<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12
AMSOUTH BANCORPORATION
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No Filing Fee Required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF AMSOUTH APPEARS HERE]
BANCORPORATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post Office Box 11007
Birmingham, Alabama 35288
NOTICE OF MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 16, 1998
TO THE HOLDERS OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to call of its Directors, the regular
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AMSOUTH BANCORPORATION will be held in the
auditorium of AmSouth Bank in the AmSouth-Harbert Plaza, 1901 Sixth Avenue,
North, in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday, April 16, 1998 at 11:00 A.M.,
Birmingham, Alabama time, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the
following matters:
1. The election of four directors of Class I to serve for a term of three
years until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2001 or until their
successors are elected and qualify.
2. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Your attention is directed to the accompanying Proxy Statement for further
information with respect to the matters to be acted upon at the meeting.
Only those shareholders of record at the close of business on February 17,
1998 shall be entitled to receive notice of the meeting and to vote at the
meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Diane S. Masters
-----------------------------------
March 16, 1998 Secretary
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WE URGE YOU TO SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. IF YOU DO ATTEND THE
MEETING, YOU MAY THEN WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY IF YOU WISH. YOUR PROXY MAY BE
REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Notice of Meeting......................................................... Cover
Proxy Statement........................................................... 1
General................................................................... 1
Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof........................... 1
Election of Directors..................................................... 5
Executive Compensation.................................................... 13
Voting Procedures......................................................... 22
Relationship With Independent Public Accountants.......................... 22
Miscellaneous Information................................................. 23
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
DATED MARCH 16, 1998
AMSOUTH BANCORPORATION
P.O. Box 11007, Birmingham, Alabama 35288
For Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To be Held on April 16, 1998
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement is furnished on or about March 18, 1998, to the
shareholders of AmSouth Bancorporation ("AmSouth" or "the Corporation") in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of
AmSouth to be used in voting at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
on April 16, 1998 and any adjournment or adjournments thereof. If the enclosed
Proxy is properly executed and received by AmSouth before or at the Annual
Meeting, the shares represented thereby will be voted as specified in the
Proxy, BUT IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY
WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FOUR NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS.
The person giving the enclosed Proxy may revoke it at any time before it is
voted by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or by delivering a later
written proxy or a written revocation to the corporate secretary of AmSouth,
provided such later written proxy or revocation is actually received by the
corporate secretary of AmSouth before the vote of shareholders.
Solicitation of proxies will be made initially by mail. In addition, proxies
may be solicited by directors, officers and other employees of AmSouth and its
subsidiaries, in person, by telephone and by other means. AmSouth has also
retained Morrow & Co., Inc. to assist with the solicitation of proxies for a
fee of $5,000 plus the reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred.
It is possible that Morrow & Co. may be paid additional fees depending upon
the services rendered. The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this
Proxy Statement and other materials furnished to shareholders and all other
expenses of solicitation, including the expenses of brokers, custodians,
nominees and other fiduciaries who, at the request of AmSouth, mail material
to or otherwise communicate with beneficial owners of the shares held by them,
will be paid by AmSouth.
THIS SOLICITATION IS MADE BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMSOUTH.
The purposes of the Annual Meeting are as set forth in the accompanying
"Notice of Meeting of Shareholders." Management of AmSouth does not know of
any matters that may be brought before the Annual Meeting other than as
described in the Notice of Meeting. IF ANY OTHER MATTERS SHOULD PROPERLY BE
BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, ANY PROPOSAL OMITTED FROM THIS PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
RULE 14A-8 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE ENCLOSED PROXY WILL
BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF MANAGEMENT.
The Board of Directors urges that you execute and return the enclosed Proxy
as soon as possible and recommends that the shares represented by the Proxy be
voted in favor of the election of the four nominees as directors.
A COPY OF AMSOUTH'S 1997 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS ACCOMPANIES THIS PROXY
STATEMENT. A COPY OF AMSOUTH'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY SHAREHOLDER WHO
REQUESTS SUCH REPORT IN WRITING FROM M. LIST UNDERWOOD, JR., AMSOUTH
BANCORPORATION, INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, POST OFFICE BOX 11007,
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35288.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
Shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, are the only authorized
securities of AmSouth entitled to vote, and each outstanding share is entitled
to one vote. Only holders of record of common stock at the close of business
on February 17, 1998 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. AmSouth
is currently authorized to issue up to two hundred million (200,000,000)
shares of such common stock. As of February 17, 1998, there were 80,615,563
shares of common stock of AmSouth issued, outstanding and entitled to vote.
Shareholders who are participants in AmSouth's Dividend Reinvestment and
Common Stock Purchase Plan will find that the enclosed Proxy shows the total
of the number of shares held by them in their own names and those shares,
including fractions of shares, held on their behalf by the agent for the plan.
Signing and returning the enclosed Proxy will allow voting of all shares,
including those held by the agent.
1
<PAGE>
At February 17, 1998 no person was known to the Management of AmSouth to be
the beneficial owner of more than five percent of AmSouth's outstanding common
stock other than the Trust Department of AmSouth Bank (see the following
table).
The following tabulation reflects the number of shares of AmSouth common
stock (rounded to the nearest whole number) beneficially owned by (i) AmSouth
Bank, (ii) each director and nominee for director of AmSouth, (iii) the four
most highly compensated executive officers who are not also directors (listed
in the table under the heading "Certain Executive Officers") and (iv) the
directors, nominees and executive officers of AmSouth as a group.
All of the directors of AmSouth have elected to defer receipt of some or all
of the retainer and meeting fees they are paid for service on the Board of
Directors and to receive shares of AmSouth stock instead of cash when the
deferred amounts are paid. Therefore, the ultimate value of the amounts
deferred will be tied to the performance of AmSouth stock. As of February 17,
1998, the directors as a group held 9,304 shares of such deferred stock.
Executive officers of AmSouth may make a similar election to defer receipt of
bonuses and to receive shares of AmSouth stock when the deferred amounts are
paid. Such stock, whether attributable to deferrals by directors or executive
officers, is hereinafter referred to as "Deferred Stock."
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMSOUTH SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED(/1/) AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 1998+
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE SHARED PERCENT OF TOTAL
PERSON, GROUP OR ENTITY POWER(/2/) POWER(/3/) AGGREGATE OUTSTANDING
- ----------------------- --------------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
AmSouth Bank+
(P.O. Box 11426,
Birmingham, Alabama
35202) 4,249,742(/4/) 833,514(/5/) 5,083,256(/6/)(/7/) 6.3%
DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES
J. Harold Chandler 9,670 9,670 *
James E. Dalton, Jr. 634 634 *
Rodney C. Gilbert 5,966 5,966 *
Victoria Jackson
Gregoricus 717 717 *
Elmer B. Harris 3,243 1,986 5,229 *
Donald E. Hess 4,737 4,737 *
Ronald L. Kuehn, Jr. 5,319 5,319 *
James R. Malone 2,178 3,000 5,178 *
Francis A. Newman 496 496 *
Claude B. Nielsen 3,855 3,855 *
Benjamin F. Payton 4,202 4,202 *
C. Dowd Ritter 408,289(/8/) 8,593 416,882 *
Herbert A. Sklenar 2,424 5,622 8,046 *
CERTAIN EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
Sloan D. Gibson, IV 100,750(/9/) 562 101,312 *
W. Charles Mayer, III 95,417(/1//0/) 1,430 96,847 *
Candice W. Rogers 67,408(/1//1/) 67,408 *
E.W. Stephenson, Jr. 111,820(/1//2/) 111,820 *
Directors, Nominees and
Executive Officers as a
group (consisting of 22
persons) 1,070,115(/1//3/) 21,347 1,091,462 1.4%
</TABLE>
- -------
* Less than one percent
+ Amounts and percentage for AmSouth Bank are as of December 31, 1997
3
<PAGE>
NOTES
(1) The number of shares reflected are shares which under applicable
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are deemed to be
beneficially owned. Shares deemed to be beneficially owned under such
regulations include shares as to which, directly or indirectly, through
any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise,
either voting power or investment power is held or shared. The total
number of shares beneficially owned is divided, where applicable, into
two categories: shares as to which voting/investment power is held
solely, and shares as to which voting/investment power is shared.
(2) Unless otherwise indicated in the following notes, if a beneficial owner
is shown as having sole power, the owner has sole voting as well as sole
investment power, and if a beneficial owner is shown as having shared
power, the owner has shared voting power as well as shared investment
power. If ownership of restricted stock is shown, the individual has sole
voting power, but no power of disposition. The amounts in this column
include (a) 900 shares of restricted stock awarded under AmSouth's
Director Restricted Stock Plan to each of directors Chandler, Gilbert,
Harris, Hess, Kuehn, Malone, Nielsen, Payton and Sklenar, 467 shares of
such restricted stock awarded to each of directors Gregoricus and Newman
and 434 shares of restricted stock awarded to director Dalton and (b)
shares of Deferred Stock held by the following directors in the amounts
(rounded) shown: Mr. Chandler: 1,057; Mr. Gilbert: 3,703; Mr. Harris:
915; Mr. Hess: 912; Mr. Kuehn: 973; Mr. Malone: 264; Mr. Newman: 29; Mr.
Nielsen: 420; Dr. Payton: 107; and Mr. Sklenar: 924. These shares are
held under the deferred compensation plan for directors and have no
voting rights. Some individuals are shown as beneficial owners of shares
held by the AmSouth Stock Fund of the AmSouth Thrift Plan. The individual
has sole voting power, but no direct power of disposition, with respect
to the shares held in the Stock Fund, but can elect to move monies in and
out of the Fund and/or change the amount of contributions, thereby
affecting the individual's balance in the Fund.
(3) This column may include shares held in the name of, among others, a
spouse, minor children or certain other relatives sharing the same home
as the director, nominee or executive officer, as to all of which
beneficial ownership is disclaimed by the respective director, nominee
and executive officer.
(4) With respect to these shares, AmSouth Bank has sole voting power as to
4,163,945 shares, sole investment power as to 1,724,570 shares, shared
investment power as to 2,044,659 shares, no voting power as to 85,797
shares and no investment authority as to 394,716 shares.
(5) With respect to these shares, AmSouth Bank has shared voting power as to
781,058 shares, no voting power as to 52,456 shares, no sole investment
power and shared investment power as to 489,995 shares.
(6) Includes 1,146,939 shares held by AmSouth Bank as Trustee of AmSouth's
Thrift Plan at December 31, 1997.
(7) Shares reported as beneficially owned by AmSouth Bank are held in various
fiduciary capacities and reflect the amount and percentage reported on
Schedule 13G, dated February 13, 1998, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
(8) Includes 134,280 shares which could be acquired within 60 days pursuant
to stock options, 141,630 shares of restricted stock and 24,657 shares
held by the AmSouth Stock Fund of the AmSouth Thrift Plan.
(9) Includes 41,249 shares that could be acquired within 60 days pursuant to
stock options, 22,012 shares of restricted stock, 2,271 shares held by
the AmSouth Stock Fund of the AmSouth Thrift Plan and 13,352 shares of
Deferred Stock.
(10) Includes 37,685 shares which could be acquired within 60 days pursuant to
stock options, 19,762 shares of restricted stock and 443 shares held by
the AmSouth Stock Fund of the AmSouth Thrift Plan.
(11) Includes 24,037 shares which could be acquired within 60 days pursuant to
stock options, 19,762 shares of restricted stock and 752 shares held by
the AmSouth Stock Fund of the AmSouth Thrift Plan.
(12) Includes 41,148 shares that could be acquired within 60 days pursuant to
stock options, 19,762 shares of restricted stock and 5,131 shares held by
the AmSouth Stock Fund of the AmSouth Thrift Plan.
(13) 38,616 of these shares are held by the AmSouth Stock Fund of the AmSouth
Thrift Plan, 304,484 of these shares are restricted stock, 369,683 of
these shares could be acquired within 60 days pursuant to stock options
and 29,528 are shares of Deferred Stock.
4
<PAGE>
Participants in the AmSouth Thrift Plan who have balances in the AmSouth
Stock Fund thereunder will be furnished copies of all proxy solicitation
materials, and each participant may direct the plan Trustee how to vote the
participant's proportionate interest in the stock held by the plan. Except
with respect to the election of directors and any proposal for a merger or
other reorganization, the Trustee may, in its discretion, vote shares for
which no directions have been received. With respect to the election of
directors and any proposal for a merger or other reorganization, the Trustee
will not vote shares for which no voting directions are received.
As of February 17, 1998, AmSouth held 9,363,483 shares of its common stock as
Treasury shares.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL
Under AmSouth's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors
is divided into three classes, with the term of office of each class expiring
in successive years. AmSouth's Bylaws provide that the number of directors
will be fixed from time to time by the vote of two-thirds of the directors
then in office who have been elected by the shareholders. On April 15, 1998,
Director Hess will retire pursuant to the retirement policy adopted by the
Board of Directors. The number of directors as of April 15, 1998 will be fixed
at twelve, upon the director retirement described above. The terms of Class I
Directors expire at this Annual Meeting. The terms of Class II Directors and
Class III Directors will expire in 1999 and 2000, respectively. The Board of
Directors is recommending the election to Class I of directors Victoria
Jackson Gregoricus, Claude B. Nielsen and Benjamin F. Payton (currently
members of Class I) and director Rodney C. Gilbert (currently a member of
Class II). Director Gilbert has agreed to stand for election as a member of
Class I to adjust an imbalance in the number of directors in each class as a
result of the director retirement. Each of the Class I Directors elected at
this Annual Meeting will serve three-year terms expiring at the 2001 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders or until his or her respective successor is elected
and qualified, except as provided in the Bylaws. It is intended that unless
"Withhold Authority" is noted as to all or some of the nominees, proxies in
the accompanying form will be voted at the Annual Meeting for the election of
the nominees named below for the term indicated.
If any nominee is not a candidate when the election occurs, it is intended
that the proxies will be voted for the election of the other nominees and may
be voted, unless authorization is withheld, for any substitute nominees
recommended by the Board of Directors. Management has no reason to believe
that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director if
elected.
The names of the nominees and the directors who will continue to serve
unexpired terms and certain information relating to them, including the
business experience of each during the past five years, follow. Service shown
with AmSouth and its subsidiaries may include service with predecessor
companies.
5
<PAGE>
NOMINEES FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN 2001 (CLASS I)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OFFICES WITH
DIRECTOR AMSOUTH OR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME OF DIRECTOR AGE SINCE ITS SUBSIDIARIES FOR PAST 5 YEARS OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS(/1/)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Rodney C. Gilbert 58 1994 Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer,
beginning March 1998,
Enfinity Corporation
(HVAC, energy and indoor
environmental services);
President and Chief
Executive Officer, 1993 to
March 1997, Rust
International Inc.
(provider of engineering
and environmental and
infrastructure consulting
services and other on-site
industrial and related
services)
Victoria Jackson 43 1997 President and Chief Hussman
Gregoricus Executive Officer, 1977 to International, Inc.
date, DSS/ProDiesel, Inc. Whitman Corporation
(manufacturer and
remanufacturer of diesel
fuel injection components)
Claude B. Nielsen 47 1993 President and Chief Colonial Properties
Executive Officer, May Trust
1991 to date, Coca-Cola
Bottling Company United,
Inc. (soft drink bottler)
Benjamin F. Payton 65 1983 President, Tuskegee Morrison Health Care,
University, 1981 to date Inc.
Praxair, Inc.
The ITT Corporation
The Liberty
Corporation
Ruby Tuesday, Inc.
Sonat Inc.
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
[Photo of Rodney C. Gilbert] [Photo of Victoria Jackson Gregoricus]
Rodney C. Gilbert Victoria Jackson Gregoricus
[Photo of Claude B. Nielsen] [Photo of Benjamin F. Payton]
Claude B. Nielsen Benjamin F. Payton
7
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1999 (CLASS II)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OFFICES WITH
DIRECTOR AMSOUTH OR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME OF DIRECTOR AGE SINCE ITS SUBSIDIARIES FOR PAST 5 YEARS OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS(/1/)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Harold Chandler 48 1995 Chairman of the Board, Provident Companies,
April 1996 to date, and Inc.
President and Chief Herman Miller,
Executive Officer, Inc.
November 1993 to date, Storage Technology
Provident Companies, Inc. Corporation
(insurance company);
President, Mid-Atlantic
Banking Group (District of
Columbia, Maryland and
Northern Virginia),
January 1992 to November
1993, NationsBank
Corporation (bank holding
company)
James E. Dalton, Jr. 55 1998 President and Chief Housecall Medical
Executive Officer, 1990 to Resources, Inc.
date, Quorum Health Group, Quorum Health Group,
Inc. (hospital ownership Inc.
and management company) Universal Health Realty
Income Trust
Elmer B. Harris 58 1989* President and Chief Alabama Power
Executive Officer, March Company
1989 to date, Alabama Southern Company
Power Company (public
utility)
James R. Malone 55 1994 Chairman of the Board, Ametek, Inc.
December 1996 to date, and HMI Industries, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer,
May 1997 to date, HMI
Industries, Inc. (producer
of cleaners for
residential and commercial
use and other industrial
manufactured products);
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer,
June 1990 to date, Intek
Capital, Inc. (private
investment and business
management); Chairman of
the Board, January 1996 to
February 1997, and
President and Chief
Executive Officer, May
1993 to December 1995 and
September 1996 to February
1997, of Anchor Glass
Container Corporation
(glass container
manufacturer); Chairman of
the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer,
1990 to May 1993, Grimes
Aerospace (manufacturer of
aviation interior and
exterior lighting)
</TABLE>
- -------
* Mr. Harris was not on the Board during the period May--November 1995
8
<PAGE>
[Photo of J. Harold Chandler] [Photo of James E. Dalton, Jr.]
J. Harold Chandler James E. Dalton, Jr.
[Photo of Elmer B. Harris] [Photo of James R. Malone]
Elmer B. Harris James R. Malone
9
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 2000 (CLASS III)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OFFICES WITH
DIRECTOR AMSOUTH OR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME OF DIRECTOR AGE SINCE ITS SUBSIDIARIES FOR PAST 5 YEARS OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS(/1/)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald L. Kuehn, Jr. 62 1986 Chairman of the Board, Dun & Bradstreet
President and Chief Corporation
Executive Officer, April Praxair, Inc.
1986 to date, Sonat Inc. Protective Life
(diversified energy Corporation
holding company) Sonat Inc.
Southern Natural Gas
Company
Transocean Offshore,
Inc.
Union Carbide
Corporation
Francis A. Newman 49 1997 Chairman of the Board, Eckerd Corporation
February 1997 to date, FabriCenters of
Chief Executive Officer, America
February 1996 to date, and Jabil Circuits, Inc.
President and Chief
Operating Officer, July
1993 to date, Eckerd
Corporation (retail drug
company); President and
Chief Executive Officer,
January 1986 to June 1993,
F&M Distributors (retail
company)
C. Dowd Ritter 50 1993 Chairman of the Chairman of the Board, Alabama Power
Board, President September 1996 to date, Company
and Chief and President and Chief
Executive Executive Officer, January
Officer of 1996 to date, AmSouth and
AmSouth and of AmSouth Bank; President
AmSouth Bank; and Chief Operating
Director, Officer, August 1994 to
AmSouth Bank December 1995, and Vice
Chairman, July 1993 to
August 1994, AmSouth and
AmSouth Bank of Alabama;
Senior Executive Vice
President of AmSouth and
Senior Executive Vice
President and General
Banking Group Head of
AmSouth Bank of Alabama,
May 1991 to July 1993
Herbert A. Sklenar 66 1984 Chairman Emeritus, June Protective Life
1997 to date, Chairman of Corporation
the Board, March 1997 to Temple-Inland, Inc.
June 1997, and Chairman of Vulcan Materials
the Board and Chief Company
Executive Officer, May
1992 to February 1997, all
of Vulcan Materials
Company (construction
materials and chemicals
company)
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
[Photo of Ronald L. Kuehn, Jr.] [Photo of Francis A. Newman]
Ronald L. Kuehn, Jr. Francis A. Newman
[Photo of C. Dowd Ritter] [Photo of Herbert A. Sklenar]
C. Dowd Ritter Herbert A. Sklenar
11
<PAGE>
NOTES
(1) These are directorships with corporations subject to the registration or
reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AS SET FORTH IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
The full Board of Directors met seven times during 1997. To assist it in
carrying out its work, the Board of Directors has the following standing
committees: Audit and Community Responsibility; Executive Compensation;
Director Affairs; Finance and Employee Benefits; Strategic Planning; Trust and
Investment; and an Executive Committee.
The membership of the Audit and Community Responsibility Committee currently
consists of Directors Herbert A. Sklenar (Chairman), James E. Dalton, Jr.,
Francis A. Newman, Donald E. Hess and Claude B. Nielsen. This committee is
charged by the Board of Directors with several major functions, including the
following: to oversee the audit and examination of the financial condition of
the Corporation; to consider and review the policies of the Corporation
addressing various internal control matters; and to review all significant
litigation involving the Corporation. In performing these functions, the
committee met four times during 1997.
The Executive Compensation Committee is currently composed of Directors
Ronald L. Kuehn, Jr. (Chairman), J. Harold Chandler, Elmer B. Harris, James R.
Malone and Herbert A. Sklenar and met five times during 1997. The committee
makes recommendations to the Board regarding AmSouth's overall executive
compensation structure, is charged with the administration of AmSouth's
executive compensation plans, designates awards for the senior executives on
AmSouth's Management Committee under AmSouth's benefit plans and makes
recommendations concerning the creation of new executive compensation plans
and amendments to existing plans.
The current members of the Director Affairs Committee are Directors Rodney C.
Gilbert (Chairman), James E. Dalton, Jr., Victoria Jackson Gregoricus, Ronald
L. Kuehn, Jr. and Benjamin F. Payton. In addition to reviewing potential
nominees and recommending new directors, the Director Affairs Committee is
charged with reviewing the structure of the Board and its operation and
recommending changes where appropriate. Further, the committee reviews and
recommends changes in Board compensation and Board retirement policies.
Procedures whereby individual shareholders can submit recommendations of
persons to be considered for nomination as a director of AmSouth are described
below in the "MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION" section of this Proxy Statement. The
committee met four times during 1997.
The Finance and Employee Benefits Committee is currently composed of
Directors J. Harold Chandler (Chairman), Elmer B. Harris, Victoria Jackson
Gregoricus and James R. Malone and met five times during 1997. The committee
is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and making recommendations
concerning AmSouth's dividend policy and the issuance of securities by
AmSouth. The committee also approves financial and investment policies,
reviews the insurance risk management policy of AmSouth and oversees various
aspects of AmSouth's broad-based employee benefit plans.
The Strategic Planning Committee addresses the mission and strategic plans of
AmSouth and significant issues and opportunities that affect that strategy.
The committee also reviews AmSouth's plans for succession and management
development and the performance of the Chief Executive Officer. The current
members of the committee are Directors Benjamin F. Payton (Chairman), J.
Harold Chandler, James E. Dalton, Jr., Rodney C. Gilbert, Victoria Jackson
Gregoricus, Elmer B. Harris, Donald E. Hess, Ronald L. Kuehn, Jr., James R.
Malone, Francis A. Newman, Claude B. Nielsen and Herbert A. Sklenar. The
committee met twice during 1997.
The Trust and Investment Committee has general oversight responsibility for
the trust and investment activities of AmSouth and its subsidiaries. The
committee reviews the audits and the examination reports for the trust and
investment areas and also reviews reports from Management related to these
activities. The current members of the committee are Directors Claude B.
Nielsen (Chairman), Rodney C. Gilbert, Donald E. Hess, Francis A. Newman and
Benjamin F. Payton. The committee met twice during 1997.
The Executive Committee has the power to exercise all of the authority of the
Board of Directors, to the extent allowed by law, and is specifically given
the authority, among other things, to declare dividends. The members of the
Executive Committee are the Chairman of the Board and the Chairmen of the
other standing committees. The current members of the committee are Directors
C. Dowd Ritter (Chairman), J. Harold Chandler, Rodney C. Gilbert, Ronald L.
Kuehn, Jr., Claude B. Nielsen, Benjamin F. Payton and Herbert A. Sklenar. The
committee met one time during 1997.
DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE
During 1997, all incumbent directors of AmSouth attended at least 75 percent
of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the
committees of which they were members.
12
<PAGE>
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
AmSouth is not aware of any instance during 1997 in which directors or
executive officers of AmSouth failed to make timely filings required by
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. AmSouth has relied on
written representations of its directors and executive officers and copies of
the reports that have been filed in making required disclosures concerning
beneficial ownership reporting.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Certain directors and executive officers of AmSouth and its subsidiaries, and
certain associates and members of the immediate families of these individuals,
were customers of, and had loan transactions with, AmSouth Bank in the
ordinary course of business during 1997. In addition, certain of the foregoing
are or have been executive officers or 10 percent or more shareholders in
corporations, or members of partnerships, which are customers of such
subsidiaries and which have had loan transactions with AmSouth Bank in the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of the management of AmSouth Bank,
all such transactions were made on substantially the same terms, including
interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with other persons and corporations and did not involve more than
the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.
Transactions of a similar nature will, in all probability, occur in the future
in the ordinary course of business.
On September 13, 1996, Anchor Glass Container Corporation ("Anchor") filed a
voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in
the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Chapter
11 Filing"). At the time of the Chapter 11 Filing, Director James R. Malone
was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anchor. Upon filing the
petition, Anchor sought approval of the Bankruptcy Court for the sale of
substantially all of its assets. This sale was approved by the Bankruptcy
Court in December 1996 and was consummated on February 5, 1997. Mr. Malone
ceased to be affiliated with Anchor in February 1997.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION
The following table provides summary information concerning compensation
paid by AmSouth and its subsidiaries to its Chief Executive Officer, each of
the four other most highly compensated executive officers of AmSouth at
December 31, 1997 and Kristen M. Hudak, who resigned as an executive officer
during the fourth quarter of 1997 but whose salary and bonus would have placed
her among the four other most highly compensated executive officers
(hereinafter referred to as the "named executive officers"), for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.
13
<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM COMPENSATION
------------------------------- ------------------------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
------------------------- ----------
OTHER SECURITIES
ANNUAL RESTRICTED UNDERLYING
COMPENSATION STOCK OPTIONS/ LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) ($)(1) AWARD(S)($)(2) SARS(#)(3) PAYOUTS($) COMPENSATION($)
- --------------------------- ---- --------- -------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
C. Dowd Ritter 1997 $640,000 $900,000 $ 76,328 $ 0 0 None(4) $ 46,070(5)
Chairman, President & 1996 $600,000 $720,000 $ 71,618 $2,428,458 47,625 $ 43,670
Chief Executive Officer 1995 $460,000 $400,000 $ 58,574 $1,102,063 40,987 $ 18,128
of AmSouth & AmSouth
Bank
E.W. Stephenson, Jr. 1997 $300,000 $255,000 $ 35,861 $ 0 0 $ 56,974(5)
Senior Executive Vice 1996 $275,000 $208,450 $ 50,144 $ 647,441 12,637 $ 44,474
President 1995 $250,000 $150,500 $ 60,696 $ 109,883 15,900 $ 42,099
Florida Banking Group
Sloan D. Gibson, IV 1997 $260,000 $234,000 $ 26,402 $ 0 0 $ 15,600(5)
Senior Executive Vice 1996 $245,000 $180,075 $ 35,229 $ 647,441 12,637 $ 14,700
President & Chief 1995 $225,000 $124,650 $ 19,558 $ 17,250 15,900 $ 5,157
Financial Officer &
Head of Finance,
Commercial & Credit
Group
W. Charles Mayer, III 1997 $260,000 $221,000 $ 43,592 $ 0 0 $ 20,800(5)
Senior Executive Vice 1996 $245,000 $177,625 $ 37,243 $ 647,441 12,637 $ 19,900
President 1995 $216,667 $150,235 $ 32,982 $ 13,656 12,637 $ 51,315
Alabama, Tennessee &
Georgia Banking Group
Candice W. Rogers 1997 $240,000 $204,000 $ 28,898 $ 0 0 $ 14,400(5)
Senior Executive Vice 1996 $220,000 $159,900 $ 51,106 $ 647,441 12,637 $ 13,200
President 1995 $185,417 $109,396 $ 12,478 $ 9,911 9,150 $ 2,380
Consumer Banking Group
Kristen M. Hudak* 1997 $335,000 $200,000 $ 39,055 $ 0 0 $ 20,100(5)
1996 $325,000 $243,750 $114,427 $ 655,919 14,925 $ 19,500
1995 $218,750 $200,000 $ 12,002 $ 313,750 30,000 $125,876
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Ms. Hudak resigned as Chief Financial Officer in the fourth quarter of
1997. See "Additional Agreement" below in this Proxy Statement.
(1) These amounts include tax gross-ups and perquisites such as club dues,
auto allowances and financial planning assistance.
(2) Amount is based on market value on date of grant. Dividends are paid on
all restricted shares. The following table provides information about
restricted shares unreleased as of December 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE # OF
RESTRICTED SHARES VALUE BASED ON YEAR END
NAME HELD(3) STOCK PRICE OF $54.3125
---- ----------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ritter 143,955 $7,818,556
Stephenson 25,495 $1,384,697
Gibson 22,912 $1,244,408
Mayer 20,474 $1,111,994
Rogers 20,279 $1,101,403
Hudak 15,000 $ 814,688
</TABLE>
None of the restricted awards listed in the Summary Compensation Table or in
the Footnote Table above have a vesting schedule of less than three years.
Mr. Ritter received a restricted stock grant in May 1995 with a vesting
schedule of eight years unless AmSouth's stock price reached $40 a share
(adjusted for stock split) for ten consecutive trading days during the
restricted period. If this event occurred, the shares could have vested as
early as May 1998. During 1997, although AmSouth's stock exceeded this price
level, Mr. Ritter agreed to forego the early vesting provision.
(3) Amounts shown in these columns reflect the effects of a three-for-two
stock split in April 1997.
(4) No payouts have yet been made under the cash award portion of the long
term incentive plan currently in place for the named executive officers,
known as the 1997 Performance Incentive Plan.
(5) These amounts reflect Company Matching contributions to the AmSouth Thrift
Plan and Supplemental Thrift Plan and payouts related to the former Profit
Sharing Plan as shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPANY FORMER PROFIT
NAME MATCH THRIFT SHARING PLAN
---- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ritter $38,400 $7,670
Stephenson $18,000 $4,810
Gibson $15,600 $ 0
Mayer $15,600 $5,200
Rogers $14,400 $ 0
Hudak $20,100 $ 0
</TABLE>
In the case of Mr. Stephenson, the amount shown in the Summary Compensation
Table also includes relocation related payments in the amount of $34,164.
14
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTIONS AND SARS
No grants of stock options or stock appreciation rights were made during 1997
to any of the named executive officers.
OPTION EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS
The following table provides information concerning the exercise of stock
options during 1997 by the named executive officers and the unexercised stock
options held by them at December 31, 1997.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST
FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/SARS AT OPTIONS/SARS AT
FY-END(#) FY-END($)
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE REALIZED(1) ---------------------------- ----------------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE (#) ($) EXERCISABLE / UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE / UNEXERCISABLE(1)
- ------------------------ --------------- ----------------- --------------------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
C. Dowd Ritter.......... 9,000 $292,635 134,280 / 0 $4,280,123/ $0
E.W. Stephenson, Jr..... 9,325 $230,607 41,148 / 0 $1,342,232/ $0
Sloan D. Gibson, IV..... 0 $ 0 41,249 / 0 $1,337,764/ $0
W. Charles Mayer, III... 1,930 $ 59,502 37,685 / 0 $1,223,882/ $0
Candice W. Rogers....... 0 $ 0 24,037 / 0 $ 742,666/ $0
Kristen M. Hudak........ 8,000 $208,078 36,924 / 0 $1,191,435/ $0
</TABLE>
(1) Market value of underlying securities at exercise or year-end, as
applicable, minus the exercise price.
LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
The following table provides information regarding awards made in 1997 to the
named executive officers pursuant to AmSouth's 1997 Performance Incentive
Plan.
LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLANS -- AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER
NUMBER OF PERFORMANCE OR NON-STOCK - PRICE-BASED PLANS
SHARES, UNITS, OTHER PERIOD UNTIL --------------------------------
OR OTHER MATURATION OR THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
NAME RIGHTS(#) PAYOUT ($) ($) ($)
-------- -------------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
C. Dowd Ritter.......... -- 1997-1999 $1,122,100 $2,244,200 $4,488,400
E.W. Stephenson, Jr..... -- 1997-1999 $ 299,227 $ 598,453 $1,196,906
Sloan D. Gibson, IV..... -- 1997-1999 $ 299,227 $ 598,453 $1,196,906
W. Charles Mayer, III... -- 1997-1999 $ 299,227 $ 598,453 $1,196,906
Candice W. Rogers....... -- 1997-1999 $ 299,227 $ 598,453 $1,196,906
</TABLE>
Effective January 1, 1997, AmSouth adopted the 1997 Performance Incentive
Plan for members of the Management Committee, including the named executive
officers. Opportunities to receive cash payouts under the 1997 Performance
Incentive Plan were granted in 1997. The amount of the eventual payments will
depend on the achievement of certain earnings per share and return on equity
goals for the three-year period 1997 through 1999. Any payments will be made
after year-end 1999. For a more detailed description of these grants, see the
"1997 Performance Incentive Plan" section of the "Executive Compensation
Committee Report on Executive Compensation" contained in this Proxy Statement.
Kristen M. Hudak is no longer a participant in this Plan.
15
<PAGE>
RETIREMENT PLAN
The following table shows the estimated annual benefits payable at normal
retirement age (age 65) under AmSouth's qualified defined benefit Retirement
Plan, as well as under a nonqualified Supplemental Retirement Plan. This
supplemental plan provides benefits that would otherwise be denied
participants under the qualified Retirement Plan because of Internal Revenue
Code limitations on qualified plan benefits, as well as additional benefits
that serve to strengthen the competitiveness of AmSouth's overall executive
compensation program.
PENSION PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
---------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COVERED COMPENSATION 10 15 20 25 30
- -------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 200,000.............................. 34,262 51,645 69,195 86,745 104,295
300,000.............................. 52,262 78,645 105,195 131,745 158,295
400,000.............................. 70,262 105,645 141,195 176,745 212,295
500,000.............................. 88,262 132,645 177,195 221,745 266,295
600,000.............................. 106,262 159,645 213,195 266,745 320,295
700,000.............................. 124,262 186,645 249,195 311,745 374,295
800,000.............................. 142,262 213,645 285,195 356,745 428,295
900,000.............................. 160,262 240,645 321,195 401,745 482,295
1,000,000.............................. 178,262 267,645 357,195 446,745 536,295
1,100,000.............................. 196,262 294,645 393,195 491,745 590,295
</TABLE>
The benefits shown are not subject to any deduction for Social Security
benefits or other offset amounts.
The compensation covered by the combination of plans covering the named
executive officers is the base salary plus bonus earned for the year by the
executive. The amount of the retirement benefit is determined by the length of
the retiree's credited service under the plans and the annual average covered
compensation, which is the base salary plus bonus for the retiree for the 60
consecutive highest compensated months out of the 120 months preceding
retirement. The full years of credited service under the plans for the named
executive officers are as follows: Mr. Ritter: 25 years; Mr. Stephenson: 22
years; Mr. Gibson: 5 years; Mr. Mayer: 19 years; Ms. Rogers: three years; and
Ms. Hudak: three years. For purposes of calculating the benefit provided under
the plans, credited service in excess of 30 years is disregarded. Benefits
shown are computed as a straight life annuity beginning at age 65.
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES FOR OFFICERS
AmSouth has adopted common stock ownership guidelines for the officers who
are members of the corporate Management Committee of AmSouth. Ownership
targets are expressed as a multiple of salary and are as follows:
(i) executive vice presidents: one times salary; (ii) senior executive vice
presidents and above who are not directors: three times salary; and (iii)
officers who are directors: five times salary. Shares considered owned include
individually owned shares, restricted shares of AmSouth stock, shares credited
to deferral accounts under AmSouth's Deferred Compensation Plan and benefit
plan investments in AmSouth stock. All of the members of the Management
Committee have met their ownership targets.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
FEES
Non-employee directors of AmSouth are paid a fee of $4,000 per calendar
quarter ($4,750 for Committee Chairmen) during which the director has served.
In addition, each such director is paid a fee of $1,500 for each meeting of
the Board and $800 for each committee meeting which the director attends.
Individual directors may, at their option, elect to defer the receipt of
directors' fees, and the deferred amounts are deemed invested in AmSouth
common stock. All of the directors of AmSouth have elected to defer receipt of
some or all of the retainer and meeting fees they are paid for service on the
Board of Directors and to invest these fees in Deferred Stock of AmSouth.
DIRECTOR STOCK PURCHASE PROGRAM
Under AmSouth's Director Stock Purchase Program, directors who own less than
5,000 shares of AmSouth stock and are not within three years of retirement
from the Board are required to use at least one quarterly retainer each 15
months to purchase AmSouth stock. This requirement may also be fulfilled by
the deferral of fees that are invested in Deferred Stock as described in
"Fees" above.
DIRECTOR RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
Each non-employee director of AmSouth is a participant in the Director
Restricted Stock Plan. Each such director who was a member of the Board of
Directors on April 20, 1995 (the effective date of the Plan) was granted 1,000
shares of restricted stock on such date, except that each director who
16
<PAGE>
was scheduled to retire from the Board under the Board's retirement policy
prior to April 1, 2000 (the Plan's termination date) was granted 200 shares of
restricted stock for each remaining year of service as a director. The Plan
provides that 200 shares granted to each director will vest on April 1 of each
of the years 1996 through 2000. Adjustments are made for stock splits and
similar corporate events.
Each person who first becomes a non-employee director after April 20, 1995
will be granted 16.67 shares of restricted stock for each calendar month or
fraction thereof from the director's election to the following March 31
(rounded to the nearest whole share), plus 200 shares for each subsequent Plan
Year (April 1--March 31) until the earlier of April 1, 2000 or the director's
scheduled retirement date. The product of 16.67 shares times the number of
full and partial calendar months from the director's election to the following
March 31 (rounded to the nearest whole share) will vest on the April 1
following such election, and 200 shares will vest on each April 1 thereafter
through the earlier of April 1, 2000 or the date on which all shares have
vested.
All shares of restricted stock will vest immediately upon the director's
death or disability. At the time the restricted stock vests, the director is
entitled to receive a cash tax-offset "supplemental payment" in an amount
equal to the amount necessary to pay the federal and state income tax payable
with respect to both the vesting of the restricted stock and receipt of the
supplemental payment, assuming the director is taxed at the maximum effective
tax rate. If a director leaves the Board of Directors before all of the
director's shares of restricted stock have vested, the unvested shares will be
forfeited, except for those shares that were scheduled to vest on the next
April 1, which will vest upon the director leaving the Board.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AmSouth has entered into an Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") with Mr.
Ritter. The Agreement has an initial term of three years, but contains
automatic renewal provisions, such that the remaining term of the Agreement at
any given time will be three years. The Agreement provides that Mr. Ritter
will be paid the following compensation: a base salary not less than his base
salary on January 1, 1998, and as it may be increased from time to time; the
opportunity to earn a bonus under AmSouth's Executive Incentive Plan and to
participate in AmSouth's long term incentive compensation programs at a level
commensurate with his position; retirement benefits not less than those
provided under AmSouth's Supplemental Retirement and Supplemental Thrift
Plans; AmSouth's normal employee benefits, commensurate with his position;
perquisites suitable to his position with AmSouth; and reimbursement of
certain expenses incurred in performing his duties.
If Mr. Ritter's employment is terminated by AmSouth for reasons other than
death, disability, retirement or "Cause" (as defined) or if he terminates his
employment for "Good Reason" (as defined): (A) he is entitled to be paid a
lump sum cash payment equal to the following: (i) the number of years
remaining in the term of the Agreement multiplied by base salary, bonus, long
term incentive grant value and certain other compensation, all based on
compensation amounts paid in prior periods or, in certain cases, the current
actual bonus opportunity, if greater; (ii) certain compensation otherwise
payable for the year in which termination occurs; and (iii) the amount of
other benefits accrued under AmSouth's Supplemental Retirement Plan and
Supplemental Thrift Plan; and (B) AmSouth will under certain circumstances
continue health and welfare benefit coverage for the number of years remaining
in the term of the Agreement at the same cost and terms as of the date of
termination. All unvested stock awards will vest on the date of termination,
except in the case of a termination for "Cause." AmSouth will also reimburse
Mr. Ritter for certain excise taxes that he may be obligated to pay as a
result of receiving payments under the Agreement.
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS
AmSouth has also entered into an Executive Severance Agreement (the "ESAs")
with each of the named executive officers, other than Mr. Ritter, whose
employment agreement is described above, and Ms. Hudak, whose agreement has
terminated. The ESAs have terms of three years, but are automatically extended
for one additional year at the end of the initial term and each subsequent
year unless, within 12 months prior to the end of the term, AmSouth gives
notice to the executive that the term of the ESA will not be extended.
However, if a "Change in Control" (as defined) occurs while the ESA is in
effect, the ESA will remain in effect for the longer of (i) 24 months beyond
the month in which the Change in Control occurred or (ii) until all
obligations of AmSouth are fulfilled and all benefits paid to the executive.
The ESAs provide that the executive will be paid certain severance benefits if
a Change in Control occurs and within 24 months thereafter the executive's
employment is terminated under circumstances described in the ESAs. The ESAs
also provide that if an employment termination arises in connection with or in
anticipation of a Change in Control, the executive's rights will be the same
as if the termination had occurred within two years following a Change in
Control.
The severance benefits payable under the ESAs are as follows: (i) an amount
equal to the "Severance Multiplier", multiplied by base salary, bonus, long
term incentive grant value and certain other compensation, all based on
compensation amounts paid in prior periods or, in certain cases, the current
actual bonus opportunity, if greater; (ii) certain compensation otherwise
payable for the year in
17
<PAGE>
which the termination occurs; (iii) continuation of benefits pursuant to
welfare benefit plans under certain conditions; and (iv) lump sum cash
payments of certain other benefits accrued by the executive under AmSouth's
Supplemental Retirement Plan, Supplemental Thrift Plan and relocation policy.
The "Severance Multipliers" are 3.0 for all of the named executive officers.
In certain circumstances, the executive may be compensated for excise taxes
that will be due as a result of the payment of benefits.
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT
During the fourth quarter of 1997, Kristen M. Hudak resigned as Chief
Financial Officer of AmSouth. Ms. Hudak has agreed to be available to provide
consulting services as requested by AmSouth through not later than June 30,
1998, and will be paid a monthly amount therefor equal to her former monthly
base salary.
INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND
INSIDER PARTICIPATION IN COMPENSATION DECISIONS
The following directors currently serve as members of the Executive
Compensation Committee of AmSouth's Board of Directors and also served on the
Committee during 1997:
Ronald L. Kuehn, Jr. (Chairman)
J. Harold Chandler
Elmer B. Harris
James R. Malone
Herbert A. Sklenar
C. Dowd Ritter, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AmSouth
serves as a director of Alabama Power Company, and Elmer B. Harris, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Alabama Power Company, serves as a member of
the Executive Compensation Committee of AmSouth.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
INTRODUCTION AND OVERALL PHILOSOPHY
The Executive Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of AmSouth's Board of
Directors is composed of five non-officer directors. The Committee oversees
AmSouth's executive compensation program and is specifically responsible for
evaluating and approving compensation plans, payments and awards for AmSouth's
most senior executives under this program. During 1997, the Committee held
five meetings.
In discharging this responsibility, the Committee has, for a number of years,
used the services of compensation consultants as a resource. Compensation
consultants have also been utilized in the process of developing the current
AmSouth executive compensation plans.
The following comments are applicable to executive officers of AmSouth (the
ten members of the corporate Management Committee), including the Chief
Executive Officer and the named executive officers.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION POLICIES
AmSouth's executive compensation program has as its stated purpose to
attract, reward, retain and motivate the strong leadership necessary to
achieve, over time, superior financial performance. There are three components
to the program: base salary, short term incentives and long term incentives.
Base salary provides the foundation for executive pay; its purpose is to
compensate the executive for performing his or her basic duties. The short
term incentive program is intended to provide rewards for favorable short term
performance. The purpose of the long term incentive program is to provide
incentives and rewards for long term performance and to motivate long term
thinking.
AmSouth provides total compensation opportunities for executives generally
based on a comparison with the practices of a group of Peer Banks as
hereinafter defined. Within this framework, the opportunities are designed
with both an external and internal focus. Externally, the intent is to
correlate the opportunities with AmSouth's performance ranking among the Peer
Banks. Internally, the intent is to correlate the opportunities with AmSouth's
performance results achieved as compared to the short and long term goals set.
In using this blended approach, the Committee considers the entire pay package
when setting each portion of pay.
The Peer Bank group utilized by AmSouth includes U.S. commercial banks with
total assets ranging from one-half to twice AmSouth's asset size, for which
compensation data is available. The Committee believes this is the best
comparison group for AmSouth, both for purposes of establishing competitive
levels of compensation and to compare relative performance. It reflects the
banking industry at an appropriate size relative to AmSouth, including
companies within the parameters stated, and is large enough to provide a valid
comparison both for compensation and performance. For purposes of the stock
performance graph comparison contained in this Proxy Statement, AmSouth has
compared itself to the performance of the S&P Regional Bank Index because it
is a conveniently referenced, published index. However, AmSouth believes that
a more select peer group is appropriate for purposes of establishing executive
compensation.
BASE SALARY
AmSouth's salary ranges are set so that their midpoints are at the average of
the Peer Banks, as those banks are represented in various salary surveys to
which AmSouth has access. Progress within a particular executive's salary
range, and thus annual base salary increases, are determined based on:
18
<PAGE>
Projected base salary increases in the banking industry in general; and
The individual's experience, tenure and individual performance each year.
Base salary adjustments for all executive officers are approved by the
Committee and, with respect to the named executive officers, the base salaries
earned are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table for 1997. In general,
base salaries for executive officers are at the average of the Peer Banks.
SHORT TERM INCENTIVE PROGRAM
AmSouth's primary short term incentive plan for its senior managers, the
Executive Incentive Plan, calls for the establishment of annual goals for the
overall Corporation and each business unit. Corporate performance is
determined by the Committee's evaluation of the year's results against the
annual goals approved by the Committee. Goals for objective performance
measurement purposes under the Plan may include one or more of the following:
Earnings per Share
Return on Average Assets
Return on Average Equity
Credit Quality Measures
Efficiency Ratio
Loan Growth
Deposit Growth
Non-interest Revenue Growth
The organizational focus and weighting for the purpose of goal setting and
evaluation varies depending on the Executive Incentive Plan participant
category. Currently, the participants are the ten members of the corporate
Management Committee. Payments for Officer/Directors (currently only Mr.
Ritter) are based solely on the Corporation's performance against goals. Other
senior executives' payments are based primarily on the Corporation's
performance and secondarily on their unit's performance against goals.
Each participant has a "base bonus opportunity," expressed as a percentage of
base pay associated with the achievement of goals. The base bonus
opportunities are established by analyzing the average practices of the
previously referenced Peer Banks as represented in available surveys. Under
the Executive Incentive Plan, these targeted payment percentages differ
depending on various participant levels and positions held, and for the 1997
performance year ranged from 35 percent up to 60 percent.
The possible payout percentage can range from zero percent to 200 percent of
the base bonus opportunity based on a rating from 0.0 to 2.0 as determined by
an evaluation of performance results against goals. The Committee may exercise
downward discretion from these amounts. Payouts under the Executive Incentive
Plan will be made in cash, and a participant can defer his or her payout by
making a written election to do so prior to the Plan Year in accordance with
the AmSouth Bancorporation Deferred Compensation Plan.
The Executive Incentive Plan has been approved by the shareholders, and,
therefore, all amounts paid under this plan will qualify as performance-based
compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code")
and will be tax deductible.
In addition, the Committee has the ability to make supplemental bonus awards
in addition to those under the Executive Incentive Plan based on extraordinary
achievements.
LONG TERM INCENTIVE PROGRAM
1997 PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
The 1997 Performance Incentive Plan ("PI Plan") permits the granting of cash-
based, long term incentive opportunities. The objectives of the PI Plan are to
optimize AmSouth's profitability and growth through incentives which are
consistent with the Corporation's objectives and which link the interests of
participants to those of the Corporation's shareholders, to provide
participants with an incentive for excellence in individual performance and to
promote teamwork among participants.
The PI Plan is intended to further reinforce certain strategic business needs
and financial performance goals also underlying the Corporation's 1996 Long
Term Incentive Compensation Plan.
The PI Plan has been initially utilized to focus AmSouth's most senior
officers (the ten members of the corporate Management Committee) on AmSouth's
three-year strategic plan. This strategic plan has, as its foundation,
aggressive earnings per share ("EPS") and return on equity ("ROE") goals. The
PI Plan grants establish cash payouts which may be earned at varying levels of
EPS and ROE achieved over the three years from 1997 through 1999. Cash award
opportunities were granted effective January 1, 1997.
The senior executives receiving these grants under the PI Plan will forego
annual stock options and restricted stock grants through 1999. As part of
their grants under the PI Plan, these officers were invited to (and did) make
open-market share purchases of AmSouth stock (up to individually set limits).
Their open-market purchases are required to be held for six years and are
matched share-for-share with restricted stock which vests at retirement. The
PI Plan cash award opportunities described above have been set such that cash
payments received under the PI Plan at the end of the performance period might
be less than, equal to or more than the cost of the executives' stock
purchases depending upon the level of performance achieved by AmSouth.
The objective of the PI Plan grants is not only to reinforce aggressive
strategic goals, but to build stock ownership
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among AmSouth's senior officers and to establish an appropriate balance of
risk and reward for these executives. The initial grant under the PI Plan
greatly increases stock ownership (much of which is through use of the
executives' own funds), creates focus on shareholder value and aligns
executive interests more directly with AmSouth's three-year EPS and ROE
financial goals. Because the PI Plan has been approved by shareholders,
amounts which may be earned under the PI Plan will qualify as performance-
based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
1996 LONG TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
AmSouth's 1996 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the "1996 LTIP") was
approved by shareholders in 1996 and is qualified under Section 162(m) of the
Code. Its primary purpose is to promote the long term success of AmSouth and
its subsidiaries by providing financial incentives to key employees who are in
positions to make significant contributions toward such success.
The 1996 LTIP is a key component of executive compensation, and two types of
long term incentives were utilized under it in 1997: stock options and
restricted stock grants. As described below, the 1996 LTIP links executives'
interests directly to the interests of shareholders in two ways:
The greater the increase in stock value, the greater the reward to the
executive under both types of incentives; and
The number of shares of restricted stock granted increases as AmSouth's
long term performance against the Peer Banks improves.
AmSouth develops its grant sizes for stock options and restricted stock first
by determining the average of the long term incentive opportunities provided
to executives in similar positions at the Peer Banks. This calculation is made
with the help of an outside consultant. Market data on the Peer Banks is
limited to that available in surveys to which AmSouth has access.
Then, the Committee delivers one-half of that value in the form of stock
options and one-half in the form of a target restricted stock opportunity that
is based on AmSouth's performance against the Peer Banks. (The actual
restricted stock award may differ from the target opportunity depending on
performance, as discussed below.) The Committee believes this strikes an
appropriate balance between incentives for future performance and rewards for
past performance.
Stock Options
Stock options are granted for two primary reasons. First, the Committee
believes that they align executive pay with shareholders' interests, since no
rewards are realized unless the stock value increases. Second, they are the
most prevalent type of long term incentive at the Peer Banks, and the issuance
of options enables AmSouth to be competitive in that respect. The options to
purchase AmSouth stock that were granted in 1997 were issued at 100 percent of
the fair market value of AmSouth common stock on the date of the grant, became
exercisable one year after date of grant and expire ten years after the date
of grant, except in the cases of death, disability, retirement and change in
control. In these cases the options vest immediately and must be exercised
within certain specified periods following any one of the events noted above.
In the case of voluntary termination or involuntary termination without cause,
outstanding vested options must be exercised within a specified time period.
In the case of termination for cause, all outstanding options are forfeited.
To the extent possible under the Code, such options qualify as "incentive
stock options" under Section 422(a) thereof.
Restricted Stock
Most of the restricted stock grants made in 1997 were based on the percentile
ranking of AmSouth's prior three-year total shareholder return ("TSR") against
the Peer Banks. A formula was developed that provides a particular grant based
on the percentile level of performance. The better the performance, the larger
the grant size. Grant sizes can range from zero percent to 200 percent of an
average market grant. One hundred percent of an average market grant would
result if AmSouth's performance is at the 50th percentile of the Peer Banks'
performance results.
For the three years ending with 1996, AmSouth's TSR performance was at the
44th percentile of the Peer Banks. This resulted in a restricted stock grant
at 90 percent of the targeted Peer Bank average. In addition, a limited number
of special restricted stock grants were made in 1997 primarily to attract new
executives to AmSouth.
For the restricted stock grants made in 1997, the stock will be held by the
Corporation for three years before it is released to the executive, except in
the cases of death, disability, retirement and change in control. In these
cases, the restricted stock will vest immediately. Executives receive
dividends on their shares and experience the impact of stock price decreases
and the rewards of stock price increases throughout the restriction period.
Thus, executives are encouraged to think in ways that promote corporate
performance and benefit shareholders. These shares also serve as a positive
incentive to encourage key officers to remain with the Corporation, since the
stock is forfeited if the executive leaves prior to the end of the restriction
period.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Mr. Ritter has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since January
1, 1996, and Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since September
1, 1996. Mr. Ritter's salary was increased from $600,000 to $640,000 effective
January 1, 1997 based on the Committee's assessment of his
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and AmSouth's overall performance. Based on market studies available to the
Committee, the Committee believes Mr. Ritter's current salary is somewhat
below the median salary paid by comparable companies. Mr. Ritter was paid a
total short term incentive of $900,000 for 1997 (paid in 1998), compared to
$720,000 for 1996 (paid in 1997). The 1997 incentive was composed of an award
equal to 200 percent of his base bonus opportunity under the Executive
Incentive Plan of $768,000, and a supplemental award for extraordinary
performance of $132,000 not under the Executive Incentive Plan. These amounts
were earned given AmSouth's performance in excess of the pre-established goals
for 1997. As noted previously, Mr. Ritter did not receive any grants under the
1996 LTIP in 1997 due to his receipt of a grant under the 1997 PI Plan and a
corresponding restricted stock grant under the 1996 LTIP in 1996.
CONCLUSION
The Committee believes that under the AmSouth Executive Compensation Program,
executive officers' compensation generally has been commensurate with
AmSouth's financial performance and total value received by its shareholders.
The Committee reviews the program on an ongoing basis and will make
modifications as needed to continue to meet AmSouth's business and
compensation objectives with the ultimate goal of maximizing long term
shareholder value.
Submitted by the Executive Compensation Committee of the AmSouth
Bancorporation Board of Directors:
Ronald L. Kuehn, Jr. (Chairman)
J. Harold Chandler
Elmer B. Harris
James R. Malone
Herbert A. Sklenar
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PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Set forth below is a graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the
cumulative total return of AmSouth's common stock against the cumulative total
return of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Regional Bank Index for the last five
years. It assumes that the value of the investment in AmSouth common stock and
in each index was $100.00 and that all dividends were reinvested.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMSOUTH STOCK PERFORMANCE
5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN COMPARISON
AMSOUTH, S&P 500 INDEX & S&P REGIONAL BANK INDEX
Measurement period
(Fiscal Year Covered) AmSouth S&P 500 S&P Regional Bank
- --------------------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Measurement PT -
12/31/92 $100 $100 $100
FYE12/31/93 $100 $110 $106
FYE12/31/94 $ 86 $111 $100
FYE12/31/95 $141 $153 $158
FYE12/31/96 $176 $189 $215
FYE 12/31/97 $304 $251 $325
</TABLE>
The information provided under the headings "Executive Compensation Committee
Report on Executive Compensation" and "Performance Graph" above shall not be
deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, other than as
provided in Item 402 of Regulation S-K, or to liabilities of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, unless specific reference is made therein
to such headings, shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing under
the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
VOTING PROCEDURES
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") and AmSouth's Bylaws,
the presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the outstanding shares of
common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum of the shareholders to take
action at the Annual Meeting. For these purposes, shares which are present, or
represented by a proxy, at the Annual Meeting will be counted for quorum
purposes regardless of whether the holder of the shares or the proxy abstains
from voting on any particular matter or whether a broker with discretionary
authority fails to exercise its discretionary voting authority with respect to
any particular matter. Once a quorum of the shareholders is established, under
the DGCL (i) the directors standing for election must be elected by a
plurality of the shares of common stock present, in person or by proxy, at the
Annual Meeting, and (ii) any other action to be taken must be approved by the
vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present, in
person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes will not have an
effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The independent public accounting firm selected by the Board of Directors for
the calendar year 1998 is Ernst & Young LLP. Representatives of Ernst & Young
LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the
opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate questions.
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MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
In order to be included in the proxy materials for AmSouth's 1999 Annual
Meeting, any proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at that
meeting must be received in written form at AmSouth's executive offices on or
before November 15, 1998.
NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTORS
AmSouth's Bylaws require shareholders who wish to submit to the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors to follow certain procedures. The shareholder must give notice in
writing of the nomination to the Secretary of AmSouth at its office at 1400
AmSouth-Sonat Tower, 1900 Fifth Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, not
later than the close of business on the 60th day, nor earlier than the 90th
day, prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's Annual Meeting.
However, if the date of the Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or more
than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice to be timely must be
delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such
Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the
60th day prior to the Annual Meeting or the 10th day following the day on
which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by
AmSouth. The shareholder must be a shareholder of record at the time the
notice is given. The shareholder's notice must set forth (a) as to each
nominee all information relating to that person that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election
contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 14a-11
thereunder (including the nominee's written consent to being named in the
Proxy Statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected) and (b)
as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on
whose behalf the nomination is made (i) the name and address of the
shareholder, as they appear on AmSouth's books, and of such beneficial owner
and (ii) the number and class of shares of AmSouth owned of record and
beneficially by such shareholder and such beneficial owner.
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<PAGE>
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AMSOUTH
PROXY
For Annual Shareholders' Meeting
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below).
[ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below.
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike
a line through the nominee's name in the list below. If you do not indicate
that you withhold authority to vote for the election of any nominee, this proxy
will be counted as voting for that nominee.)
1. Rodney C. Gilbert
2. Victoria Jackson Gregoricus
3. Claude B. Nielsen
4. Benjamin F. Payton
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE BOARD
RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL NOMINEES.
The undersigned hereby appoints David E. White, Charles S. Northen, IV and
Cary L. Jones (the "Proxies") and any of them, jointly or severally, the lawful
attorneys of the undersigned with full power of substitution to vote all of the
stock of AMSOUTH BANCORPORATION standing in the name of the undersigned at the
close of business on February 17, 1998 upon the books of the Corporation, at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, April 16, 1998 and at
any adjourned meeting or meetings, as indicated herein.
(Continued on Reverse Side)
<PAGE>
NUMBER OF SHARES
The Proxies will vote the shares represented hereby as directed by the
undersigned shareholder, but if no direction is given, they will vote all of
the shares FOR the election of all nominees.
The Proxies are further authorized to vote, in their discretion, on any other
matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator,
- -------------------------
trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please
sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
DATED: ,1998
---------------------------------
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD
PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
--------------------------------------------
Signature
--------------------------------------------
Signature if held jointly
(Continued from Reverse Side)
