<PAGE> 1
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 1997.
REGISTRATION NO. 333-________
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
---------------
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------
UNITED COMPANIES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)
LOUISIANA 71-0430414
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
4041 ESSEN LANE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70809
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
UNITED COMPANIES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1996 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
AND
UNITED COMPANIES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
DALE E. REDMAN
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
4041 ESSEN LANE
BATON ROUGE, LA. 70809
(Name and address of agent for service)
(504) 987-0000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
---------------
Copy to:
J. MICHAEL ROBINSON, JR.
KANTROW, SPAHT, WEAVER & BLITZER
(A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION)
P.O. BOX 2997
BATON ROUGE, LA. 70821-2997
(504) 383-4703
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Proposed maximum Proposed maximum
Title of Securities Amount to be offering price aggregate Amount of
to be registered Registered (1) per share (2) offering price (2) registration fee
===================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock, $2.00 par 1,900,000 $28.01 $53,219,000 $16,126.97
value per share (3)
===================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) There are also being registered hereunder such additional indeterminate
number of shares as may be issuable under the registrant's 1996 Long-Term
Incentive Compensation Plan and 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan by reason
of stock dividends or through recapitalization resulting in stock split-ups,
combinations or exchange of shares.
(2) Pursuant to paragraph (h) of Rule 457, the proposed maximum offering price
per share and the proposed maximum aggregate offering price have been computed
as follows: (a) with respect to the 366,500 shares for which options have been
granted as of the date hereof, computed on the basis of $26.76 per share, the
average exercise price of such shares and (b) with respect to the remaining
1,533,500 shares computed on the basis of $28.31 per share, the closing price of
the Common Stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. on August 8,
1997.
(3) Includes Preferred Stock Purchase Rights ("Rights"). The Rights are
associated with and trade with the Common Stock. The value, if any,
attributable to the Rights is reflected in the market price of the Common
Stock.
================================================================================
<PAGE> 2
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of the
General Instructions to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") will be sent or given to
participants in (i) United Companies Financial Corporation 1996 Long-Term
Incentive Compensation Plan and (ii) United Companies Financial Corporation
1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan as required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated
by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Act.
II-1
<PAGE> 3
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
(Commission File No. 1-7067) are hereby incorporated by reference: (a) the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996; (b)
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1997; (c) the Company's Proxy Statement dated April 14, 1997 in connection with
the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 14, 1997; (d) the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 1997; (e) the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 11, 1997; (f) the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on June 24, 1997; (f) the description of the Common
Stock contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A; and (g)
the description of the Company's Preferred Share Purchase Rights contained in
the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A.
In addition, all documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior
to the termination of the offering made hereby shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
(a) Legal Opinions
The legality of the shares of Common Stock to be offered pursuant to
this registration statement will be passed upon for the Company by the law firm
of Kantrow, Spaht, Weaver & Blitzer (A Professional Law Corporation), Baton
Rouge, Louisiana. As of July 31, 1997, individual stockholders of the firm of
Kantrow, Spaht, Weaver & Blitzer (A Professional Law Corporation) owned,
directly or indirectly, approximately 50,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock.
(b) Experts
The consolidated financial statements and the related financial
statement schedules incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference
from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as
stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have
been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for the
period ended March 31, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference,
Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied limited procedures in accordance with
professional standards for a review of such information. However, as stated in
their reports included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1997 and incorporated by reference herein, they did not
audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information.
Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should
be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied.
Deloitte & Touche LLP are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11
of the Act for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information
because those reports are not "reports" or a "part" of the registration
statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections
7 and 11 of the Act.
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<PAGE> 4
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 83 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law (the "LBCL")
provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or
in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of
another business, foreign or nonprofit corporation, partnership, joint venture,
or other enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses, including attorney
fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed
to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. Section 83 further provides that a Louisiana corporation may
indemnify officers and directors in an action by or in the right of the
corporation under the same conditions except that no indemnification is
permitted without judicial approval if the director or officer shall have been
adjudged to be liable for willful or intentional misconduct in the performance
of his duty to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on
the merits or otherwise in any defense of any action referred to above or any
claim therein, the corporation must indemnify him against such expenses that
such officer or director actually incurred. Section 83 permits a corporation to
pay expenses incurred by the officer or director in defending an action, suit
or proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof if approved by the
board of directors.
Pursuant to Section 83 of the LBCL, the Company has adopted provisions
in its Articles of Incorporation which require the Company to indemnify its
directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the LBCL.
The Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide that no director or
officer of the Company shall be personally liable to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or
officer except for liability (i) for breach of the directors' or officers' duty
of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not
in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, (iii) under Section 92(D) of the LBCL, or (iv) for any transaction from
which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit. Section
92(D) of the LBCL specifies certain corporate transactions, such as certain
dividend declarations and dispositions of assets, as unlawful. The effect of
this provision of the Articles of Incorporation is to eliminate the rights of
the Company and its stockholders (through stockholders' derivative suits on
behalf of the Company) to recover monetary damages against a director or
officer for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer. This provision
does not limit or eliminate the rights of the Company or any stockholders to
seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a
breach of a director's or officer's fiduciary duty.
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and certain of its officers which provide that the Company will, if
certain conditions are met and the director or officer acted in accordance with
the applicable standard and subject to certain procedures and exceptions,
indemnify such persons for claims, judgments and related expenses resulting
from their service on behalf of the Company and its affiliated entities in any
pending, threatened or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
administrative or criminal, except where (i) the Company is prohibited by law
from providing such indemnification; (ii) payment of the indemnification
amounts has been made under an insurance policy; and (iii) the director or
officer gained a personal profit to which he or she was not legally entitled
including profits arising from the violation of certain securities laws. A form
of the
II-3
<PAGE> 5
indemnification agreements referenced above has been filed by the Company as an
exhibit to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1995.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description of Document
----------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
4.1(1) - Restatement of the Articles of Incorporation
4.2(2) - By-Laws, as amended
4.3(3) - Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
4.4(4) - 1996 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan
4.5(4) - 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan
4.6(5) - Specimen Common Stock Certificate
5.1(4) - Opinion of Kantrow, Spaht, Weaver & Blitzer (A Professional Law Corporation)
15.1(4) - Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding unaudited interim financial information
23.1(4) - Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2(4) - Consent of Kantrow, Spaht, Weaver & Blitzer (A Professional Law Corporation) (included
in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1(4) - Power of Attorney (contained in page II-6 of this Registration Statement)
</TABLE>
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to the designated Exhibit of the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 27, 1996.
(2) Incorporated herein by reference to the designated Exhibit of the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1995.
(3) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-A filed with
the Commission on August 5, 1994.
(4) Filed herewith.
(5) Incorporated herein by reference to the designated Exhibit of the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-21985) filed on February 19, 1997.
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales
are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
Registration Statement:
(i) To include any Prospectus required by Section
10(a)(3) of the Act;
(ii) To reflect in the Prospectus any facts or
events arising after the effective date of
the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof)
which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities
offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from
the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form
of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant
II-4
<PAGE> 6
to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation
of Registration Fee" table in the effective
registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with
respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
Provided however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
(a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement
is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3 and the
information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(2) That for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Act, each post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by way of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being
registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for
purposes of determining any liability under the Act, each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Act may be permitted of directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person for the registrant in
the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
II-5
<PAGE> 7
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana on August 5, 1997.
UNITED COMPANIES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Sherry E. Anderson
----------------------------------------
Sherry E. Anderson
Senior Vice President and Secretary
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes J. Terrell
Brown and Dale E. Redman and each of them acting individually, with full power
of substitution, to file one or more amendments, including post-effective
amendments, to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith with the
Commission, which amendments, may make such changes as J. Terrell Brown or Dale
E. Redman deems appropriate; and each person whose signature appears below,
individually and in each capacity stated below, hereby appoints J. Terrell
Brown and Dale E. Redman, and either of them acting individually, with full
power of substitution, as Attorney-in-Fact to execute in his name and on his
behalf any such amendments to this Registration Statement.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, this Registration Statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ J. Terrell Brown Chairman, Chief Executive August 5, 1997
---------------------------------------- Officer and Director
J. Terrell Brown (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Dale E. Redman Executive Vice President, August 5, 1997
---------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer,
Dale E. Redman Assistant Secretary and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ John D. Dienes President, Chief Operating August 5, 1997
---------------------------------------- Officer and Director
John D. Dienes
/s/ Jesse O. Griffin Senior Vice President and August 5, 1997
---------------------------------------- Controller (Principal Accounting
Jesse O. Griffin Officer)
</TABLE>
II-6
<PAGE> 8
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ James J. Bailey, III Director August 5, 1997
----------------------------------------
James J. Bailey, III
/s/ John W. Barton, Sr. Director August 5, 1997
----------------------------------------
John W. Barton, Sr.
Director ________, 1997
----------------------------------------
Robert H. Barrow
/s/ Jon R. Burke Director August 5, 1997
----------------------------------------
Jon R. Burke
/s/ Richard A. Campbell Director August 5, 1997
----------------------------------------
Richard A. Campbell
/s/ Harris J. Chustz, Jr. Director August 5, 1997
----------------------------------------
Harris J. Chustz, Jr.
/s/ Roy G. Kadair, M.D. Director August 5, 1997
----------------------------------------
Roy G. Kadair, M.D.
/s/ O. Miles Pollard Director August 5, 1997
----------------------------------------
O. Miles Pollard
/s/ William H. Wright, Jr. Director August 5, 1997
----------------------------------------
William H. Wright, Jr.
</TABLE>
II-7
<PAGE> 9
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description of Document
----------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
4.1(1) Restatement of the Articles of Incorporation
4.2(2) By-Laws, as amended
4.3(3) Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
4.4(4) 1996 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan
4.5(4) 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan
4.6(5) Specimen Common Stock Certificate
5.1(4) Opinion of Kantrow, Spaht, Weaver & Blitzer
(A Professional Law Corporation)
15.1(4) Letter of Deloitte & Touche regarding unaudited interim
financial information
23.1(4) Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2(4) Consent of Kantrow, Spaht, Weaver & Blitzer
(A Professional Law Corporation) (included in
Exhibit 5.1)
24.1(4) Power of Attorney (contained in page II-6 of this
Registration Statement)
</TABLE>
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to the designated Exhibit of the
Company's Form 8-K filed on November 27, 1996.
(2) Incorporated herein by reference to the designated Exhibit of the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1995.
(3) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form 8-A filed with
the Commission on August 5, 1994.
(4) Filed herewith.
(5) Incorporated herein by reference to the designated Exhibit of the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-21985) filed on February 19, 1997.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.4
UNITED COMPANIES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1996 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
1. PURPOSE OF PLAN
The United Companies Financial Corporation 1996 Long-Term Incentive
Compensation Plan is intended to encourage stock ownership by certain employees
of and advisors to the Company or its Affiliates so that they may acquire or
increase their proprietary interest in the success of the Company, to encourage
them to remain in the employ of or as advisors to the Company or its Affiliates,
and to provide substantial motivation for superior performance.
2. DEFINITIONS
Unless otherwise required by the context, the following terms when used in
the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 2:
(a) "Affiliate": Any "parent corporation" or "subsidiary corporation"
of the Company, as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f),
respectively, of the Code.
(b) "Agreement": A Restricted Stock Agreement or an Option Agreement
evidencing an Award in such form as adopted from time to time by the
Committee pursuant to the Plan.
(c) "Award": An award of Restricted Stock or an Option or any
combination thereof, under the Plan.
(d) "Board of Directors": The Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) "Change of Control": For the purposes of the Plan, the term Change
in Control shall mean the happening of any of the following:
(i) When any "person" as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange
Act, and as used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a "group"
as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (but excluding any
shareholder of record of the Company as of January 1, 1995, owning 10%
or more of the Company's securities which are entitled to vote in the
election of directors of the Company) directly or indirectly becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), of
securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities which are
entitled to vote with respect to the election of directors;
(ii) When, during any period of 24 consecutive months, the
individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board
of Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any
reason other than death or disability to constitute at least a majority
thereof; provided, however, that a director who was not a director at
the beginning of such 24-month period shall be deemed to have satisfied
such 24-month requirement (and be an Incumbent Director) if such
director was elected by, or on the recommendation of or with approval
of, at least two-thirds of the directors who then qualified as Incumbent
Directors either actually (because they were directors at the beginning
of such 24-month period) or by operation of this provision;
(iii) The acquisition of the Company or all or substantially all of
the Company's assets by an entity other than the Company (or a 50% or
more owned subsidiary of the Company) through purchase of assets, or by
merger, or otherwise, except in the case of a transaction pursuant to
which, immediately after the transaction, the Company's shareholders
immediately prior to the transaction own immediately after the
transaction at least a majority of the combined voting power of the
surviving entity's then outstanding securities which are entitled to
vote with respect to the election of directors of such entity; or
1
<PAGE> 2
(iv) The Company files a report or proxy statement with the
Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act disclosing in response to Form
8-K, Form 10-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form or
report or item therein) that a change in control of the Company has or
may have occurred or will or may occur in the future pursuant to any
then-existing contract or transaction.
(f) "Code": The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.
(g) "Common Stock": The $2.00 par value per share common stock of the
Company.
(h) "Commission": The Securities and Exchange Commission.
(i) "Committee": The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
or such other committee appointed by the Board of Directors which meets the
requirements set forth in Section 11(a) hereof.
(j) "Company": United Companies Financial Corporation, a Louisiana
corporation.
(k) "Consultant": Any director of or professional advisor to the
Company or its Affiliates, as well as any employee, officer or director of
a corporation that serves as an advisor, consultant or independent
contractor to the Company or its Affiliates. The term "Consultant" shall
not, however, include any officer or employee of the Company or its
Affiliates.
(l) "Covered Executive": Any individual who, on the last day of the
Company's applicable taxable year, meets the definition of a "covered
employee" under Section 162(m) of the Code and applicable regulations
thereunder.
(m) "Effective Date": The date on which the Plan shall become
effective as set forth in Section 14 hereof.
(n) "Exchange Act": The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
together with all regulations and rules issued thereunder.
(o) "Exercise Price": In the case of an Option, the price per Share at
which the Shares subject to such Option may be purchased upon exercise of
such Option.
(p) "Fair Market Value": As applied to a specific date, the fair
market value of a Share on such date as determined in good faith by the
Committee in the following manner:
(i) If the Shares are then listed on any national or regional stock
exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and prices are quoted
on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the last
quoted sales price of a Share on the date in question, or if there are
no reported sales on such date, on the last preceding date on which
sales were reported;
(ii) If the Shares are not so listed, then the Fair Market Value
shall be the mean between the bid and ask prices quoted by a market
maker or other recognized specialist in the Shares at the close of the
date in question; or
(iii) In the absence of either of the foregoing, the Fair Market
Value shall be determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion
after giving consideration to the book value, the revenues, the earnings
history and the prospects of the Company in light of market conditions
generally.
The Fair Market Value determined in such manner shall be final, binding and
conclusive on all parties.
(q) "ISO": An Option intended to qualify as an "incentive stock
option," as defined in Section 422 of the Code or any statutory provision
that may replace such Section and designated as an incentive stock option
by the Committee.
(r) "Officer": An officer of the Company or its Affiliates meeting the
definition of "officer" in Rule 16a-1(f) (or any successor provision)
promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange Act.
(s) "NQSO": An Option not intended to be an ISO and designated as a
nonqualified stock option by the Committee.
(t) "Option": Any ISO or NQSO granted under the Plan.
2
<PAGE> 3
(u) "Option Agreement": The written agreement evidencing the Award of
an Option.
(v) "Participant": An officer or other key employee of or Consultant
to the Company or any of its Affiliates who has been granted an Award under
the Plan.
(w) "Plan": This United Companies Financial Corporation 1996 Long-Term
Incentive Compensation Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time.
(x) "Restricted Stock": Shares which have been awarded to a
Participant under Section 8 hereof.
(y) "Restricted Stock Agreement": The written agreement evidencing an
Award of Restricted Stock.
(z) "Restriction Period": The time period during which Restricted
Stock awarded under the Plan must be held before it becomes fully vested,
unless additional conditions have been placed upon the vesting thereof.
(aa) "Shares": Shares of the Company's authorized but unissued or
reacquired Common Stock (including treasury shares), or such other class or
kind of shares or other securities as may be applicable pursuant to the
provisions of Section 4(d) hereof.
(ab) "Subsidiary": Any "subsidiary corporation" of the Company, as
such term is defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. PARTICIPATION
Participants shall be selected by the Committee from the officers (whether
or not they are directors), key employees of the Company or its Affiliates
(either full or part-time) and Consultants who have the capability of making a
substantial contribution to the success of the Company.
4. COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
(a) Shares Subject to the Plan. As of the Effective Date, the aggregate
number of Shares which may be issued as Awards pursuant to the Plan is 1,500,000
Shares. Further, on January 1, 1998, and annually thereafter, the aggregate
number of Shares which may be awarded pursuant to the Plan shall be increased by
one and one-half (1 1/2%) percent of the number of shares of Common Stock that
are outstanding as of such dates. The limitations set forth in this Section 4(a)
shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(d) below.
(b) Accounting for Number of Shares. For purposes of determining the
aggregate number of Shares available to be issued as Awards pursuant to the
Plan, the number of outstanding Options and shares of Restricted Stock shall
reduce the maximum number of Shares available to be issued as Awards. However,
any Shares subject to an Award that is forfeited, terminates or expires
unexercised shall be added to the maximum number of Shares available to be
issued as Awards under the Plan.
(c) Maximum Total Option Awards. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
4(a), over the term of the Plan, the total number of Shares that may be issued
upon exercise of all Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed the sum of:
(i) 500,000 shares; plus (ii) annual amounts beginning January 1, 1998 equal to
the lesser of (A) two (2%) percent of the total issued and outstanding shares of
Common Stock as of January 1 of each full or partial year during which the Plan
is in effect; or (B) such amount calculated as of the Effective Date. The
limitations in this Section 4(c) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 4(d) below.
(d) Adjustment Of Shares And Price. In the event that the Shares are
changed into or exchanged for a different kind or number of shares of stock or
securities of the Company as the result of any stock dividend, stock split,
combination of shares, exchange of shares, merger, consolidation,
reorganization, recapitalization or other change in capital structure, then the
number of Shares subject to this Plan and to Awards granted hereunder and the
purchase or Exercise Price for such Shares shall be equitably adjusted by the
Committee to prevent the dilution or enlargement of Awards, and any new stock or
securities into which the Shares are
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changed or for which they are exchanged shall be substituted for the Shares
subject to this Plan and to Awards granted hereunder; provided, however, that
fractional shares may be deleted from any such adjustment or substitution. Any
shares of stock or other securities received as a result of any of the foregoing
by a Participant with respect to Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same
restrictions and the certificate(s) or other instruments representing or
evidencing such shares or securities shall be legended and deposited with the
Company in the manner provided in Section 8(e) hereof.
5. GENERAL TERMS, CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF AWARDS OF OPTIONS
(a) Terms And Conditions. The Committee shall have full and complete
authority and discretion, except as expressly limited by the Plan, to grant
Options and to provide the terms and conditions (which need not be identical
among the Participants) thereof. In particular, the Committee shall set forth in
the Option Agreement the following terms and conditions:
(i) The Exercise Price of the Option, which may not be less than
either (A) 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share at the date of grant of
the Option or (B) the par value per Share;
(ii) The number of Shares subject to, and the expiration date of, the
Option;
(iii) The manner, time and rate (cumulative or otherwise) of exercise
of the Option; provided, however, that except as otherwise specified in the
Plan, no Option awarded to a Participant who is an Officer shall be
exercisable prior to the expiration of six months from the date of grant;
and
(iv) The restrictions or conditions (such as performance goals), if
any, to be placed upon the grant of the Option, the exercisability of the
Option or upon the Shares which may be issued upon exercise of the Option.
The Committee may, as a condition of granting an Option, require that a
Participant agree not to thereafter exercise one or more Options previously
granted to such Participant.
(b) Maximum Award Of Options. The number of Shares that may be allotted by
the Committee pursuant to Options awarded to any individual Participant shall
not exceed, in any calendar year, 50,000 Shares (subject to adjustment pursuant
to Section 4(d) of the Plan).
6. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
(a) General Exercise Rights. Except as provided in Section 9(a)(ii), an
Option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the
Participant to whom such Option was granted only by such Participant, and except
as provided in Section 6(c) and Section 9(a)(ii) hereof, no Option may be
exercised unless at the time such Participant exercises such Option, such
Participant is an employee of and has continuously since the grant thereof been
an employee of, the Company or an Affiliate. Transfer of employment between
Affiliates or between an Affiliate and the Company shall not be considered an
interruption or termination of employment for any purpose under this Plan.
Neither shall a leave of absence at the request, or with the approval, of the
Company or an Affiliate be deemed an interruption or termination of employment,
so long as the period of such leave does not exceed 90 days, or, if longer, so
long as the Participant's right to re-employment with the Company or an
Affiliate is guaranteed by contract. An Option also shall contain such
conditions upon exercise (including, without limitation, conditions limiting the
time of exercise to specified periods) as may be required to satisfy applicable
regulatory requirements, including, without limitation, Rule 16b-3 (or any
successor rule) promulgated by the Commission.
(b) Notice Of Exercise. An Option may not be exercised with respect to less
than 100 Shares, unless the exercise relates to all Shares covered by the Option
at the date of exercise. An Option may be exercised by delivery of a written
notice to the Company, which shall state the election to exercise the Option and
the number of whole Shares in respect of which it is being exercised, and shall
be signed by the person or persons so exercising the Option. In the case of an
exercise of an Option, such notice shall either: (i) be accompanied by payment
of the full Exercise Price and all applicable withholding taxes, in which event
the Company shall deliver any certificate(s) representing Shares to which the
Participant is entitled as a result of the exercise as soon as practicable after
the notice has been received; or (ii) fix a date (not less than 5 nor more than
15 business days from the date such notice has been received by the Company) for
the payment of the full
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Exercise Price and all applicable withholding taxes, against delivery by the
Company of any certificate(s) representing Shares to which the Participant is
entitled to receive as a result of the exercise. Payment of such Exercise Price
and withholding taxes shall be made as provided in Sections 6(d) and 11,
respectively. In the event the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section
6(c)(i) or Section 9(a)(ii) hereof, by any person or persons other than the
Participant, such notice shall be accompanied by appropriate proof of the right
of such person or persons to exercise the Option.
(c) Exercise After Termination Of Employment. Except as otherwise
determined by the Committee at the date of grant of the Option and as is
provided in the applicable Option Agreement evidencing the Option, upon
termination of a Participant's employment with the Company or any of its
Affiliates, such Participant (or in the case of death, the person(s) to whom the
Option is transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution) may
exercise such Option during the following periods of time (but in no event after
the expiration date of such Option) to the extent that such Participant was
entitled to exercise such Option at the date of such termination:
(i) In the case of termination as a result of death, disability or
retirement of the Participant, the Option shall remain exercisable until
the normal expiration date of the Option; for this purpose, "disability"
shall exist when the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial,
gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or
can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months,
as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and "retirement"
shall mean voluntary retirement at or after the Participant's normal
retirement date as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion;
(ii) In the case of termination for cause, the Option shall
immediately terminate and shall no longer be exercisable; and
(iii) In the case of termination for any reason other than those set
forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above, the Option shall remain
exercisable for three months after the date of termination.
To the extent the Option is not exercised within the foregoing periods of time,
the Option shall automatically terminate at the end of the applicable period of
time. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, failure to exercise an ISO
within the periods of time prescribed under Sections 421 and 422 of the Code
shall cause an ISO to cease to be treated as an "incentive stock option" for
purposes of Section 421 of the Code.
(d) Payment Of Option Exercise Price. Upon the exercise of an Option,
payment of the Exercise Price shall be made either (i) in cash (by a certified
check, bank draft or money order), (ii) with the consent of the Committee and
subject to Section 6(e) hereof, by delivering the Participant's duly-executed
promissory note and related documents, (iii) with the consent of the Committee,
by delivering Shares already owned by the Participant valued at Fair Market
Value, (iv) with the consent of the Committee, by electing to have the Company
withhold from the Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option that
number of Shares valued at Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise, or (v)
by a combination of the foregoing forms of payment. Any consent of the Committee
required by this Section 6(d) may be given or withheld by the Committee in its
absolute discretion.
(e) Payment With Loan. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, assist
any Participant in the exercise of one or more Options granted to such
Participant under the Plan by authorizing the extension of a loan to such
Participant from the Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6(e),
the terms of any loan (including the interest rate and terms of repayment) shall
be established by the Committee in its sole discretion. Any such loan by the
Company shall be with full recourse against the Participant to whom the loan is
granted, shall be secured in whole or in part by the Shares so purchased, and
shall bear interest at a rate not less than the minimum interest rate required
at the time of purchase of the Shares in order to avoid having imputed interest
or original issue discount under Sections 483 or 1272 of the Code. In addition,
any such loan by the Company shall become immediately due and payable in full,
at the option of the Company, upon termination of the Participant's employment
with the Company or its Affiliates for any reason or upon the sale of any Shares
acquired with such loan to the extent of the cash and fair market value of any
property received by the Participant in such sale. The Committee may make
arrangements for the application of payroll
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<PAGE> 6
deductions from compensation payable to the Participant to amounts owing to the
Company under any such loan. Until any loan by the Company under this Section
6(e) is fully paid in cash, the Shares shall be pledged to the Company as
security for such loan and the Company shall retain physical possession of the
stock certificates evidencing the Shares so purchased together with a duly
executed stock power for such Shares. No loan shall be made hereunder unless
counsel for the Company shall be satisfied that the loan and the issuance of
Shares funded thereby will be in compliance with all applicable federal, state
and local laws, and such counsel shall be consulted prior to the funding of any
such loan.
(f) Options Awarded To Consultants. Any provision of this Section 6 to the
contrary notwithstanding, (i) an Option may be exercised at any time by a
Participant who is a Consultant during the applicable period in the manner
provided in Section 6(b) above; provided, that in the event of the death of a
Participant who is a Consultant, the Option may be exercised by the executors or
administrators of the estate of such Participant or by the person or persons who
shall have acquired the Option directly by bequest or inheritance; and (ii) the
Exercise Price for an Option awarded to a Consultant must be paid in cash (by a
certified check, bank draft or money order).
(g) Rights As A Shareholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect to any Shares issuable on exercise of an Option until
the date of the issuance of a stock certificate to the Participant for such
Shares. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary,
whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions or other rights
for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued,
except as provided in Section 4(d) hereof.
7. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR ISOS
Any provision of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the following
special provisions shall apply to all ISOs granted under the Plan:
(i) The Option must be expressly designated as an ISO by the Committee
and in the Option Agreement;
(ii) No ISO shall be granted more than ten years from the Effective
Date of the Plan and no ISO shall be exercisable more than ten years from
the date such ISO is granted;
(iii) The Exercise Price of any ISO shall not be less than the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date such ISO is granted;
(iv) Any ISO shall not be transferable by the Participant to whom such
ISO is granted other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution
and shall be exercisable during such Participant's lifetime only by such
Participant;
(v) No ISO shall be granted to any individual who, at the time such
ISO is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate unless
the Exercise Price of such ISO is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value
per Share at the date of grant and such ISO is not exercisable after the
expiration of five years from the date such ISO is granted;
(vi) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time any
ISO is granted) of any Company stock with respect to which any ISOs granted
to a Participant are exercisable for the first time by such Participant
during any calendar year (under this Plan and all other stock option plans
of the Company and any of its Affiliates and any predecessor of any such
corporations) shall not exceed $100,000 as required under Section 422(d)(i)
of the Code. (To the extent the $100,000 limit is exceeded, the $100,000 in
Options, measured as described above, granted earliest in time will be
treated as ISOs); and
(vii) any other terms and conditions as may be required in order that
the ISO qualifies as an "incentive stock option" under Section 422 of the
Code or successor provision.
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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6(c)(i), the favorable tax treatment
available pursuant to Section 422 of the Code upon the exercise of an ISO will
not be available to a Participant who exercises any ISO more than (i) 12 months
after the date of termination of employment due to the Participant's disability
or (ii) three months after the date of termination of employment due to
retirement of the Participant.
8. RESTRICTED STOCK
(a) Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant
one or more Awards of Restricted Stock to any Participant. Each Award of
Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement which shall
specify the number of Shares to be issued to the Participant, the date of such
issuance, the price, if any, to be paid for such Shares by the Participant, the
Restriction Period and any other conditions imposed on such Shares as the
Committee, in its discretion, shall determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Committee shall impose upon each Award of Restricted Stock made to a
Participant who is an Officer a Restriction Period expiring no earlier than six
months after the date of grant of the Restricted Stock. Shares of Restricted
Stock shall be evidenced by a stock certificate registered only in the name of
the Participant, which stock certificate shall be held by the Company until the
restrictions on such Shares shall have lapsed and those Shares shall have
thereby vested in full.
(b) Maximum Award Of Restricted Stock. The maximum number of Shares that
may be allotted by the Committee pursuant to Restricted Stock awarded to any
individual Participant shall not exceed, in any calendar year, 30,000 Shares
(subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Plan).
(c) Restrictions And Forfeitures.
(i) Shares included in Restricted Stock Awards may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of or encumbered,
either voluntarily or involuntarily, until such Shares have fully vested.
(ii) Participants receiving Restricted Stock shall be entitled to
dividend and voting rights for the Shares issued even though they are not
vested, provided that such rights shall terminate immediately as to any
forfeited Restricted Stock.
(iii) In the event that the Participant shall have paid any cash for
the Restricted Stock, the Agreement shall specify whether and to what
extent such cash shall be returned upon a forfeiture (with or without an
earnings factor).
(iv) The Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by a stock certificate
registered only in the name of the Participant, which stock certificate
shall be held by the Company until the Restricted Stock has fully vested.
(v) The occurrence of any of the following events shall cause the
immediate vesting of the Restricted Stock:
A. the death of the Participant;
B. the retirement of the Participant on or after the Participant's
normal retirement date;
C. the disability of the Participant.
For the purposes of this Subsection, the term "disability" shall be defined
as such term is defined in Section 6(c)(i). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
to the extent a condition(s) other than a Restriction Period has been
imposed by the Committee upon the Restricted Stock, the occurrence of the
foregoing shall not cause immediate vesting unless and until such
condition(s) has been met.
(vi) A Restricted Stock Award shall be entirely forfeited by the
Participant in the event that prior to vesting, the Participant breaches
any terms or conditions of the Plan, the Participant resigns from or is
terminated by the Company, or any condition(s) imposed upon vesting are not
met.
(d) Performance or Other Conditions. The Committee may, in its absolute
discretion, make the vesting of any Restricted Stock Award subject to the
fulfillment of a performance or other condition. The Committee
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shall have the absolute discretion in determining the terms of any such
condition; provided, however, if the Committee chooses to impose a
performance-based condition upon a Restricted Stock Award made to a Participant
who is a Covered Executive, then the Committee must select one or more of the
following performance-based factors, in the Committee's sole discretion: return
on equity, stock price, earnings per share or market share. For purposes of this
Section 8(d), "return on equity" shall mean the return or equity of the Company
for the specified period, computed on a consolidated basis in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. With respect to grants of Restricted
Stock to a Covered Executive, before a performance-based condition will be
considered fulfilled, the Committee must certify, in writing, that such
condition has been met.
(e) Legend On Certificates. Each certificate evidencing a Restricted Stock
Award under the Plan shall be registered in the name of the Participant and
deposited by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank,
with the Company and shall bear the following (or a similar) legend:
"The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock
represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including
forfeiture) contained in the United Companies Financial Corporation 1996
Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan and a Restricted Stock Agreement
entered into between the registered owner and United Companies Financial
Corporation. Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file in the offices
of the Secretary of United Companies Financial Corporation, 4041 Essen
Lane, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809."
(f) Section 83(b) Elections. Within 30 days after the issuance of shares of
Restricted Stock to a Participant under the Plan, the Participant shall decide
whether or not to file an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code and
Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-2 (and state law counterparts) with respect to
such Restricted Stock. If the Participant does file such an election, the
Participant shall promptly furnish the Company with a copy of such election.
9. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS OF AWARDS; GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
(a) Awards Generally Not Transferable.
(i) No Award nor any right or interest of a Participant under the Plan
in any instrument evidencing any Award under the Plan may be assigned,
encumbered, or transferred, except, (i) in the event of the death of a
Participant, by will or the laws of descent and distribution; or (ii)
pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined in the Code,
Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules and
regulations thereunder.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall have the
authority, in its absolute discretion, to add (originally or by way of
amendment) as a term of any NQSO awarded hereunder, that such NQSO may be
transferred, no less than six (6) months after it is granted, to members of
a Participant's immediate family, including trusts for the benefit of such
family members and partnerships in which such family members are the only
partners as well as to charitable organizations that are approved in
advance by the Committee. A transfer pursuant to this Subsection may only
be effected by the Company at the written request of a Participant and
shall become effective only when recorded in the Company's record of
outstanding NQSOs. In the event an NQSO is transferred pursuant to this
Subsection, such NQSO may not be subsequently transferred by the transferee
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of a
transfer pursuant to this Subsection, such NQSO shall continue to be
governed by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the
relevant grant.
(b) Government Regulations. This Plan, the granting of Awards under this
Plan and the issuance or transfer of Shares (and/or the payment of money)
pursuant thereto are subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and
regulations and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency
(including without limitation "no action" positions of the Commission) which
may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in
connection therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no
Awards may be granted under this Plan, and no Shares shall be issued by the
Company, pursuant to or in connection with any such Award, unless and until, in
each such case, all legal requirements applicable to the
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issuance or payment have, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, been
complied with. In connection with any stock issuance or transfer, the person
acquiring the Shares shall, if requested by the Company, give assurances
satisfactory to counsel to the Company in respect of such matters as the Company
may deem desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.
The Company shall not be required to deliver any Shares under the Plan prior to
(i) the admission of such Shares to listing or for quotation on any stock
exchange or automated quotation system on which Shares may then be listed or
quoted, and (ii) the completion and effectiveness of such registration or other
qualification of such Shares under any state or federal law, rule or regulation,
as the Committee shall determine to be necessary or advisable.
10. CONSULTANTS
An Award made to a Consultant hereunder must be supported by bona fide
services rendered by the Consultant to the Company. However, in no event may an
Award to a Consultant be made for services rendered by the Consultant in
connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction
for the Company.
11. TAX WITHHOLDING
The Company shall have the right to withhold from amounts due Participants,
or to collect from Participants directly, the amount which the Company deems
necessary to satisfy any taxes required by law to be withheld at any time by
reason of participation in the Plan, and the obligations of the Company under
the Plan shall be conditional on payment of such taxes. The Participant may,
prior to the due date of any taxes, pay such amounts to the Company in cash, or
with the consent of the Committee, in Shares (which shall be valued at their
Fair Market Value on the date of payment). There is no obligation under this
Plan that any Participant be advised of the existence of the tax or the amount
required to be withheld. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in
any case where it determines that a tax is or will be required to be withheld in
connection with the issuance or transfer or vesting of Shares under this Plan,
the Company may pursuant to such rules as the Committee may establish, reduce
the number of such Shares so issued or transferred by such number of Shares as
the Company may deem appropriate in its sole discretion to accomplish such
withholding or make such other arrangements as it deems satisfactory.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Committee may impose such
conditions on the payment of any withholding obligation as may be required to
satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, including, without limitation, Rule
16b-3 (or successor provision) promulgated by the Commission.
12. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN
(a) The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which
shall be comprised of two or more members of the Board of Directors, each of
whom shall be a "Non-Employee Director" as defined in rule 16b-3(b)(3) (or any
successor provision) promulgated by the Commission.
(b) Committee Action. A majority of the members of the Committee at the
time in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and
any determination or action may be taken at a meeting by a majority vote or may
be taken without a meeting by a written resolution signed by all members of the
Committee. All decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final,
conclusive and binding upon all Participants and upon all other persons claiming
any rights under the Plan with respect to any Restricted Stock or Options.
Members of the Board of Directors and members of the Committee acting under the
Plan shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the advice of
counsel and shall incur no liability except for willful misconduct in the
performance of their duties.
(c) Committee Authority. In amplification of the Committee's powers and
duties, but not by way of limitation, the Committee shall have full authority
and power to:
(i) Construe and interpret the provisions of the Plan and make rules
and regulations for the administration of the Plan not inconsistent with
the Plan;
(ii) Decide all questions of eligibility for Plan participation and
for the grant of Awards;
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(iii) Adopt forms of agreements and other documents consistent with
the Plan;
(iv) Engage agents to perform legal, accounting and other such
professional services as it may deem proper for administering the Plan; and
(v) Take such other actions as may be reasonably required or
appropriate to administer the Plan or to carry out the Committee activities
contemplated by other sections of this Plan.
(d) Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as
they may have as directors or as members of the Committee, the Board of
Directors and the members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company
against the reasonable expenses, including court costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees, actually incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or
proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of
them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in
connection with the Plan or any Award granted hereunder, and against all amounts
paid by them in settlement thereof or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment
in any such action, suit or proceeding, except where such indemnification is
expressly prohibited by applicable law.
13. CHANGE OF CONTROL.
All Options shall become fully exercisable, and all Restricted Stock shall
fully vest free of restrictions, upon the occurrence of any Change of Control,
whether or not such Options are then exercisable or such Restricted Stock is
then vested under the provisions of the applicable Agreements relating thereto.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will Options awarded to Officers be
exercisable or Restricted Stock awarded to Officers vest less than six months
after the date on which they are granted.
14. EFFECTIVE DATE AND SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
The Effective Date of the Plan shall be November 11, 1996 (the date it was
approved by the Board of Directors), subject to receipt within one year of that
date of the approval of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of
the voting securities of the Company present in person or represented by proxy
at the meeting of the shareholder at which the Plan is considered. All Awards
pursuant to the Plan prior to the receipt of shareholder approval shall be
effective when made but shall be subject to receipt of such approval. If such
approval is not received, all Awards shall be forfeited.
15. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
(a) The Plan
(i) Amendment. The Board of Directors may amend the Plan from time to
time in its sole discretion unless the amendment would, pursuant to any
applicable federal, state or local law, require shareholder approval, in
which event such approval shall be obtained. However, no amendment shall
impair the rights of any Participant under any Award theretofore made under
the Plan, without the Participant's consent.
(ii) Termination. The Plan shall terminate automatically on the tenth
anniversary of the Effective Date, and the Board of Directors may suspend
or terminate the Plan at any earlier time. Upon termination of the Plan, no
additional Awards shall be granted under the Plan; provided, however, that
the terms of the Plan shall continue in full force and effect with respect
to outstanding Restricted Stock and outstanding and unexercised Options
granted under the Plan and Shares issued under the Plan.
(b) Awards. Subject to the terms and conditions and the limitations of the
Plan, the Committee may in the exercise of its sole discretion modify, extend or
renew the terms of outstanding Awards granted under the Plan, or accept the
surrender of outstanding Awards (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and
authorize the granting of new Awards in substitution therefor (to the extent not
theretofore exercised). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Committee may in its discretion at any time accelerate the time at which any
Option is exercisable or the date on which any Restricted Stock vests, subject
to compliance with the
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requirements of Rule 16b-3 (or successor provision) promulgated by the
Commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no modification of an Award
shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair any rights or obligations
under any Awards theretofore granted under the Plan.
16. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Employment. Neither the establishment of the Plan nor any amendments
thereto, nor the granting of any Award under the Plan, shall be construed as in
any way modifying or affecting, or evidencing any intention or understanding
with respect to, the terms of the employment of any Participant with the Company
or any of its Affiliates. No person shall have a right to be granted Awards or,
having been selected as a Participant for one Award, to be so selected again.
(b) Multiple Awards. Subject to the terms and restrictions set forth in the
Plan, a Participant may hold more than one Award.
(c) Written Notice. As used herein, any notices required hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be given on the forms, if any, provided or specified by the
Committee. Written notice shall be effective upon actual receipt by the person
to whom such notice is to be given; provided, however, that in the case of
notices to Participants and their transferees, heirs, legatees and legal
representatives, notice shall be effective upon delivery if delivered personally
or three business days after mailing, registered first class postage prepaid to
the last known address of the person to whom notice is given. Written notice
shall be given to the Committee and the Company at the following address or such
other address as may be specified from time to time:
United Companies Financial Corporation
P. O. Box 1591 (70821)
4041 Essen Lane (70809)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Attention: Secretary
(d) Applicable Law; Severability. The Plan shall be governed by and
construed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana.
If any provision of the Plan shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the Plan shall
continue to be fully effective.
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EXHIBIT 4.5
UNITED COMPANIES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK PLAN
1. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN.
This 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (the "Plan") is intended to
assist United Companies Financial Corporation (the "Company") in attracting and
retaining highly qualified and experienced persons, who are not officers or
employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, for service
as directors of the Company by providing such directors with a proprietary
interest in the Company's success through the award to such directors of (i)
nonqualified stock options (the "Options") to acquire shares of the common
stock, par value $2.00 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") and (ii)
shares of restricted Common Stock (the "Restricted Stock"). The Options and the
shares of Restricted Stock shall be referred to herein collectively as an
"Award" or "Awards".
2. PARTICIPATION.
Each member of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") who is not,
and who has not been during the one-year period immediately preceding the
Effective Date (as defined below), or the date the director is first elected to
the Board, whichever is later, an officer or employee of the Company or of any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates (each, an "Eligible Director") shall be
eligible to participate in the Plan.
3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
The Plan shall be administered, construed and interpreted by a committee
(the "Committee") which shall be comprised of two or more members of the Board
appointed by the Board, who do not qualify as Eligible Directors under the Plan.
The Committee shall prescribe the forms of agreement to be used to evidence
Awards under the Plan, consistent with the terms of the Plan and all applicable
laws and regulations, including, without limitation, Rule 16b-3 (or successor
provision) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission.")
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Maximum Shares. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with
respect to which Awards may be granted and which are hereby reserved for
purposes of the Plan shall be, in the aggregate, 400,000 shares, subject to
further adjustment as provided in Section 4(b) hereof. Shares issued under the
Plan may be either authorized but unissued shares or shares which have been or
may be reacquired by the Company, including treasury shares. Shares released
upon forfeiture of an Award shall again be available for future grant under the
Plan.
(b) Adjustments in Event of Changes in Capitalization. In the event that
the Common Stock is changed into or exchanged for a different kind or number of
shares of stock or securities of the Company as the result of any stock
dividend, stock split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other change in capital
structure of the Company (each, a "Capitalization Change"), then the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to this Plan and the number of shares of Common
Stock subject to awards previously granted hereunder shall be equitably adjusted
by the Committee to prevent the dilution or enlargement of such previous awards,
and any new stock or securities into which the shares of Common Stock are
changed or for which they are exchanged shall be substituted for the shares of
Common Stock subject to this Plan and to awards made hereunder; provided,
however, that fractional shares may be deleted from any such adjustment or
substitution. There shall be no such equitable adjustment for the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to Options as set forth in Section 5(a) in the
event the effective date of the Capitalization Change occurs prior to the grant
of the Option.
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<PAGE> 2
5. OPTIONS GRANTED UNDER THE PLAN.
(a) Option Grants. Beginning after the Effective Date, each Eligible
Director shall be granted an Option to acquire 4,000 shares of Common Stock on
an annual basis effective on the date of each annual meeting of shareholders of
the Company. In addition to the foregoing annual grant, each Eligible Director
that is elected, subsequent to the Effective Date, by the Board to fill a newly
created directorship that results from either an increase in the authorized
number of directors or a vacancy in the Board resulting from death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be
granted an Option to acquire 4,000 shares of Common Stock effective on the date
of such election by the Board. The price at which shares of Common Stock may be
acquired pursuant to each Option (the "Exercise Price") shall be the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock, as defined in Section 5(d) hereof, as of the date
such Option is granted.
(b) Exercise Rights. An Option granted under the Plan shall not be
exercisable for a period of six months after the date of grant. Thereafter,
subject to Section 8 hereof, the Option shall be fully exercisable, and shall
remain exercisable for a period of ten years from the date such Option is
granted, at which time any unexercised portion of the Option shall terminate. In
the event that the optionee ceases to be a member of the Board within six months
of the date an Option is granted, the Option shall be forfeited. An Option shall
be exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee to whom such Option was
granted only by the optionee.
(c) Exercise of Options. Subject to Section 5(b), an Option may be
exercised with respect to all or part of the shares covered by the Option, but
in no event with respect to less than 100 shares, unless the exercise relates to
all shares covered by the Option at the date of exercise. Options may be
exercised by delivery of a signed written notice to the Company, which notice
shall state the election to exercise the Option and the number of whole shares
in respect to which it is being exercised, together with payment in full of the
Exercise Price, which payment shall be made either (i) in cash (by a certified
check, bank draft or money order); (ii) with the consent of the Committee, by
delivering shares already owned by the optionee valued at Fair Market Value;
(iii) by electing to have the Company withhold from the shares otherwise
issuable upon exercise of the Option that number of Shares valued at Fair Market
Value (as defined below) as of the date of exercise; or (iv) by a combination of
the foregoing forms of payment. Notice of exercise and payment of the Exercise
Price shall be delivered to the Company at the following address:
United Companies Financial Corporation
P. O. Box 1591 (70821)
4041 Essen Lane (70809)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Attn: Secretary
(d) Fair Market Value. The term "Fair Market Value" means the fair market
value of a share of Common Stock as determined in good faith by the Committee in
the following manner:
(i) If the Common Stock is then listed on any national or regional
stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and prices are
quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the last
quoted sales price of a share of Common Stock on the date in question, or
if there are no reported sales on such date, on the last preceding date on
which sales were reported;
(ii) If the Common Stock is not so listed or quoted, then the Fair
Market Value shall be the mean between the bid and ask prices quoted by a
market maker or other recognized specialist in the Common Stock at the
close of the date in question; or
(iii) In the absence of either of the foregoing, the Fair Market Value
shall be determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion after
giving consideration to the book value, the revenues, the earnings history
and the prospects of the Company in light of market conditions generally.
The Fair Market Value determined in such manner shall be final, binding and
conclusive on all parties.
(e) Transferability. (i) Except as provided in Subsection 5(e)(ii) below,
no Option granted under the Plan may be assigned, encumbered or transferred,
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution in the
2
<PAGE> 3
event of the death of the optionee, or pursuant to a qualified domestic relation
order as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or Title I of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder. (ii) The
Committee shall have the authority, in its absolute discretion, to add
(originally, or by way of amendment to an outstanding Option) as a term of any
Option awarded hereunder, that such Option may be transferred, no earlier than
six (6) months after it is granted, to members of an Eligible Director's
immediate family, including trusts for the benefit of such family members and
partnerships in which such family members are the only partners as well as to
charitable organizations that are approved in advance by the Committee. A
transfer pursuant to this Subsection may only be effected by the Company at the
written request of an Eligible Director and shall become effective only when
recorded in the Company's record of outstanding Options. In the event an Option
is transferred pursuant to this Subsection, such Option may not be subsequently
transferred by the transferee except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. In the event of a transfer pursuant to this Subsection, such
Option shall continue to be governed by and subject to the terms and conditions
of this Plan and the relevant grant.
6. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDED UNDER THE PLAN.
(a) Restricted Stock Awards. Beginning after the Effective Date, each
Eligible Director shall be granted 1,000 shares of Restricted Stock on an annual
basis effective on the date of each annual meeting of shareholders of the
Company. In addition to the foregoing annual grant, each Eligible Director that
is elected by the Board to fill a newly-created directorship that results from
either an increase in the authorized number of directors or a vacancy in the
Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal
from office or other cause shall be granted 1,000 shares of Restricted Stock (an
"Interim Restricted Stock Award") effective on the date of such election by the
Board; provided, however, that an Eligible Director that is elected by the Board
prior to the date of the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company
shall not be entitled to an Interim Restricted Stock Award. Each award of
Restricted Stock shall provide for a restriction period expiring six months
after the date of grant of the Restricted Stock. Shares of Restricted Stock
shall be evidenced by a stock certificate registered only in the name of the
Eligible Director, which stock certificate shall be held by the Company until
the restriction period on the Restricted Stock shall have lapsed and the
Restricted Stock shall have thereby vested.
(b) Restrictions and Forfeitures.
(i) Shares included in an award of Restricted Stock may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of or encumbered,
either voluntarily or involuntarily, until such shares have fully vested.
(ii) Eligible Directors receiving Restricted Stock shall be entitled
to dividend and voting rights for the shares issued even though they are
not vested, provided that such rights shall terminate immediately as to any
forfeited Restricted Stock.
(iii) The Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by a stock certificate
registered only in the name of the Eligible Director, which stock
certificate shall be held by the Company until the Restricted Stock has
fully vested.
(iv) The death of the Eligible Director shall cause the immediate
vesting of the Restricted Stock.
(v) A Restricted Stock Award shall be entirely forfeited by the
Participant in the event that prior to vesting, the Participant breaches
any terms or conditions of the Plan.
(c) Legend on Certificates. Each certificate evidencing an award of
Restricted Stock under the Plan shall be registered in the name of the Eligible
Director and deposited by the Eligible Director, together with a stock power
endorsed in blank, with the Company and shall bear the following (or a similar)
legend:
"The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock
represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including
forfeiture) contained in the United Companies Financial Corporation 1996
Non-Employee Director Stock Plan and a Restricted Stock Agreement entered
into between the registered owner and United Companies Financial
Corporation. Copies of such Plan and Agreement are
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<PAGE> 4
on file in the offices of the Secretary of United Companies Financial
Corporation, 4041 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809."
7. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.
This Plan and the Awards granted under the Plan are subject to all
applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals
by any regulatory or governmental agency (including without limitation "no
action" positions of the Commission) which may, in the opinion of counsel for
the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, no Awards may be made under the Plan and no
shares of Common Stock shall be issued by the Company, pursuant to or in
connection with any such Award, unless and until all applicable legal
requirements have, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, been complied with.
In connection with any stock issuance or transfer, the person acquiring such
shares shall, if requested by the Company, give assurances satisfactory to
counsel to the Company in respect to such matters as the Company may deem
desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements. The
Company shall not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock under the
Plan prior to (i) the admission of such shares to listing on any stock exchange
or the Nasdaq Stock Market, as applicable, on which the Common Stock may then be
listed, and (ii) the completion of such registration or other qualification of
such Shares under any state or federal law, rule or regulation, as the Committee
shall determine to be necessary or advisable.
8. TERMINATION.
The Plan shall terminate automatically on the tenth anniversary of the
Effective Date, and the Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any earlier
time. Upon termination of the Plan, no additional Awards shall be granted under
the Plan; provided, however, that the terms of the Plan shall continue in full
force and effect with respect to outstanding Restricted Stock and outstanding
and unexercised Options granted under the Plan and shares of Common Stock issued
under the Plan.
9. AMENDMENT.
The Board may amend the Plan from time to time in its sole discretion
unless the amendment would, pursuant to any federal, state or local law or other
rule or regulation to which the Company or the Common Stock is governed, require
shareholder approval, in which event such approval shall be obtained. However,
no amendment shall impair any rights or obligations under any Award made under
the Plan, without the Eligible Director's consent.
10. INDEMNIFICATION.
In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have, the
members of the Committee and the officers and employees of the Company who may
take actions relating to the Plan shall be indemnified by the Company to the
fullest extent permitted by law against the reasonable expenses, including
attorney's fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the
defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal
thereof, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action
taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award
granted thereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof
(provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by
the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action,
suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be
adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee member, officer
or employee is liable for gross negligence or willful misconduct in the
performance of his duties, provided that within sixty (60) days after
institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, a Committee member, officer
or employee shall in writing offer the Company the opportunity, at its own
expense, to handle and defend the same.
4
<PAGE> 5
11. CHANGE OF CONTROL
All Options shall become fully exercisable, and all Restricted Stock shall
fully vest free of restrictions, upon the occurrence of any Change of Control
(as defined below), whether or not such Options are then exercisable or such
Restricted Stock is then vested under the provisions of the applicable
Agreements relating thereto. For the purpose of the Plan, the term Change in
Control shall mean the happening of any of the following:
(i) When any "person" as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and as used in
Section 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a "group" as defined in Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act (but excluding any shareholder of record of the
Company as of January 1, 1995, owning 10% or more of the Company's
securities which are entitled to vote in the election of directors of the
Company) directly or indirectly becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), of securities of the Company
representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities which are entitled to vote with respect to the
election of directors;
(ii) When, during any period of 24 consecutive months, the individuals
who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board of Directors of
the Company (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason other than
death or disability to constitute at least a majority thereof; provided,
however, that a director who was not a director at the beginning of such
24-month period shall be deemed to have satisfied such 24-month requirement
(and be an Incumbent Director) if such director was elected by, or on the
recommendation of or with approval of, at least two-thirds of the directors
who then qualified as Incumbent Directors either actually (because they
were directors at the beginning of such 24-month period) or by operation of
this provision;
(iii) The acquisition of the Company or all or substantially all of
the Company's assets by an entity other than the Company (or a 50% or more
owned subsidiary of the Company) through purchase of assets, or by merger,
or otherwise, except in the case of a transaction pursuant to which,
immediately after the transaction, the Company's shareholders immediately
prior to the transaction own immediately after the transaction at least a
majority of the combined voting power of the surviving entity's then
outstanding securities which are entitled to vote with respect to the
election of directors of such entity; or
(iv) The Company files a report or proxy statement with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act disclosing in response to Form 8-K, Form 10-K
or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form or report or item therein)
that a change in control of the Company has or may have occurred or will or
may occur in the future pursuant to any then-existing contract or
transaction.
12. EFFECTIVE DATE; SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
The Effective Date of the Plan shall be November 11, 1996, subject to
receipt within one year of that date of the approval of the holders of the
majority of the total voting power of the voting securities of the Company
present or represented by proxy at the meeting of the shareholders at which the
Plan is considered. All Awards granted prior to such shareholder approval shall
be subject to receipt of such approval and no rights with regard to such Awards
may be exercised prior to receipt of such approval. If such shareholder approval
is not received, all such Awards shall automatically terminate and be forfeited.
13. APPLICABLE LAW; SEVERABILITY.
The Plan shall be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance
with the laws of the State of Louisiana. If any provision of the Plan shall be
held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the
remaining provisions of the Plan shall continue to be fully effective.
5
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
[KANTROW, SPAHT, WEAVER & BLITZER LETTERHEAD]
August 11, 1997
United Companies Financial Corporation
4041 Essen Lane
Post Office Box 1591
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-1591
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to United Companies Financial Corporation, a
Louisiana corporation (the "Company") in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering (i) 1,500,000 shares of
the Company's $2.00 par value common stock (the "Common Stock") initially
reserved for issuance under the Company's 1996 Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Plan (the "Employee Plan") and (ii) the 400,000 shares of Common Stock reserved
for issuance under the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (the
"Director Plan," and together with the Employee Plan, the "1996 Plans").
We have examined the originals, or copies certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of the 1996 Plans, the Company's Restatement of
the Articles of Incorporation, its By-Laws, as amended, resolutions of its
Board of Directors, or Committees of the Board of Directors, and such other
documents and corporate records as we have deemed necessary as the basis for
the opinions expressed herein. Based upon the foregoing and in reliance
thereon, and after examination of such matters of law as we deemed applicable
or relevant hereto, it is our opinion that:
1. The Company has been duly incorporated under the laws of the State of
Louisiana and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of that State; and
<PAGE> 2
United Companies Financial Corporation
August, 11, 1997
Page 2
2. The 1,900,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock covered by the
Registration Statement have been duly authorized and, when duly issued
in accordance with the terms of the 1996 Plans, as applicable, and
delivered as provided therein, will be legally issued, fully paid, and
non-assessable.
With respect to the opinion in Paragraph 1 that the Company is validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana, we have relied
solely upon a Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Louisiana Secretary of
State dated August 7, 1997.
We hereby expressly consent to the reference to our firm in the
Registration Statement under the caption "Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel", to the inclusion of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the filing of this opinion with any appropriate governmental
agency.
Very truly yours,
KANTROW, SPAHT, WEAVER & BLITZER
(A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION)
/s/ Kantrow, Spaht, Weaver & Blitzer
(A Professional Law Corporation)
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 15.1
[DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP LETTERHEAD]
August 8, 1997
United Companies Financial Corporation
4041 Essen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
We have made a review, in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, of the unaudited interim financial
information of United Companies Financial Corporation and subsidiaries for the
periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, as indicated in our report dated May 9,
1997; because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that
information.
We are aware that our report referred to above, which was included in your
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 is being
used in this Registration Statement.
We also are aware that the aforementioned report, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under
the Securities Act of 1933, is not considered a part of the Registration
Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or
certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
United Companies Financial Corporation on Form S-8 of our report dated February
28, 1997, appearing in and incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of United Companies Financial Corporation for the year ended December
31, 1996 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the
Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
August 8, 1997
