<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant / /
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.142-12
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
/ / $500 per each party 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:*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Date Filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
-----------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING--MAY 4, 1994
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION:
You are hereby notified that pursuant to the By-Laws of CNA Financial
Corporation, a Delaware corporation, the annual meeting of Stockholders will be
held at CNA Plaza (333 South Wabash Avenue), Room 308, Chicago, Illinois, on
Wednesday, May 4, 1994 at 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, for the following purposes:
(1) To elect ten Directors;
(2) To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche as independent auditors
for the Company; and
(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Only Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 1994 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting.
It is desired that as many Stockholders as practicable be represented at the
meeting. Consequently, whether or not you now expect to be present, you are
requested to date and sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly to the
Company. You may revoke the proxy at any time before the authority granted
therein is exercised.
By the order of the Board of
Directors,
DONALD M. LOWRY
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY
AND GENERAL COUNSEL
Chicago, Illinois
March 29, 1994
<PAGE>
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: CNA PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60685
-------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING--MAY 4, 1994
The Board of Directors of CNA Financial Corporation ("CNA" or the "Company")
submits this statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the
Stockholders in the form enclosed.
The persons named in this statement as nominees for election as Directors
have been designated by the Board of Directors.
Any Stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before
it is exercised. A subsequently dated proxy, duly received, will revoke an
earlier dated proxy. A Stockholder may also revoke his proxy and vote in person
at the Annual Meeting. Proxies will be voted in accordance with the
Stockholder's specifications and, if no specification is made, proxies will be
voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. The
approximate date of mailing of this Proxy Statement is March 29, 1994.
On March 11, 1994, the Company had outstanding 61,797,856 shares of Common
Stock. The holders of Common Stock have one vote for each share of stock held.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 1994 will be
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting. The holders of a majority
of Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote when present in
person or represented by proxy constitute a quorum at all meetings of
Stockholders.
In accordance with the Company's by-laws and applicable law, the election of
Directors will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of
shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. Consequently, the ten
nominees who receive the greatest number of votes cast for election as Directors
will be elected as Directors of the Company. Shares present which are properly
withheld as to voting with respect to any one or more nominees, and shares
present with respect to which a broker indicates that it does not have authority
to vote ("broker non-votes") will not be counted. The affirmative vote of shares
representing a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares present and
entitled to vote is required to approve the other matter to be voted on at the
Annual Meeting. Shares which are voted to abstain will be considered present at
the meeting, but since they are not affirmative votes for the matter they will
have the same effect as votes against the matter. Broker non-votes are not
counted as present.
As of March 11, 1994 Loews Corporation ("Loews"), 667 Madison Avenue, New
York, New York 10021, was the beneficial owner of 51,352,860 shares of Common
Stock which is 83.1% of the outstanding shares. No other person to the knowledge
of CNA was the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock.
Since Loews holds more than a majority of the outstanding Common Stock of
CNA, Loews has the power to approve matters submitted for consideration at the
Annual Meeting without regard to the votes of
2
<PAGE>
the other Stockholders. Loews intends to vote FOR the election of management's
nominees for the Board of Directors' and FOR the ratification of the appointment
of Deloitte & Touche as the Company's independent auditors. There are no
agreements between CNA and Loews with respect to the election of CNA Directors
or Officers or with respect to the other matters to come before the meeting.
The following table sets forth certain information as to the shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned by each Director and nominee, and each Executive
Officer named in the Summary Compensation Table below, and by all Executive
Officers and Directors of the Company as a group as of March 11, 1994, based on
data furnished by them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OF THE COMPANY'S
COMMON STOCK BENEFICIALLY
OWNED DIRECTLY OR
NAME INDIRECTLY
- ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C>
Antoinette Cook Bush...................................... 0
Dennis H. Chookaszian..................................... 1,000(a)
Philip L. Engel........................................... 0
Robert P. Gwinn........................................... 307
Carolyn L. Murphy......................................... 0
Edward J. Noha............................................ 450(a)
Lester Pollack............................................ 0(a)
Richard L. Thomas......................................... 1,700(b)
James S. Tisch............................................ 0(a)
Laurence A. Tisch......................................... 0(c)
Preston R. Tisch.......................................... 0(c)
Jae L. Wittlich........................................... 0
Marvin Zonis.............................................. 0
All Officers and Directors as a group (15 persons
including those listed above)............................ 3,457
</TABLE>
These holdings represent less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock. For information with respect to the stock holdings of Loews, see page 2.
(a) James S. Tisch owns 40,000 shares of Loews Common Stock which is less
than 1% of the outstanding stock of Loews. He is the son of Laurence A. Tisch.
Lester Pollack, who has chosen not to stand for reelection to the Board, owns
4,152 shares of Loews Common Stock. Dennis H. Chookaszian owns 2,000 shares of
Loews Common Stock. Edward J. Noha owns 750 shares of Loews Common Stock.
(b) Mr. Thomas' wife owns 1,100 shares of CNA Common Stock and 1500 shares
of Loews Common Stock in which he disclaims any beneficial interest. Mr. Thomas
owns 1,700 shares of Loews Common Stock.
(c) Laurence A. Tisch, and his brother, Preston R. Tisch, are the beneficial
owners of an aggregate of approximately 31% of the outstanding stock of Loews.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The By-Laws provide that the number of Directors which shall constitute the
whole Board shall be ten. The Directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders and each Director elected shall hold office until the next
annual meeting of Stockholders and until his successor is elected and qualified.
Directors need not be Stockholders. Unless authority to do so is withheld, the
persons named in the enclosed proxy
3
<PAGE>
intend to vote the shares represented by the proxies given to them for the ten
nominees hereinafter named. All Directors except Antoinette Cook Bush and Marvin
Zonis were elected at the last Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Should any nominee or nominees become unavailable, the proxy holders will
vote for the nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors. The Board
of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will become
unavailable.
Set forth below is the name, principal occupation and business experience
during the past five years and certain other information for each nominee.
ANTOINETTE COOK BUSH, Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom,
Washington, D. C. since 1993. Ms. Bush was Senior Counsel of the United States
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation--Majority Staff from
January 1991 to October 1993. She was Staff Counsel of the Committee from March
1987 to December 1990. She has been a Director since 1993. She is a member of
the Executive, Finance and Audit Committees. Age 37.
DENNIS H. CHOOKASZIAN, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the CNA Insurance Companies since September 1992. From November 1990 to
September 1992, Mr. Chookaszian was President and Chief Operating Officer of the
CNA Insurance Companies. Prior thereto, he was Vice President and Controller of
the Company and its insurance subsidiaries since 1975. He serves on the
Executive and Finance Committees. Mr. Chookaszian has served as a Director since
1990. Age 50.
PHILIP L. ENGEL, President of the CNA Insurance Companies since September
1992. From November 1990 until September 1992 he was Executive Vice President of
the insurance subsidiaries. Prior thereto, Mr. Engel had been a Vice President
of the CNA Insurance Companies since 1977. He serves on the Executive and
Finance Committees. Mr. Engel has served as a Director since 1992. Age 53.
ROBERT P. GWINN, Retired Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Chicago, Illinois. He is a member of the Executive,
Finance and Audit Committees. Mr. Gwinn has served as a Director since 1967. Age
86.
EDWARD J. NOHA, Chairman of the Board of CNA since September 1992. Prior to
that time and since February 1975, Mr. Noha was Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the CNA Insurance Companies. Mr. Noha serves on the board
of Loews. He is a member of the Executive and Finance Committees. Mr. Noha has
served as a Director since 1975. Age 66.
RICHARD L. THOMAS, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The First
National Bank of Chicago ("FNBC") and First Chicago Corporation. He also serves
on the board of Sara Lee Corporation. He serves on the Finance and Executive
Committees and is Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Thomas has served as a
Director since 1970. Age 63.
JAMES S. TISCH, Executive Vice President and a Director of Loews. He is a
Director of Champion International Corporation. He serves on the Executive and
Finance Committees. Mr. Tisch has served as a Director since 1985. Age 41.
LAURENCE A. TISCH, Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer of
Loews and Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Inc. ("CBS").
He is the Chief Executive Officer of CNA. He is a director of Automatic Data
Processing, Inc., CBS, Bulova Corporation ("Bulova"), a 97% owned subsidiary of
Loews, Petrie Stores Corporation and R. H. Macy & Co. Inc. He serves on the
Executive and Finance Committees. Mr. Tisch has served as a Director since 1974.
Age 71.
4
<PAGE>
PRESTON R. TISCH, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Loews since
March 1988. He was Postmaster General of the United States from August 1986 to
February 1988. Prior thereto he had served as President and Chief Operating
Officer of Loews since 1969 and a Director since 1960. He is a director of CBS,
Bulova, Hasbro, Inc., and Rite Aid Corporation. He is Chairman of the Executive
Committee and serves on the Finance Committee. Mr. Tisch served as a Director of
CNA from 1974 to 1986 and was reelected a Director in May of 1988. Age 67.
MARVIN ZONIS, Professor of international political economy at the Graduate
School of Business at the University of Chicago since 1989. He has been a
Director since 1993. He is a member of the Executive, Finance and Audit
Committees. Age 57.
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
The Audit Committee is a standing committee and is charged with the
responsibility of administering corporate policy in matters of accounting and
control. The Audit Committee functions as the liaison with the Company's
independent auditors. The members of the Audit Committee are: Richard L. Thomas
(Chairman), Antoinette Cook Bush, Robert P. Gwinn and Marvin Zonis.
The Company does not have standing nominating or compensation committees.
The functions normally assigned to these committees are performed by the
Executive Committee or by the full Board.
The Board of Directors met 6 times in 1993. The Finance Committee met 4
times and the Audit Committee met 2 times in 1993. All of the current Directors,
except Ms. A. C. Bush and Mr. Zonis (both of whom were elected to the Board in
November) and Mr. Lester Pollack, attended at least 75% of the Board and
Committee meetings.
5
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table includes compensation paid by the Company and its
subsidiaries for services rendered in all capacities for the years indicated for
the Chief Executive Officer and the four most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company as of December 31, 1993.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
----------------------- ALL OTHER
BONUS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY (b) (c)
- ----------------------------------------- ---- ---------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Laurence A. Tisch (a) 1993 -- -- $ 21,500 (d)
Chief Executive Officer of 1992 -- --
CNA Financial Corporation 1991 -- --
Dennis H. Chookaszian (e) 1993 $1,132,716 $350,000(f) 51,984
Chairman of the Board 1992 738,333 70,000 31,010
Chief Executive Officer 1991 600,000 70,000
CNA Insurance Companies
Philip L. Engel (g) 1993 760,171 90,000 36,397
President 1992 605,833 70,000 25,445
CNA Insurance Companies 1991 550,200 70,000
Carolyn L. Murphy 1993 528,333 180,000 22,190
Senior Vice President 1992 525,000 70,000 22,050
CNA Insurance Companies 1991 525,000 70,000
Jae L. Wittlich 1993 438,333 140,000 18,410
Senior Vice President 1992 412,500 60,000 17,325
CNA Insurance Companies 1991 400,000 60,000
<FN>
- ------------------------
(a) Mr. Tisch does not receive a salary from the Company. CNA reimburses Loews
for the services of Mr. Tisch and other officers and executives of Loews
pursuant to the Services Agreement described under "Certain Transactions"
below. The reimbursement for 1993 included approximately $54,000 in
relation to Mr. Tisch's services to CNA.
(b) Represents amounts awarded under the Long Term Award Plan for the
respective years. The Long Term Award Program was installed in 1990 to
provide cash awards to key executives in recognition of individual
performance and contribution to long term results. Awards were made on a
discretionary basis and were approved by the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the CNA Insurance Companies. The amounts shown include both the
1992 and 1993 Awards granted in April 1993 and December 1993, respectively.
The Awards granted to Messrs. Chookaszian and Engel recognized services
rendered prior to October 1, 1992. These and all previously awarded but
unpaid amounts were paid in 1993 when the Plan was terminated.
(c) Represents amounts contributed or accrued for fiscal 1993 and 1992 for the
named officers under the Company's savings plan and related supplemental
savings plan.
(d) Represents director's fees paid to Mr. Tisch in 1993.
(e) Mr. Chookaszian became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the CNA Insurance Companies on September 30, 1992. He had previously been
President and Chief Operating Officer.
(f) Includes a $250,000 bonus paid to Mr. Chookaszian in 1993.
(g) Mr. Engel became President of the CNA Insurance Companies on September 30,
1992. He had previously been Executive Vice President.
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
An Employment Agreement with Mr. Chookaszian effective October 1, 1992,
provides for a base salary of $1.1 million in the first year; $1.2 million in
the second year and $1.3 million in the third year. An Employment Agreement with
Mr. Engel effective October 1, 1992, provides for a base salary of $740,000 in
the first year; $800,000 in the second year; and $870,000 in the third year.
Each of the Agreements requires the Company to provide long term disability
insurance and permits the employee to participate in other benefit programs
offered by the Company to its employees, except the Long Term Award Plan (after
October 1, 1992). The Company may terminate each Agreement without cause at any
time, in which event the Company would be required to continue to make payments
to the employee for a period of three years from the date of termination at the
rate per year in effect at the time of such termination.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company has no compensation committee. The compensation of the Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer and President of the CNA Insurance Companies,
Dennis H. Chookaszian and Philip L. Engel respectively, is reviewed and
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Chookaszian and
Mr. Engel abstained from the vote of the Board. The compensation of the other
executive officers of the CNA Insurance Companies is established by
Mr. Chookaszian as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CNA Insurance
Companies. The Company's executive compensation consists of a base salary and
an incentive bonus program. Executive officers may also participate in the
Company's Employees' Savings Plan, Supplemental Savings Plan, Retirement Plan
and Supplemental Retirement Plan with other salaried employees. There is
no stock option program.
Mr. Chookaszian's compensation in excess of $1,000,000 does not qualify as a
deduction under the grandfather provisions of the amendment to the Internal
Revenue Code enacted in 1993 which eliminates the tax deduction for compensation
in excess of $1,000,000 per year to certain executive officers of public
companies.
The Company's compensation program is designed to recognize individual
performance and contribution to CNA. This pay-for-performance philosophy is used
to reward employees whose work meets or exceeds CNA's standards of quality and
value-added customer service.
It is CNA's objective to have a compensation policy which is internally
equitable and externally competitive, rewards executives for long term strategic
management, supports a performance-oriented environment that rewards individuals
with respect to attainment of corporate goals and individual expectations, and
attracts and retains key executives critical to the Company's long term success.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CNA Insurance Companies
establishes the compensation for the other executives following a systematic
process to establish an annual salary plan for the Company's senior executives.
He is assisted in developing the plan by the Company's Human Resources staff.
The plan is based on insurance industry, general industry and nationally
published and customized surveys of total annual compensation (salary plus
incentive bonus payments). Three of such surveys include two of the four
companies included in the Standard & Poor's Multi-Line Insurers Index (see
"Stock Price Performance Graph" below). This information, in conjunction with
performance judgments as to past and expected future contributions of the
individual executive, is used to develop an annual salary plan. In addition, the
Human Resources staff periodically reviews with independent compensation
consultants the overall competitiveness of the salary plan. Because CNA uses
this market pricing approach to determine appropriate executive pay levels, CNA
does not use formal salary ranges, with attendant minimums, midpoints and
maximums to determine pay levels or annual increase amounts.
7
<PAGE>
As noted in the Summary Compensation Table, Laurence A. Tisch, the Company's
Chief Executive Officer, does not receive compensation from the Company. Mr.
Tisch is compensated by Loews, of which he is Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief
Executive Officer. CNA reimburses Loews for services of Mr. Tisch and other
officers and executives of Loews pursuant to the Services Agreement described
under "Certain Transactions," below.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
By the Board of
Directors: Antoinette Cook Bush Edward J. Noha Laurence A. Tisch
Dennis H. Chookaszian Lester Pollack Preston R. Tisch
Philip L. Engel Richard L. Thomas Marvin Zonis
Robert P. Gwinn James S. Tisch
</TABLE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Messrs. L. A. Tisch, D. H. Chookaszian, and P. L. Engel, each of whom are
Directors of the Company, also serve as officers of the Company or its
subsidiaries. In addition, Mr. Noha, a Director of the Company, formerly served
as an officer of the Company or its subsidiaries. Mr. L. A. Tisch, Director and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, also serves as a Director and Co-Chief
Executive Officer of Loews. See "Certain Transactions," below, for information
with respect to transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, and
certain individuals and entities with which they are affiliated.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
During 1993 CNA paid FNBC $722,602 for various trust and banking services,
including services as transfer agent and registrar for the Company's Common
Stock. FNBC and certain affiliates paid premiums, at standard rates, and
administrative service fees to Continental Casualty Company and Continental
Assurance Company and their subsidiaries aggregating approximately $2,326,970
(of which $359,772 represented contributions by employees) in 1993.
In the ordinary course of business, CNA and certain of its subsidiaries and
pension funds have, from time to time, engaged in transactions with Lazard
Freres & Co. ("Lazard") involving the purchase and sale of securities. During
1993 CNA and its subsidiaries paid approximately $14,000 in brokerage
commissions to Lazard and engaged in various principal and other securities
transactions with Lazard involving securities valued at approximately
$49,352,000 in the aggregate. Similar transactions may be expected to occur in
the future. Mr. Lester Pollack, a current director of CNA, is a General Partner
of Lazard.
Loews makes available to CNA the services of certain officers and executives
of Loews. In February 1975 CNA entered into a management services agreement (the
"Services Agreement") with Loews which provides that Loews will make available
to CNA these services, together with general corporate services, including
financial, administrative and management consulting services. Loews is
reimbursed on the basis of an allocation of a portion of the salaries and
related payroll taxes and benefits of the officers and executives performing the
services, in addition to travel and similar expenses incurred. The allocation
may be adjusted in the event of any substantial change in the services performed
and the Services Agreement may be terminated by CNA or Loews on the last day of
any month. The Services Agreement has been reviewed each year since 1975 by
CNA's Audit Committee. The last such review took place in February 1994 and the
Audit Committee recommended renewal of the Services Agreement for the ensuing
fiscal year, calling for a reimbursement allocation of approximately $140,000
per month, which recommendation was accepted by the Board of Directors. Under
the Services Agreement CNA reimbursed Loews $1,680,000 for services
8
<PAGE>
performed during 1993, and $53,000 for travel and similar expenses incurred
during that period. During 1993 Loews paid premiums on insurance and
administrative services to the CNA Insurance Companies at standard rates
aggregating approximately $6,294,000.
In January 1980 Loews's ownership of the voting securities of CNA exceeded
80% which required the inclusion of CNA and its eligible subsidiaries in the
consolidated federal income tax returns filed by Loews for 1980 and subsequent
years. In February 1980, following approval by CNA's Audit Committee and Board
of Directors, CNA and Loews entered into a tax allocation agreement which
provides that CNA will (i) be paid by Loews the amount, if any, by which Loews's
consolidated federal income tax liability is reduced by virtue of the inclusion
of CNA and its subsidiaries in Loews's consolidated federal income tax return,
or (ii) pay to Loews an amount, if any, equal to the federal income tax which
would have been payable by CNA if CNA and its subsidiaries had filed a separate
consolidated return. In the event that Loews should have a net operating loss in
the future computed on the basis of filing a separate consolidated tax return
without CNA and its eligible subsidiaries, CNA may be required to repay tax
recoveries previously received from Loews. This agreement may be cancelled by
CNA or Loews upon thirty days' prior written notice. In 1993, the inclusion of
CNA and its eligible subsidiaries in the consolidated federal tax return of
Loews resulted in reduced federal income tax liability for Loews. Accordingly,
CNA has received or will receive approximately $17 million from Loews under the
tax allocation agreement.
CNA has reimbursed to Loews approximately $7,390,000 for expenses
(consisting primarily of salaries and benefits and other out-of-pocket costs)
incurred by Loews during 1993 in maintaining New York City investment facilities
and services for CNA at the Loews offices.
From time to time insurance subsidiaries of CNA have made media expenditures
for advertising on CBS owned and affiliated stations. Such expenditures
aggregated approximately $4,048,800 during 1993. In 1990 CBS selected, pursuant
to a competitive bidding process, CNA to be the carrier for a basic and
supplemental group life insurance program for both active employees and
retirees. In 1993 premiums paid to CNA for this program were $3,431,717 for
active employees (of which $1,558,681 represented contributions by employees)
and $728,652 for retirees. Also, CBS paid premiums to insurance subsidiaries of
CNA in the amount of $237,527 in 1993 for certain property and casualty
insurance coverage and surety bonds. In 1993, CNA provided CBS with group
long-term care insurance, the full cost (aggregating approximately $269,000 in
premium) of which was paid by participants. An insurance subsidiary of CNA
leased space from CBS from March 3, 1993 thru April 1, 1993. CNA paid rent at
market rates for this space for a total of $110,950. Loews owns approximately
20% of the common stock of CBS.
9
<PAGE>
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the total return of the Company's common stock,
the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index ("S & P 500") and the Standard &
Poor's Multi-Line Insurance Index for the five years ended December 31, 1993.
The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the Company's Common Stock
and each Index was $100 on December 31, 1988 and that dividends were reinvested.
[Filed under Cover of Form SE]
RETIREMENT PLAN
CNA provides a funded, tax qualified, non-contributory retirement plan for
all salaried employees, including executive officers (the "Retirement Plan") and
an unfunded, non-qualified, non-contributory benefits equalization plan (the
"Supplemental Retirement Plan") which provides for the accrual and payment of
benefits which are not available under tax qualified plans such as the
Retirement Plan. The following description of the Retirement Plan gives effect
to benefits provided under the Supplemental Retirement Plan.
The Retirement Plan provides for retirement benefits based upon average
final compensation (i.e., based upon the highest average sixty consecutive
months compensation and years of credited service with CNA). Compensation under
the Retirement Plan consists of salary paid by the Company and its subsidiaries
included under "Salary" in the Summary Compensation Table above. The following
table shows estimated
10
<PAGE>
annual benefits payable upon retirement under the Retirement Plan for various
compensation levels and years of credited service, based upon normal retirement
in 1993 and a straight life annuity form of benefit. Other forms of payment are
also available under the Retirement Plan.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NORMAL RETIREMENT IN 1994
ESTIMATED ANNUAL PENSION FOR
REPRESENTATIVE YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE
----------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPENSATION 15 20 25 30 35
- --------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 400,000 $ 117,110 $ 156,146 $ 195,183 $ 207,619 $ 220,056
$ 500,000 $ 147,110 $ 196,146 $ 245,183 $ 260,969 $ 276,756
$ 600,000 $ 177,110 $ 236,146 $ 295,183 $ 314,319 $ 333,456
$ 700,000 $ 207,110 $ 276,146 $ 345,183 $ 367,669 $ 390,156
$ 800,000 $ 237,110 $ 316,146 $ 395,183 $ 421,019 $ 446,856
$ 900,000 $ 267,110 $ 356,146 $ 445,183 $ 474,369 $ 503,556
$ 1,000,000 $ 297,110 $ 396,146 $ 495,183 $ 527,719 $ 560,256
$ 1,100,000 $ 327,110 $ 436,146 $ 545,183 $ 581,069 $ 616,956
$ 1,200,000 $ 357,110 $ 476,146 $ 595,183 $ 634,419 $ 673,656
$ 1,300,000 $ 387,110 $ 516,146 $ 645,183 $ 687,769 $ 730,356
</TABLE>
Mr. Chookaszian, Mr. Engel, Ms. Murphy and Mr. Wittlich have 18, 28, 16 and
16 years of credited service, respectively.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
CNA directors who are not employees of CNA or any of its subsidiaries
received an annual retainer in 1993 of $12,500. In addition, members of
committees received the following annual retainers: Finance $2,500; Executive
$1,500; and Audit $1,000. Effective January 1, 1994, the annual board retainer
fees were increased to $20,000. Committee fees were increase to $3,000 each for
service on the Executive and Finance Committees and $1,500 for service on the
Audit Committee. Directors are reimbursed for necessary and reasonable travel
expenses incurred in attending meetings.
In February 1991 Mr. Noha entered into a Continuing Service Agreement with
CNA under which Mr. Noha's employment status with CNA was converted on
October 1, 1992 (the "Commencement Date") to that of an independent contractor
providing consulting and other specified services to CNA. The Continuing
Service Agreement contemplates that Mr. Noha will serve as Chairman of the
Board of Directors, but not as an officer, of CNA following the Commencement
Date. Pursuant to the Agreement, which will expire on September 20, 2002,
Mr. Noha (or his estate in the event of his death) will be paid a fee at the
rate of $1,570,000 per annum reduced by the retirement benefits payable to
Mr. Noha under his Employment Agreement and CNA's Retirement Plan and
Supplemental Retirement Plan.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche was CNA's independent auditing firm for the fiscal year
1993 and has been recommended by the Audit Committee to perform the audit for
the 1994 fiscal year. This recommendation was accepted and approved by the Board
of Directors, subject to ratification by the Stockholders. Deloitte & Touche and
a predecessor firm (Touche Ross & Co.) has served as the Company's independent
auditors since 1976. The Board of Directors recommends that the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche be ratified by the Stockholders. If the appointment of the
firm of Deloitte & Touche is not approved or if that firm shall decline
11
<PAGE>
to act or their employment be otherwise discontinued, the Board of Directors
will appoint other independent auditors. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche
will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be extended the opportunity to
make a statement if they so desire and will respond to appropriate questions
raised at the Meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company does not know of any other business to come before the meeting.
However, if any other matters come before the meeting, the persons named in the
proxies will act on behalf of the Stockholders they represent according to their
best judgment.
The cost of this solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company.
Solicitation will be made primarily through use of the mails, but regular
employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally, by telephone or
telegram. Such employees will receive no special compensation for such
solicitation. Brokers and nominees will be requested to obtain voting
instructions of beneficial owners of stock registered in their names and will be
reimbursed for their out of pocket expenses and reasonable clerical expenses.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1995 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholder proposals for inclusion in proxy materials for the 1995 Annual
Meeting should be addressed to the Company's Senior Vice President, Secretary
and General Counsel, CNA Plaza, 43S, Chicago, Illinois 60685, and must be
received before November 30, 1994.
By order of the Board of Directors,
DONALD M. LOWRY
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY
AND GENERAL COUNSEL
Chicago, Illinois
March 29, 1994
12
<PAGE>
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION PROXY
P SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING, MAY 4, 1994, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
R
O The undersigned hereby appoints L.A. Tisch, J.S. Tisch, and D.H.Chookaszian,
or any of them, with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote the
X Common Stock of the undersigned at the annual meeting of stockholders of CNA
Financial Corporation, to be held at CNA Plaza, (333 South Wabash Avenue),
Y Chicago, Illinois, on May 4, 1994, at 11:00 A.M., or at any adjournment
thereof as follows:
Election of Directors. Nominees:
Antoinette Cook Bush, Dennis H. Chookaszian,
Philip L. Engel, Robert P. Gwinn, Edward J. Noha,
Richard L. Thomas, James S. Tisch, Laurence A. Tisch,
Preston R. Tisch, Marvin Zonis.
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPECIFY YOUR CHOICES BY MARKING THE APPROPRIATE BOXES,
SEE REVERSE SIDE, BUT YOU NEED NOT MARK ANY BOXES IF YOU WISH TO VOTE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PROXY COMMITTEE
CANNOT VOTE YOUR SHARE UNLESS YOU SIGN AND RETURN THIS CARD.
SEE REVERSE
SIDE
<PAGE>
/ X / Please mark your 4952
votes as in this
example.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the Election of Directors and
proposal 2.
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of / / / / 2. Approval of / / / / / /
Directors independant
(see reverse) accountants
For, except vote withheld from the
following nominee(s):
- -----------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S)_________________________DATE_____________ The signer hereby revokes
Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. all proxies heretofore
Joint owners should each sign. When signing as given by the signer to
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or vote at said meeting or
guardian, please give full title as such. any adjournments thereof.
