SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14 (a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-16(e) (2) )
/X / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 240.14a-11(c) or Rule 240.14a-12
AmBase Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
AmBase Corporation
(Name of Person (s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X / $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each part to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) (4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined.):
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) Total fee paid:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Rule 0-11
(a) (2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid: _________________________________________________
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No. ____________________________
3) Filing party: ___________________________________________________________
4) Date filed: _____________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 17, 1996
The 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of AmBase Corporation (the "Company")
will be held at the Cole Auditorium, Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Avenue,
Greenwich, Connecticut, on Friday, May 17, 1996, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight
Time, to consider and act upon the following matters:
1. The election of two directors each to hold office for a three-year
term expiring in 1999;
2. The approval of the appointment of Price Waterhouse LLP as the
independent accountants of the Company for the year ending December
31, 1996;
and such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Friday, March 29, 1996
as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to
vote at the meeting.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please sign, date and
return the enclosed proxy card in the prepaid envelope provided, as soon as
possible, so your shares can be voted at the meeting in accordance with your
instructions. Your vote is important no matter how many shares you own. If you
plan to attend the meeting and wish to vote your shares personally, you may do
so at any time before your proxy is voted. Your prompt cooperation is greatly
appreciated.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the
Board of Directors
-------------------------
Michael T. Carenzo
Secretary
Greenwich, CT
March 29, 1996
<PAGE>
AMBASE CORPORATION
GREENWICH OFFICE PARK, BLDG. 2
51 WEAVER STREET
GREENWICH, CT 06831-5155
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 17, 1996
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of AmBase Corporation (the "Company") of proxies to be voted
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") to
be held at the Cole Auditorium, Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Avenue,
Greenwich, Connecticut, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Friday, May 17,
1996, and at any adjournments thereof. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying
proxy are being mailed to stockholders commencing on or about March 29, 1996.
Shares represented by a duly executed proxy in the accompanying form received by
the Company prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted at the meeting in
accordance with instructions given by the stockholder in the proxy. Any
stockholder granting a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by
granting a proxy bearing a later date, by giving notice in writing to the
Secretary of the Company or by voting in person at the meeting.
At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will be asked to re-elect Richard A.
Bianco and John B. Costello as directors each to serve a three-year term ending
in 1999 and to approve the appointment of Price Waterhouse LLP as independent
accountants of the Company for the year ending December 31, 1996. The persons
acting under the accompanying proxy have been designated by the Board of
Directors and, unless contrary instructions are given, will vote the shares
represented by the proxy (i) for the election of the nominees for directors
named above and (ii) for the approval of the appointment of Price Waterhouse LLP
as the Company's independent accountants.
The close of business on Friday, March 29, 1996, has been fixed by the Board of
Directors as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. On that
date, the Company had 44,533,519 outstanding shares of Common Stock (excluding
treasury stock), each of which entitles the holder to one vote on each matter
presented to the Annual Meeting. Only the holders of record of Common Stock at
the close of business on March 29, 1996, are entitled to vote on the matters
presented at the Annual Meeting. A plurality vote of the holders of the shares
of Common Stock represented in person or by proxy and voting at the Annual
Meeting is required for the election of the directors. The affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented in person or
by proxy and voting at the Annual Meeting is necessary for the approval of Price
Waterhouse LLP as independent accountants.
Abstentions, votes withheld and shares not voted, including broker non-votes,
are not included in determining the number of votes cast for the election of
directors and the approval of Price Waterhouse LLP as independent accountants.
Abstentions, votes withheld and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.
-1-
<PAGE>
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On December 28, 1995, Ronald J. Burns resigned as a director of the Company. He
continues to serve as President of Augustine Asset Management, Inc.
("Augustine") an investment management firm located in Jacksonville, Florida and
a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company since November 10, 1993.
PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
In accordance with the method of electing directors by class with terms expiring
in different years, as required by the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, two directors will be elected at the Company's 1996 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to hold office until the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders. Each director will serve until his successor shall be elected
and shall qualify.
The persons named below have been nominated for these directorships. The
nominees are directors, now in office, and have indicated a willingness to
accept re-election. It is intended that at the Annual Meeting the shares
represented by the accompanying proxy will be voted for the election of these
nominees, unless contrary instructions are given. In the event that the nominees
should become unavailable for election as directors at the time the Annual
Meeting is held, shares represented by proxies in the accompanying form will be
voted for the election of substitute nominees selected by the Board of
Directors, unless contrary instructions are given or the Board by resolution
shall have reduced the number of directors. The Board is not aware of any
circumstances likely to render the nominees unavailable.
INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
The name, age, principal occupation, other business affiliations, and certain
other information concerning the nominees for election as a director of the
Company are set forth below.
Richard A. Bianco, 48. Mr. Bianco was elected a director of the Company in
January 1991, and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since May 1991. On January 26, 1993, Mr. Bianco was elected Chairman of
the Board of Directors of the Company. He served as Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Carteret Savings Bank, FA ("Carteret"), then a
subsidiary of the Company, from May 1991 to December 1992. Mr. Bianco served as
Chairman and a director of Whitehill Capital, Inc. from September 1990 to June
1991. Mr. Bianco was a member of the Management, Bridge and Investment Banking
Committees of Dillon, Read & Co., Inc., an investment banking firm, from 1982 to
1989. During that period he also served as head of its Capital Markets Group. If
elected, his term will expire in 1999.
John B. Costello, 58. Mr. Costello spent twenty-five years in the transportation
industry in which he founded and operated companies which were purchased by
Ryder Systems, Inc. He served three years with Ryder as President of United
States Packing and Shipping Company. He has been a private investor since 1989.
Mr. Costello was elected a director of the Company in August 1993. If elected,
his term will expire in 1999.
Management recommends voting FOR the election of the nominees named above.
-2-
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
Certain information concerning the director of the Company whose term does not
expire in 1996 is set forth below.
Robert E. Long, 64. Mr. Long was elected a director of the Company in October
1995. Mr. Long currently is the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Business News Network, Inc., a radio network providing business news and
investment strategy programming to affiliates nationwide. He was co-founder,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Starr Broadcasting Group, Inc.,
until March, 1995, when the Company was sold. Prior to his employment as Chief
Executive Officer of Southern Starr Broadcasting Group, Inc., he was President
of Potomac Asset Management, Inc., a registered investment company. Mr. Long is
a Chartered Financial Analyst and has a J.D. degree from the George Washington
School of Law. He has been a principal, officer and director of two New York
Stock Exchange member firms, and has arranged financing for numerous companies
during his thirty-year career, including several radio and television
properties. Mr. Long serves as director of Allied Capital Advisors, Inc.,
Potomac Advisors, Inc., Outerseal Building Products and American Heavy Lift
Shipping. His term will expire in 1997.
The Company presently has three directors.
STOCK OWNERSHIP
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following information is set forth with respect to persons known by the
Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock, the Company's only class of voting securities, as of January 31,
1996.
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES AND PERCENTAGE
NAME AND ADDRESS OF NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OF COMMON
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP STOCK OWNED
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard A. Bianco 7,851,600 (a)(b) 17.2%
Chairman, President and (direct)
Chief Executive Officer
AmBase Corporation
Greenwich Office Park, Bldg. 2
51 Weaver Street
Greenwich, CT 06831-5155
______________
(a) Mr. Bianco holds a stock option granted under the Company's 1985 Stock
Option Plan on January 29, 1993, to acquire 1,150,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock, all of which may currently be acquired upon
exercise of the stock option and, therefore, are included in the Number of
Shares Beneficially Owned above.
(b) Mr. Bianco holds an additional stock option granted under the Company's
1985 Stock Option Plan on May 3, 1995 to acquire 500,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock. This option becomes exercisable in 50% increments
in 1996 and 1997 on the anniversary date of the grant. These shares are not
included in the Number of Shares Beneficially Owned above.
-3-
<PAGE>
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
According to information furnished by each nominee, continuing director and
executive officer included in the Summary Compensation Table, the number of
shares of the Company's Common Stock beneficially owned by them as of January
31, 1996 was as follows:
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE
NAME OF BENEFICIAL AND NATURE OF OF COMMON
OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(A) STOCK OWNED
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard A. Bianco................... 7,851,600 (b)(c) 17.2%
Ronald J. Burns..................... 3,510,000 (d) 7.7%
John B. Costello.................... 15,000 *
John P. Ferrara..................... 20,029 (e) *
Robert E. Long ..................... 33,000 *
Lester J. Mantell................... 113,208 *
All Directors and Officers as a group,
(6 persons) including those named above 11,542,837 25.3%
Represents less than 1% of Common Stock outstanding
(a) Except as otherwise noted, the named individuals have sole voting and
investment power with respect to such shares.
(b) Mr. Bianco holds a stock option granted under the Company's 1985 Stock
Option Plan on January 29, 1993, to acquire 1,150,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock, all of which may currently be acquired upon exercise
of the stock option and therefore are included in the Number of Shares and
Nature of Beneficial Ownership above.
(c) Mr. Bianco holds an additional stock option granted under the Company's 1985
Stock Option Plan on May 3, 1995 to acquire 500,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock. This option becomes exercisable in 50% increments in 1996 and
1997 on the anniversary date of the grant. These shares are not included in
the Number of Shares and Nature of Beneficial Ownership above.
(d) Mr. Burns disclaims beneficial ownership of approximately 3,500,000 shares
of AmBase stock held by other investors known to him as to which he may
indirectly have the ability to influence the vote. The remaining 10,000
shares are held in his wife's IRA account. In addition, Mr. Burns is the
beneficial owner of 500 shares of Augustine, a majority-owned subsidiary of
the Company, representing approximately 23% of the total issued and
outstanding common stock of Augustine. Mr. Burns resigned from the Board of
Directors of the Company on December 28, 1995.
(e) Mr. Ferrara holds a stock option granted under the Company's 1985 Stock
Option Plan on May 3, 1995 to acquire 100,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock. This option becomes exercisable in 50% increments in 1996 and 1997 on
the anniversary date of the grant. These shares are not included in the
Number of Shares and Nature of Beneficial Ownership above.
-4-
<PAGE>
DISCLOSURE OF LATE FILINGS
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Section 16") requires that
reports of beneficial ownership of Common Stock and changes in such ownership be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by the Company's
directors, officers (as defined in the rules promulgated by the SEC under
Section 16) and holders of more than 10% of the Company's equity securities. The
Company is required to identify each director or officer who failed to file any
required reports under Section 16 in a timely manner. Based solely upon its
review of copies of Section 16 reports furnished to the Company during and with
respect to the most recent fiscal year and written representations that certain
reports were not required to be filed, the Company believes that there were no
transactions which were not reported on a timely basis to the SEC, no late
reports nor other failure to file a required form by any director or officer of
the Company.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE
During 1995, the Company's Board of Directors held eight meetings. All directors
attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the
committees of the Board on which they served.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors currently has (i) an Accounting and Audit Committee and
(ii) a Personnel Committee.
The Accounting and Audit Committee met five times during 1995. The Accounting
and Audit Committee currently consists of Robert E. Long, Chairman and John B.
Costello. Mr. Long became a member of and Chairman of the Committee on October
30, 1995, at the time of his election to the Board of Directors. Prior to that,
Mr. Costello served as the Committee Chairman. Mr. Burns was a member of the
Committee until his resignation as a director of the Company on December 28,
1995.
The principal functions of the Accounting and Audit Committee are to review, in
conjunction with the Company's independent accountants, the accounting and
auditing practices and procedures followed by the Company, its subsidiaries and
their accountants, and to advise and consult with the Company's officers and
make recommendations to the Board with respect to internal and external audit
matters affecting the Company, including recommendation for the appointment of
independent accountants of the Company.
The Personnel Committee held four meetings in 1995. The Personnel Committee
currently consists of John B. Costello, Chairman and Robert E. Long. Mr. Long
became a member of the Committee on October 30, 1995 at the time of his election
to the Board of Directors. Mr. Costello and Mr. Long are independent directors
of the Company and are not officers or employees of the Company. Mr. Burns was a
member of the Committee until his resignation as a director of the Company on
December 28, 1995.
The principal functions of the Personnel Committee are to consider and recommend
nominees for the Board, to oversee the performance and approve the remuneration
of officers and senior employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and to
oversee and approve the employee benefit and retirement plans of the Company and
its subsidiaries. The Personnel Committee will consider stockholder
recommendations for director, accompanied by a statement of qualifications,
addressed in writing to the Secretary of the Company.
-5-
<PAGE>
The Company's By-Laws require that in the event a stockholder wishes to nominate
a person for election as a director (as distinguished from a stockholder's
recommendation to the Personnel Committee), advance notice must be given to the
Secretary of the Company not less than 120 days in advance of the date of the
Company's proxy statement released to stockholders in connection with the
previous year's annual meeting of stockholders, except that if no annual meeting
was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed
by more than 30 calendar days from the date contemplated at the time of the
previous year's proxy statement, a proposal shall be received by the Company a
reasonable time before the solicitation is made, together with the name and
address of the stockholder and of the person to be nominated; a representation
that the stockholder is entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in
person or by proxy to make the nomination; a description of arrangements or
understandings between the stockholder and others pursuant to which the
nomination is to be made; such other information regarding the nominee as would
be required in a proxy statement filed under the proxy rules of the SEC; and the
consent of the nominee to serve as a director if elected.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
During 1995, the Company's ownership percentage in Augustine increased to 66%
from 54% due to Augustine's repurchase of outstanding shares. Mr. Burns, who was
elected a director of the Company in January 1991, serves as President of
Augustine and is the holder of approximately 23% of the issued and outstanding
common stock of Augustine. On December 28, 1995, Mr. Burns resigned as a
director of the Company. Augustine provides investment advisory and money
management services for individual and institutional customers in Florida and
other states, and currently has over $176 million in assets under management.
-6-
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the total compensation earned by the Chief
Executive Officer and each other executive officer of the Company and its
subsidiaries (the "Named Executive Officers") for services rendered to the
Company during the last three fiscal years:
<TABLE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<CAPTION>
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term Compensation
-----------------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
-------------------------------------------- -------------------- -------
Restricted
Other Annual Stock Options/ LTIP All Other
Name and Principal Salary Bonus Compensation Award(s) SARs Payouts Compensation
Position Year ($) ($)(1) ($)(2) ($) (#) ($) ($)(3)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard A. Bianco - 1995 $500,000 $425,000 $8,732 ---- 500,000 ---- $4,698
Chairman,President 1994 $500,000 $250,000 $9,295 ---- ---- ---- $4,698
and Chief Executive 1993(4) $500,500 $250,000 $5,644 ---- 1,150,000 ---- $1,947
Officer of the
Company
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ronald J. Burns - 1995 $151,923 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
President of 1994 $150,000 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Augustine Asset 1993(5) ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Management, Inc.
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John P. Ferrara - 1995 $90,000 $30,000 $1,157 ---- 100,000 ---- $3,081
Vice President, 1994 $90,000 $10,000 $1,182 ---- ---- ---- $3,081
Chief Financial 1993 $90,000 $10,000 $649 ---- ---- ---- $5,960
Officer, Treasurer
& Controller of the
Company(6)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lester J. Mantell - 1995 $64,577 $30,000 $11,053 ---- ---- ---- $4,665
Assistant Vice 1994(7) $240,000 $5,000 $2,401 ---- ---- ---- $4,665
President-Tax of 1993(8) $170,000 $50,000 $630 ---- ---- ---- $133,102
the Company
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Amounts shown in the Bonus column for 1995 represent 1995 Bonuses paid
to the named individual in January 1996, except for Mr. Mantell's bonus
which was paid in 1995. Amounts shown in the bonus column for 1994
represent 1994 bonuses paid to the named individual in January 1995.
Amounts shown in the bonus column for 1993 represent 1993 bonuses paid
to the named individual in January 1994.
(2) Other Annual Compensation shown above includes reimbursement to
designated executive officers for the income tax costs associated with
their participation in the long-term disability plans and supplemental
life insurance plans of the Company. The aggregate incremental cost to
the Company for perquisites and other personal benefits paid to each
named executive officer, other than Mr. Mantell, (including, depending
upon the executive officer, supplementary insurance benefits, the use
of Company provided transportation and reimbursement for tax services
in 1995, 1994 and 1993 for Mr. Bianco) in each instance aggregated less
than $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus for each named
executive officer and, accordingly, is omitted from the table. Included
in Other Annual Compensation for Mr. Mantell in 1995 is $10,801 of
payments for supplementary insurance benefits.
-7-
<PAGE>
(3) Amounts included as All Other Compensation include (a) in 1995 the
Company's contributions to the AmBase 401(k) Savings Plan,
excluding employee earnings reductions: Mr. Bianco, $4,698; Mr.
Ferrara, $3,081 and Mr. Mantell, $4,665; (b) in 1994 the Company's
contributions to the AmBase 401(k) Savings Plan, excluding employee
earnings reductions: Mr. Bianco, $4,698; Mr. Ferrara, $3,081 and Mr.
Mantell, $4,665; (c) in 1993 the Company's contributions to the AmBase
401(k) Savings Plan which was effective July 1, 1993, excluding
employee earnings reductions: Mr. Bianco, $1,947; Mr. Ferrara, $1,382
and Mr. Mantell, $1,819; (d) in 1993 a lump-sum payment received as
full payment of benefits under the AmBase Retirement Plan in connection
with the plan termination: Mr. Ferrara, $4,578 and Mr. Mantell,
$131,283.
(4) Amounts shown in the salary column for Mr. Bianco in 1993 include $500
paid to him for service as a director in 1993, prior to the change in
the policy for fees paid to directors effective January 26, 1993. As of
January 26, 1993, directors who are also employees of the Company are
no longer paid a fee for their services as a director.
(5) Ronald J. Burns, a former director of the Company, is the President of
Augustine, but is not an executive officer or employee of the Company
In 1993, Mr. Burns' compensation from Augustine during the period
in which Augustine was a subsidiary of the Company did not exceed
$100,000. Accordingly, the information relating to Mr. Burns for 1993
is omitted from the Summary Compensation Table.
(6) Mr. Ferrara was elected Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer of the Company on December 13, 1995 having previously served
as Acting Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Vice
President and Controller.
(7) The amounts shown as compensation for Mr. Mantell in 1994 reflect
salary payments made to him in his capacity as Senior Vice
President-Tax from January 1994 to October 1994, and as Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from October 1994 to
December 1994. Mr. Mantell resigned all of his positions with the
Company as of January 31, 1995. On April 7, 1995, Mr. Mantell was
rehired by the Company as Assistant Vice President-Tax.
(8) On April 16, 1993, Mr. Mantell was hired by the Company as Senior Vice
President-Tax at a salary of $240,000 per annum having previously
served as an independent consultant to the Company from January 1, 1992
to April 15, 1993. Amounts shown in the salary column in 1993 include
only the amounts paid to Mr. Mantell in his capacity as an officer of
the Company and do not include fees paid to Mr. Mantell as an
independent consultant to the Company.
-8-
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS DURING 1995
The following table sets forth information concerning stock options granted
during the year ended December 31, 1995 to the Named Executive Officers. The
Company does not have any outstanding SAR's.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual Grants
-----------------------------------------------
Number of Percent
Securities of Total Potential realizable value at
Underlying Options/ assumed annual rates of stock
Options/ SARs Exercise price appreciation for option
SARs granted to or term(7)
granted employees base price Expiration -----------------------------
Name (#) in year ($/share) date 5% 10%
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard A. Bianco(1)(2)(3) 500,000 80% $0.23 (5) 5/3/2000 $31,800 $70,200
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John P. Ferrara(1)(2)(4) 100,000 16% $0.21 (6) 5/3/2005 $13,220 $33,470
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1)These stock options were granted on May 3, 1995 under the Company's 1985
Stock Option Plan. As of May 22, 1995, no additional options can be granted
under the 1985 Stock Option Plan.
(2)These options qualified as incentive stock option under Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code. There are no Federal tax consequences either to the
optionee or to the Company upon the grant of an incentive stock option or a
non-qualified stock option. On the exercise of an incentive stock option, the
optionee will not recognize any income and the Company will not be entitled
to a deduction, although such exercise may give rise to alternative minimum
tax liability for the optionee. Generally, if the optionee disposes of shares
acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option within two years of the
date of grant or one year of the date of exercise, the optionee will
recognize ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction
equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of
exercise over the option price (limited generally to the gain on the sale).
If the shares are disposed of after the foregoing holding requirements are
met, the Company will not be entitled to any deduction, and the entire gain
or loss for the optionee will be treated as a capital gain or loss. On
exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the excess of the fair market
value, of the shares acquired over the option price on the date of exercise,
will generally be taxable to the optionee as ordinary income and deductible
by the Company. The disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of a
non-qualified stock option will generally result in a capital gain or loss
for the optionee, but will have no tax consequences for the Company.
(3)Mr. Bianco's option has a five-year term from the date of grant and becomes
exercisable as to 50% of the shares covered thereby on each anniversary of
the date of grant until such option is fully exercisable.
(4)Mr. Ferrara's option has a ten-year term from the date of grant and becomes
exercisable as to 50% of the shares covered thereby on each anniversary of
the date of grant until such option is fully exercisable.
(5)Mr. Bianco's option grant was made at 110% of the average of the high bid and
low asked trading price of the Company's Common Stock on the date of the
grant.
(6)Mr. Ferrara's option grant was made at the average high bid and low asked
trading price of the Company's Common Stock on the date of the grant.
-9-
<PAGE>
(7)Amounts reported in this column represent hypothetical amounts that may be
realized upon exercise of the options immediately prior to the expiration of
the option term assuming the specified compounded rates of appreciation of
the Company's Common Stock over the option term. These numbers are calculated
for illustrative purposes only, based on rules promulgated by the SEC, and do
not reflect the Company's estimate of future stock price growth. Actual
gains, if any, on stock option exercises and Common Stock holdings are
dependent on the timing of such exercise and the future performance of
the Company's Common Stock. There can be no assurance that the rates of
appreciation assumed in this table can be achieved or that the amounts
reflected will be received by the individuals.
AGGREGATE OPTION/SAR VALUES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
None of the Named Executive Officers exercised a stock option of the Company
during 1995. The Company does not have any outstanding SARs. The following table
sets forth information concerning fiscal year-end value of unexercised options
held by the Named Executive Officers on December 31, 1995 as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Securities
Underlying Value of Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Number of Options/SARs at Options/SARs at
Shares Acquired December 31, 1995 December 31, 1995
upon Exercise of Value Realized ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Name Option upon Exercise Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard A. Bianco - - 1,150,000 500,000 $419,750 $122,500
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John P. Ferrara - - - 100,000 - $26,500
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
No awards under any long-term incentive plan were made to the Named Executive
Officers in 1995, and none of the stock options previously awarded to any of the
Named Executive Officers were repriced during 1995.
AMBASE 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Effective July 1, 1993, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of the
AmBase 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Savings Plan"), which is a "Section 401(k)
Plan" within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). Substantially all employees of the Company meeting minimum age and
period of service requirements are eligible to participate in the Savings Plan.
Under the Savings Plan, employees may enter into a salary reduction agreement
for a percentage of their annual earnings (as defined in the Savings Plan). The
amount by which the employee's salary is reduced is considered a contribution by
the employer to the Plan. The employer also matches a designated percentage of
employees' salary reductions. The percentage match may vary from year to year at
the discretion of the Company. The employer match is currently 100% of the first
3% of the employee's salary eligible for deferral contributed on a pre-tax
basis. All contributions are subject to maximum limitations contained in the
Code. Participants are permitted to invest their salary reduction contributions
in a money market fund, an income fund and a growth fund. The Company's matching
contributions are invested in the same manner as the salary reduction
contributions. The Savings Plan provides that a participating employee (or his
or her beneficiary upon death) will be entitled to receive distribution of his
or her vested interest in the Savings Plan upon retirement, death or other
termination of employment.
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<PAGE>
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
One current executive officer and certain former officers of the Company are
participants in the Supplemental Retirement Plan (the "Supplemental Plan"), an
unfunded retirement plan under which benefit payments to participants are based
on a varying percentage (historically ranging from 2.5% to 4%, determined on an
individual basis by the Personnel Committee) of the participant's average base
salary and bonus (averaged over the three years of credited service that will
produce the highest average) multiplied by the number of years of the
participant's credited service, up to 20 years, plus 1% of his or her average
base salary and bonus multiplied by his or her years of credited service from 20
to 25 years, plus 0.5% of his or her average base salary and bonus multiplied by
his or her years of credited service in excess of 25 years, and reduced by any
amounts which were paid to the participant from the AmBase Retirement Plan,
which was terminated as of November 1, 1993, and any other plan designated
pursuant to an employment agreement with the participant. Benefits vest after
ten years of service although the Personnel Committee may waive or reduce the
ten-year service requirement for individual participants. Upon the election of a
vested participant whose employment has terminated after ten years of service or
after a Change in Control of the Company, the actuarial equivalent of benefits
will be paid in a lump-sum. The Personnel Committee, in its discretion, may
waive or reduce the ten-year service requirement for lump-sum payments. Mr.
Bianco is the only current active executive officer of the Company who
participates in the Supplemental Plan.
The following table presents, for representative periods of credited service,
estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement at the normal retirement age
of 60 (under the Supplemental Plan) to hypothetical vested participants in the
Supplemental Plan, in the form of a ten-year certain and life annuity. For
purposes of the Supplemental Plan, accrual has been assumed at the rate of 4%
per year.
YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE
ASSUMED FINAL -------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE EARNINGS 15 20 25 30 35
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 125,000 $ 75,000 $100,000 $106,250 $109,375 $112,500
150,000 90,000 120,000 127,500 131,250 135,000
175,000 105,000 140,000 148,750 153,125 157,500
200,000 120,000 160,000 170,000 175,000 180,000
225,000 135,000 180,000 191,250 196,875 202,500
250,000 150,000 200,000 212,500 218,750 225,000
300,000 180,000 240,000 255,000 262,500 270,000
400,000 240,000 320,000 340,000 350,000 360,000
450,000 270,000 360,000 382,500 393,750 405,000
500,000 300,000 400,000 425,000 437,500 450,000
600,000 360,000 480,000 510,000 525,000 540,000
700,000 420,000 560,000 595,000 612,500 630,000
800,000 480,000 640,000 680,000 700,000 720,000
900,000 540,000 720,000 765,000 787,500 810,000
1,000,000 600,000 800,000 850,000 875,000 900,000
Years of credited service as of March 1, 1996, for the purposes of computing
accrued benefits are: Mr. Bianco, 4.83 years. Mr. Bianco had no vested service
in the AmBase Retirement Plan and received no payments in connection with the
termination of the AmBase Retirement Plan. No other employee of the Company has
credited service under the Supplemental Plan.
-11-
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The annual fee to be paid to outside Directors of the Company is $7,500 for all
directors who are not employees of or consultants to the Company. The annual
fees are payable in December, provided that a director who is not an employee of
or consultant to the Company attends at least 75% of all meetings during the
calendar year. In December 1995, Mr. Costello received $7,500 for his service on
the Board during 1995 and Mr. Long received $1,500 for his service on the Board
beginning in October 1995. If a director performs additional services for the
Board or for any Committee at the request of the Chairman of the Board or the
Chairman of any Committee, he may be compensated for such services.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Personnel Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors is the
committee whose functions are equivalent to those of a compensation committee.
The Committee members during 1995 were John B. Costello, Chairman, Ronald J.
Burns and Robert E. Long, (from October 1995 when he was elected to the Board of
Directors). Mr. Costello and Mr. Long are independent directors of the Company
and are not officers or employees of the Company. Mr. Burns is the President of
Augustine, 66% of whose common stock is owned by the Company. Mr. Burns holds
approximately 23% of the common stock of such corporation, but is not an
employee or executive officer of the Company. Mr. Burns resigned from the Board
of Directors on December 28, 1995.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
An employment agreement is in effect between Mr. Bianco and the Company which
originally provided for him to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company at an annual base salary of not less than $275,000 for a three-year
period ending May 31, 1994, or for such shorter period as may be mutually agreed
upon by the Company and Mr. Bianco. In addition, from May 1991 through December
1992, Mr. Bianco was paid at an annual base salary of $300,000 as Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Carteret. The employment agreement also
provides for additional benefits, including his participation in various
employee benefit plans, annual bonus eligibility, certain long-term disability
benefits and the accrual of benefits under the Company's Supplemental Retirement
Plan at 4% of his average base salary and bonus, and 100% vesting in his accrued
benefits. On December 30, 1992, the Board extended Mr. Bianco's contract for
three additional years to May 31, 1997 and amended his base salary to $500,000
per annum effective January 1, 1993, the date of his resignation from Carteret
Federal Savings, the successor in interest to Carteret.
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<PAGE>
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Committee is responsible for fixing compensation and other employee benefits
for executive officers of the Company. The Committee's executive compensation
philosophy is to provide competitive levels of compensation to its executive
officers through a combination of base salary, incentive awards and equity in
the Company. It is designed to reward above average corporate performance,
recognize individual initiative and achievement and assist the Company in
attracting and retaining qualified management. Management compensation is
intended to be set at levels that the Committee believes fairly reflect the
challenges confronted by management.
OVERVIEW AND PHILOSOPHY
The Committee believes that the objectives of executive compensation are to
attract, motivate and retain the highest quality executives, align the interests
of these executives with those of the Company's stockholders by encouraging
stock ownership by executive officers to promote a proprietary interest in the
Company's success and to provide incentives to achieve the Company's goals. In
furtherance of these objectives, the Company's executive compensation policies
are designed to focus the executive officers on the Company's goals. The
Committee determines salary, bonuses and equity incentives based upon the
performance of the individual executive officer and of the Company.
EMPLOYEE, EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Base salaries for management employees are determined initially by evaluating
the responsibilities of the position, the experience of the individual and the
competition in the marketplace for management talent, including companies
confronting problems of the magnitude and complexity faced by the Company.
Annual salary adjustments are determined by evaluating a number of factors. The
most important factor is the performance of the executive, followed by the
performance of the Company, any increased responsibilities assumed by the
executive and the competition in the marketplace for similarly experienced
executives. Salary adjustments are determined and normally made at twelve month
intervals. Mr. Bianco, the Chief Executive Officer, did not receive a salary
adjustment for 1995.
In January 1996, the Committee approved cash bonuses for officers and employees
for 1995. Factors considered included performance of the executive, performance
of the Company, total compensation level, the Company's financial position and
other pertinent factors. This analysis is necessarily a subjective process which
utilizes no specific weighting or formula with respect to the described factors
in determining cash bonuses. Mr. Bianco was paid a bonus of $425,000 in
recognition of his diligent efforts in negotiating the settlement of certain
significant litigation against the Company at costs substantially lower than
previously anticipated, his role in greatly reducing the costs associated with
defending pending litigation, in implementing cost cutting measures generally
(including reduction of professional fees), and in pursuing several potential
acquisitions.
The Company believes that its compensation programs, carefully mixing equity and
cash incentives, will focus the efforts of the Company's executive officers on
long-term growth for the benefit of the Company and its stockholders.
Personnel Committee: John B. Costello (Chairman)
Ronald J. Burns
Robert E. Long
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<PAGE>
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the price performance of the Company's Common Stock
for the past five years with the performance of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock
Index (S&P 500) and the Standard & Poor's Financial Index. The Standard & Poor's
Financial Index was selected because it includes companies similar in nature to
the Company through most of the five year period. It should be noted that no
current member of the Board of Directors or management has been with the Company
throughout the entire five year period, and that the stock price performance
shown in the graph below should not be considered indicative of potential future
stock price performance.
[THE TABLE BELOW WAS REPRESENTED IN THE PRINTED BOOK AS A GRAPH]
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG
AMBASE CORPORATION, S&P 500 COMPOSITE AND S&P FINANCIAL INDEX
(Fiscal Years Ending December 31)
(In Dollars)
DATE AMBASE CORPORATION S&P COMPOSITE S&P FINANANCIAL INDEX
- - ---- ------------------ ------------- ---------------------
Dec. 31, 1990 $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ 100.00
Dec. 31, 1991 120.19 130.47 150.74
Dec. 31, 1992 30.13 140.41 185.97
Dec. 31, 1993 90.08 154.56 206.61
Dec. 31, 1994 67.64 156.60 199.31
Dec. 31, 1995 152.91 215.45 306.98
-14-
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL NO. 2 - APPOINTMENT OF ACCOUNTANTS
Based on the recommendation of the Accounting and Audit Committee, the Board of
Directors is proposing that the stockholders approve the appointment of Price
Waterhouse LLP as the independent accountants of the Company for the year ending
December 31, 1996. The Company has been advised by Price Waterhouse LLP that
neither that firm nor any of its partners had any direct financial interest or
any material indirect financial interest in the Company, or any of its
subsidiaries, except as independent certified public accountants. A
representative of Price Waterhouse LLP is expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement, if he or she desires to do so,
and to respond to appropriate questions from the stockholders.
Management recommends a vote FOR approval of the appointment of Price Waterhouse
LLP.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In February 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to
the Company's Stockholder Rights Plan (the "Plan") extending the expiration of
the rights to February 10, 2001 from February 10, 1996. The Plan was adopted by
the Company's Board of Directors on January 29, 1986 under which the Board
declared a dividend distribution of one right for each outstanding share of the
Common Stock of the Company. The rights, which entitle the holder to purchase
from the Company a common share at a price of $75.00, are not exercisable until
either a person or group of affiliated persons acquires 25% or more of the
Company's outstanding common shares or upon the commencement or disclosure of an
intention to commence a tender offer or exchange offer for 20% or more of the
common shares. In the event the rights become exercisable and, thereafter, the
Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination, or in certain
other circumstances, each right will entitle the holder to purchase from the
surviving corporation, for the exercise price, Common Stock having a market
value of twice the exercise price of the right. The rights are subject to
adjustment to prevent dilution. The Company knows of no potential acquirer of
the Company. For further information regarding the Plan, see the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K, covering the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995, is being mailed with this Proxy Statement to each stockholder
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Stockholders not receiving a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K may obtain
one by contacting: American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, 40 Wall Street,
46th Floor, New York, NY 10005, Attention: Stockholder Services, (800) 937-5449
or (718) 921-8200.
Any stockholder who wishes to submit a proposal for action to be included in the
Proxy Statement for the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must
submit such proposal so that it is received by the Secretary of the Company by
December 1, 1996.
The accompanying proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Company's Board of
Directors. The cost of such solicitation will be borne by the Company. In
addition to solicitation by mail, regular employees of the Company may, if
necessary to assure the presence of a quorum, solicit proxies in person or by
telephone or telegraph. Arrangements have been made with brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation
material to the beneficial owners of Common Stock held of record by such
persons, and the Company will reimburse such entities for reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith. The Company has engaged
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company to assist in the tabulation of proxies.
-15-
<PAGE>
If any matter not described in this Proxy Statement should properly come before
the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote the
shares represented by that proxy in accordance with their best judgment unless a
stockholder, by striking out the appropriate provision of the proxy, chooses to
withhold authority to vote on such matters.
As of the date this Proxy Statement was printed, the directors knew of no other
matters to be brought before the meeting.
All other stockholder inquiries, including requests for the following: (i)
change of address; (ii) replacement of lost stock certificates; (iii) Common
Stock name registration changes; (iv) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; (v) Annual
Reports on Form 10-K; (vi) proxy material; and (vii) information regarding
stockholdings, should be directed to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 40
Wall Street, 46th Floor, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Stockholder
Services, (800) 937-5449 or (718) 921-8200.
-16-
<PAGE>
AMBASE CORPORATION
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1996 This Proxy is Solicited
on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Richard A. Bianco
and John P. Ferrara and each of them, with full power of substitution, as
proxies to represent and vote, as designated on the reverse, all shares of
Common Stock of AmBase Corporation (the "Company"), held or owned by the
undersigned, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, to be held on
Friday, May 17, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, at the Cole Auditorium,
Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut, and at any
adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, with all powers which the undersigned
would possess if personally present, and in their discretion upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjourment(s) or
postponement(s) thereof.
This proxy is given with authority to vote FOR Proposals (1) and (2), unless a
contrary choice is specified.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
/X/ Please mark your vote as in this example.
Proposal (1) Election of Directors NOMINEE: Richard A. Bianco
John B. Costello
FOR ALL / / WITHHOLD FOR ALL / /
For except vote withheld for the following nominees (Write the name of the
nominee in the space below):
-------------------------------------------------------------
Proposal (2) Approval of appointment of Price Waterhouse LLP as Independent
Accountants for the calendar year 1996.
FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN / /
THE PROXY WILL BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSALS ABOVE AS SPECIFIED BY
YOU. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATIONS, FOR ALL PROPOSALS.
PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN AS YOUR NAME APPEARS ABOVE AND RETURN IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
SIGNATURE --------------------------- DATE ---------
SIGNATURE --------------------------- DATE----------
IF HELD JOINTLY
NOTE: Please sign name exactly as it appears hereon. Joint owners should each
sign. When signing as attorney, as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such.
-17-
