<PAGE>
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-33821
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 22, 1997)
$500,000,000
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
6.50% NOTES DUE APRIL 15, 2005
-----------------
Interest on the 6.50% Notes due April 15, 2005 (the Notes) will be payable
semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing October 15,
1998. The Notes will not be redeemable prior to maturity. See "Description of
the Notes."
The Notes will be represented by Global Securities registered in the name of
the nominee of The Depository Trust Company, which will act as the Depositary
(the Depositary). Interests in the Global Securities will be shown on, and
transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the
Depositary and its participants. Except as described herein, Notes in
definitive form will not be issued. Settlement for the Notes will be made in
immediately available funds. The Notes will trade in the Depositary's Same-Day
Funds Settlement System until maturity, and secondary market trading activity
for the Notes will therefore settle in immediately available funds. All
payments of principal and interest will be made by the Company in immediately
available funds. See "Description of the Notes--Same-Day Settlement and
Payment."
-----------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE S-6 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO
AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES.
-----------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR
THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Price to Underwriting Proceeds to
Public(1) Discount(2) Company(1)(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Note............. 99.929% 0.625% 99.304%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................ $499,645,000 $3,125,000 $496,520,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from April 20, 1998.
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated to be $300,000.
-----------------
The Notes are offered by the several Underwriters, subject to prior sale,
when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of certain
legal matters by counsel for the Underwriters. The Underwriters reserve the
right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of the
Notes will be made through the book-entry facilities at the Depositary on or
about April 20, 1998 against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
-----------------
LEHMAN BROTHERS
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
ABN AMRO INCORPORATED
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is April 15, 1998.
<PAGE>
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES
OFFERED HEREBY. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY INCLUDE STABILIZING AND THE PURCHASE OF
NOTES TO COVER SHORT POSITIONS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE
"UNDERWRITING."
FOR NORTH CAROLINA INVESTORS: THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE FOR THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
(THE "NORTH CAROLINA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER") NOR HAS THE NORTH CAROLINA
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER RULED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS.
When included in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus,
the words "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimates," and
analogous expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Such statements inherently are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, general economic and
business conditions, competition, changes in financial markets (interest rate,
credit, currency, commodities and stocks), changes in foreign, political,
social and economic conditions, regulatory initiatives and compliance with
governmental regulations, judicial decisions and rulings, and various other
matters, many of which are beyond the Company's control. See "Risk Factors" on
page S-6 for a discussion of how these various risks may affect CNA. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Prospectus
Supplement. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to
release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement
contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus to
reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any
change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
THE COMPANY
CNA Financial Corporation (the Company or CNAF) is a holding company whose
subsidiaries consist primarily of property/casualty and life insurance
companies (herein, collectively, CNA). CNA is one of the largest writers of
commercial property/casualty insurance and one of the ten largest insurance
organizations in the United States. CNAF had assets of $61.3 billion and
stockholders' equity of $8.3 billion as of December 31, 1997. CNAF's common
stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. As of March 31, 1998, Loews
Corporation owned approximately 84% of CNAF's common stock.
CNAF was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1967. CNAF's principal
subsidiaries are Continental Casualty Company (CCC), which was incorporated in
1897, Continental Assurance Company (CAC), incorporated in 1911, and The
Continental Corporation (Continental), which is the holding company of The
Continental Insurance Company (CIC), incorporated in 1853.
CNA's principal business is insurance. CNA's property and casualty insurance
operations are conducted by CCC and its property and casualty insurance
affiliates, and CIC and its property and casualty insurance affiliates. CNA's
life insurance operations are conducted principally by CAC and Valley Forge
Life Insurance Company. CNA's principal market for insurance products is the
United States.
CNA is a multiple-line insurer which serves a wide spectrum of customers,
including small, medium and large businesses; associations; professionals;
groups and individuals with a broad range of insurance and risk management
products and services. Insurance products include property and casualty
coverages; life, accident and health insurance; and pension products and
annuities. CNA also sells insurance related services including risk
management, information services, health care management and claims
administration. CNA products and services are marketed through agents,
brokers, general agents and direct sales.
For a description of certain risk factors relating to CNA and its business,
see "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-6.
S-2
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be used to prepay existing
first mortgages (the Mortgage Notes) in the amount of approximately $215
million, to refinance the existing bank debt outstanding under the Company's
revolving credit facility in the amount of approximately $250 million and to
refinance a portion of the Company's outstanding commercial paper in the
amount of approximately $35 million. The Mortgage Notes have an effective
interest rate of 11% and a maturity of June 1, 2013. See footnote (b) under
"Capitalization." As of April 1, 1998, outstanding loans under the revolving
credit facility were $250 million and outstanding commercial paper totaled
$675 million. The weighted-average interest rate (interest, facility fees and
the effect of interest rate swaps) on these loans at April 1, 1998 was 6.12%.
The revolving credit facility matures in May 2001. The commercial paper
borrowings are classified as long-term because $675 million of the committed
revolving credit facility supports the commercial paper program. As of April
1, 1998, there was no unused borrowing capacity under the revolving credit
facility after giving effect to its support of the commercial paper program.
RECENT DEVELOPMENT
On April 7, 1998, a subsidiary of the Company entered into an agreement to
acquire Maritime Insurance Co., a U.K.-based insurer, for (Pounds)56 million
(approximately $93.6 million as of April 1, 1998). Maritime Insurance Co. is a
marine, aviation and transportation insurer. The completion of the acquisition
is subject to certain regulatory approvals, and no assurance can be given that
the acquisition will be consummated. The Company plans to finance the
acquisition with the proceeds of new debt arrangements.
S-3
<PAGE>
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the
Company as of December 31, 1997 and as adjusted to reflect the sale on January
13, 1998 of $150 million 6.45% Notes due January 15, 2008 and $150 million
6.95% Notes due January 15, 2018, the refinancing of $150 million 8 7/8% Notes
due March 1, 1998 and the sale of the Notes and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom. The following information should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actual As Adjusted
<S> <C> <C>
Long-term debt (net of amortized discount):
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In millions of dollars)
Variable Rate Debt:
Credit Facility $ 400 $ --
Commercial Paper 675 640
Credit Facility--CNA Surety (a) 118 118
Senior Notes:
8 7/8%, due March 1, 1998 150 --
8 1/4%, due April 15, 1999 102 102
7 1/4%, due March 1, 2003 146 146
6 1/4%, due November 15, 2003 249 249
6 3/4%, due November 15, 2006 248 248
8 3/8%, due August 15, 2012 98 98
6.45%, due January 15, 2008 -- 149
6.95%, due January 15, 2018 -- 148
The Notes -- 497
7 1/4% Debentures, due November 15, 2023 247 247
11% Secured Mortgage Notes, due June 30, 2013 (b) 389 155
6.9%-16.29% Secured Capital Leases, due through December
31, 2011 47 47
Other debt, due 1998 through 2019 (rates of 1% to
12.71%) 28 28
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total long-term debt $ 2,897 $ 2,872
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders' Equity:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Stock, without par value--non-voting:
Authorized 12,500,000 shares; issued and outstanding 150 150
Common Stock with par value of $2.50--voting stock:
Authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued 61,841,969,
outstanding 61,798,262 155 155
Additional paid-in capital 435 435
Retained earnings 6,983 6,983
Net unrealized investment gains 589 589
Treasury stock, at cost (3) (3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 8,309 8,309
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Capitalization $11,206 $11,181
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) CNA owns approximately 62% of the outstanding shares of CNA Surety on a
fully diluted basis.
(b) The Company will pay a prepayment premium of approximately $15 million and
will record an extraordinary gain, net of the prepayment premium, of
approximately $22 million on prepayment of the mortgage. This gain is the
result of the Mortgage Notes being stated at fair value on May 10, 1995,
because of the purchase of Continental on that date. The Company is
amortizing the fair value adjustment to the maturity date.
S-4
<PAGE>
SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following selected condensed consolidated financial information of the
Company is derived from and should be read in conjunction with the more
detailed information and financial statements included in the Company's Annual
Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 1997, December 31, 1996,
as amended, December 31, 1995, December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1993.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31, 1997 1996 1995(a) 1994 1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In millions of dollars, except per
share data and ratios)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
Revenues $17,072 $16,988 $14,700 $11,000 $11,011
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income tax $ 1,358 $ 1,345 $ 1,042 $ (134) $ 93
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) excluding net
realized investment gains/losses $ 488 $ 578 $ 463 $ 187 $ (252)
Net realized investment gains
(losses) 478 387 294 (151) 519
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 966 $ 965 $ 757 $ 36 $ 267
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share:
Net income (loss) excluding net
realized investment gains
(losses) $ 7.78 $ 9.25 $ 7.37 $ 2.94 $ (4.14)
Net realized investment gains
(losses) 7.74 6.26 4.77 (2.43) 8.40
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 15.52 $ 15.51 $ 12.14 $ 0.51 $ 4.26
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios:
Earnings to fixed charges (b) 6.8 6.8 5.6 (c) 2.7
Earnings to fixed charges and
preferred dividends (d) 6.6 6.5 5.4 (e) 2.6
Net income, as adjusted, to fixed
charges and preferred dividends
(f) 7.1 7.4 5.8 1.5 7.6
BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA:
Net income (loss) excluding net
realized investment gains
(losses):
Property/casualty--commercial $ 200 $ 586 $ 431 $ 169 $ (242)
Property/casualty--personal 184 (6) 22 (42) 13
Property/casualty--involuntary
risks 117 (4) 2 21 (38)
Life--individual 58 66 43 30 10
Life--group 42 44 61 57 34
Interest, other and intercompany
eliminations (113) (108) (98) (48) (29)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 488 $ 578 $ 463 $ 187 $ (252)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
At December 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets $61,269 $60,455 $60,360 $44,320 $41,912
Debt 2,897 2,765 3,026 914 915
Stockholders' equity 8,309 7,060 6,736 4,546 5,381
Book value per share 132.02 111.81 106.56 71.13 84.65
Shares outstanding (in millions of
shares) 61.8 61.8 61.8 61.8 61.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See corresponding notes on the following page.
S-5
<PAGE>
- --------
(a) Includes the results of Continental from May 10, 1995, as a result of a
merger consummated on May 10, 1995.
(b) For purposes of computing this ratio, earnings consist of income before
income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest and
that portion of operating lease rental expense which is deemed to be an
interest factor for such rentals.
(c) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in the year ended
December 31, 1994, by $134 million due to capital losses of $246 million
which exceeded operating income of $101 million.
(d) For purposes of computing this ratio, earnings have been adjusted to
include fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest and that portion
of operating lease rental expense which is deemed to be an interest factor
for such rentals, before the effect of income taxes. Fixed charges were
increased by the preferred stock dividend amounts that would be required
to meet such dividend payments.
(e) Earnings, as adjusted for interest expense and interest element of
operating leases, were insufficient to cover fixed charges in the year
ended December 31, 1994, by $39 million due to capital losses of $246
million which exceeded operating income of $101 million.
(f) For purposes of computing this ratio, net income has been adjusted to
include fixed charges after tax. Fixed charges consist of interest and
that portion of operating lease rental expense which is deemed to be an
interest factor for such rentals. Fixed charges were increased by the
preferred stock dividend amounts that would be required to meet such
dividend payments.
RISK FACTORS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND ASBESTOS-RELATED CLAIMS
Environmental pollution clean-up is the subject of both federal and state
regulation. By some estimates, there are thousands of potential waste sites
subject to clean-up. The insurance industry is involved in extensive
litigation regarding coverage issues. Judicial interpretations have, in many
cases, expanded the scope of coverage and liability beyond the original intent
of the policies.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of
1980 (Superfund) and comparable state statutes (mini-Superfund) govern the
clean-up and restoration of abandoned toxic waste sites and formalize the
concept of legal liability for clean-up and restoration by Potentially
Responsible Parties (PRPs). Superfund and the mini-Superfunds establish
mechanisms to pay for clean-up of waste sites if PRPs fail to do so, and to
assign liability to PRPs. The extent of liability to be allocated to a PRP is
dependent on a variety of factors. Further, the number of waste sites subject
to clean-up is unknown. To date, approximately 1,300 clean-up sites have been
identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its National
Priorities List (NPL). The addition of new clean-up sites to the NPL has
slowed in recent years. Many clean-up sites have been designated by state
authorities as well.
Many policyholders have made claims against various CNA insurance
subsidiaries for defense costs and indemnification in connection with
environmental pollution matters. CNA and other members of the insurance
industry are disputing coverage for many such claims. Key coverage issues
include whether clean-up costs are considered damages under the policies,
trigger of coverage, applicability of pollution exclusions and owned property
exclusions, the potential for joint and several liability and definition of an
occurrence. To date, courts have been inconsistent in their rulings on these
issues.
A number of proposals to reform Superfund have been made by various parties.
However, no reforms were enacted by Congress in 1997. It is unclear what
positions the Congress or the Administration will take in the future and what
legislation, if any, will result. If there is legislation, and in some
circumstances even if there is no legislation, the federal role in
environmental clean-up may be substantially reduced in favor of state action.
S-6
<PAGE>
Significant changes in the federal statute or the activity of the EPA may
cause states to reconsider their environmental clean up statutes and
regulations. There can be no meaningful prediction of the regulation that
would result.
Due to the inherent uncertainties described above, including the
inconsistency of court decisions, the number of waste sites subject to clean-
up, and the standards for clean-up and liability, the ultimate liability of
CNA for environmental pollution claims may vary substantially from the amount
currently recorded.
As of December 31, 1997 and 1996, CNA carried approximately $773 million and
$908 million, respectively, of claim and claim expense reserves, net of
reinsurance recoverables, for reported and unreported
environmental pollution claims. The reserves relate to claims for accident
years 1988 and prior, which coincides with CNA's adoption of the Simplified
Commercial General Liability coverage form which included an absolute
pollution exclusion.
CNA's insurance subsidiaries have exposure to asbestos claims, including
those attributable to CNA's litigation with Fibreboard Corporation. A detailed
discussion of CNA's litigation with Fibreboard Corporation regarding asbestos-
related bodily injury claims can be found in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. Estimation of asbestos claim
reserves involves many of the same limitations discussed above for
environmental pollution claims such as inconsistency of court decisions,
specific policy provisions, allocation of liability among insurers, missing
policies and proof of coverage. As of December 31, 1997 and 1996, CNA carried
approximately $1,400 million and $1,506 million, respectively, of claim and
claim expense reserves, net of reinsurance recoverables, for reported and
unreported asbestos-related claims.
The results of operations in future years may continue to be adversely
affected by environmental pollution and asbestos claims and claim expenses.
Management will continue to monitor these liabilities and make further
adjustments as warranted.
The following table provides additional data related to CNA's environmental
pollution and asbestos-related claims reserves.
Reserve Summary
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
December 31, ---------------------- ----------------------
Environmental Environmental
Pollution Asbestos Pollution Asbestos
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(In millions of dollars)
Reported claims:
Gross reserves $279 $1,384 $289 $1,551
Less reinsurance recoverable (36) (117) (95) (139)
---------------------------------------------
Net reported claims 243 1,267 194 1,412
Net unreported claims 530 133 714 94
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net reserves $773 $1,400 $908 $1,506
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
TOBACCO LITIGATION
CNA's primary property/casualty subsidiaries have been named as defendants
as part of a direct action lawsuit, Richard P. Ieyoub v. The American Tobacco
Company, et al. The case was filed by the Attorney General for the State of
Louisiana, in state court, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. In that suit, filed
against certain tobacco manufacturers and distributors (the Tobacco
Defendants) and over 100 insurance companies, the State of Louisiana seeks to
recover medical expenses allegedly incurred by the State as a result of
tobacco-related illnesses.
S-7
<PAGE>
The original suit was filed on March 13, 1996 against the Tobacco Defendants
only. The insurance companies were added to the suit in March 1997 under a
direct action statute in Louisiana. Under the direct action statute, the
Louisiana Attorney General is pursuing liability claims against the Tobacco
Defendants and their insurers in the same suit, even though none of the
Tobacco Defendants has made a claim for insurance coverage.
Recently, the United States District Court for the Western District of
Louisiana, Lake Charles Division, granted a petition to remove this litigation
to the federal district court. The District Court's decision is currently on
appeal to the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. During the pending
appeal, all proceedings in state court and in the federal district court are
stayed. Because of the uncertainties inherent in assessing the risk of
liability at this very early stage of the litigation, management is unable to
make a meaningful estimate of the
amount or range of any loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of
the pending litigation. However, management believes that the ultimate outcome
of the pending litigation should not materially affect the results of
operations or equity of CNA.
MARKET RISK
"Market risk" is a broadly defined term which includes exposure to economic
losses due to adverse changes in the fair value of a financial instrument.
Market risk is inherent to all financial instruments, and accordingly, the
Company's risk management policies and procedures address all market risk
sensitive financial instruments.
A significant component of market risk is price risk. Price risk relates to
changes in the level of prices due to changes in interest rates, equity
prices, foreign exchange rates or other factors that relate to market
volatility of the rate, index, or price underlying the financial instrument.
The Company's primary market risk exposures are to changes in interest rates,
although the Company has certain exposures to changes in equity prices and
foreign currency exchange rates.
Active management of market risk is integral to the Company's operations.
The Company may use the following tools to manage its exposure to market risk
within defined tolerance ranges: 1) change the character of future investments
purchased or sold, 2) use derivatives to offset the market behavior of
existing assets and liabilities or assets expected to be purchased and
liabilities to be incurred or 3) rebalance its existing asset and liability
portfolios.
The Company classifies its market risk sensitive instruments as being held
for purposes other than trading. The Company does not generally hold or issue
derivatives for trading purposes.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company has exposure to economic losses due to interest rate risk,
arising from changes in the level or volatility of market interest rates. The
Company attempts to mitigate its exposure to interest rate risk through active
portfolio management. The Company may also reduce this risk by utilizing
instruments such as interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, commitments to
purchase securities, options, futures and forwards. This exposure is also
mitigated, where appropriate, by the Company's asset/liability matching
strategy.
Equity Price Risk
The Company is exposed to equity price risk as a result of its investment in
equity securities and equity derivatives. Equity price risk results from
changes in the level or volatility of equity prices which affect the value of
equity securities or instruments which derive their value from such securities
or indexes. CNA attempts to mitigate its exposure to such risks by limiting
its investment in any one security or index.
S-8
<PAGE>
Foreign Exchange Risk
Foreign exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in
foreign currency exchange rates will impact the value of financial
instruments. The Company has foreign exchange exposure when it buys or sells
foreign currencies or financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency.
The Company's foreign transactions are primarily denominated in Canadian
Dollars, British Pounds, German Deutschemarks, and Japanese Yen. This exposure
is mitigated by the Company's asset/liability matching strategy and through
the use of forwards for those instruments which are not matched.
IMPACT OF YEAR 2000
The widespread use of computer programs, both in the United States and
internationally, that rely on two digit date fields to perform computations
and decision making functions may cause computer systems to malfunction when
processing information involving dates after 1999. Such malfunctions could
lead to business delays and disruptions. The Company is in the process of
replacing many of its legacy systems and is upgrading its systems to
accommodate business for the year 2000 and beyond. The Company believes that
it will be able to resolve the year 2000 issue in a timely manner. Based upon
its current assessment, the Company estimates that the total cost to replace
and upgrade its systems to accommodate year 2000 processing will be
approximately $60 to $70 million. However, due to the interdependent nature of
computer systems, the Company may be adversely impacted depending upon whether
it or other entities not affiliated with the Company (vendors and business
partners) address this issue successfully. To mitigate this impact, the
Company is communicating with its vendors and business partners to coordinate
the year 2000 conversion.
In addition, property/casualty insurance companies may have an underwriting
exposure related to year 2000. Although CNA has not received any claims for
coverage from its policyholders based on losses resulting from year 2000
issues, there can be no assurance that policyholders will not suffer losses of
this type and seek compensation under CNA's insurance policies. If any claims
are made, coverage, if any, will depend on the facts and circumstances of the
claim and the provisions of the policy. At this time, the Company is unable to
determine whether the adverse impact, if any, in connection with the foregoing
circumstances would be material to the Company.
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE
The Company is a holding company and derives its operating income and
operating cash flow from its subsidiaries. The Company relies upon
distributions from its subsidiaries as well as returns on its cash and
invested assets to generate the funds necessary to meet its obligations,
including the payment of principal and interest on the Debt Securities (such
as the Notes) and dividends on the Company's preferred stock. The ability of
the Company's subsidiaries to make such payments will be subject to, among
other things, applicable state laws and any restrictions that may be contained
in credit agreements or other financing arrangements entered into by such
subsidiaries. Claims of creditors of the Company's subsidiaries will generally
have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over the claims of the
Company and the holders of the Company's indebtedness and capital stock,
including the Notes and preferred stock.
The insurance industry is subject to comprehensive and detailed regulation
and supervision throughout the United States. Each state has established
supervisory agencies with broad administrative power relative to licensing
insurers and agents, approving policy forms, establishing reserve
requirements, fixing minimum interest rates for accumulation of surrender
values and maximum interest rates of policy loans, prescribing the form and
content of statutory financial reports, payment of dividends by insurance
subsidiaries and regulating solvency and the type and amount of investments
permitted. Regulatory powers also extend to premium rate regulations which
require that rates not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. In
addition to regulations discussed above, intercompany transfers of assets may
be subject to prior notice to or approval by various insurance regulatory
bodies, depending on the size of such transfers and payments in relation to
the financial position of the insurance affiliates making the transfer.
S-9
<PAGE>
The payment of dividends to the Company by its insurance affiliates without
prior approval of the affiliates' domiciliary state insurance commissioners is
limited to amounts determined by formula in accordance with the accounting
practices prescribed or permitted by the states' insurance departments. This
formula varies by state. The formula for the majority of the states is the
greater of 10% of prior year statutory surplus or prior year
statutory net income, less the aggregate of all dividends paid during the
twelve months prior to date of payment. Some states, however, have an
additional stipulation that dividends cannot exceed prior year earned surplus.
Based upon the various state formulas, approximately $677 million in dividends
can be paid to CNAF by its insurance affiliates in 1998 without prior
approval. All dividends must be reported to the domiciliary insurance
department prior to declaration and payment.
In addition to regulation of dividends by insurance subsidiaries, the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) developed industry
minimum Risk-Based Capital (RBC) requirements, established a formal state
accreditation process designed to more closely regulate for solvency,
minimized the diversity of approved statutory accounting and actuarial
practices and increased the annual statutory statement disclosure
requirements.
The RBC formulas are designed to identify an insurer's minimum capital
requirements based upon the inherent risks (e.g., asset default, credit and
underwriting) of its operations. In addition to the minimum capital
requirements, the RBC formula and related regulations identify various levels
of capital adequacy and corresponding actions that the state insurance
departments should initiate. The level of capital adequacy below which
insurance departments would take action is defined as the Company Action
Level. As of December 31, 1997, all of CNA's property/casualty and life
insurance affiliates have adjusted capital amounts in excess of Company Action
Levels.
No assurance can be given that there will not be further regulatory actions
restricting the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to pay dividends and,
accordingly, that funds held by the Company's subsidiaries will be available
to the Company for payment of principal or interest on the Debt Securities
(including the Notes) or for payment of dividends on preferred stock.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The following description of the particular terms of the Notes (referred to
in the Prospectus as the "Senior Debt Securities" and the "Offered
Securities") supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces,
the description of the general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities set
forth in the Prospectus, dated August 22, 1997 (the "Prospectus"), to which
reference is hereby made.
GENERAL
The Notes are to be issued under an indenture, dated as of March 1, 1991, as
supplemented by a supplemental indenture dated as of October 15, 1993 (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as
trustee (the "Trustee"). The Company believes that the following summary of
certain provisions of the Indenture, together with the "Description of Senior
Debt Securities" contained in the Prospectus, is a complete discussion of all
material terms of the Indenture. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined under
the heading "Description of the Notes" have the meanings given to them in the
Prospectus and the Indenture.
The aggregate principal amount of the Notes will be $500,000,000 and the
Notes will mature on April 15, 2005. The Notes will not be redeemable prior to
maturity. The Notes will be unsecured and will rank pari passu with all other
unsecured senior indebtedness of the Company from time to time outstanding. As
of December 31, 1997, the Company had $1,725 million of senior indebtedness
outstanding, none of which was secured indebtedness. In addition, the
Company's subsidiaries had $925 million of indebtedness outstanding as of
December 31, 1997, which would be structurally senior to the Notes. See "Risk
Factors--Holding Company
S-10
<PAGE>
Structure." The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of
Debt Securities that may be issued and provides that Debt Securities may be
issued from time to time in one or more series.
The Notes will bear interest at 6.50% per annum from April 20, 1998 or from
the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or
provided for, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of
each year, commencing October 15, 1998 (each an "Interest Payment Date"), to
the persons in whose names such Notes were registered at the close of business
on the next preceding March 31 and September 30, whether or not a Business Day
(as defined below) (each a "Regular Record Date"), respectively. Interest on
the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve
30-day months.
Interest payable on a Note on any Interest Payment Date or at maturity shall
be the amount of interest accrued from and including the next preceding
Interest Payment Date in respect of which interest has been paid or provided
for (or from and including April 20, 1998, if no interest has been paid or
provided for with respect to such Note) to, but excluding, the Interest
Payment Date or the date of maturity, as the case may be. If any Interest
Payment Date or the maturity date of a Note falls on a day that is not a
Business Day, the payment shall be made on the next Business Day as if it were
made on the date such payment was due and no interest shall accrue on the
amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or
the maturity date, as the case may be. "Business Day" means any day, other
than a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or other day on which banks in The
City of New York are required or authorized by law, regulation or executive
order to close.
The provisions of Article Three of the Indenture relating to defeasance,
described in the Prospectus under "Description of Senior Debt Securities--
Defeasance," are applicable to the Notes.
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
Settlement for the Notes will be made by the Underwriters in immediately
available funds. All payments of principal and interest will be made by the
Company in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds.
The Notes will trade in the Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement System
until maturity, and secondary market trading activity in the Notes will
therefore be required by the Depositary to settle in immediately available
funds.
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
The Notes will be represented by Global Securities registered in the name of
the nominee of the Depositary. Beneficial interests in each Global Security
will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records
maintained by the Depositary (with respect to beneficial interests of
participants) or by participants or persons that hold interests through
participants (with respect to beneficial interests of owners). Owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be entitled to physical
delivery of Notes in certificated form equal in principal amount to their
respective beneficial interests only under limited circumstances as specified
in the Prospectus.
The following is based on information furnished by the Depositary: The
Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York
Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York
Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation"
within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing
agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Depositary holds securities that its
participants ("Participants") deposit with the Depositary. The Depositary also
facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities transactions, such
as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants
of the Depositary ("Direct Participants") include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. The
S-11
<PAGE>
Depositary is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the New York
Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the Depositary's system is
also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and
trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to the
Depositary and its Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement
(the "Underwriting Agreement") among the Company and Lehman Brothers Inc.,
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,
Salomon Brothers Inc and ABN AMRO Incorporated (the "Underwriters"), the
Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters have
severally agreed to purchase, the respective principal amounts of the Notes
set forth opposite their names below. The Underwriting Agreement provides that
the obligations of the Underwriters are subject to certain conditions
precedent and that the Underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the
Notes if any are purchased.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF
UNDERWRITER NOTES
----------- ------------
<S> <C>
Lehman Brothers Inc......................................... $117,000,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co......................................... 116,500,000
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated............................................... 116,500,000
Salomon Brothers Inc........................................ 116,500,000
ABN AMRO Incorporated....................................... 33,500,000
------------
Total.................................................. $500,000,000
============
</TABLE>
The Underwriters have advised the Company that they propose initially to
offer the Notes to the public at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and to certain dealers at such
prices less a concession not in excess of .375% of the principal amount of the
Notes. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount
not in excess of .150% of the principal amount of the Notes to certain other
dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering prices,
concessions and discounts may be changed.
The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that they intend to make a
market in the Notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue
such market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to
the development or liquidity of a trading market for the Notes.
Until the distribution of the Notes is completed, rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of the Underwriters to bid for
and purchase the Notes. As an exception to these rules, Lehman Brothers Inc.
("Lehman Brothers"), as representative, will be permitted to engage in certain
transactions that stabilize the price of the Notes. Such transactions consist
of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the
price of the Notes.
If the Underwriters create a short position in the Notes in connection with
this offering, i.e., if they sell a greater principal amount of the Notes than
is set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, Lehman Brothers
may reduce that short position by purchasing Notes in the open market.
In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to
reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher
than it might be in the absence of such purchases.
Neither the Company nor the Underwriters make any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the
transactions described above may have on the prices of the Notes. In addition,
S-12
<PAGE>
neither the Company nor the Underwriters make any representation that Lehman
Brothers will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once
commenced, will be discontinued without notice.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
From time to time the Underwriters or affiliates thereof have engaged and
may in the future engage in investment banking or commercial banking
transactions with the Company or its affiliates in the ordinary course of
business.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the Notes will be passed upon for the Company by Jonathan D.
Kantor, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company,
and by Mayer, Brown & Platt, Chicago, Illinois, and for the Underwriters by
Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and the related consolidated financial
statement schedules, as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, appearing in CNAF's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their reports
thereon incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given upon the
authority of Deloitte & Touche LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.
S-13
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
$1,000,000,000
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
DEBT SECURITIES
CNA Financial Corporation (the "Company") may offer from time to time its
debt securities consisting of debentures, notes and/or other evidences of
senior unsecured indebtedness (the "Senior Debt Securities"), subordinated
unsecured debt securities ("Subordinated Debt Securities," and together with
the Senior Debt Securities, the "Debt Securities"), or shares of preferred
stock ("Preferred Stock," and together with the Debt Securities, the
"Securities"). The Debt Securities and shares of Preferred Stock may be
offered as separate series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined
at the time of sale and to be set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus (a
"Prospectus Supplement"). The Debt Securities may be offered in one or more
series with the same or various maturities, at par or with an original issue
discount and may be denominated either in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies,
including the European Currency Units ("ECU"). The Securities will be sold
directly, through agents designated from time to time or through one or more
underwriters or dealers, or a group of underwriters. see "Plan of
Distribution."
Certain terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered (the "Offered Securities"), such as (i) in the case of the Debt
Securities, the specific designation, currency in which the debt Securities
are denominated, aggregate principal amount, denominations, maturity (which
may be fixed or extendible), interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or
variable), if any, and time of payment of interest, if any, terms for
redemption at the option of the Company or the holder, terms for exchange at
the option of the Company or the holder into common stock of the Company,
terms for sinking or purchase fund payment, and the application, if any, of
restrictive covenants or events of default that are in addition to or
different from those described herein, (ii) in the case of the Preferred
Stock, the specific title, number of shares or fractional interests therein,
any dividend, liquidation, redemption, exchange, voting and other rights,
preferences and privileges, and (iii) in the case of any Security, the public
offering price, the names of any underwriters or agents, the amounts to be
purchased by underwriters and the compensation of such underwriters or agents,
and the other terms in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered
Securities, in each case, will be set forth in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. See "Description of Securities." The Prospectus Supplement will
also contain information, where applicable, about certain United States
federal income tax considerations relating to Offered Securities covered by
the Prospectus Supplement. All or a portion of the Securities may be issued in
permanent or temporary global form (each a "Global Security").
The Debt Securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and
future obligations of the Company's subsidiaries, including claims of
policyholders of the Company's insurance subsidiaries. The Company's
subsidiaries had approximately $791.1 million aggregate principal amount of
total indebtedness for borrowed money outstanding as of June 30, 1997. In
addition, as of June 30, 1997, approximately $1,724.4 million aggregate
principal amount of existing indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company
would rank pari passu with the Senior Debt Securities and senior to the
Subordinated Debt Securities. As of June 30, 1997, the Company had $247.1
million in aggregate principal amount of existing indebtedness for borrowed
money that would rank pari passu with the Subordinated Debt Securities.
----------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURI-
TIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATIONS
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
----------------
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS
ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
----------------
The date of this Prospectus is August 22, 1997.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the Public Reference Room of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Seven World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, New York, New York 10048, and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such materials can be obtained
at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or from the Commission's worldwide
web site at http://www.sec.gov. Documents filed by the Company can also be
inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "New York
Stock Exchange"), 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, the Chicago Stock
Exchange, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605 and the Pacific
Stock Exchange, 301 Pine Street, San Francisco, California 94104.
This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(the "Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Commission under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to the
Securities offered hereby. This Prospectus omits certain of the information
contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement and to the exhibits thereto for further information
with respect to the Company and the Securities offered hereby. Any statements
contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the
Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such
reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (file no.
1-5823) are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference and hereby made a
part hereof:
1. The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated August 5, 1997;
2. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996, as amended; and
3. The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters
ended March 31, 1997 and June 30, 1997.
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant
to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the
termination of the offering of the Securities, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the
filing of such reports and documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent
that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document
which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such
person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by
reference, other than exhibits to such documents (except for exhibits that are
specifically incorporated by reference herein). Requests for such copies
should be directed to the Company's principal executive offices located at CNA
Plaza, 43S, Chicago, Illinois 60685, Attention: Secretary (telephone (312)
822-5000).
----------------
NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OR IN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT. THIS
PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AT ANY TIME DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN
IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
2
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
CNA Financial Corporation ("CNA") was incorporated in 1967 as the parent
company of Continental Casualty Company ("CCC"), incorporated in 1897, and
Continental Assurance Company ("CAC"), incorporated in 1911. In 1975, CAC
became a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCC. On May 10, 1995, CNA acquired all the
outstanding common stock of The Continental Corporation ("Continental") and it
became a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNA. The Continental Corporation, a New
York corporation incorporated in 1968, is an insurance holding company. Its
principal subsidiary, The Continental Insurance Company ("CIC") was organized
in 1853. The principal business of Continental is the ownership of a group of
property and casualty insurance companies.
CNA's property and casualty insurance operations are conducted by CCC and
its property and casualty insurance affiliates and CIC and its property and
casualty insurance affiliates. Life insurance operations are conducted by CAC
and its life insurance affiliates. CNA's principal business is insurance
conducted through its insurance subsidiaries. As multiple-line insurers, the
insurance companies underwrite property, casualty, life and accident and
health coverages, as well as pension products and annuities. Their principal
market for insurance products is the United States.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, a
portion of the net proceeds will be used to pay down borrowings outstanding
under the Company's revolving credit facility and/or commercial paper program.
The revolving credit facility matures in May 2001, and bears interest at the
rate of LIBOR plus .25% (5.89% as of July 31, 1997). The remaining proceeds
will be added to the Company's general funds and used for general corporate
purposes, which may include, but are not limited to, prepayment of other debt,
and capital contributions to the Company's subsidiaries to strengthen such
subsidiaries' continuing operations.
DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under an Indenture, dated March 1,
1991, between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
banking association, as trustee (referred to herein under the caption
"Description of Senior Debt Securities" as the "Trustee"), as supplemented by
a supplemental indenture, dated as of October 15, 1993 (as so supplemented,
the "Senior Indenture"), copies of which are incorporated by reference as or
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. The Company believes that the
following summary of certain provisions of the Senior Indenture is a complete
discussion of all material terms necessary to understand the Senior Indenture.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined under the heading "Description of
Senior Debt Securities" have the meaning given to them in the Senior
Indenture. As used in this section "Description of Senior Debt Securities,"
unless the context indicates otherwise, the term "Company" means CNA Financial
Corporation and does not include any of its subsidiaries.
GENERAL
The Senior Debt Securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. As of June 30, 1997, approximately
$1,724.4 million aggregate principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money
of the Company would rank pari passu with the Senior Debt Securities. The
Senior Indenture does not limit the amount of debt, either secured or
unsecured, that may be issued by the Company under the Senior Indenture or
otherwise. The Senior Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series with
the same or various maturities and may be sold at par, a premium or an
original issue discount. Senior Debt Securities sold at an original issue
discount may bear no interest or interest at a rate that is below market
rates.
Because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company, and
hence the rights of creditors and shareholders of the Company, to participate
in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its
3
<PAGE>
liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is accordingly subject to prior
claims of creditors of the subsidiary and (in the case of an insurance
subsidiary) its policyholders, except to the extent that claims of the Company
itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. The subsidiaries are
separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligations, contingent or
otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the Senior Debt Securities or to
make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other
payments. The payment of dividends or the making of loans and advances to the
Company by its subsidiaries may be subject to statutory restrictions, are
contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to
insurance regulations and various business considerations.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for the following terms of
the offered Senior Debt Securities (to the extent such terms are applicable to
such Senior Debt Securities): (i) the title of such Senior Debt Securities or
the particular series thereof; (ii) any limit on the aggregate principal
amount of such Senior Debt Securities; (iii) whether such Senior Debt
Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities or Bearer Securities or
both, whether any of such Senior Debt Securities are to be issuable initially
in temporary global form and whether any of such Senior Debt Securities are to
be issuable in permanent global form; (iv) the price or prices (generally
expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which
such Senior Debt Securities will be issued; (v) the date or dates on which
such Senior Debt Securities will mature; (vi) the rate or rates per annum, or
the formula by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such
Senior Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, the dates from which any
such interest will accrue and the circumstances, if any, under which such
interest rate or interest rate formula may be reset at the option of the
Company; (vii) the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest on such
Senior Debt Securities will be payable, the Regular Record Date for any
interest payable on such Senior Debt Securities that are Registered Securities
on any Interest Payment Date, and the extent to which, or the manner in which
any interest payable on a Global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be
paid if other than in the manner described below under "Global Securities;"
(viii) the person to whom any Registered Security of such series will be
payable, if other than the person in whose name such Senior Debt Security (or
one or more predecessor Senior Debt Securities) is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the manner in
which, or the person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of such
series will be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of
the coupons thereto; (ix) if other than the principal amount of such Senior
Debt Securities, the portion of the principal amount of such Senior Debt
Securities which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
maturity thereof or provable in bankruptcy; (x) any mandatory or optional
sinking fund or analogous provisions; (xi) each office or agency where,
subject to the terms of the Senior Indenture as described below under
"Payments and Paying Agents," the principal of and any interest on such Senior
Debt Securities will be payable and each office or agency where, subject to
the terms of the Senior Indenture as described below under "Denominations,
Registration and Transfer," such Senior Debt Securities may be presented for
registration of transfer or exchange; (xii) the date, if any, after which and
the price or prices at which such Senior Debt Securities may, pursuant to any
optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, in whole or in part,
and the other detailed terms and provisions of any such optional or mandatory
redemption provisions; (xiii) the denominations in which such Senior Debt
Securities which are Registered Securities will be issuable, if other than
denominations of U.S. $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and the
denomination in which such Senior Debt Securities which are Bearer Securities
will be issuable, if other than denominations of U.S. $5,000; (xiv) the
currency or currencies of payment of principal of and any premium and interest
on such Senior Debt Securities; (xv) any index used to determine the amount of
payments of principal of and any interest on such Senior Debt Securities;
(xvi) the application, if any, of any restrictive covenants or events of
default that are in addition to or different from those described herein;
(xvii) the form of such Senior Debt Security; and (xviii) any other terms and
provisions of such Senior Debt Securities not inconsistent with the terms and
provisions of the Senior Indenture. Any such Prospectus Supplement will also
describe any special provisions for the payment of additional amounts with
respect to such Senior Debt Securities. Senior Debt Securities of any series
may be issued in one or more tranches as described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
If the purchase price of any of the offered Senior Debt Securities is
denominated in a foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or
units or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of
4
<PAGE>
Senior Debt Securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or
foreign currency unit or units, the restrictions, elections, general tax
considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to such
issue of Senior Debt Securities and such foreign currency or currencies or
foreign currency unit or units will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
The Senior Debt Securities will be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer
Securities or both. Senior Debt Securities may be issuable in the form of one
or more Global Securities, as described below under "Global Securities."
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Registered
Securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only in denominations of
$1,000 or any integral multiple thereof and Bearer Securities denominated in
U.S. dollars will be issued only in denominations of $5,000 with coupons
attached. A Global Security will be issued in a denomination equal to the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Debt Securities represented
by such Global Security. The Prospectus Supplement relating to Senior Debt
Securities denominated in a foreign or composite currency will specify the
denominations thereof.
In connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed
or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States (as defined below
under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Security") and a Bearer Security may
be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the person
entitled to receive such Bearer Security furnishes written certification, in
the form required by the Senior Indenture, to the effect that such Bearer
Security is not being acquired by or on behalf of a United States person (as
defined below under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities"), or, if a
beneficial interest in such Bearer Security is being acquired by or on behalf
of a United States person, that such United States person is a financial
institution (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v)) that
is purchasing for its own account or for the account of a customer and which
agrees to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of
the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and
the regulations thereunder. See "Global Securities" and "Limitations on
Issuance of Bearer Securities" below.
Registered Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other
Registered Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal
amount and tenor of different authorized denominations. In addition, if Senior
Debt Securities of any series are issuable as both Registered Securities and
as Bearer Securities, at the option of the holder upon request confirmed in
writing, and subject to the terms of the Senior Indenture, Bearer Securities
(with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons
in default attached) of such series will be exchangeable for Registered
Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like
aggregate principal amount and tenor. Unless otherwise indicated in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement, any Bearer Security surrendered in exchange
for a Registered Security between a record date and the relevant date for
payment of interest shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such
date for payment of interest attached and interest will not be payable in
respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer
Security, but will be payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in
accordance with the terms of the Senior Indenture. Except as provided in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement, Bearer Securities will not be issued in
exchange for Registered Securities.
Senior Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above, and
Registered Securities (other than a Global Security) may be presented for
registration of transfer (with the form of transfer duly executed), at the
office of the security registrar designated by the Company or at the office of
any transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose with respect to
any series of Senior Debt Securities and referred to in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes
and other governmental charges as described in the Senior Indenture. Such
transfer or exchange will be effected upon the security registrar or such
transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of
title and identity of the person making the request. The Company has initially
appointed the Trustee as the security registrar under the Senior Indenture. If
a Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer agent (in addition to the
security registrar) initially designated by the Company with respect to any
series of Senior Debt Securities, the Company may at any time rescind the
designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location
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through which any such transfer agent acts, except that, if Senior Debt
Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company
will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for
such series and, if Senior Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer
Securities, the Company will be required to maintain (in addition to the
security registrar) a transfer agent in a Place of Payment for such series
located outside the United States. The Company may at any time designate
additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Senior Debt
Securities.
In the event of any redemption in part, the Company shall not be required to
(i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange Senior Debt Securities of any
series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the
day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Senior Debt Securities of that
series selected to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on (a) if
Senior Debt Securities of the series are issuable only as Registered
Securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, and (b)
if Senior Debt Securities of the series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the
day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if
Senior Debt Securities of that series are also issuable as Registered
Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of
redemption; (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security,
or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of
any Registered Security being redeemed in part; or (iii) exchange any Bearer
Security called for redemption, except to exchange such Bearer Security for a
Registered Security of that series and like tenor which is immediately
surrendered for redemption.
PAYMENTS AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of and any interest on Registered Securities (other than a Global
Security) will be made at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as
the Company may designate from time to time, except that, at the option of the
Company, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of
the payee entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security
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 Registered Security is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest payment.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of and any premium and interest on Bearer Securities will be
payable (subject to applicable laws and regulations) at the offices of such
Paying Agent or Paying Agents outside the United States as the Company may
designate from time to time, except that, at the option of the Company,
payment of any interest may be made by check or by wire transfer to an account
maintained by the payee outside the United States. Unless otherwise indicated
in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest on Bearer
Securities on any Interest Payment Date 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
wire transfer to an account maintained in the United States. Payments will not
be made in respect of Bearer Securities or coupons appertaining thereto
pursuant to presentation to the Company or its Paying Agents within the United
States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment of principal of and any
interest on Bearer Securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars will be
made at the office of the Company's Paying Agent in the United States if, and
only if, payment of the full amount thereof in U.S. dollars at all offices or
agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by
exchange controls or other similar restrictions and the Company has delivered
to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to that effect.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal office of the Trustee in The City of New York will be designated as
the Company's sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Senior Debt
Securities which are issuable solely as Registered Securities. Any Paying
Agent outside the United States and any other Paying Agent in the United
States initially designated by the Company for the Senior Debt Securities will
be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time
designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying
Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts,
except that, if Senior Debt Securities of a series are issuable only as
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Registered Securities, the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent
in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Senior Debt Securities of a
series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will be required to
maintain (i) a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for such series in the
United States for payments with respect to any Registered Securities of such
series (and for payments with respect to Bearer Securities of such series in
the circumstances described above, but not otherwise), (ii) a Paying Agent in
each Place of Payment located outside the United States where Senior Debt
Securities of such series and any coupons appertaining thereto may be
presented and surrendered for payment; provided that if the Senior Debt
Securities of such series are listed on The International Stock Exchange,
London or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located
outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the
Company will maintain a Paying Agent in London or Luxembourg City or any other
required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, for
Senior Debt Securities of such series, and (iii) a Paying Agent in each Place
of Payment located outside the United States where (subject to applicable laws
and regulations) Registered Securities of such series may be surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon
the Company may be served.
All monies paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of
principal of and any interest on any Senior Debt Security that remains
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest
shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the Company and thereafter
the holder of such Senior Debt Security or any coupon appertaining thereto
will look only to the Company for payment thereof.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The Senior Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in
the form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on
behalf of, a depository (the "Depository") identified in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities may be issued only in
fully registered
form and may be issued in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until
it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Senior Debt Securities
represented thereby, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a
whole by the Depository for such Global Security to a nominee of such
Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another
nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any nominee of such
Depository to a successor Depository or any nominee of such successor.
The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of
Senior Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to such series. The Company anticipates that the following provisions will
generally apply to depository arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depository for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and
transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual Senior Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security to the accounts of persons that
have accounts with such Depository ("Participants"). Such accounts shall be
designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to such Senior
Debt Securities or by the Company if such Senior Debt Securities are offered
and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in a
Global Security will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold
interests through Participants. Ownership of beneficial 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 Depository or its
nominee (with respect to interests of Participants) and records of
Participants (with respect to interests of persons who hold through
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 own, pledge or transfer
beneficial interest in a Global Security.
So long as the Depository for a Global Security or its nominee is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Senior
Debt Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the
Senior Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in
a Global Security will not be entitled to have any of the individual Senior
Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global Security registered
in their names,
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will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such
Senior Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the Securities Indenture.
Payments of principal of and any premium and any interest on individual
Senior Debt Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the name
of a Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its nominee,
as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security
representing such Senior Debt Securities. None of the Company, the Trustee,
any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar for such Senior 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 in
the Global Security for such Senior Debt Securities or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests.
The Company expects that the Depository for a series of Senior 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
Senior Debt Securities, immediately will credit Participants' accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal amount of such Global Security for such Senior Debt Securities
as shown on the records of such Depository 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.
If a Depository for a series of Senior Debt Securities is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor
depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will
issue individual Senior Debt Securities of such series in exchange for the
Global Security representing such series of Senior Debt Securities. In
addition, the Company may, at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to
any limitations described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Senior
Debt Securities, determine not to have any Senior Debt Securities of such
series represented by one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will
issue individual Senior Debt Securities of such series in exchange for the
Global Security or Securities representing such series of Senior Debt
Securities. Individual Senior Debt Securities of such series so issued will be
issued in denominations, unless otherwise specified by the Company, of $1,000
and integral multiples thereof.
LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES
In compliance with United States federal tax laws and regulations, Bearer
Securities may not be offered, sold, resold or delivered in connection with
their original issuance in the United States or to United States persons (each
as defined below) other than to a Qualifying Branch of a United States
Financial Institution (as defined below), and any underwriters, agents and
dealers participating in the offering of Senior Debt Securities must agree
that they will not offer any Bearer Securities for sale or resale in the
United States or to United States persons (other than a Qualifying Branch of a
United States Financial Institution) nor deliver Bearer Securities within the
United States. In addition, any such underwriters, agents and dealers must
agree to send confirmations to each purchaser of a Bearer Security confirming
that such purchaser represents that it is not a United States person or is a
Qualifying Branch of a United States Financial Institution and, if such person
is a dealer, that it will send similar confirmations to purchasers from it.
The term "Qualifying Foreign Branch of a United States Financial Institution"
means a branch located outside the United States of a United States securities
clearing organization, bank or other financial institution listed under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) that agrees to comply with the
requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder.
Bearer Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will bear a legend
substantially to the following effect: "Any United States person who holds
this obligation will be subject to limitations under the United States income
tax laws, including the limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code." Under Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Code,
holders that are United States persons, with certain exceptions, will not be
entitled to deduct any loss on Bearer Securities and must treat as ordinary
income any gain realized on the sale or other disposition (including the
receipt of principal) of Bearer Securities.
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The term "United States person" means a citizen or resident of the United
States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof,
an estate or, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1997, a trust the
income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless
of its source or, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996, a trust
if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, and the term
"United States" means the United States of America (including the states and
the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas
subject to its jurisdiction (including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico).
DEFEASANCE
The Senior Indenture provides that the Company will be discharged from any
and all obligations in respect of the Senior Debt Securities of any series
(except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Senior
Debt Securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Senior
Debt Securities of such series, to maintain paying agencies and to hold monies
for payment in trust) upon the deposit with the Trustee for such series of
Senior Debt Securities in trust of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations
(as defined below) which through the payment of interest and principal in
respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of and each installment of interest, if any,
on the Senior Debt Securities of such series on the maturity of such payments
in accordance with the terms of the Senior Indenture and the Senior Debt
Securities of such series. Such a trust may only be established if, among
other things, the Company has delivered to such Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
(who may be counsel for the Company) to the effect that (i) holders of the
Senior Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and
discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in
the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such
deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, and (ii) the Senior Debt
Securities of such series, if then listed on The New York Stock Exchange, will
not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge.
The Senior Indenture provides that, if applicable, the Company may omit to
comply with any additional restrictive covenants imposed on the Company in
connection with the establishment of any series of Senior Debt Securities and
that clause (d) under "Events of Default" with respect to such restrictive
covenants and clause (e) under "Events of Default" shall not be deemed to be an
Event of Default under the Senior Indenture and the Senior Debt Securities of
any series, upon the deposit with the Trustee under the Senior Indenture, in
trust of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of
interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, and each
installment of interest, if any, on the Senior Debt Securities of such series on
the maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Senior
Indenture and the Senior Debt Securities of such series. The obligations of the
Company under the Senior Indenture and Senior Debt Securities of such series
other than with respect to the covenants referred to above and the Events of
Default other than the Events of Default referred to above shall remain in full
force and effect. Such a trust may only be established if, among other things,
the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (who may be
counsel for the Company) to the effect that (i) the holders of the Senior Debt
Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain
covenants and Events of Default and will be subject to federal income tax on the
same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been
the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred, and (ii) the Senior
Debt Securities of such series, if then listed on The New York Stock Exchange,
will not be delisted as a result of such deposit and defeasance.
In the event the Company exercises its option to omit compliance with
certain covenants of the Senior Indenture with respect to the Senior Debt
Securities of any series as described above and the Senior Debt Securities of
such series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any
Event of Default other
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than an Event of Default described in clauses (d) or (e) under "Events of
Default," the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with
the Trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the Senior Debt
Securities of such series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be
sufficient to pay amounts due on the Senior Debt Securities of such series at
the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However,
the Company will remain liable for such payments.
The term "U.S. Government Obligation" means direct noncallable obligations
of, or noncallable obligations guaranteed by, the United States or an agency
thereof for the payment of which guarantee or obligation, the full faith and
credit of the United States is pledged.
MODIFICATION OF THE SENIOR INDENTURE
The Senior Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority of the principal amount
of the Senior Debt Securities of each series then outstanding, to execute
supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating
any of the provisions of the Senior Indenture or modifying the rights of the
holders of the Senior Debt Securities of such series, except that no such
supplemental indenture may, among other things, (i) extend the final maturity
of any Senior Debt Securities, or reduce the rate or extend the time of
payment of interest thereon, or reduce the principal amount thereof, impair
the right to institute suit for payment thereof or reduce any amount payable
upon any redemption thereof without the consent of the holder of the Senior
Debt Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Senior
Debt Securities, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such
supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of all outstanding
Senior Debt Securities. The Board of Directors of the Company does not have
the power to waive any of the covenants of the Senior Indenture including
those relating to consolidation, merger or sale of assets.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An Event of Default with respect to any series of Senior Debt Securities is
defined in the Senior Indenture as being: (a) default by the Company for 30
days in the payment of any installment of interest on the Senior Debt
Securities of such series; (b) default by the Company in the payment of any
principal on the Senior Debt Securities of such series; (c) default by the
Company in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to such
series of Senior Debt Securities; (d) default by the Company in the
performance of any of the agreements in the Indenture contained therein for
the benefit of the Senior Debt Securities of such series which shall not have
been remedied within a period of 60 days after receipt of written notice by
the Company from the Trustee for such series of Senior Debt Securities or by
the Company and such Trustee from the holders of not less than 25% in
principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of such series then
outstanding; (e) with respect to any series of Senior Debt Securities (unless
otherwise specified in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement), the
acceleration, or failure to pay at maturity, of any indebtedness for money
borrowed of the Company exceeding $20,000,000 in principal amount, which
acceleration is not rescinded or annulled or indebtedness paid within 15 days
after the date on which written notice thereof shall have first been given to
the Company as provided in the Senior Indenture; (f) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company; or (g) any other
Event of Default established in accordance with the Senior Indenture with
respect to any series of Senior Debt Securities. No Event of Default (other
than an Event of Default under clause (f)) described above with respect to a
particular series of Senior Debt Securities necessarily constitutes an Event
of Default with respect to any other series of Senior Debt Securities.
The Senior Indenture provides that if an Event of Default with respect to
any series of Senior Debt Securities shall have occurred and be continuing,
either the Trustee with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of that series
or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Senior Debt
Securities of that series then outstanding may declare the principal amount
(or, if the Senior Debt Securities of that series were sold at an original
issue discount, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in
the terms of that series) of all the Senior Debt Securities of that series and
interest, if any, accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately, but upon
certain conditions such declaration may be annulled and past defaults (except,
unless
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theretofore cured, a default in payment of principal of or interest on Senior
Debt Securities of that series) may be waived by the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Senior Debt Securities of that series then
outstanding.
The Senior Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee with respect
to any series of Senior Debt Securities, subject to the duty of the Trustee
during default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by
the holders of Senior Debt Securities of such series before proceeding to
exercise any right or power under the Senior Indenture at the request of the
holders of such Senior Debt Securities. The Senior Indenture also provides
that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior
Debt Securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee for such
series of Senior Debt Securities, or exercising any trust or power conferred
on such Trustee, with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of such series.
The Senior Indenture contains a covenant that the Company will file annually
with the Trustee a certificate as to the absence of any default or specifying
any default that exists.
No holder of any Senior Debt Security of any series will have any right to
institute any proceeding with respect to the Senior Indenture or for any
remedy thereunder, unless such holder shall have previously given the Trustee
for such series of Senior Debt Securities written notice of an Event of
Default with respect to Senior Debt Securities of that series and unless also
the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Senior Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request, and
offered reasonable indemnity, to such Trustee to institute such proceeding as
trustee, and such Trustee shall not have received from the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt
Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request and shall
have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days. However, any right of
a holder of any Senior Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of
and any interest on such Senior Debt Security on or after the due dates
expressed in such Senior Debt Security and to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such dates shall not be impaired
or affected without the consent of such holder.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
The Company covenants that it will not merge or consolidate with any other
corporation or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any
Person, unless (i) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or
the successor corporation or the Person which acquires by sale or conveyance
substantially all of the assets of the Company (if other than the Company)
shall be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any
state thereof and shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and interest on all the Senior Debt Securities, according to
their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the
covenants and conditions of the Senior Indenture to be performed or observed
by the Company, by supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee,
executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, and (ii) the
Company or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not,
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale or conveyance, be
in default in the performance of any such covenants or condition.
Other than the covenants described above, or as set forth in any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Indenture and the Senior Debt
Securities do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford
holders of the Senior Debt Securities protection in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or highly leveraged transaction involving the Company.
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY
No past, present or future director, officer, employee or stockholder, as
such, of the Company or any successor thereof shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Senior Debt Securities or the Senior
Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such
obligations or their creation. Each holder of Debt Securities by accepting
such Senior Debt Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver
and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Senior Debt
Securities.
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THE TRUSTEE
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Senior Debt Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or
its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee
provided it complies with the terms of the Senior Indenture.
DESCRIPTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under an Indenture (the
"Subordinated Indenture"), between the Company and The First National Bank of
Chicago, a national banking association, as trustee (referred to herein under
"Description of Subordinated Debt Securities" as the "Trustee"), a copy of the
form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The
Company believes that the following summary of certain provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture is a complete discussion of all material terms
necessary to understand the Subordinated Indenture. Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined under the heading "Description of Subordinated Debt
Securities" have the meaning given to them in the Indenture. As used in this
section "Description of Subordinated Debt Securities," unless the context
indicates otherwise, the term "Company" means CNA Financial Corporation and
does not include any of its subsidiaries.
GENERAL
The Subordinated Debt Securities will rank equally with all other unsecured
and subordinated indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company. As of June
30, 1997, approximately $1,724.4 million aggregate principal amount of
indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company would rank senior to the
Subordinated Debt Securities. As of June 30, 1997, the Company had $247.1
million in aggregate principal amount of existing indebtedness for borrowed
money that would rank pari passu with the Subordinated Debt Securities. The
Subordinated Indenture does not limit the amount of debt, either secured or
unsecured, that may be issued by the Company which would be senior to the
Subordinated Debt Securities or that may be issued under the Subordinated
Indenture or otherwise. The Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued in one
or more series with the same or various maturities and may be sold at par, a
premium or an original issue discount. Subordinated Debt Securities sold at an
original issue discount may bear no interest or interest at a rate that is
below market rates.
Because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company, and
hence the rights of creditors and shareholders of the Company, to participate
in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is accordingly subject to prior claims of
creditors of the subsidiary and (in the case of an insurance subsidiary) its
policyholders, except to the extent that claims of the Company itself as a
creditor of the subsidiary may be reorganized. The subsidiaries are separate
and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise,
to pay any amounts due pursuant to the Subordinated Debt Securities or to make
any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other payments.
The payment of dividends or the making of loans and advances to the Company by
its subsidiaries may be subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, are
contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to
insurance regulation and various business considerations.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for the following terms of
the offered Subordinated Debt Securities (to the extent such terms are
applicable to such Subordinated Debt Securities): (i) the title of such
Subordinated Debt Securities or the particular series thereof; (ii) any limit
on the aggregate principal amount of such Subordinated Debt Securities; (iii)
whether such Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issuable as Registered
Securities or Bearer Securities or both, whether any of such Subordinated Debt
Securities are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether
any of such Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issuable in permanent
global form; (iv) the price or prices (generally expressed as a percentage of
the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such Subordinated Debt
Securities will be issued; (v) the date or dates on which such Subordinated
Debt Securities will mature; (vi) the rate or rates per annum, or the formula
by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Subordinated
Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, the
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date from which any such interest will accrue and the circumstances, if any,
under which such interest rate or interest rate formula may be reset at the
option of the Company; (vii) the Interest Payment Dates on which any such
interest on such Subordinated Debt Securities will be payable, the Regular
Record Date for any interest payable on such Subordinated Debt Securities that
are Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, and the extent to
which, or the manner in which any interest payable on a Global Security on an
Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner described below
under "Global Securities;" (viii) the person to whom any Registered Security
of such series will be payable, if other than the person in whose name such
Subordinated Debt Security (or one or more predecessor Subordinated Debt
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
of such interest, and the manner in which, or the person to whom, any interest
on any Bearer Security of such series will be payable, if otherwise than upon
presentation and surrender of the coupons thereto; (ix) if other than the
principal amount of such Subordinated Debt Securities, the portion of the
principal amount of such Subordinated Debt Securities which shall be payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or provable in
bankruptcy; (x) any mandatory or optional sinking fund or analogous
provisions; (xi) each office or agency where, subject to the terms of the
Subordinated Indenture as described below under "Payments and Paying Agents,"
the principal of and any interest on such Subordinated Debt Securities will be
payable and each office or agency where, subject to the terms of the
Subordinated Indenture as described below under "Denominations, Registration
and Transfer," such Subordinated Debt Securities may be presented for
registration of transfer or exchange; (xii) the date, if any, after which and
the price or prices at which such Subordinated Debt Securities may, pursuant
to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, in whole or
in part, and the other detailed terms and provisions of any such optional or
mandatory redemption provisions; (xiii) the denominations in which such
Subordinated Debt Securities which are Registered Securities will be issuable,
if other than denominations of U.S. $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof,
and the denomination in which such Subordinated Debt Securities which are
Bearer Securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of U.S.
$5,000; (xiv) the currency or currencies of payment of principal of and any
premium and interest on such Subordinated Debt Securities; (xv) any index used
to determine the amount of payments of principal of and any interest on such
Subordinated Debt Securities; (xvi) the application, if any, of any
restrictive covenants or events of default that are in addition to or
different from those described herein; (xvii) the form of such Subordinated
Debt Security; and (xviii) any other terms and provisions of such Subordinated
Debt Securities not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture. Any such Prospectus Supplement will also describe any
special provisions for the payment of additional amounts with respect to such
Subordinated Debt Securities. Subordinated Debt Securities of any series may
be issued in one or more tranches as described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
If the purchase price of any of the offered Subordinated Debt Securities is
denominated in a foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or
units or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of
Subordinated Debt Securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or
foreign currency unit or units, the restrictions, elections, general tax
considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to such
issue of Subordinated Debt Securities and such foreign currency or currencies
or foreign currency unit or units will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
SUBORDINATION
Indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Debt Securities will be
subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the Subordinated Indenture,
to the prior payment in full of all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of
the Company. Senior Indebtedness is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as
the principal of and interest on (including any interest that accrues after or
would have accrued but for the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding
pursuant to any Bankruptcy Law, regardless of whether such interest is allowed
or permitted to the holder of such Debt against the bankruptcy or any other
insolvency estate of the Company in such proceeding) and other amounts due on
or in connection with any Debt incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company,
whether outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter
incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and all renewals, extensions and refundings
of any such Debt. Amounts outstanding under any Senior Debt Securities will be
included in Senior Indebtedness. Excluded from the definition of Senior
Indebtedness are the
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following: (a) any Debt which expressly provides (i) that such Debt shall not
be senior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities, or (ii)
that such Debt shall be subordinated to any other Debt of the Company, unless
such Debt expressly provides that such Debt shall be senior in right of
payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities; and (b) any Debt of the Company
in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities.
By reason of such subordination, in the event of dissolution, insolvency,
bankruptcy or other similar proceedings, upon any distribution of assets, (i)
the holders of Subordinated Debt Securities will be required to pay over their
share of such distribution to the holders of Senior Indebtedness until such
Senior Indebtedness is paid in full; and (ii) creditors of the Company who are
not holders of Subordinated Debt Securities or holders of Senior Indebtedness
may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness and may recover
more, ratably, than the holders of Subordinated Debt Securities.
In the event that the Subordinated Debt Securities are declared due and
payable prior to their Stated Maturity by reason of the occurrence of an Event
of Default, then the Company is obligated to notify promptly holders of Senior
Indebtedness of such acceleration. The Company may not pay the Subordinated
Debt Securities until 179 days have passed after such acceleration occurs and
may thereafter pay the Subordinated Debt Securities if the terms of the
Subordinated Indenture otherwise permit payment at that time.
No payment of the principal, issue price plus accrued original issue
discount (if any), redemption price, interest, if any, or any other amount
payable with respect to any Subordinated Debt Security may be made, nor may
the Company acquire any Subordinated Debt Securities except as set forth in
the Subordinated Indenture, if any default with respect to Senior Indebtedness
occurs and is continuing that permits the acceleration of the maturity thereof
and either such default is the subject of judicial proceedings or the Company
receives notice of the default, unless (a) 179 days pass after notice of the
default is given and such default is not then the subject of judicial
proceedings or the default with respect to the Senior Indebtedness is cured or
waived and (b) the terms of the Subordinated Indenture otherwise permit the
payment or acquisition of the Subordinated Debt Securities at that time.
DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issuable as Registered Securities,
Bearer Securities or both. Subordinated Debt Securities may be issuable in the
form of one or more Global Securities, as described below under "Global
Securities." Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, Registered Securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued
only in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof and Bearer
Securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only in denominations of
$5,000 with coupons attached. A Global Security will be issued in a
denomination equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding
Subordinated Debt Securities represented by such Global Security. The
Prospectus Supplement relating to Subordinated Debt Securities denominated in
a foreign or composite currency will specify the denominations thereof.
In connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed
or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States (as defined below
under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Security") and a Bearer Security may
be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the person
entitled to receive such Bearer Security furnishes written certification, in
the form required by the Subordinated Indenture, to the effect that such
Bearer Security is not being acquired by or on behalf of a United States
person (as defined below under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer
Securities"), or, if a beneficial interest in such Bearer Security is being
acquired by or on behalf of a United States person, that such United States
person is a financial institution (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.165-12(c)(1)(v)) that is purchasing for its own account or for the account
of a customer and which agrees to comply with the requirements of Section
165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Code, and the regulations thereunder. See
"Global Securities" and "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities" below.
Registered Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other
Registered Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal
amount and tenor of different authorized denominations. In addition, if
Subordinated Debt Securities of any series are issuable as both Registered
Securities and as Bearer Securities, at
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the option of the holder upon request confirmed in writing, and subject to the
terms of the Subordinated Indenture, Bearer Securities (with all unmatured
coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default
attached) of such series will be exchangeable for Registered Securities of the
same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal
amount and tenor. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus
Supplement, any Bearer Security surrendered in exchange for a Registered
Security between a record date and the relevant date for payment of interest
shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of
interest attached and interest will not be payable in respect of the
Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be
payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the
terms of the Subordinated Indenture. Except as provided in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement, Bearer Securities will not be issued in exchange for
Registered Securities.
Subordinated Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided
above, and Registered Securities (other than a Global Security) may be
presented for registration of transfer (with the form of transfer duly
executed), at the office of the security registrar designated by the Company
or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such
purpose with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt Securities and
referred to in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, without service charge and
upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the
Subordinated Indenture. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the
security registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied
with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The
Company has initially appointed the Trustee as the security registrar under
the Subordinated Indenture. If a Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer
agent (in addition to the security registrar) initially designated by the
Company with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt Securities, the
Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or
approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts,
except that, if Subordinated Debt Securities of a series are issuable only as
Registered Securities, the Company will be required to maintain a transfer
agent in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Subordinated Debt
Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will be
required to maintain (in addition to the security registrar) a transfer agent
in a Place of Payment for such series located outside the United States. The
Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to
any series of Subordinated Debt Securities.
In the event of any redemption in part, the Company shall not be required to
(i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange Subordinated Debt Securities
of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days
before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Subordinated Debt
Securities of that series selected to be redeemed and ending at the close of
business on (a) if Subordinated Debt Securities of the series are issuable
only as Registered Securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of
redemption, and (b) if Subordinated Debt Securities of the series are issuable
as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice
of redemption or, if Subordinated Debt Securities of that series are also
issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of
the relevant notice of redemption; (ii) register the transfer of or exchange
any Registered Security, or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the
unredeemed portion of any Registered Security being redeemed in part; or (iii)
exchange any Bearer Security called for redemption, except to exchange such
Bearer Security for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor which
is immediately surrendered for redemption.
PAYMENTS AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of and any interest on Registered Securities (other than a Global
Security) will be made at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as
the Company may designate from time to time, except that, at the option of the
Company, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of
the payee entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security
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 Registered Security is registered at the
close of business on the Record Date for such interest payment.
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Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of and any premium and interest on Bearer Securities will be
payable (subject to applicable laws and regulations) at the offices of such
Paying Agent or Paying Agents outside the United States as the Company may
designate from time to time, except that, at the option of the Company,
payment of any interest may be made by check or by wire transfer to an account
maintained by the payee outside the United States. Unless otherwise indicated
in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest on Bearer
Securities on any Interest Payment Date 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
wire transfer to an account maintained in the United States. Payments will not
be made in respect of Bearer Securities or coupons appertaining thereto
pursuant to presentation to the Company or its Paying Agents within the United
States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment of principal of and any
interest on Bearer Securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars will be
made at the office of the Company's Paying Agent in the United States if, and
only if, payment of the full amount thereof in U.S. dollars at all offices or
agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by
exchange controls or other similar restrictions and the Company has delivered
to the Trustee and opinion of counsel to that effect.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal office of the Trustee in The City of New York will be designated as
the Company's sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Subordinated Debt
Securities which are issuable solely as Registered Securities. Any Paying
Agent outside the United States and any other Paying Agent in the United
States initially designated by the Company for the Subordinated Debt
Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company
may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation
of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying
Agent acts, except that, if Subordinated Debt Securities of a series are
issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company will be required to
maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for such series and, if
Subordinated Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities,
the Company will be required to maintain (i) a Paying Agent in each Place of
Payment for such series in the United States for payments with respect to any
Registered Securities of such series (and for payments with respect to Bearer
Securities of such series in the circumstances described above, but not
otherwise), (ii) a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment located outside the
United States where Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and any
coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment;
provided that if the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series are listed on
The International Stock Exchange, London or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or
any other stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock
exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent in London
or Luxembourg City or any other required city located outside the United
States, as the case may be, for Subordinated Debt Securities of such series,
and (iii) a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment located outside the United
States where (subject to applicable laws and regulations) Registered
Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company may be served
All monies paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of
principal of and any interest on any Subordinated Debt Security that remains
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest
shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the Company and thereafter
the holder of such Subordinated Debt Security or any coupon appertaining
thereto will look only to the Company for payment thereof.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The Subordinated Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited with,
or on behalf of, a depository (the "Depository") identified in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities may be issued only in
fully registered form and may be issued in either temporary or permanent form.
Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual
Subordinated Debt Securities represented thereby, a Global Security may not be
transferred except
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as a whole by the Depository for such Global Security to a nominee of such
Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another
nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any nominee of such
Depository to a successor Depository or any nominee of such successor.
The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of
Subordinated Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series. The Company anticipates that the following provisions
will generally apply to depository arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depository for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and
transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual
Subordinated Debt Securities represented by such Global Security to the
accounts of persons that have accounts with such Depository ("Participants").
Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with
respect to such Subordinated Debt Securities or by the Company if such
Subordinated Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
Participants or persons that may hold interest through Participants. Ownership
of beneficial 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 Depository or its nominee (with respect to interests of
Participants) and records of Participants (with respect to interests of person
who hold through 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 own,
pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a Global Security.
So long as the Depository for a Global Security or its nominee is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the
Subordinated Debt Securities represented by such Global Security for all
purposes under the Subordinated Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have any of
the individual Subordinated 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 Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders
thereof under the Subordinated Indenture.
Payments of principal of and any premium and any interest on individual
Subordinated Debt Securities represented by a Global Security registered in
the name of a Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security
representing such Subordinated Debt Securities. None of the Company, the
Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar for such Subordinated Debt
Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interest in Global Security for such Subordinated Debt Securities or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.
The Company expects that the Depository for a series of Subordinated 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
Subordinated Debt Securities, immediately will credit Participants' accounts
with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial
interests in the principal amount of such Global Security for such
Subordinated Debt Securities as shown on the records of such Depository 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.
If a Depository for a series of Subordinated Debt Securities is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor
depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will
issue individual Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in exchange for
the Global Security representing
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such series of Subordinated Debt Securities. In addition, the Company may, at
any time and in its sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Subordinated Debt Securities,
determine not to have any Subordinated Debt Securities of such series
represented by one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will issue
individual Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in exchange for the
Global Security or Securities representing such series of Subordinated Debt
Securities. Individual Subordinated Debt Securities of such series so issued
will be issued in denominations, unless otherwise specified by the Company, of
$1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES
In compliance with United States federal tax laws and regulations, Bearer
Securities may not be offered, sold, resold or delivered in connection with
their original issuance in the United States or to United States persons (each
as defined below) other than to a Qualifying Branch of a United States
Financial Institution (as defined below), and any underwriters, agents and
dealers participating in the offering of Subordinated Debt Securities must
agree that they will not offer any Bearer Securities for sale or resale in the
United States or to United States persons (other than a Qualifying Branch of a
United States Financial Institution) nor deliver Bearer Securities within the
United States. In addition, any such underwriters, agents and dealers must
agree to send confirmations to each purchaser of a Bearer Security confirming
that such purchaser represents that it is not a United States person or is a
Qualifying Branch of a United States Financial Institution and, if such person
is a dealer, that it will send similar confirmations to purchasers from it.
The term "Qualifying Foreign Branch of a United States Financial Institution"
means a branch located outside the United States of a United States securities
clearing organization, bank or other financial institution listed under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) that agrees to comply with the
requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder.
Bearer Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will bear a legend
substantially to the following effect: "Any United States person who holds
this obligation will be subject to limitations under the United States income
tax laws, including the limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code." Under Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Code,
holders that are United States persons, with certain exceptions, will not be
entitled to deduct any loss on Bearer Securities and must treat as ordinary
income any gain realized on the sale or other disposition (including the
receipt of principal) of Bearer Securities.
The term "United States person" means a citizen or resident of the United
States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof,
an estate or, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1997, a trust the
income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless
of its source or, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996, a trust
if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, and the term
"United States" means the United States of America (including the states and
the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas
subject to its jurisdiction (including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico).
DEFEASANCE
The Subordinated Indenture provides that the Company will be discharged from
any and all obligations in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any
series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or
mutilated Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, to maintain paying
agencies and to hold monies for payment in trust) upon the deposit with the
Trustee for such series of Subordinated Debt Securities in trust of money
and/or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) which through the
payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their
terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and
each installment of interest, if any, on the Subordinated Debt Securities of
such series on the maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of
the Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series. Such a
trust may only be established if, among other things, the Company has
delivered to such Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (who may be counsel for the
Company) of the effect that (i) holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of
such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result
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of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal
income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times,
as would has been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not
occurred, and (ii) the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, if then
listed on The New York Stock Exchange, will not be delisted as a result of
such deposit, defeasance and discharge.
The Subordinated Indenture provides that, if applicable, the Company may
omit to comply with any additional restrictive covenants imposed on the
Company in connection with the establishment of any series of Subordinated
Debt Securities and that clause (d) under "Events of Default" with respect to
such restrictive covenants and clause (e) under "Events of Default" shall not
be deemed to be an Event of Default under the Subordinated Indenture and the
Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, upon the deposit with the Trustee
under the Subordinated Indenture, in trust of money and/or U.S. Government
Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect
thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount
sufficient to pay the principal of, and each installment of interest, if any,
on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series on the maturity of such
payments in accordance with the terms of the Subordinated Indenture and the
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series. The obligations of the Company
under the Subordinated Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series other than with respect to the covenants referred to above and the
Events of Default other than the Events of Default referred to above shall
remain in full force and effect. Such a trust may only be established if,
among other things, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel (who may be counsel for the Company) to the effect that (i) the
holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
deposit and defeasance of certain covenants and Events of Default and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and
at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance
had not occurred, and (ii) the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, if
then listed on The New York Stock Exchange, will not be delisted as a result
of such deposit and defeasance.
In the event the Company exercises its option to omit compliance with
certain covenants of the Subordinated Indenture with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities of any series as described above and the
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series are declared due and payable
because of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than an Event of
Default described in clauses (d) or (e) under "Events of Default," the amount
of money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be
sufficient to pay amounts due on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay
amounts due on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series at the time of
the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company
will remain liable for such payments.
The term "U.S. Government Obligation" means direct noncallable obligations
of, or noncallable obligations guaranteed by, the United States or an agency
thereof for the payment of which guarantee or obligation, the full faith and
credit of the United States is pledged.
MODIFICATION OF THE SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
The Subordinated Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and
the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority of the principal
amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of each series then outstanding, to
execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing or
eliminating any of the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture or modifying
the rights of the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series,
except that no such supplemental indenture may, among other things, (i) extend
the final maturity of any Subordinated Debt Securities, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce the principal amount
thereof, impair the right to institute suit for payment thereof or reduce any
amount payable upon any redemption thereof without the consent of the holder
of the Subordinated Debt Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid
percentage of Subordinated Debt Securities, the consent of the holders of
which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of
the holders of all outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities. The Board of
Directors of the Company does not have the power to waive any of the covenants
of the Subordinated Indenture including those relating to consolidation,
merger or sale of assets.
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An Event of Default with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt
Securities is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as being: (a) default by
the Company for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series; (b) default by the Company in the
payment of any principal on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series;
(c) default by the Company in the payment of any sinking fund installment with
respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities; (d) default by the
Company in the performance of any of the agreements in the Subordinated
Indenture contained therein for the benefit of the Debt Securities of such
series which shall not have been remedied within a period of 60 days after
receipt of written notice by the Company from the Trustee for such series of
Subordinated Debt Securities or by the Company and such Trustee from the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Subordinated Debt
Securities of such series then outstanding; (e) with respect to any series of
Subordinated Debt Securities (unless otherwise specified in the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement), the acceleration, or failure to pay at maturity, of
any indebtedness for money borrowed of the Company exceeding $20,000,000 in
principal amount, which acceleration is not rescinded or annulled or
indebtedness paid within 15 days after the date on which written notice
thereof shall have first been given to the Company as provided in the
Subordinated Indenture; (f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company; or (g) any other Event of Default established
in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture with respect to any series of
Subordinated Debt Securities. No Event of Default (other than an Event of
Default under clause (f)) described above with respect to a particular series
of Subordinated Debt Securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default
with respect to any other series of Subordinated Debt Securities.
The Subordinated Indenture provides that if an Event of Default with respect
to any series of Subordinated Debt Securities shall have occurred and be
continuing, either the Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt
Securities of that series or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities of that series then
outstanding may declare the principal amount (or, if the Subordinated Debt
Securities of that series were sold at an original issue discount, such
portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that
series) of all the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series and interest,
if any, accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately, but upon certain
conditions such declaration may be annulled and past defaults (except, unless
theretofore cured, a default in payment of principal of or interest on
Subordinated Debt Securities of that series) may be waived by the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of that
series then outstanding.
The Subordinated Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee with
respect to any series of Subordinated Debt Securities, subject to the duty of
the Trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, to be
indemnified by the holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series
before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Subordinated
Indenture at the request of the holders of such Subordinated Debt Securities.
The Subordinated Indenture also provides that the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of any series
may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee for such series of Subordinated Debt
Securities, or exercising any trust or power conferred on such Trustee, with
respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series. The Subordinated
Indenture contains a covenant that the Company will file annually with the
Trustee a certificate as to the absence of any default or specifying any
default that exists.
No holder of any Subordinated Debt Security of any series will have any
right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Subordinated Indenture
or for any remedy thereunder, unless such holder shall have previously given
the Trustee for such series of Subordinated Debt Securities written notice of
an Event of Default with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of that
series and unless also the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of that series shall
have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to such Trustee
to institute such proceeding as trustee, and such Trustee shall not have
received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of that series a direction
inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days. However, any right of a holder of any Subordinated
Debt Security to receive payment
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<PAGE>
of the principal of and any interest on such Subordinated Debt Security on or
after the due dates expressed in such Subordinated Debt Security and to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such dates
shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
The Company covenants that it will not merge or consolidate with any other
corporation or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any
Person, unless (i) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or
the successor corporation or the Person which acquires by sale or conveyance
substantially all of the assets of the Company (if other than the Company)
shall be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any
state thereof and shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and interest on all the Subordinated Debt Securities, according
to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of
the covenants and conditions of the Subordinated Indenture to be performed or
observed by the Company, by supplemental indenture satisfactory to the
Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, and (ii)
the Company or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not,
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale or conveyance, be
in default in the performance of any such covenants or condition.
Other than the covenants described above, or as set forth in any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the Subordinated Indenture and the
Subordinated Debt Securities do not contain any covenants or other provisions
designed to afford holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities protection in
the event of a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged transaction
involving the Company.
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY
No past, present or future director, officer, employee or stockholder, as
such, of the Company or any successor thereof shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Subordinated Debt Securities or the
Subordinated Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason
of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Debt Securities by
accepting such Subordinated Debt Security waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue
of the Debt Securities.
THE TRUSTEE
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Subordinated Debt Securities and may otherwise deal with the
Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not
the Trustee provided it complies with the terms of the Subordinated Indenture.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
The Company is authorized to issue up to 12,500,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, without par value, in one or more series. All shares of Preferred
Stock, irrespective of series, constitute one and the same class. The
following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth certain
general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock. Certain terms of any
series of Preferred Stock offered by the Prospectus Supplement will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred
Stock. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the terms of any such
series may differ from the terms set forth below. The Company has outstanding
750 shares each of Money Market Cumulative PreferredTM Stock, Series E and
Series F with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share.
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<PAGE>
GENERAL
The Board of Directors is authorized to establish and designate series and
to fix the number of shares and the relative rights, preferences and
limitations of the respective series of Preferred Stock including: (1) the
designation and number of shares comprising such series, which may be
increased or decreased from time to time by the Board of Directors; (2) the
dividend rate or rates on the shares of such series and the relation which
such dividends bear to the dividends payable on any other class or classes or
of any other series of capital stock, the terms and conditions upon which and
the periods in respect of which dividends shall be payable, whether and upon
what conditions such dividends shall be cumulative and, if cumulative the
dates from which dividends shall accumulate; (3) whether the shares of such
series shall be redeemable, the limitations and restrictions with respect to
such redemption, the time or times when, the price or prices at which and the
manner in which such shares shall be redeemable, including the manner of
selecting shares of such series for redemption if less than all shares are to
be redeemed; (4) the rights to which the holders of shares of such series
shall be entitled, and the preferences, if any, over any other series (or of
any other series over such series), upon the voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up of the Company,
which rights may vary depending on whether such liquidation, dissolution,
distribution or winding-up is voluntary or involuntary, and, if voluntary, may
vary at different dates; (5) whether the shares of such series shall be
subject to the operation of a purchase, retirement or sinking fund, and, if
so, whether and upon what conditions such purchase, retirement or sinking fund
shall be cumulative or noncumulative, the extent to which and the manner in
which such fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares
of such series for retirement or to other corporate purposes and the terms and
provisions relative to the operation thereof; (6) whether the shares of such
series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any other class
or classes or of any other series of any class or classes of capital stock of
the Company, and, if so convertible or exchangeable, the price or prices or
the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of
adjusting the same, and any other terms and conditions of such conversion or
exchange; (7) the voting powers, full and/or limited, if any, of the shares of
such series; and whether and under what conditions the shares of such series
(alone or together with the shares of one or more other series having similar
provisions) shall be entitled to vote separately as a single class, for the
election of one or more additional directors of the Company in case of
dividend arrearages or other specified events, or upon other matters; (8)
whether the issuance of any additional shares of such series, or of any shares
of any other series, shall be subject to restrictions as to issuance, or as to
the powers, preferences or rights of any such other series; and (9) any other
preferences, privileges and powers, and relative, participating, optional or
other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such
series, as the Board of Directors may deem advisable. Unless otherwise
specifically set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of
Preferred Stock, all shares of Preferred Stock shall be equal rank, preference
and priority as to dividends; when the stated dividends are not paid in full,
the shares of all series of the Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any
payment thereof; and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if assets
are insufficient to pay in full all Preferred Stock, then such assets shall be
distributed among the holders ratably.
Because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company, and
hence the rights of creditors and shareholders of the Company, to participate
in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is accordingly subject to prior claims of
creditors of the subsidiary and (in the case of an insurance subsidiary) its
policyholders, except to the extent that claims of the Company itself as a
creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. The subsidiaries are separate
and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise,
to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock or to make any funds available
therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other payments. The payment of
dividends or the making of loans and advances to the Company by its
subsidiaries may be subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, are
contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to
insurance regulation and various business considerations.
The description of certain provisions of the Preferred Stock set forth below
does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the
Certificate of Designations that relates to a particular series of Preferred
Stock which will be filed with the Commission at or prior to the time of the
sale of the related Preferred Stock.
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<PAGE>
DIVIDEND RIGHTS
Except as may be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a series
of Preferred Stock, the holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
receive, but only when and as declared by the Board of Directors out of funds
legally available for that purpose, cash dividends at the rates and on the
dates set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series
of Preferred Stock. Such rate may be fixed or variable. Each such dividend
will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on the stock books of
the Company on such record dates as will be fixed by the Board of Directors of
the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof. Dividends payable on the
Preferred Stock for any period less than a full dividend period (being the
period between such dividend payment dates) will be computed on the bases of
the actual number of days elapsed over a 360 day year and for a period of a
full dividend period, will be computed on the basis of a 360 day year
consisting of twelve 30 day months. Except as may be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock, such dividends
shall be payable from, and shall be cumulative from, the date of original
issue of each share, so that if in any dividend period dividends at the rate
or rates as described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of
Preferred Stock shall not have been declared and paid or set apart for payment
on all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock for such dividend period and all
preceding dividend periods from and after the first day from which dividends
are cumulative, then the aggregate deficiency shall be declared and fully paid
or set apart for payment, but without interest, before any dividends shall be
declared or paid or set apart for payment on the Common Stock by the Company.
After payment in full of all dividend arrearages on the Preferred Stock,
dividends on the Common Stock may be declared and paid out of funds legally
available for that purpose as the Board of Directors may determine.
REDEMPTION
The Company will have such rights, if any, to redeem shares of Preferred
Stock, and the holders of Preferred Stock will have such rights, if any, to
cause the Company to redeem shares of Preferred Stock, as may be set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock.
CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE
The holders of Preferred Stock will have such rights, if any, to convert
such shares into or to exchange such shares for, shares of any other class or
classes, or of any other series of any class, of the capital stock of the
Company and/or other property or cash, as may be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock.
VOTING RIGHTS
The holders of Preferred Stock will have such voting rights, if any, as may
be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred
Stock. Unless and except to the extent required by law or provided by the
Board of Directors, holders of Preferred Stock shall have no voting power with
respect to any matter. In no event shall the Preferred Stock be entitled to
more than one vote per share in respect of each share of stock.
The holders of the outstanding shares of a series of Preferred Stock shall
be entitled to vote as a class upon a proposed amendment, whether or not
entitled to vote thereon by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation if the
amendment would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares
of such series of Preferred Stock, increase or decrease the par value of the
shares of such series of Preferred Stock, or alter or change the powers,
preferences, or special rights of the shares of such series of Preferred Stock
so as to affect them adversely. If any proposed amendment would alter or
change the powers, preferences, or special rights of oneor more series of
Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely, but shall not so affect the
entire series, then only the shares of the series so affected by the amendment
shall be considered a separate series for purposes of this paragraph. The
number of authorized shares of any such series of Preferred Stock may be
increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then
outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock
of the Company entitled to vote irrespective of the previous two sentences, if
so provided
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<PAGE>
in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in any amendment thereto which
created such series of Preferred Stock or which was adopted prior to the
issuance of any shares of any such series of Preferred Stock, or in any
amendment thereto which was authorized by a resolution or resolutions adopted
by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of such series of
Preferred Stock. This paragraph reflects legal requirements under current
Delaware law and is subject to any amendments to such law.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, in connection with the
matters specified, provision is made for the redemption or retirement of all
outstanding Preferred Stock.
LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, holders of Preferred Stock will have such
preferences and priorities, if any, with respect to distribution of the assets
of the Company or the proceeds thereof as may be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock.
MISCELLANEOUS
The transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the
Preferred Stock issued in connection with the Prospectus will be as set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement. The holder of Preferred Stock, including any
Preferred Stock issued in connection with this Prospectus, will not have any
preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any shares of any class or
other securities of any type of the Company. When issued, the Preferred Stock
will be fully paid and nonassessable. The Certificate of Designations setting
forth the provisions of each series of Preferred Stock will become effective
after the date of this Prospectus but on or before issuance of the related
series of Preferred Stock.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company may sell the Offered Securities: (i) through underwriters or
dealers; (ii) through agents; (iii) directly to one or more purchasers; or
(iv) through a combination of any such method of sale. The Prospectus
Supplement with respect to the Offered Securities will set forth the terms of
the offering of such Offered Securities, including the name or names of any
underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of such Offered Securities
and the proceeds to the Company from such sale, any underwriter discounts and
other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents, any
initial public offering price, any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers and any
securities exchanges on which such Offered Securities may be listed.
If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the Offered Securities will
be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own accounts and may be
resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated
transactions, at a fixed public offering price, which may be changed, or at
varying prices determined at the time of sale. The Offered Securities may be
offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by
one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms.
Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of
the underwriters to purchase such Offered Securities will be subject to
certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to
purchase all of such Offered Securities if any are purchased. Any initial
public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or
paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
underwriters, dealers, or agents to solicit offers by certain specified
institutions to purchase Offered Securities from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed
delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in
the future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
commission payable for
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<PAGE>
solicitation of such contracts. The underwriters and other persons soliciting
such contracts will have no responsibility for the validity of any such
contracts.
Underwriters, dealers 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 by the Company to payments they may be required to make in
respect thereof. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage
in transactions with, or perform services for the Company in the ordinary
course of business.
There is currently no market for the Securities. If the Securities are
traded after the initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their
initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market
for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an
underwriter could inform the Company that it intended to make a market in the
Securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such
market making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no
assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for
the Securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Company does not intend to apply for listing of the Securities
on any securities exchange or on the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. automated quotation system.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the issuance of the Securities and certain other legal
matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon
for the Company by Donald M. Lowry, Senior Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel of the Company and by Mayer, Brown & Platt, Chicago, Illinois.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and the related consolidated financial
statement schedules incorporated by reference in this Prospectus from the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports which have been
incorporated herein by reference and have been so incorporated in reliance
upon the reports of such firm given on their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
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<PAGE>
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NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFOR-
MATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPO-
RATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNEC-
TION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS AND,
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON
AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DE-
LIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HERE-
UNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SO-
LICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS
NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
Prospectus Supplement
<S> <C>
The Company................................................................ S-2
Use of Proceeds............................................................ S-3
Recent Development......................................................... S-3
Capitalization............................................................. S-4
Selected Condensed Consolidated Financial Information...................... S-5
Risk Factors............................................................... S-6
Description of the Notes................................................... S-10
Underwriting............................................................... S-12
Legal Opinions............................................................. S-13
Experts.................................................................... S-13
Prospectus
Available Information...................................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................ 2
The Company................................................................ 3
Use of Proceeds............................................................ 3
Description of Senior Debt Securities...................................... 3
Description of Subordinated Debt Securities................................ 12
Description of Preferred Stock............................................. 21
Plan of Distribution....................................................... 24
Legal Matters.............................................................. 25
Experts.................................................................... 25
</TABLE>
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$500,000,000
CNA FINANCIAL
CORPORATION
6.50% NOTES
DUE APRIL 15, 2005
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
APRIL 15, 1998
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LEHMAN BROTHERS
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY
ABN AMRO INCORPORATED
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