out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to
shareholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common
Stock or any other class or series of shares ranking junior to such Preferred
Stock upon liquidation, liquidating distributions in the amount of the
liquidation preference of such Preferred Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends
(which shall not, if such Preferred Stock is Noncumulative Preferred Stock,
include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend
periods). If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company the amounts payable with respect to Preferred Stock of
any series and any other shares of the Company ranking as to any such
distribution on a parity with such Preferred Stock are not paid in full, the
holders of such Preferred Stock and of such other shares will share ratably in
any such distribution of assets of
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   32
 
   
the Company in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which
they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating
distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred Stock of any
series will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of
assets by the Company.
    
 
   
VOTING RIGHTS
    
 
   
     Except as indicated below or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, or
except as expressly required by applicable law, the holders of the Preferred
Stock will not be entitled to vote. In the event the Company issues full shares
of any series of Preferred Stock, each such share will be entitled to one vote
on matters on which holders of such series of the Preferred Stock are entitled
to vote. However, as more fully described under "Description of Depositary
Shares" below, if the Company elects to issue Depositary Shares representing a
fraction of a share of a series of Preferred Stock, each such Depositary Share
will, in effect, be entitled to such fraction of a vote, rather than a full
vote, per Depositary Share. Since each full share of any series of Preferred
Stock of the Company shall be entitled to one vote, the voting power of such
series, on matters on which holders of such series and holders of other series
of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a single class, shall depend on the
number of shares in such series, not the aggregate stated value, liquidation
preference or initial offering price of the shares of such series of Preferred
Stock.
    
 
   
     If the equivalent of six quarterly dividends payable on any series of
Preferred Stock are in default, the number of directors of the Company will be
increased by two and the holders of all outstanding series of Preferred Stock,
voting as a single class without regard to series, will be entitled to elect
such additional two directors until all dividends in default have been paid or
declared and set apart for payment.
    
 
   
     The affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3 percent
of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of any series, voting as a class,
will be required for any amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
(or any certificate supplemental thereto) that will adversely affect the powers,
preferences, privileges or rights of the Preferred Stock of such series. The
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3 percent of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of any series and any other series of
preferred shares of the Company ranking on a parity with the Preferred Stock of
such series as to dividends or upon liquidation, voting as a single class
without regard to series, will be required to authorize, effect or validate the
creation, authorization or issue of any shares of any class of stock of the
Company ranking prior to the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends or
upon liquidation, or the reclassification of any authorized stock of the Company
into any such prior shares, or the creation, authorization or issue of any
obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any
such prior shares.
    
 
   
     Subject to such affirmative vote or consent of the holders of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of any series, the Company may, by
resolution of its Board of Directors or as otherwise permitted by law, from time
to time alter or change the preferences, rights or powers of the Preferred Stock
of such series. The holders of the Preferred Stock of such series shall not be
entitled to participate in any such vote if, at or prior to the time when any
such alteration or change is to take effect, provision is made for the
redemption of all the Preferred Stock of such series at the time outstanding.
Nothing in this section shall be taken to require a class vote or consent in
connection with the authorization, designation, increase or issuance of any
shares of any class or series (including additional Preferred Stock of any
series) that rank junior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock of such
series as to dividends and liquidation rights or in connection with the
authorization, designation, increase or issuance of any bonds, mortgages,
debentures or other obligations of the Company.
    
 
   
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
    
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The Company may, at its option, elect to offer fractional shares of
Preferred Stock, rather than full shares of Preferred Stock. If such option is
exercised, the Company will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares,
each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to a
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   33
 
   
particular series of Preferred Stock) of a share of a particular series of
Preferred Stock as described below (the "Depositary Shares").
    
 
     The shares of any series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary
Shares will be deposited under a Deposit Agreement (the "Deposit Agreement")
between the Company and a bank or trust company selected by the Company having
its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000 (the "Preferred Stock Depositary"). Subject to
the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share will be
entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of Preferred Stock
represented by such Depositary Share, to all the rights and preferences of the
Preferred Stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption,
conversion and liquidation rights).
 
     The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued
pursuant to the Deposit Agreement ("Depositary Receipts"). Depositary Receipts
will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of
Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the offering. Copies of the
forms of Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt will be filed as exhibits to,
or incorporated by reference in, the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part, and the following summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such exhibits.
 
   
     Pending the preparation of definitive engraved Depositary Receipts, the
Preferred Stock Depositary may, upon the written order of the Company, issue
temporary Depositary Receipts. Such temporary Definitive Receipts will be
substantially identical to (and entitle the holders thereof to all the rights
pertaining to) the definitive Depositary Receipts but will not be in definitive
form. Definitive Depositary Receipts will be prepared thereafter without
unreasonable delay, and temporary Depositary Receipts will be exchangeable for
definitive Depositary Receipts at the Company's expense.
    
 
     Upon surrender of Depositary Receipts at the principal office of the
Preferred Stock Depositary (unless the related Depositary Shares have previously
been called for redemption), the owner of the Depositary Shares evidenced
thereby is entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon his order, of the
number of whole shares of Preferred Stock and any money or other property
represented by such Depositary Shares. Partial shares of Preferred Stock will
not be issued. If the Depositary Receipts delivered by the holder evidence a
number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares
representing a number of whole shares of Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the
Preferred Stock Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new
Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares. Holders
of shares of Preferred Stock thus withdrawn will not thereafter be entitled to
deposit such shares under the Deposit Agreement or to receive Depositary Shares
therefor. The Company does not expect that there will be any public trading
market for withdrawn shares of Preferred Stock.
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other
cash distributions received in respect of the Preferred Stock to the record
holders of Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock in proportion to
the numbers of such Depositary Shares owned by such holders. The Preferred Stock
Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed
without attributing to any holder of Depositary Shares a fraction of one cent,
and any balance not so distributed shall be added to and treated as part of the
next sum received by the Preferred Stock Depositary for distribution to record
holders of Depositary Shares.
 
     In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Preferred Stock
Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of
Depositary Shares entitled thereto, unless the Preferred Stock Depositary
determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the
Preferred Stock Depositary may, with the approval of the Company, sell such
property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   34
 
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
     If a series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares is subject
to redemption, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received
by the Preferred Stock Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in
part, of such series of Preferred Stock held by the Preferred Stock Depositary.
The Preferred Stock Depositary shall mail notice of redemption not less than 30
nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the record
holders of the Depositary Shares to be so redeemed at their respective addresses
appearing in the Preferred Stock Depositary's books. The redemption price per
Depositary Share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption
price per share payable with respect to such series of Preferred Stock. Whenever
the Company redeems shares of Preferred Stock held by the Preferred Stock
Depositary, the Preferred Stock Depositary will redeem as of the same redemption
date the number of Depositary Shares representing shares of Preferred Stock so
redeemed. If less than all the Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the
Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as may be
determined by the Preferred Stock Depositary.
 
     After the date fixed for redemption, the Depositary Shares so called for
redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the
holders of the Depositary Shares will cease, except the right to receive the
moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to which the
holders of such Depositary Shares were entitled upon such redemption upon
surrender to the Preferred Stock Depositary of the Depositary Receipts
evidencing such Depositary Shares.
 
VOTING THE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred
Stock are entitled to vote, the Preferred Stock Depositary will mail the
information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the
Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock. Each record holder of such
Depositary Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record
date for the Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Preferred Stock
Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of
the Preferred Stock represented by such holder's Depositary Shares. The
Preferred Stock Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the
amount of the Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares in
accordance with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all action
which may be deemed necessary by the Preferred Stock Depositary in order to
enable the Preferred Stock Depositary to do so. The Preferred Stock Depositary
will abstain from voting shares of the Preferred Stock to the extent it does not
receive specific instructions from the holders of Depositary Shares representing
such Preferred Stock.
 
TAXATION
 
     Owners of the Depositary Shares will be treated for Federal income tax
purposes as if they were owners of the series of Preferred Stock represented by
such Depositary Shares and, accordingly, will be entitled to take into account
for Federal income tax purposes income and deductions to which they would be
entitled if they were holders of such series of Preferred Stock. In addition,
(i) no gain or loss will be recognized for Federal income tax purposes upon the
withdrawal of Preferred Stock in exchange for Depositary Shares as provided in
the Deposit Agreement, (ii) the tax basis of each share of Preferred Stock to an
exchanging owner of Depositary Shares will, upon such exchange, be the same as
the aggregate tax basis of the Depositary Shares exchanged therefor and (iii)
the holding period for shares of the Preferred Stock in the hands of an
exchanging owner of Depositary Shares who held such Depositary Shares as a
capital asset at the time of the exchange thereof for Preferred Stock will
include the period during which such person owned such Depositary Shares.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSITARY AGREEMENT
 
     The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares and any
provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between the Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary. However, any amendment
which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of Depositary
Shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the
holders of at least a
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   35
 
majority of the Depositary Shares then outstanding. The Deposit Agreement may be
terminated by the Company or the Preferred Stock Depositary only if (i) all
outstanding Depositary Shares have been redeemed or (ii) there has been a final
distribution in respect of the Preferred Stock in connection with any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and such distribution has
been distributed to the holders of Depositary Receipts.
 
CHARGES OF PREFERRED STOCK DEPOSITARY
 
     The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The Company
will pay charges of the Preferred Stock Depositary in connection with the
initial deposit of the Preferred Stock and any redemption of the Preferred
Stock. Holders of Depositary Receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes
and governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the
Deposit Agreement to be for their accounts.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     The Preferred Stock Depositary will forward to the holders of Depositary
Shares all reports and communications from the Company which are delivered to
the Preferred Stock Depositary and which the Company is required to furnish to
the holders of the Preferred Stock.
 
     Neither the Preferred Stock Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it
is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in
performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the
Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be
limited to performance in good faith of their duties thereunder and they will
not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any
Depositary Shares or Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished.
They may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or information
provided by persons presenting Preferred Stock for deposit, holders of
Depositary Receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents
believed to be genuine.
 
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF PREFERRED STOCK DEPOSITARY
 
     The Preferred Stock Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the
Company notice of its election to do so, and the Company may at any time remove
the Preferred Stock Depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect
upon the appointment of a successor Preferred Stock Depositary and its
acceptance of such appointment. Such successor Preferred Stock Depositary must
be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or
removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the
United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
 
   
      DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING PREFERRED STOCK AND PREFERRED PURCHASE UNITS
    
 
   
     The outstanding Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock of
the Company were issued as of October 2, 1998, as part of the Merger in exchange
for two similar series of preferred stock of FCN outstanding at the effective
time of the Merger. The two series of FCN preferred stock were originally issued
by a predecessor corporation in February 1983, and February 1984, respectively.
The dividend rate on each series is adjusted quarterly, based on a formula that
considers the interest rates for selected short- and long-term U.S. Treasury
securities prevailing at the time the rate is set. The Existing Preferred Stock
ranks prior to the Company's Common Stock, both as to dividends and upon
liquidation, but has no general voting rights (except as described under
"Description of Preferred Stock -- Voting Rights"). Each series of the Existing
Preferred Stock ranks pari passu with the other series of the Existing Preferred
Stock with respect to dividends and liquidation rights.
    
 
   
     The Series B Preferred Stock is subject to a minimum and maximum annual
dividend rate of 6.00 percent and 12.00 percent, respectively. The annualized
dividend rate for the quarterly period ended November 30, 1998, is 6.00 percent.
Shares of this series are redeemable, at the option of the Company, at
    
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   36
 
   
their stated value of $100 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Shares
of this series are not convertible into other securities of the Company.
    
 
   
     The Series C Preferred Stock is subject to a minimum and maximum annual
dividend rate of 6.50 percent and 12.50 percent, respectively. The annualized
dividend rate for the quarterly period ended November 30, 1998, is 6.50 percent.
Shares of this series are redeemable, at the option of the Company, at their
stated value of $100 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Shares of this
series are not convertible into other securities of the Company.
    
 
   
     The shares of the outstanding Existing Preferred Stock are listed on the
New York Stock Exchange. First Chicago Trust Company of New York, or an
affiliate, serves as transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for
shares of the Existing Preferred Stock.
    
 
   
     In addition, on May 11, 1993, the Company issued 6,000,000 Preferred
Purchase Units each of which consisted of a 30-year subordinated debenture and a
purchase contract requiring the purchase by the holder thereof on May 10, 2023
(or earlier at the Company's election) of the Company's 7 1/2% Preferred Stock
at a purchase price of $25 per share. The Company may redeem any or all of the
Preferred Purchase Units at anytime after May 10, 1998, at par, and, as a
result, some or all of the 7 1/2% Preferred Stock may not be issued by the
Company. The 7 1/2% Preferred Stock would rank prior to the Company's Common
Stock, but would have no voting rights except if the Preferred Purchase Units
were in default or the Certificate of Incorporation was proposed to be amended
in a manner adverse to the holders of the 7 1/2% Preferred Stock. The 7 1/2%
Preferred Stock would rank pari passu with each other series of Existing
Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and liquidation rights. The 7 1/2%
Preferred Stock, if issued, would not be convertible into other securities of
the Company. The shares of preferred stock which could be issued pursuant to the
purchase contracts have been reserved by the Company on its stock records.
    
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK WARRANTS
 
   
     The Company may issue warrants for the purchase of Preferred Stock
("Preferred Stock Warrants"). Preferred Stock Warrants may be issued
independently or together with other Securities offered by any Prospectus
Supplement and may be attached to or separate from such other Securities. Each
series of Preferred Stock Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant
agreements (each a "Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement") to be entered into
between the Company and a bank or trust company, as preferred stock warrant
agent which will be designated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the
"Preferred Stock Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to the particular issue of Preferred Stock Warrants. The Preferred
Stock Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection
with the Preferred Stock Warrants and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of Preferred Stock
Warrant Certificates or beneficial owners of Preferred Stock Warrants. The
following summaries of certain provisions of the form of Preferred Stock Warrant
Agreement and form of certificate, if any, representing the Preferred Stock
Warrants (the "Preferred Stock Warrant Certificates") do not purport to be
complete and are subject to and are qualified in their entirety by reference to,
all the provisions of the Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and the Preferred
Stock Warrant Certificates which Agreement and Certificate will be filed as an
exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus forms a part.
    
 
     If Preferred Stock Warrants are offered, the applicable Prospectus
Supplement will describe the terms of such Preferred Stock Warrants, the
Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and, if applicable, the Preferred Stock
Warrant Certificates, including the following, where applicable:
 
   
          - the offering price;
    
 
   
          - the designation, aggregate number and terms of the series of
     Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of such Preferred Stock Warrants
     and minimum number of Preferred Stock Warrants that are exercisable;
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   37
 
   
          - if applicable, the designation and terms of the Securities with
     which such Preferred Stock Warrants are being offered and the number of
     such Preferred Stock Warrants being offered with each such Security;
    
 
   
          - if applicable, the date on and after which such Preferred Stock
     Warrants and the related Securities will be transferable separately;
    
 
   
          - the number and stated values of the series of Preferred Stock
     purchasable upon exercise of each such Preferred Stock Warrant and the
     price at which such number of shares of Preferred Stock of such series may
     be purchased upon such exercise;
    
 
   
          - the date on which the right to exercise such Preferred Stock
     Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
    
 
   
          - whether the Preferred Stock Warrants represented by the Preferred
     Stock Warrant Certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form;
    
 
   
          - information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and
    
 
   
          - any other terms of such Preferred Stock Warrants for the purchase of
     shares of Preferred Stock.
    
 
     Preferred Stock Warrant Certificates may be exchanged for new Preferred
Stock Warrant Certificates of different denominations, may (if in registered
form) be presented for registration of transfer, and may be exercised at the
corporate trust office of the Preferred Stock Warrant Agent or any other office
indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of any
Preferred Stock Warrant, a holder thereof shall have no rights of a holder of
shares of the Preferred Stock purchasable upon such exercise, including the
right to receive payment of dividends, if any, on the underlying Preferred Stock
or the right to vote such underlying Preferred Stock.
 
     Prospective purchasers of Preferred Stock Warrants should be aware that
special U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be
applicable to instruments such as Preferred Stock Warrants. The Prospectus
Supplement relating to any issue of Preferred Stock Warrants will describe such
considerations.
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK WARRANTS
 
   
     The Company may issue warrants for the purchase of Common Stock ("Common
Stock Warrants"). Common Stock Warrants may be issued independently or together
with other Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and may be attached
to or separate from such Securities. Each series of Common Stock Warrants will
be issued under one or more warrant agreements (each a "Common Stock Warrant
Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company,
as common stock warrant agent which will be designated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement (the "Common Stock Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular issue of Common Stock
Warrants. The Common Stock Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the
Company in connection with the Common Stock Warrants and will not assume any
obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or
beneficial owners of Common Stock Warrants. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and certificate , if
any, representing Common Stock Warrants (the "Common Stock Warrant
Certificates") do not purport to be complete and are subject to and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Common
Stock Warrant Agreement and the Common Stock Warrant Certificate which Agreement
and Certificate will be filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in
the Registration Statement which this Prospectus forms a part of.
    
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   38
 
     If Common Stock Warrants are offered, the related Prospectus Supplement
will describe the terms of such Common Stock Warrants, the Common Stock Warrant
Agreement and, if applicable, the Common Stock Warrant Certificates, including
the following, where applicable:
 
   
          - the offering price;
    
 
   
          - the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon
     exercise of such Common Stock Warrants and minimum number of Common Stock
     Warrants that are exercisable;
    
 
   
          - if applicable, the designation and terms of the Securities with
     which such Common Stock Warrants are being offered and the number of such
     Common Stock Warrants being offered with each such Security;
    
 
   
          - if applicable, the date on and after which such Common Stock
     Warrants and the related Securities will be transferable separately;
    
 
   
          - the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of
     each such Common Stock Warrant and the price at which such number of shares
     of Common Stock may be purchased upon such exercise;
    
 
   
          - the date on which the right to exercise such Common Stock Warrants
     shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
    
 
   
          - whether the Common Stock Warrants represented by the Common Stock
     Warrant Certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form;
    
 
   
          - information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and
    
 
   
          - any other terms of such Common Stock Warrants for the purchase of
     shares of Common Stock.
    
 
     Common Stock Warrant Certificates may be exchanged for new Common Stock
Warrant Certificates of different denominations, may (if in registered form) be
presented for registration of transfer, and may be exercised at the corporate
trust office of the Common Stock Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of any Common Stock
Warrant a holder thereof shall have no rights of a holder of shares of the
Common Stock purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive
payments of dividends, if any, on the Common Stock purchasable upon such
exercise or to exercise any applicable right to vote.
 
     Prospective purchasers of Common Stock Warrants should be aware that
special U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be
applicable to instruments such as Common Stock Warrants. The Prospectus
Supplement relating to any issue of Common Stock Warrants will describe such
considerations.
 
   
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
    
 
   
GENERAL
    
 
   
     The Company is authorized to issue 2,500,000,000 shares of common stock,
$0.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"). As of October 2, 1998, there
were outstanding 1,179,702,784 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
    
 
   
     Holders of the Company's Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of any funds legally
available therein provided that, so long as any shares of the Company's
preferred stock are outstanding, no dividends (other than dividends payable in
Common Stock) or other distributions (including redemptions and purchases) may
be made with respect to the Common Stock unless full cumulative dividends on the
Company's preferred stock have been made. Holders of the Company's Common Stock
are entitled upon the liquidation or winding up of the Company, after claims of
creditors and preferences of the Company's Existing Preferred Stock and any
other series of preferred stock hereafter authorized, to receive pro rata the
net assets of the Company.
    
                                       36
<PAGE>   39
 
   
     The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share
held and are vested with all of the voting power except as the Board of
Directors of the Company has provided with respect to the outstanding shares of
the Company's Existing Preferred Stock or may provide, in the future, with
respect to any other series of preferred stock which it may hereafter authorize.
Generally, holders of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock and Series C
Preferred Stock have no voting rights.
    
 
   
     The shares of Common Stock have non-cumulative voting rights, which means
that the holders of more than 50% of the shares of Common Stock voting for the
election of directors can elect 100% of the directors standing for election at
any meeting if they choose to do so and, in such event, the holders of the
remaining shares voting for the election of directors will not be able to elect
any person or persons to the Board of Directors of the Company at that meeting.
    
 
   
     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation includes specific provisions
with respect to mergers and other business combinations. In general, these
provisions require that, in the case of a proposed merger or other business
combination involving the Company and an Interested Stockholder (as defined in
the Certificate of Incorporation), the approving vote of the holders of at least
a majority of the voting power of all shares of voting stock held by persons who
are not Interested Stockholders or persons affiliated with Interested
Stockholders is required, unless the business combination has been approved by a
majority of directors not affiliated with the Interested Stockholder or unless
certain conditions regarding minimum price and procedural protections are met
with respect to each class of the Company's then outstanding voting stock. The
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation also require that the Board of
Directors will not approve a proposal for a business combination or a tender
offer until the Board of Directors has evaluated the proposal in light of its
effect on the stockholders and employees of the Company and the communities
served by the Company. These provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation
could be used to make more difficult a change in control of the Company.
    
 
   
     The issued and outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock are fully
paid and nonassessable. The holders of the Company's Common Stock do not have
any preemptive rights to subscribe for additional shares of capital stock of the
Company. The holders of Common Stock have no conversion rights, the Common Stock
is not subject to redemption by either the Company or a stockholder, and there
is no restriction on the purchase by the Company of shares of Common Stock
except for certain regulatory limits.
    
 
   
     The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York and Chicago Stock
Exchanges. First Chicago Trust Company of New York, or an affiliate thereof, is
the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the Common
Stock.
    
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices (which may be changed from time
to time), at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Each Prospectus
Supplement will describe the method of distribution of the Securities offered
therein.
 
     The Company may sell Securities directly, through agents designated from
time to time, through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing
underwriters or through one or more underwriters acting alone. Each Prospectus
Supplement will set forth the terms of the Securities to which such Prospectus
Supplement relates, including the name or names of any underwriters or agents
with whom the Company has entered into arrangements with respect to the sale of
such Securities, the public offering or purchase price of such Securities and
the net proceeds to the Company from such sale, any underwriting discounts and
other items constituting underwriters' compensation, any discounts and
commissions allowed or paid to dealers, if any, any commissions allowed or paid
to agents, and the securities exchange or exchanges, if any, on which such
Securities will be listed. Dealer trading may take place in certain of the
Securities, including Securities not listed on any securities exchange.
 
     Securities may be purchased to be reoffered to the public through
underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters, or through one
or more underwriters acting alone. The underwriter or
                                       37
<PAGE>   40
 
underwriters with respect to each underwritten offering of Securities will be
named in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering and, if an
underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter or underwriters will be
set forth on the cover page of such Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase the Securities will be subject to certain conditions
precedent and each of the underwriters with respect to a sale of Securities will
be obligated to purchase all of its Securities if any are purchased. Any initial
public offering price and any discounts or concession allowed or reallowed or
paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
 
     Securities may be offered and sold by the Company through agents designated
by the Company from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer and sale of
any Securities will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company to such
agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering.
Unless otherwise indicated in such Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be
acting on a reasonable efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
 
     Offers to purchase Securities may be solicited directly by the Company and
sales thereof may be made by the Company directly to institutional investors or
others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities
Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. The Company may also
issue contracts under which the counterparty may be required to purchase
Securities. Such contracts would be issued with Securities in amounts, at prices
and on terms to be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The anticipated place and time of delivery of Securities will be set forth
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize underwriters or agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to
purchase Securities from the Company pursuant to delayed delivery contracts
providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Institutions with which
such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable
institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by
the Company. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will not be subject to
any conditions except that (i) the purchase of the Securities shall not at the
time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such
purchaser is subject, and (ii) if the Securities are also being sold to
underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall
have purchased such Securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters
and such other persons will not have any responsibility in respect of the
validity or performance of such contracts.
 
     Any underwriter or agent participating in the distribution of the
Securities may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act, of the Securities so offered and sold and any discounts or
commissions received by them from the Company and any profit realized by them on
the sale or resale of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts
and commissions under the Securities Act.
 
   
     Underwriters and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with
the Company, to indemnification by the Company against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution
with respect to payments which such underwriters or agents may be required to
make in respect thereof. Certain of any such underwriters and agents including
their associates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform
services for, the Company and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business. One or more affiliates of the Company may from time to time act as an
agent or underwriter in connection with the sale of the Securities to the extent
permitted by applicable law. The participation of any such affiliate in the
offer and sale of the Securities will comply with Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. regarding the offer and
sale of securities of an affiliate.
    
 
   
     This Prospectus and related Prospectus Supplements may be used by one or
more affiliates of the Company in connection with offers and sales related to
secondary market transactions in the Securities to the
    
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   41
 
   
extent permitted by applicable law. Any such affiliate may act as principal or
agent in such transactions. Such sales will be made at prices related to
prevailing market prices at the time of sale.
    
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
   
     Certain legal matters relating to the Securities offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Company by Sherman I. Goldberg, General Counsel and
Secretary of the Company, and for any underwriters, selling agents and certain
other purchasers by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Worldwide Plaza, 825 Eighth Avenue,
New York, New York 10019. Cravath, Swaine & Moore performs legal services for
the Company from time to time.
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
   
     The consolidated financial statements of BANC ONE and its subsidiaries,
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the BANC ONE Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, as set forth in their
report dated February 12, 1998 accompanying such financial statements, and are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm, which
report is given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
    
 
   
     The consolidated financial statements of FCN included in the Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, incorporated herein by
reference have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
expert in accounting and auditing in giving said report.
    
 
   
     The supplemental consolidated financial statements of the Company appearing
in the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 6, 1998 have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
report with respect thereto, and are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing
in giving said report.
    
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   42
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
SEC Filing Fee..............................................  $1,212,122
Rating Agency Fees..........................................     800,000*
Legal Fees and Expenses.....................................     100,000*
Trustees' Fees and Expenses.................................     150,000*
Printing and Engraving Expenses.............................     200,000*
Accounting Fees and Expense.................................     320,000*
Miscellaneous Expenses......................................      17,878*
                                                              ----------
          Total.............................................  $2,800,000*
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
* Estimated
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
   
     The Registrant is a Delaware corporation. Section 145 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware contains detailed provisions on
indemnification of directors and officers of a Delaware corporation against
expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with certain litigation.
    
 
   
     The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the
"Certificate"), provides for indemnification of directors and officers. The
Registrant's Certificate provides that the Registrant will indemnify each
director, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant or any individual serving
in such a capacity with another business entity at the Registrant's request (an
"Indemnitee") to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware ("Delaware Law") or any other applicable laws as presently or
hereinafter in effect against all expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by such Indemnitee in connection therewith. The Registrant's Certificate also
authorizes the Registrant to enter into agreements with any person providing for
indemnification greater or different than that provided therein. The
Registrant's Certificate provides that expenses incurred by a director, officer
or employee in defending an action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the
Registrant in advance of the final disposition of such action upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such person that he will repay such amount if it
is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
Registrant. The Registrant's Certificate and the Delaware Law also provide that
the indemnification provisions of the Registrant's Certificate and the statute
are not exclusive of any other right to which a person seeking indemnification
and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any statute, by-laws,
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
    
 
   
     The directors and officers of the Registrant are covered by an insurance
policy indemnifying them against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the federal securities laws, which might be incurred by them
in such capacity.
    
 
   
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been
informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is
therefore unenforceable.
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   43
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
    NO.                               DESCRIPTION
  -------                             -----------
<C>           <S>
   1.1        Form of Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement (incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the BANC ONE CORPORATION'S
              Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-60807).
   1.2        Form of Debt Securities Distribution Agreement (incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the BANC ONE CORPORATION'S
              Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-22413).
   1.3        Form of Warrant Underwriting Agreement.**
   1.4        Form of Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement.**
   1.5        Form of Common Stock Underwriting Agreement.**
   3.1        Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Registrant
              (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
              Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
              333-65427)).
   3.2        By-laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3 (File No. 333-65427)).
   4.1        Form of Indenture relating to senior securities between the
              Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee
              (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to BANC ONE
              CORPORATION'S Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
              333-22413)).
    
   
   4.1 (b)    Form of First Supplemental Indenture relating to senior
              securities between the Registrant and The Chase Manhattan
              Bank, as trustee.
   4.2        Form of Indenture relating to subordinated securities
              between the Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
              trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to BANC
              ONE CORPORATION'S Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File
              No. 333-22413)).
   4.2(b)     Form of First Supplemental Indenture relating to
              subordinated securities between the Registrant and The Chase
              Manhattan Bank, as trustee.
   4.3        Form of Senior Note.*
   4.4        Form of Subordinated Note.*
   4.5        Form of Senior Medium-Term Note (Fixed Rate).*
   4.6        Form of Senior Medium-Term Note (Floating Rate).*
   4.7        Form of Subordinated Medium-Term Note (Fixed Rate).*
   4.8        Form of Subordinated Medium-Term Note (Floating Rate).*
   4.9        Form of Debt Warrant Agreement (for Warrants attached to
              Debt Securities, including form of Debt Warrant
              Certificate).**
   4.10       Form of Debt Warrant Agreement (for Warrants not attached to
              Debt Securities, including form of Debt Warrant
              Certificate).**
   4.11       Form of Currency Warrant Agreement (including form of Global
              Warrant Certificate).**
   4.12       Form of Stock Index Warrant Agreement (including form of
              Stock Index Warrant Certificate).**
   4.13       Form of Other Warrant Agreement (including form of Other
              Warrant Certificate).**
   4.14       Form of Deposit Agreement, with form of Depositary Receipt
              as an exhibit thereto.**
   4.15       Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement (including form of
              Preferred Stock Warrant Certificate).**
   4.16       Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement (including form of
              Common Stock Warrant Certificate).**
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   44
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
    NO.                               DESCRIPTION
  -------                             -----------
<C>           <S>
   5          Opinion of Sherman I. Goldberg, Secretary and General
              Counsel of the Registrant, including consent.
  12          Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  23.1        Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  23.2        Consent of Sherman I. Goldberg, Secretary and General
              Counsel of the Registrant (included in Exhibit 5).
  23.3        Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
  23.4        Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
  24          Powers of Attorney.
  25.1        Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan
              Bank under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to
              senior Debt Securities.*
  25.2        Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan
              Bank under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to
              subordinated Debt Securities.*
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
*  Previously filed.
 
** To be incorporated by reference herein in connection with the offering of
   each series of Securities.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) to
     include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
     of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
     after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement (notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
     decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
     securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
     deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
     may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
     price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
     price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
     effective registration statement); and (iii) to include any material
     information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
     disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
     information in the registration statement. Provided, however, that (1)(i)
     and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a
     post-effective amendment by those items is contained in periodic reports
     filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference to this
     registration statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
          (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report
     pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement
     shall be deemed to be a new
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   45
 
     registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
     offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
     bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
     controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described
     under Item 15 above or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in
     the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
     is against public policy as expressed in the act and is, therefore,
     unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
     liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
     or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in
     the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
     against the Registrant by such director, officer or controlling person in
     connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
     unless the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
     controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
     question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
     expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
     issue.
 
          (6) To file an application for the purpose of determining the
     eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of
     the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations
     prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture
     Act.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   46
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing this Registration Statement on Form S-3 and has duly
caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Chicago, State of Illinois, on October 9, 1998.
    
 
   
                                          BANK ONE CORPORATION
    
 
   
                                          By:     /s/ M. EILEEN KENNEDY
    
                                            ------------------------------------
   
                                                     M. Eileen Kennedy
    
   
                                                         Treasurer
    
   
    
 
   
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                     TITLE                    DATE
                      ---------                                     -----                    ----
<C>                                                    <S>                              <C>
                 /s/ JOHN H. BRYAN*                    Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    John H. Bryan
 
              /s/ SIEGFRIED BUSCHMANN*                 Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Siegfried Buschmann
 
                 /s/ JAMES S. CROWN*                   Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   James S. Crown
 
                /s/ BENNETT DORRANCE*                  Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Bennett Dorrance
 
            /s/ DR. MAUREEN A. FAY, O.P.*              Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
              Dr. Maureen A. Fay, O.P.
 
                  /s/ JOHN R. HALL*                    Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    John R. Hall
 
                /s/ VERNE G. ISTOCK*                   Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Verne G. Istock
 
             /s/ LABAN P. JACKSON, JR.*                Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Laban P. Jackson, Jr.
 
                /s/ JOHN W. KESSLER*                   Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   John W. Kessler
 
               /s/ RICHARD J. LEHMANN*                 Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Richard J. Lehmann
 
               /s/ WILLIAM G. LOWRIE*                  Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  William G. Lowrie
 
              /s/ RICHARD A. MANOOGIAN*                Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Richard A. Manoogian
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   47
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                     TITLE                    DATE
                      ---------                                     -----                    ----
<C>                                                    <S>                              <C>
              /s/ WILLIAM T. MCCORMICK*                Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                William T. McCormick
 
                 /s/ JOHN B. MCCOY*                    Director and Principal           October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------    Executive Officer
                    John B. McCoy
 
             /s/ THOMAS E. REILLY, JR.*                Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Thomas E. Reilly, Jr.
 
              /s/ JOHN W. ROGERS, JR.*                 Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 John W. Rogers, Jr.
 
             /s/ THEKLA R. SHACKELFORD*                Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Thekla R. Shackelford
 
                  /s/ ALEX SHUMATE*                    Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Alex Shumate
 
           /s/ FREDERICK P. STRATTON, JR.*             Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
             Frederick P. Stratton, Jr.
 
                /s/ JOHN C. TOLLESON*                  Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  John C. Tolleson
 
                /s/ DAVID J. VITALE*                   Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   David J. Vitale
 
                /s/ ROBERT D. WALTER*                  Director                         October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Robert D. Walter
 
               /s/ ROBERT A. ROSHOLT*                  Principal Financial Officer      October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Robert A. Rosholt
 
               /s/ WILLIAM J. ROBERTS*                 Principal Accounting Officer     October 9, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 William J. Roberts
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* The undersigned, by signing her name hereto, does hereby sign this
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on behalf of each
  of the above-indicated directors and officers of the Registrant pursuant to a
  power of attorney signed by such directors and officers.
    
 
   
                                                 /s/ M. EILEEN KENNEDY
    
                                          --------------------------------------
   
                                                    M. Eileen Kennedy
    
   
                                                     Attorney-in-Fact
    
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   48
 
   
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
    
   
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT                                                                    PAGE
    NO.                               DESCRIPTION                           NUMBER
  -------                             -----------                           ------
<C>           <S>                                                           <C>
   1.1        Form of Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement (incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the BANC ONE CORPORATION'S
              Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-60807)......
   1.2        Form of Debt Securities Distribution Agreement (incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the BANC ONE CORPORATION'S
              Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-22413).....
   1.3        Form of Warrant Underwriting Agreement**....................
   1.4        Form of Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement**............
   1.5        Form of Common Stock Underwriting Agreement**...............
   3.1        Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Registrant
              (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
              Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
              333-65427)).................................................
   3.2        By-laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3 (File No. 333-65427))..............................
   4.1        Form of Indenture relating to senior securities between the
              Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee
              (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to BANC ONE
              CORPORATION'S Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
              333-22413)).................................................
    
   
   4.1 (b)    Form of First Supplemental Indenture relating to senior
              securities between the Registrant and The Chase Manhattan
              Bank, as trustee............................................
   4.2        Form of Indenture relating to subordinated securities
              between the Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
              trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to BANC
              ONE CORPORATION'S Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File
              No. 333-22413)).............................................
   4.2(b)     Form of First Supplemental Indenture relating to
              subordinated securities between the Registrant and The Chase
              Manhattan Bank, as trustee..................................
   4.3        Form of Senior Note*........................................
   4.4        Form of Subordinated Note*..................................
   4.5        Form of Senior Medium-Term Note (Fixed Rate)*...............
   4.6        Form of Senior Medium-Term Note (Floating Rate)*............
   4.7        Form of Subordinated Medium-Term Note (Fixed Rate)*.........
   4.8        Form of Subordinated Medium-Term Note (Floating Rate)*......
   4.9        Form of Debt Warrant Agreement (for Warrants attached to
              Debt Securities, including form of Debt Warrant
              Certificate)**..............................................
   4.10       Form of Debt Warrant Agreement (for Warrants not attached to
              Debt Securities, including form of Debt Warrant
              Certificate)**..............................................
   4.11       Form of Currency Warrant Agreement (including form of Global
              Warrant Certificate)**......................................
   4.12       Form of Stock Index Warrant Agreement (including form of
              Stock Index Warrant Certificate)**..........................
   4.13       Form of Other Warrant Agreement (including form of Other
              Warrant Certificate)**......................................
   4.14       Form of Deposit Agreement, with form of Depositary Receipt
              as an exhibit thereto**.....................................
   4.15       Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement (including form of
              Preferred Stock Warrant Certificate)**......................
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   49
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT                                                                    PAGE
    NO.                               DESCRIPTION                           NUMBER
  -------                             -----------                           ------
<C>           <S>                                                           <C>
   4.16       Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement (including form of
              Common Stock Warrant Certificate)**.........................
   5          Opinion of Sherman I. Goldberg, Secretary and General
              Counsel of the Registrant, including consent................
  12          Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges...........
  23.1        Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.......................
  23.2        Consent of Sherman I. Goldberg, Secretary and General
              Counsel of the Registrant (included in Exhibit 5)...........
  23.3        Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP..............................
  23.4        Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP..............................
  24          Powers of Attorney..........................................
  25.1        Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan
              Bank under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to
              senior Debt Securities*.....................................
  25.2        Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan
              Bank under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to
              subordinated Debt Securities*...............................
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
*  Previously filed.
    
 
   
** To be incorporated by reference herein in connection with the offering of
   each series of Securities.
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  Exhibit 4.1(b)

         FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of October 2, 1998, between BANK
ONE CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware ("ONE"), having its principal offices at One First National
Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60670 and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a banking
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
as trustee (the "Trustee").

         WHEREAS, BANC ONE CORPORATION ("BANC ONE") has heretofore executed and
delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of March 3, 1997 (the
"Indenture"), providing for the issuance from time to time of Senior Debt
Securities (herein and therein called the "Securities"); and

         WHEREAS, effective as of October 2, 1998, BANC ONE merged with and into
ONE, a wholly owned subsidiary of BANC ONE; and

         WHEREAS, Section 10.1 of the Indenture provides for the execution of an
indenture supplemental to the Indenture, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, to
evidence the succession of any successor corporation to BANC ONE under the
Indenture and the assumption of such successor corporation of the covenants of
BANC ONE in the Indenture and in the Securities pursuant to such Indenture; and

         WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture
a valid agreement of ONE, as the successor corporation to BANC ONE, under the
Indenture, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

         NOW, THEREFORE, ONE and the Trustee hereby agree as follows:

         1. From and after the date of this First Supplemental Indenture, ONE
shall for all purposes be deemed to be the "Company", as such term is defined in
the Indenture and the Securities, as if ONE was originally so named in the
Indenture and the Securities, and, as such, ONE hereby expressly assumes, from
and after the date of this First Supplemental Indenture, the due and punctual
payment of the principal 
<PAGE>   2
of, premium, if any, and interest on all of the Securities and the performance
of every covenant of the Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental
Indenture, on the part of the ONE to be performed or observed.

         2. All provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed
to be incorporated in, and made a part of, the Indenture; and the Indenture, as
supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, shall be read, taken and
construed as one and the same instrument.

         3. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by the Indenture, as
supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the
same upon the terms and conditions in the Indenture, as supplemented by this
First Supplemental Indenture.

         4. The recitals contained in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be
taken as statements of ONE, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their
correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture.

         5. All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the
respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

         6. This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         7. This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original,
but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the First
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective seals to be
hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

                                               BANK ONE CORPORATION
ATTEST:

____________________________                   By: _____________________________
Title: _____________________                   Title:  Chief Financial Officer
[Corporate Seal]


                                               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                               as Trustee
ATTEST:


______________________________                 By: _____________________________
Title: _______________________                 Title: __________________________
[Corporate Seal]


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
STATE OF ILLINOIS    )
                     ) ss:
COUNTY OF COOK       )

               On the 2nd day of October, 1998, before me personally came Robert
A. Rosholt, to me known, who, being duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
the Chief Financial Officer of BANK ONE CORPORATION, one of the corporations
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal
of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate
seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.

                                                   _____________________________
                                                   Notary Public


My Commission Expires:__________



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
STATE OF       )
               ) ss:
COUNTY OF      )

         On the ____ day of ___________ before me personally came
________________, to me known, who, being duly sworn, did depose and say that he
is a ___________________________of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, one of the
corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he
knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is
such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of
Directors of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like
authority.


                                                   _____________________________
                                                   Notary Public



My Commission Expires:__________



                                      -5-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  Exhibit 4.2(b)


         FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of October 2, 1998, between BANK
ONE CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware ("ONE"), having its principal offices at One First National
Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60670 and THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a banking
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
as trustee (the "Trustee").

         WHEREAS, BANC ONE CORPORATION ("BANC ONE") has heretofore executed and
delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of March 3, 1997 (the
"Indenture"), providing for the issuance from time to time of Subordinated Debt
Securities (herein and therein called the "Securities"); and

         WHEREAS, effective as of October 2, 1998, BANC ONE merged with and into
ONE, a wholly owned subsidiary of BANC ONE; and

         WHEREAS, Section 10.1 of the Indenture provides for the execution of an
indenture supplemental to the Indenture, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, to
evidence the succession of any successor corporation to BANC ONE under the
Indenture and the assumption of such successor corporation of the covenants of
BANC ONE in the Indenture and in the Securities pursuant to such Indenture; and

         WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture
a valid agreement of ONE, as the successor corporation to BANC ONE, under the
Indenture, in accordance with its terms, have been done.


         NOW, THEREFORE, ONE and the Trustee hereby agree as follows:


         1. From and after the date of this First Supplemental Indenture, ONE
shall for all purposes be deemed to be the "Company", as such term is defined in
the Indenture and the Securities, as if ONE was originally so named in the
Indenture and the Securities, and, as such, ONE hereby expressly assumes, from
and after the date of this First Supplemental Indenture, the due and punctual
payment of the principal 
<PAGE>   2
of, premium, if any, and interest on all of the Securities and the performance
of every covenant of the Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental
Indenture, on the part of the ONE to be performed or observed.

         2. All provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed
to be incorporated in, and made a part of, the Indenture; and the Indenture, as
supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, shall be read, taken and
construed as one and the same instrument.

         3. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by the Indenture, as
supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the
same upon the terms and conditions in the Indenture, as supplemented by this
First Supplemental Indenture.

         4. The recitals contained in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be
taken as statements of ONE, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their
correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture.

         5. All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the
respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

         6. This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         7. This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original,
but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the First
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective seals to be
hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the date first above written.


                                               BANK ONE CORPORATION

ATTEST:


____________________________                   By: _____________________________

Title: _____________________                   Title:  Chief Financial Officer

[Corporate Seal]



                                               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,

                                               as Trustee

ATTEST:



______________________________                 By: _____________________________

Title: _______________________                 Title: __________________________

[Corporate Seal]

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
STATE OF ILLINOIS    )
                     ) ss:
COUNTY OF COOK       )


               On the 2nd day of October, 1998, before me personally came Robert
A. Rosholt, to me known, who, being duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
the Chief Financial Officer of BANK ONE CORPORATION, one of the corporations
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal
of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate
seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.



                                                    ____________________________
                                                    Notary Public



My Commission Expires:__________

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
STATE OF       )
               ) ss:
COUNTY OF      )


         On the ____ day of ___________ before me personally came
________________________ , to me known, who, being duly sworn, did depose and
say that he is a ___________________________of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, one of
the corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that
he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument
is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of
Directors of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like
authority.




                                                  ______________________________
                                                  Notary Public



My Commission Expires:__________


                                      -5-

<PAGE>   1
                                                          Exhibit 5(a) and 23(a)

[BANK ONE LOGO]
   
                                                October 9,  1998
    



Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

         Re:      BANK ONE CORPORATION
                  Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
                  Form S-3 Registration Statement
                  (File No. 333-38387)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I am General Counsel and Secretary of BANK ONE CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and in such capacity, I, or members of my staff
subject to my supervision, have represented the Company in connection with the
preparation Company's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-38387) concurrently being filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration Statement") relating to
(i) debt securities which may be either senior (the "Senior Securities") or
subordinated (the "Subordinated Securities") (collectively, the "Debt
Securities"), either of which may be convertible or exchangeable into the
Company's common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), the
Company's preferred stock (the "Preferred Stock"), other Debt Securities, Debt
Warrants (as defined herein), Preferred Stock Warrants (as defined herein) or
Common Stock Warrants (as defined herein), (ii) warrants to purchase Debt
Securities (the "Debt Warrants"), (iii) currency warrants (the "Currency
Warrants"), (iv) stock-index warrants (the "Stock-Index Warrants"), (v) warrants
relating to other indices (the "Other Warrants"), (vi) shares of Preferred Stock
which may be convertible into shares of Common Stock or exchangeable for Debt
Securities, (vii) shares of Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares
(the "Depositary Shares"), (viii) warrants to purchase shares of Preferred Stock
(the "Preferred Stock Warrants"), (ix) shares of Common Stock, and (x) warrants
to purchase shares of Common Stock (the "Common Stock Warrants"). The Debt
Warrants, Currency Warrants, Stock-Index Warrants, Other Warrants, Preferred
Stock Warrants and Common Stock Warrants are referred to herein collectively as
the "Warrants"; the Debt Securities, Warrants, shares of Preferred Stock,
Depositary Shares and shares of Common Stock are referred to herein as the
"Offered Securities".
<PAGE>   2
   
                                        CONTINUING OUR LETTER OF OCTOBER 9, 1998
    

                                        SHEET NO. 2



         The Offered Securities will be sold or delivered from time to time as
set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus
contained therein (the "Prospectus") and supplements to the Prospectus (the
"Prospectus Supplement"). The Senior Securities will be issued under an
Indenture dated as of March 3, 1997, between the Company and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as trustee, as supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of
October 2, 1998 (the "Senior Indenture"). The Subordinated Securities will be
issued under an Indenture dated as of March 3, 1997, between the Company and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee, as supplemented by a First Supplemental
Indenture dated as of October 2, 1998 (the "Subordinated Indenture"). The Senior
Indenture and Subordinated Indenture are exhibits to the Registration Statement.

         I have reviewed such corporate records and other documents and have
made such further examinations and inquiries as I have deemed necessary to
enable me to express the opinions set forth herein.

         Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and
limitations stated herein, it is my opinion that:

                  (i) upon the issuance, authentication and delivery of the Debt
         Securities in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Senior
         Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be, against
         payment therefor, the Debt Securities will constitute legal, valid and
         binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their
         terms subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy,
         reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting
         creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general
         principles of equity;

                  (ii) upon the due execution of the debt warrant agreement and
         the issuance, authentication and delivery of the Debt Warrants in
         accordance with the provisions of such debt warrant agreement against
         payment therefor, the Debt Warrants will constitute legal, valid and
         binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their
         terms subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy,
         reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting
         creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general
         principles of equity;

                  (iii) upon the due execution of the currency warrant agreement
         and the issuance, authentication and delivery of the Currency Warrants
         in accordance with the provisions of such currency warrant agreement
         against payment therefor, the Currency Warrants will constitute legal,
         valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance
         with their terms subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable
         bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws
         affecting creditors'
<PAGE>   3
   
                                        CONTINUING OUR LETTER OF OCTOBER 9, 1998
    

                                        SHEET NO. 3

         rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles
         of equity;

                  (iv) upon the due execution of the stock-index warrant
         agreement and the issuance, authentication and delivery of the
         Stock-Index Warrants in accordance with the provisions of such
         stock-index warrant agreement against payment therefor, the Stock-Index
         Warrants will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the
         Company enforceable in accordance with their terms subject, as to
         enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
         insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors' rights
         generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of
         equity;

                  (v) upon the due execution of the warrant agreement and the
         issuance, authentication and delivery of the Other Warrants in
         accordance with the provisions of such warrant agreement against
         payment therefor, the Other Warrants will constitute legal, valid and
         binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their
         terms subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy,
         reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting
         creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general
         principles of equity;

                  (vi) upon the due execution of the preferred stock warrant
         agreement and the issuance, authentication and delivery of the
         Preferred Stock Warrants in accordance with the provisions of such
         preferred stock warrant agreement against payment therefor, the
         Preferred Stock Warrants will constitute legal, valid and binding
         obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms
         subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy,
         reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting
         creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general
         principles of equity;

                  (vii) upon the due execution of the common stock warrant
         agreement and the issuance, authentication and delivery of the Common
         Stock Warrants in accordance with the provisions of such common stock
         warrant agreement against payment therefor, the Common Stock Warrants
         will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company
         enforceable in accordance with their terms subject, as to enforcement
         of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
         moratorium or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from
         time to time in effect and to general principles of equity;

                  (viii) upon designation of the preferences and relative,
         participating, optional and other special rights, and qualifications,
         limitations or restrictions of the Preferred Stock by the Company's
         Board of Directors or by a duly authorized committee thereof, and
         thereafter upon proper filing with the Secretary of State of the State
         of Delaware of a Certificate of Designations relating to the Preferred
         Stock and when such shares of Preferred Stock are issued and sold as
<PAGE>   4
   
                                        CONTINUING OUR LETTER OF OCTOBER 9, 1998
    

                                        SHEET NO.  4

         contemplated in the Registration Statement and in accordance with their
         respective terms, such shares of Preferred Stock will be legally
         issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

                  (ix) when the deposit agreement relating to the issuance of
         the Depositary Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
         by the Company and the applicable depositary, the depositary receipts
         evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly executed and delivered
         by the applicable depositary and duly countersigned by a registrar and
         the depositary pursuant to the terms of the Deposit Agreement as
         contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Depositary Shares will
         be legally issued, valid and binding obligations of the Company
         entitled to the benefits of the deposit agreement; and

                  (x) when issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement
         and in accordance with its terms and, if applicable, the terms of the
         Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock Warrants which are
         convertible, exchangeable or exercisable, as the case may be, into such
         shares of Common Stock, the shares of the Common Stock will be legally
         issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
<PAGE>   5
   
                                        CONTINUING OUR LETTER OF OCTOBER 9, 1998
    

                                        SHEET NO. 5

         I am a member of the Bar of the State of Illinois, and I do not express
any opinion herein concerning any law other than the law of the State of
Illinois, the federal law of the United States and the Delaware General
Corporation Law.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of my name whenever it appears in such
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement
constituting a part hereof, as originally filed or as subsequently amended.

                                            Very truly yours,



   
                                            /s/ Sherman I. Goldberg
    





<PAGE>   1
   
                                                                      Exhibit 12


                   STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF RATIOS


     The ratios of earnings to fixed charges for BANK ONE CORPORATION have been
computed on the basis of the total enterprise (as defined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission) by dividing earnings before fixed charges and income taxes
by fixed charges. Fixed charges consist principally of interest expense on all
long-term and short-term borrowings, excluding or including interest on deposits
as indicated.


    

<PAGE>   1
   

                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective 
Amendment No. 1 on Form S-3 (File No. 333-38387) of BANK ONE CORPORATION, of 
our report dated February 12, 1998 on our audits of the consolidated financial 
statements of BANC ONE CORPORATION as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for 
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, included in BANC
ONE CORPORATION's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
1997. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the caption "Experts" 
in this Registration Statement.

                                        /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

    

   
Columbus, Ohio
October 7, 1998
    



<PAGE>   1
   
                                                                    Exhibit 23.3


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To BANK ONE CORPORATION:
    


   
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation 
by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated January 15, 
1998, on the consolidated financial statements of First Chicago NBD Corporation 
included in the Form 10-K of First Chicago NBD Corporation for the year ended 
December 31, 1997 and to the reference to our Firm under the caption 
"Experts" included in this Registration Statement.
    


                                                  /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


   
Chicago, Illinois,
October 7, 1998
    

<PAGE>   1
   
                                                                    Exhibit 23.4

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To BANK ONE CORPORATION:
    

   
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated October 6, 1998
on the supplemental consolidated financial statements of BANK ONE CORPORATION
included in the Form 8-K of BANK ONE CORPORATION as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, and for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997. We
also consent and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts"
included in this Registration Statement.
    

                                                        /s/  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

   
Chicago, Illinois,
October 7, 1998
    


<PAGE>   1
   
                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Verne G. Istock, John B. McCoy, Richard
J. Lehmann, David J. Vitale, Sherman I. Goldberg, Robert A. Rosholt and M.
Eileen Kennedy, jointly and severally, his attorney-in-fact, each with power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities to sign one or more
post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
333-38387) relating to debt obligations of, warrants, options, rights, preferred
stock and common stock (the "Securities") of BANK ONE CORPORATION (the
"Corporation") or to sign a Registration Statement on Form S-3 and any
amendments thereto (including any post-effective amendments) and any subsequent
registration statement filed by the Corporation pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to such Securities, in either case pursuant
to resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation as of
September 30, 1998, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission
hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his
substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Signature                                      Title
- ----------------------------------                  ----------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>
/s/ John H. Bryan                                   Director
- ----------------------------------
John H. Bryan                                   
                                                
                                                
/s/ Siegfried Buschmann                             Director
- ----------------------------------
Siegfried Buschmann                             
                                                
                                                
/s/ James S. Crown                                  Director
- ----------------------------------
James S. Crown                                  
                                                
                                                
/s/ Bennett Dorrance                                Director
- ----------------------------------
Bennett Dorrance                                
                                                
                                                
/s/ Dr. Maureen A. Fay, O.P.                        Director
- ----------------------------------
Dr. Maureen A. Fay, O.P.                        
                                                
                                                
                                                
/s/ John R. Hall                                    Director
- ----------------------------------
John R. Hall                                    
</TABLE>
                                                
    
<PAGE>   2
   
                                                
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
/s/ Verne G. Istock                                 Director
- ----------------------------------
Verne G. Istock                                 


/s/ Laban P. Jackson, Jr.                           Director
- ----------------------------------              
Laban P. Jackson, Jr.                           


/s/ John W. Kessler                                 Director
- ----------------------------------              
John W. Kessler                                 


/s/ Richard J. Lehmann                              Director
- ----------------------------------              
Richard J. Lehmann                              


/s/ William G. Lowrie                               Director
- ----------------------------------              
William G. Lowrie                               


/s/ Richard A. Manoogian                            Director
- ----------------------------------              
Richard A. Manoogian                            


/s/ William T. McCormick                            Director
- ----------------------------------              
William T. McCormick                            


/s/ John B. McCoy                                   Director and Principal
- ----------------------------------                  Executive Officer
John B. McCoy                                       


/s/ Thomas E. Reilly, Jr.                           Director
- ----------------------------------              
Thomas E. Reilly, Jr.                           


 /s/ John W. Rogers, Jr.                            Director
- ----------------------------------              
John W. Rogers, Jr.                             


 /s/ Thekla R. Shackelford                          Director
- ----------------------------------              
Thekla R. Shackelford                           


/s/ Alex Shumate                                    Director
- ----------------------------------              
Alex Shumate                                    


 /s/ Frederick P. Stratton, Jr.                     Director
- ----------------------------------              
Frederick P. Stratton, Jr.                      
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   3
   

<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
/s/ John C. Tolleson                                Director
- ----------------------------------
John C. Tolleson


/s/ David J. Vitale                                Director
- ----------------------------------
David J. Vitale


/s/ Robert D. Walter                                Director
- ----------------------------------
Robert D. Walter


/s/ William J. Roberts                              Principal Accounting Officer
- ----------------------------------
William J. Roberts


/s/ Robert A. Rosholt                               Principal Financial Officer
- ----------------------------------
Robert A. Rosholt
</TABLE>





Dated:   October 2, 1998


    



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