RIGGS NATIONAL CORP
DEF 14A, 1997-04-17
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
 
                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (RULE 14A-101)
 
                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
 
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
     Filed by the Registrant [X]
 
     Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
 
     Check the appropriate box:
 
     [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement        [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
                                                Commission Only (as permitted by
                                                Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
 
     [X] Definitive Proxy Statement
 
     [ ] Definitive Additional Materials
 
     [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
 
                           RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
     [X] No 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:
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
[RIGGS LOGO]
 
                           RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
                         1503 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                           TO BE HELD ON MAY 14, 1997
 
     Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the
"Meeting") of Riggs National Corporation (the "Corporation") will be held on
Wednesday, May 14, 1997, at 9:30 a.m. local time at the Park Hyatt Washington
Hotel, 1201 24th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, for the following
purposes:
 
        1. To elect a board of directors for the ensuing year;
 
        2. To consider and act upon a shareholder proposal; and
 
        3. To consider and act upon any other matters that may properly be
           brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
           thereof.
 
     Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 1997, will be
entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Whether or not you contemplate attending the Meeting, please execute the
enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope. You
may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise by written notice to the
Secretary of the Corporation, by executing and delivering a proxy bearing a
later date, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.
 
     You are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          /s/ LINDA A. MADRID 
 
                                          LINDA A. MADRID
                                          Corporate Secretary
 
April 17, 1997
<PAGE>   3
 
[RIGGS LOGO]
 
                           RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
                         1503 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
                      ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE
                              HELD ON MAY 14, 1997
 
     This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of Riggs National Corporation (the "Board"), a
Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), to be used at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of the Corporation (the "Meeting") to be held on Wednesday, May 14,
1997, at 9:30 a.m. local time at the Park Hyatt Washington Hotel, 1201 24th
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, or at any adjournment or postponement
thereof. The Corporation owns all of the outstanding stock of Riggs Bank
National Association ("Riggs Bank N.A.").
 
     Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 1997 (the
"Record Date"), will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. On
the Record Date, the Corporation had 30,374,496 shares of Common Stock, par
value $2.50 per share ("Common Stock"), outstanding and entitled to vote at the
Meeting. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. Under the
applicable provisions of the Corporation's By-Laws and the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "Delaware GCL"), the presence, in person or by proxy, of
the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock is necessary to
constitute a quorum of the shareholders in order to elect directors or take
action on a proposal submitted to shareholders at a meeting of shareholders. For
these purposes, Common Stock that is present or represented by proxy at the
Meeting will be counted for quorum purposes regardless of whether the holder of
the Common Stock or proxy fails to vote to elect directors or to vote on a
proposal or whether a broker with discretionary authority fails to exercise its
discretionary voting authority with respect to such election or proposal.
 
     Once a quorum is established, under the applicable provisions of the
Delaware GCL and the Corporation's By-Laws, in order for a director to be
elected, the director must receive a plurality of the votes of the holders of
the shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the
Meeting. For voting purposes, therefore, abstentions and "broker non-votes" will
have no effect on the outcome of such election. With regard to the proposal to
be presented to shareholders at the Meeting, such proposal must be approved by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of Common Stock present in
person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and, for voting purposes,
abstentions will be counted as "no" votes and "broker non-votes" will not be
counted.
 
     This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy are dated and are first
being sent to shareholders on or about April 17, 1997. Shares of Common Stock
represented by proxies that are properly executed and received in time for the
Meeting will be voted in accordance with the shareholders' specifications. In
the absence of specific instructions, executed proxies received in response to
this solicitation will be voted for the election of the persons listed herein as
directors and against the shareholder proposal described herein. Should any
other matters properly come before the Meeting, the persons named as proxies
will, unless otherwise specified in the proxy, vote upon such matters according
to their discretion. A proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by
written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation, by executing and delivering
a proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.
 
     The Annual Report to Shareholders, including financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 1996, is enclosed with this Proxy Statement.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   4
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     At the Meeting, 8 directors (which will constitute the entire Board after
the Meeting) are to be elected to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and until their respective successors have been elected and
qualified. The Board currently consists of 24 directors; however, pursuant to a
resolution of the Board, the Board will be reduced to 8 directors following the
Meeting. The shares of Common Stock represented by properly executed proxies
will be voted for the nominees named below unless otherwise specified on the
proxy. It is not contemplated that any of the nominees will become unavailable
to serve, but if that should occur before the Meeting, proxies that do not
withhold authority to vote for directors may be voted for another nominee or
nominees selected by the Board unless the Board votes to reduce the size of the
Board to the actual number of nominees. In no event may the proxies be voted for
a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.
 
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
 
     The following table sets forth (i) the name and age of each nominee, (ii)
the year during which each nominee first became a director of the Corporation,
(iii) the principal occupation and business experience of the nominee during the
past five years, including all positions and offices with the Corporation, (iv)
other directorships of companies and organizations held by the nominee, and (v)
the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each nominee as of
January 31, 1997. All nominees are currently directors of the Corporation. All
current directors of the Corporation also serve as directors of Riggs Bank N.A.
The table has been prepared from information obtained from the nominees.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             COMMON STOCK
                                                                          BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                                          JANUARY 31, 1997,
NAME, AGE AND YEAR        PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION, BUSINESS EXPERIENCE       AND PERCENTAGE OF
 BECAME A DIRECTOR         IN LAST FIVE YEARS, OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS             CLASS(1)
- -------------------  ---------------------------------------------------  ------------------
<S>                  <C>                                                  <C>
JOE L. ALLBRITTON    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer        12,030,000(2)(3)
Age 72               of the Corporation; Chairman of the Board of Riggs             37.3%
1981                 Bank N.A. (a subsidiary of the Corporation);
                     Chairman of Riggs & Co. (a division of Riggs Bank
                     N.A.); Chief Executive Officer of Riggs Bank N.A.
                     (1982-1993); Chairman of the Board and owner of
                     Perpetual Corporation, which owns Allbritton
                     Communications Company (owner of television
                     stations) and Allnewsco, Inc. (news programming
                     service); Chairman of the Board and owner of
                     Westfield News Advertiser, Inc. (owner of a
                     television station and newspapers); Chairman of the
                     Board and owner of University Bancshares, Inc.
                     (Texas bank holding company); Trustee, National
                     Geographic Society.

ROBERT L.            Director, Executive Vice President and Chief              1,250,400(4)
ALLBRITTON           Operating Officer, Allbritton Communications                    4.1%
Age 27               Company; Director, Perpetual Corporation; Director,
1994                 Allnewsco, Inc.; Director and Vice Chairman of the
                     Board, University Bancshares, Inc.; Director and
                     Vice President, The Allbritton Foundation; Director
                     and President, Harrisburg Television, Inc.;
                     Director and Vice President, Allbritton Group,
                     Inc.; Director and President, Allfinco, Inc.;
                     Director, Allbritton News Bureau, Inc.; Director
                     and Vice President, TV Alabama Inc.; Director and
                     Vice President, Allbritton Jacksonville, Inc.
</TABLE>
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             COMMON STOCK
                                                                          BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                                          JANUARY 31, 1997,
NAME, AGE AND YEAR        PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION, BUSINESS EXPERIENCE       AND PERCENTAGE OF
 BECAME A DIRECTOR         IN LAST FIVE YEARS, OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS             CLASS(1)
- -------------------  ---------------------------------------------------  ------------------
<S>                  <C>                                                  <C>
TIMOTHY C.           President of the Corporation; Vice Chairman of the           53,750(5)
COUGHLIN             Board of Riggs Bank N.A.; President and Chief      
Age 54               Operating Officer of Riggs Bank N.A. (1985-1992);  
1988                 Chairman, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater          
                     Washington; Chairman, British American Business    
                     Association; Chapter Member (Trustee), Protestant  
                     Episcopal Cathedral Foundation; Trustee, Corcoran  
                     Gallery of Art.                                    
                                                                        
LAWRENCE I.          President and Director, Perpetual Corporation; Vice          11,000
HEBERT               Chairman, President and Director, Allbritton       
Age 50               Communications Company; Director, Allnewsco, Inc.; 
1988                 President, Westfield News Advertiser, Inc.; Vice   
                     President, University Bancshares, Inc.; Director,  
                     Allied Capital Corporation II.                     
                                                                        
STEVEN B.            Partner and Head of the International Department,             8,830
PFEIFFER             Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (law firm); Chairman 
Age 50               Emeritus of the Board of Trustees, Wesleyan      
1989                 University (Connecticut).(6)                     
                                                                      
ROBERT L.            Vice Chairman of the Board of the Corporation;               11,036(7)
SLOAN                Chief Executive Officer, Sibley Memorial Hospital, 
Age 50               Washington, D.C.; Past Chairman, District of       
1993                 Columbia Hospital Association; Founding Director,  
                     Potomac Home Health Care Agency; Director,         
                     Community of Hope, Inc.                            
                                                                        
JACK                 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Motion                  6,793(8)
VALENTI              Picture Association; Director, American Film 
Age 75               Institute.                                   
1986                                                              

EDDIE N.             President, Joint Center for Political and Economic            3,000
WILLIAMS             Studies; Director, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.;  
Age 64               Director, Harrah's Jazz Finance Corporation;      
1993                 Director, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of the National  
                     Capital Area.                                     
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Beneficial ownership, as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the
    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, includes sole or shared power to vote or
    direct the voting of, or to dispose or direct the disposition of, shares as
    well as the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days of January
    31, 1997, through the exercise of an option or otherwise. Unless otherwise
    indicated, the listed persons have sole voting power and sole investment
    power with respect to the shares of Common Stock set forth in the table and
    own less than 1% of the shares outstanding.
 
(2) See "Beneficial Ownership of Corporation Stock," Notes 2 and 3, page 5.
 
(3) This amount includes exercisable options to purchase 1,854,000 shares of the
    Corporation's Common Stock held by Mr. Allbritton as of January 31, 1997.
 
(4) Under the federal securities laws, Robert L. Allbritton, the son of Joe L.
    Allbritton, may be deemed to share voting and investment power with regard
    to 1,250,000 shares owned by a charitable foundation of which he is a
    trustee. See "Beneficial Ownership of Corporation Stock," Note 2, page 5.
 
(5) This amount includes exercisable options to purchase 43,750 shares of the
    Corporation's Common Stock held by Mr. Coughlin as of January 31, 1997.
 
(6) Mr. Pfeiffer is a partner in the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
    This law firm performed legal services for the Corporation during 1996 and
    is expected to perform legal services for the Corporation in 1997.
 
(7) Included in this total are 3,716 shares of Phantom Stock (see "Director
    Compensation," page 4).
 
(8) Included in this total are 3,993 shares of Phantom Stock (see "Director
    Compensation," page 4).
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
 
     The Board has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and a Compensation
Committee. It does not have a standing Nominating Committee. Directors of the
Corporation are nominated by the full Board.
 
     The Executive Committee of the Corporation exercises the power of the Board
between meetings of the Board and such other powers as the Board may delegate.
The Executive Committee held four meetings during 1996. The committee members
during 1996 were directors Joe L. Allbritton, Barbara B. Allbritton, Fred L.
Bollerer, Timothy C. Coughlin, Ronald E. Cuneo, Floyd E. Davis, III, James E.
Fitzgerald, Heather S. Foley, Lawrence I. Hebert, Timothy A. Lex and Robert L.
Sloan.
 
     The Audit Committee of the Corporation reviews the audit and examination
reports of the internal auditors, independent public accountants and federal
bank examiners as they relate to the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Audit
Committee held four meetings during 1996. The committee members during 1996 were
directors Calvin Cafritz, Michela A. English, James E. Fitzgerald, David J.
Gladstone, Steven B. Pfeiffer and Robert L. Sloan.
 
     The Compensation Committee of the Corporation assists the Board in
fulfilling its responsibilities related to compensation and benefits. The
Compensation Committee of the Corporation meets in joint session with the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Riggs Bank N.A. (the "Joint
Compensation Committee"). The Joint Compensation Committee met five times in
1996. The committee members during 1996 were directors Charles A. Camalier, III,
Ronald E. Cuneo, Michela A. English, James E. Fitzgerald and Michael J. Jackson.
See page 10 for the Joint Compensation Committee Report to Shareholders on
fiscal year 1996 compensation programs.
 
     The Board held seven meetings in 1996 and the various Committees of the
Board, including those listed above, met a total of 22 times. Of the directors
serving during 1996, directors Michela A. English, Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J. and
Jack Valenti attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of
meetings during 1996 of the Board and of the committees on which they served.
 
SECTION 16(a) COMPLIANCE
 
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules promulgated
under it require that certain officers, directors and beneficial owners of the
Corporation's equity securities ("insiders") file various reports with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Based solely on its review of the
copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain
reporting persons that all required forms were filed, the Corporation believes
that all of the Corporation's insiders have timely filed the reports under
Section 16(a) required to be filed in 1996, except that one report filed by
Heather S. Foley was delayed as a result of the Corporation inadvertently
providing the form to her late.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
     Directors of the Corporation and Riggs Bank N.A. who are not officers
currently receive a retainer fee of $24,000 per year. Directors do not receive
additional compensation for membership on committees, except for the Chairmen of
the committees, who receive an additional retainer fee of $2,500 per year, and
the Chairman of the Audit Committee, who receives an additional retainer fee of
$25,000 per year. Officers of the Corporation who are directors do not receive
compensation in addition to their compensation as officers for attending Board
or committee meetings. In April 1994, a Deferred Compensation Plan was adopted
to allow non-employee directors of the Corporation to defer receipt of all or a
portion of director's fees to a specified date or termination of service as a
director. Under the plan, directors may elect to defer all fees and to have such
deferred amounts treated as having been invested in cash, shares of the
Corporation's Common Stock (the deferred stock is known as "Phantom Stock"),
and/or a combination of cash and shares. Deferred fees treated as invested in
cash are credited with interest at the rate paid by Riggs Bank N.A. on
certificates of deposit with a one-year maturity. Shares of Phantom Stock
acquired under the plan are priced at the closing market price of such shares on
the date on which fee payment is deferred.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
                   BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CORPORATION STOCK
 
     The following table sets forth information, as of January 31, 1997,
concerning (a) each person known by the Corporation to own beneficially more
than 5% of the Common Stock, (b) each of the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table, and (c) executive officers and directors (including
nominees) of the Corporation and executive officers of Riggs Bank N.A. as a
group:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             AMOUNT AND
                                                             NATURE OF
                                                             BENEFICIAL       PERCENT OF
             BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF COMMON STOCK              OWNERSHIP(1)        CLASS
    ---------------------------------------------------     ------------      ----------
    <S>                                                     <C>               <C>
    Joe L. Allbritton..................................      12,030,000(2)(3)    37.3%
      Riggs National Corporation
      1503 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
      Washington, D.C. 20005
    Barbara B. Allbritton..............................       2,581,732(4)        8.5%
      Riggs National Corporation
      1503 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
      Washington, D.C. 20005
    Fred L. Bollerer...................................         124,400(5)
    Timothy C. Coughlin................................          53,750(6)
    John L. Davis......................................          32,834(7)
    Timothy A. Lex.....................................          28,334(8)
    All executive officers and directors (including
      nominees) of the Corporation and executive
      officers of Riggs Bank N.A. as a group (30
      persons).........................................      12,734,169(9)       39.1%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Beneficial ownership, as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the
    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, includes sole or shared power to vote or
    direct the voting of, or to dispose or direct the disposition of, shares as
    well as the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days of January
    31, 1997, through the exercise of an option or otherwise. Except where
    noted, the listed persons have sole voting power and sole investment power
    with respect to the shares of Common Stock set forth in the table and own
    less than 1% of the shares outstanding.
 
(2) Joe L. Allbritton has sole voting and investment power with regard to
    8,926,000 of these shares. Pursuant to the federal securities laws, included
    among these 8,926,000 shares are 675,511 shares owned by Allwin, Inc., which
    is wholly owned by him. In addition, 1,250,000 shares are owned by a
    charitable foundation of which Joe L. Allbritton, his wife Barbara B.
    Allbritton and his son Robert L. Allbritton are the trustees (the
    "Foundation"), and 1,330,000 shares beneficially owned by Barbara B.
    Allbritton as to which Joe L. Allbritton shares voting and investment power
    as described in Note 4, Page 5. He disclaims beneficial ownership of an
    additional 1,732 shares owned by Barbara B. Allbritton.
 
(3) The shares of Common Stock owned directly by Joe L. Allbritton are pledged
    to secure a loan with a commercial bank. Should an event of default set
    forth in the related loan agreement (which contains standard default
    provisions) occur, the lending bank may be able to sell or transfer the
    shares depending on the circumstances. In the absence of such an event of
    default, he retains the right to receive the dividends and the power to vote
    the shares. For a more complete description of the loan, including default
    provisions, see the Schedule 13D and amendments thereto filed by Joe L.
    Allbritton with the SEC.
 
(4) Barbara B. Allbritton has sole voting and investment power with regard to
    1,732 of these shares and shares voting and investment power with Joe L.
    Allbritton as to 1,330,000 shares, with respect to which she has granted to
    him an irrevocable proxy to vote such shares and has agreed not to sell such
    shares free of the proxy except in limited market transactions. Also
    included, pursuant to the federal securities laws, are 1,250,000 shares
    owned by the Foundation as to which she shares voting and investment power.
    Mrs. Allbritton disclaims beneficial ownership of 8,926,000 shares
    beneficially owned by Joe L. Allbritton, including shares owned by Allwin,
    Inc.
 
(5) This amount includes exercisable options to purchase 124,000 shares of the
    Corporation's Common Stock held by Mr. Bollerer as of January 31, 1997.
 
(6) See Note 5, page 3.
 
(7) This amount includes exercisable options to purchase 31,334 shares of the
    Corporation's Common Stock held by Mr. Davis as of January 31, 1997.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
(8) This amount includes exercisable options to purchase 27,334 shares of the
    Corporation's Common Stock held by Mr. Lex as of January 31, 1997.
 
(9) Of the 12,734,169 shares which are beneficially held by the executive
    officers and directors (including nominees) of the Corporation and executive
    officers of Riggs Bank N.A., 2,158,086 are options which have vested and are
    exercisable.
 
                       COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The annual and other compensation paid by the Corporation and Riggs Bank
N.A. for 1996, 1995 and 1994 to each of the five most highly compensated
executive officers of the Corporation, including certain officers of Riggs Bank
N.A., and the capacities in which they are currently serving, are set forth
below:
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          
                                                                              LONG-TERM   
                                                                             COMPENSATION 
                                             ANNUAL COMPENSATION                AWARDS    
                                     ------------------------------------    ------------ 
           (a)               (b)       (c)         (d)           (e)             (f)             (g)
                                                                OTHER         SECURITIES            
    NAME AND PRINCIPAL                                          ANNUAL        UNDERLYING      ALL OTHER
         POSITION            YEAR     SALARY      BONUS      COMPENSATION      OPTIONS       COMPENSATION
- --------------------------   ----    --------    --------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                          <C>     <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>
Joe L. Allbritton.........   1996    $380,000    $  --   (1)     --            1,224,000       $ 65,768(1)
  Chairman of the Board      1995     380,000     570,000        --              300,000         58,255
  and Chief Executive        1994     380,000     380,000        --              430,000         61,700
  Officer of the
  Corporation; Chairman of
  the Board of Riggs Bank
  N.A.

Fred L. Bollerer..........   1996     300,000      90,000(2)     --               10,000          7,330(2)
  President and Chief        1995     300,000     300,000        --               30,000          2,623
  Executive Officer of       1994     259,039     150,000        --               75,000          2,158
  Riggs Bank N.A.

Timothy C. Coughlin.......   1996     300,000     120,000(3)     --               25,000          6,314(3)
  President of the           1995     300,000     150,000        --               15,000          1,580
  Corporation                1994     350,000      52,500        --              --               3,207

John L. Davis.............   1996     179,615      64,750(4)     --               20,000          6,573(4)
  Chief Financial Officer    1995     164,231      38,466        --               25,000          1,305
  of the Corporation;        1994     155,000      23,250        --              --               1,174
  Executive Vice President
  and Chief Financial
  Officer of Riggs Bank
  N.A.

Timothy A. Lex............   1996     197,115      80,000(5)     --               35,000          5,483(5)
  Executive Vice President   1995     164,200      31,316       129,426(5)        10,000         76,228(5)
  and Chief Operating        1994     162,000      24,300       313,444(5)       --                 951
  Officer of Riggs Bank
  N.A.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Mr. Allbritton requested that the Board of Directors not include him in the
    1996 Bonus Plan. See "1996 Compensation, The Chief Executive Officer of the
    Corporation," found under "Joint Compensation Committee Report to
    Shareholders," page 10 for additional comments.
 
    The $65,768 of "All Other Compensation" reported in column (g) for 1996
    represents the economic benefit attributable to group term life insurance
    coverage and the Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan applicable to certain key
    employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries at the level of senior
    vice president and above.
 
(2) Fred L. Bollerer was awarded a bonus amount of 30% of base salary based on
    his contribution to the Corporation's exceeding its performance goal in
    1996. For a discussion of the payment of incentives based on the
    Corporation's 1996 performance, see "1996 Compensation, The President and
    Chief Executive Officer of Riggs Bank N.A.," found under "Joint Compensation
    Committee Report to Shareholders," pages 10 and 11.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
    Of the $7,330 of "All Other Compensation" reported in column (g) for 1996,
    $2,780 represents the economic benefit attributable to group term life
    insurance coverage and the Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan, and $4,550 is
    attributable to matching contributions to the Riggs Bank N.A. Employees'
    Savings Plan account of Mr. Bollerer.
 
(3) Timothy C. Coughlin was awarded a bonus amount of 40% of base salary based
    on his contribution to the Corporation's exceeding its performance goal in
    1996. For a discussion of the payment of incentives based on the
    Corporation's 1996 performance, see "1996 Compensation, Other Executive
    Officers," found under "Joint Compensation Committee Report to
    Shareholders," page 11.
 
    Of the $6,314 of "All Other Compensation" reported in column (g) for 1996,
    $1,764 represents the economic benefit attributable to the Split Dollar Life
    Insurance Plan and $4,550 is attributable to matching contributions to the
    Riggs Bank N.A. Employees' Savings Plan account of Mr. Coughlin.
 
(4) John L. Davis was awarded a bonus amount of 35% of base salary based on his
    contribution to the Corporation's exceeding its performance goal in 1996.
    For a discussion of the payment of incentives based on the Corporation's
    1996 performance, see "1996 Compensation, Other Executive Officers," found
    under "Joint Compensation Committee Report to Shareholders," page 11.
 
    Of the $6,573 of "All Other Compensation" reported for John L. Davis in
    column (g) for 1996, $2,023 represents the economic benefit attributable to
    group term life insurance coverage and the Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan,
    and $4,550 is attributable to matching contributions to the Riggs Bank N.A.
    Employees' Savings Plan account of Mr. Davis.
 
(5) Timothy A. Lex was awarded a bonus amount of 40% of base salary based on his
    contribution to the Corporation's exceeding its performance goal in 1996.
    For a discussion of the payment of incentives based on the Corporation's
    1996 performance, see "1996 Compensation, Other Executive Officers," found
    under "Joint Compensation Committee Report to Shareholders," page 11.
 
    Of the $5,483 of "All Other Compensation" reported for Mr. Lex in column (g)
    for 1996, $933 represents the economic benefit attributable to group term
    life insurance coverage and the Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan, and $4,550
    is attributable to matching contributions to the Riggs Bank N.A. Employees'
    Savings Plan account of Mr. Lex.
 
    Of the $129,426 of "Other Annual Compensation" reported for Timothy A. Lex
    in column (e) for 1995, $129,378 (99.96%) represents overseas cost-of-living
    adjustments, tax gross-ups and other payments to Mr. Lex to provide him with
    equivalent compensation and living expenses while posted with Riggs Bank
    N.A.'s London operation. All (100%) of the $313,444 reported in column (e)
    for 1994 represents such overseas cost-of-living adjustments.
 
    Of the $76,228 of "Other Compensation" reported for Mr. Lex in column (g)
    for 1995, $75,408 represents the economic benefit attributable to relocation
    expenses paid on Mr. Lex's behalf by the Corporation.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
STOCK OPTION GRANTS IN 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   (a)                          (b)           (c)          (d)          (e)           (f)
                                             NUMBER OF     % OF TOTAL
                                             SECURITIES     OPTIONS                                      
                                             UNDERLYING    GRANTED TO                              GRANT DATE
                                              OPTIONS      EMPLOYEES     EXERCISE    EXPIRATION     PRESENT
                   NAME                       GRANTED       IN 1996       PRICE         DATE       VALUE($)(1)
                   ----                      ----------    ----------    --------    ----------    ----------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>
Joe L. Allbritton(2)(3)...................      224,000       14.7%       $12.00       4/9/06      $  938,717
                                              1,000,000        65.8        12.38       7/9/06       4,388,400
Fred L. Bollerer(4).......................       10,000         0.7        12.00       4/9/06          41,542
Timothy C. Coughlin(4)....................       25,000         1.6        12.00       4/9/06         103,855
John L. Davis(4)..........................       20,000         1.3        12.00       4/9/06          83,084
Timothy A. Lex(4).........................       35,000         2.3        12.00       4/9/06         145,397
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The grant date present value estimate reflected in the above table has been
    developed solely for purposes of comparative disclosure in accordance with
    the rules and regulations of the SEC, and does not necessarily reflect the
    Corporation's view of the appropriate value or methodology for the purposes
    of financial reporting. This hypothetical value, determined by the
    Black-Scholes model, is based on the following assumptions:
 
       - Exercise price is equal to the market value on the day of grant;
 
       - The annual dividend rate is 1.6667% for options maturing April 9, 2006,
         and 1.6162% for options maturing July 9, 2006;
 
       - Price volatility is based on weekly data for the preceding one-year
         period;
 
       - The risk-free rate is 6.44% for options maturing April 9 and July 9,
         2006, for the expected term of the options with a yield of comparable
         maturing Treasury securities; and
 
       - There is an 18% discount for forfeiture of unexercised shares.
 
        These assumptions are based upon historical experience and are not a
    forecast of future stock price performance or volatility or of future
    dividend policy.
 
        There is no assurance that the value received by an executive will be at
    or near the value estimated by the Black-Scholes model. The actual value of
    options will depend on the market value of the Corporation's Common Stock on
    the dates upon which the options are exercised. No realization of value from
    the options is possible without an increase in the price of the
    Corporation's Common Stock, which would benefit all shareholders.
 
(2) On April 10, 1996 (the "April Grant Date"), the Joint Compensation Committee
    recommended, and the Board approved, a stock option grant to the Chairman
    and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Allbritton was awarded the option to
    purchase 224,000 shares of the Corporation's Common Stock. Pursuant to the
    Corporation's 1993 and 1994 Stock Option Plans, as approved by shareholders,
    the option was granted at a price equal to the closing price of such stock
    on the April Grant Date. The option vested and became exercisable upon
    grant.
 
(3) On July 10, 1996 (the "July Grant Date"), the Joint Compensation Committee
    recommended, and the Board approved, a stock option grant to the Chairman
    and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Allbritton was awarded the option to
    purchase 1,000,000 shares of the Corporation's Common Stock. Pursuant to the
    Corporation's 1996 Stock Option Plan, as approved by shareholders, the
    option was granted at a price equal to the closing price of such stock on
    the July Grant Date. The option vested upon grant and is exercisable as
    follows: (1) upon achievement of specific and aggressive stock performance
    criteria; or (2) upon a "change of control" of the Corporation, as defined
    in the Corporation's 1996 Stock Option Plan.
 
(4) On the April Grant Date, the Joint Compensation Committee recommended, and
    the Board approved, stock option grants to senior executive officers.
    Messrs. Bollerer, Coughlin, Davis and Lex were awarded options to purchase
    10,000, 25,000, 20,000, and 35,000 shares, respectively, of the
    Corporation's Common Stock. Pursuant to the Corporation's 1994 Stock Option
    Plan, as approved by shareholders, the options were granted at a price equal
    to the closing price of such stock on the April Grant Date. These options
    vest and become exercisable as follows: (1) 40% on the April Grant Date; (2)
    the remaining 60% equally over the following two years on the respective
    grant date anniversaries.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
STOCK OPTION EXERCISES IN 1996/FY-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              (a)                     (b)          (c)               (d)                      (e)
                                                                  NUMBER OF                VALUE OF
                                                                  SECURITIES              UNEXERCISED
                                                                  UNDERLYING             IN-THE-MONEY
                                    SHARES                    OPTIONS AT FY-END         OPTIONS, FY-END
                                  ACQUIRED ON     VALUE          EXERCISABLE/            EXERCISABLE/
             NAME                  EXERCISE      REALIZED       UNEXERCISABLE            UNEXERCISABLE
             ----                 -----------    --------    --------------------   -----------------------
<S>                               <C>            <C>         <C>                    <C>
Joe L. Allbritton..............     --             --         1,854,000 / 100,000    $10,540,100 / $662,500
Fred L. Bollerer...............     --             --           124,000 /  11,000        981,000 /   72,750
Timothy C. Coughlin............     --             --            43,750 /  21,250        315,938 /  130,313
John L. Davis..................     --             --            31,334 /  33,666        347,000 /  185,250
Timothy A. Lex.................     --             --            27,334 /  27,666        180,172 /  158,579
</TABLE>
 
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
     Senior officers of the Corporation and its subsidiaries are eligible to
receive pension benefits under the Riggs Amended Pension Plan. Effective
December 31, 1995, the benefit formula for determining the pension benefit
payable under the plan is 1% times the officer's average compensation for each
year of service up to a maximum of 30 years. However, if a greater benefit would
result under plan provisions in effect prior to December 31, 1995, based on
average compensation and years of service prior to December 31, 1995, an
officer's pension benefit payable under the plan is protected at that level.
 
     Average compensation is limited by the Riggs Amended Pension Plan to base
salary. In accordance with applicable tax code provisions, base salary has been
limited since 1989. Base salary was limited to $150,000 for 1996. Applying the
formula, the estimated annual pension benefit for each of the highest paid
executive officers, assuming each retired as of his normal age (or his current
age if later), is as follows: Mr. Allbritton $96,227; Mr. Bollerer $19,398; Mr.
Coughlin $50,529; Mr. Davis $19,250; and Mr. Lex $43,950.
 
     The Corporation also has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which
provides supplemental retirement income to certain key employees of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries at the level of senior vice president and
above. The Joint Compensation Committee determines the terms and conditions
under which the employee participates and becomes vested in the benefits in the
plan, including accelerating the vesting of benefits to any participant. Under
parameters adopted by the Joint Compensation Committee, the level of benefits is
based on the participant's functional responsibility. Upon the latter of a
participant's termination of employment with vested benefits, attainment of age
62 or upon a change of control, the participant will receive the vested portion
of the supplemental retirement benefit, payable for the life of the participant,
but for no more than 15 years. In the case of the death of a participant while
employed, the participant's beneficiary will receive the supplemental benefit
for 15 years. Based on the parameters set by the Joint Compensation Committee,
the annual benefit payable to each of Messrs. Allbritton, Bollerer and Coughlin
would be $40,000. The annual benefit payable to Messrs. Davis and Lex would be
$15,000 and $25,000, respectively.
 
                          TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT
 
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS, NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND
RELATED PERSONS
 
     The Corporation's banking subsidiaries have had, and are expected to have
in the future, banking transactions in the ordinary course of their business
with directors of Riggs Bank N.A. and Riggs Bank Europe Limited and their
associates (primarily the businesses with which they are associated), and
directors and executive officers of the Corporation and their associates, on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those
prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. In the
opinion of management, these transactions did not, at the time they were entered
into, involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other
unfavorable features.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
OTHER
 
     During 1996, the Corporation purchased equipment and software from Wang
Federal, Inc. Ronald E. Cuneo (a member of the Board during 1996) was President
of Wang Federal, Inc. at the time of purchase. Total expenditures equaled $1.0
million in 1996 and were capitalized by the Corporation.
 
              JOINT COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
GENERAL
 
     The Compensation Committee of Riggs National Corporation meets in joint
session with the Compensation Committee of Riggs Bank N.A. The Joint
Compensation Committee is responsible for:
 
        - reviewing the overall salary administration program for the
          Corporation and Riggs Bank N.A. and its subsidiaries (the "Riggs
          Group");
 
        - reviewing and making recommendations concerning annual salary programs
          and bonus programs for the Riggs Group;
 
        - reviewing and making recommendations to the Board concerning
          compensation and benefits of executive officers of the Riggs Group;
          and
 
        - reviewing the Riggs Group's benefit plans, considering any new
          benefits that significantly modify the existing plans and recommending
          to the Board any changes requiring Board approval.
 
     In 1996, the Joint Compensation Committee established a compensation
framework for executive officers in which executives' pay was directly linked to
the financial success of the bank. Specifically, the 1996 plan focused on two
areas: (1) paying competitive market rates of pay; and (2) rewarding financial
performance through a bonus plan based on an aggressive return on average assets
("ROA") goal and net income goal.
 
1996 COMPENSATION
 
     THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE CORPORATION.  Joe L. Allbritton
continued to serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation throughout 1996, during which the Corporation substantially improved
its financial position. Under the Chairman's leadership, the Corporation earned
$65.9 million and exceeded its ROA goal.
 
     In 1996, Mr. Allbritton continued voluntarily to maintain his base salary
at the same level as in 1995, 1994, 1993, and 1992. Per his request of the
Board, Mr. Allbritton was not included in the Corporation's 1996 Bonus Plan and
was not paid a bonus.
 
     In April 1996, Mr. Allbritton was granted options to purchase 224,000
shares of the Corporation's Common Stock at a price of $12.00 per share. This
option vested and became exercisable on the date of the grant, April 10, 1996.
Additionally, on July 10, 1996, Mr. Allbritton was granted the option to
purchase 1,000,000 shares of the Corporation's Common Stock at a price of $12.38
per share. This option vested upon grant, but became exercisable upon the
Corporation's achievement of specific and aggressive stock performance criteria.
These options were granted to Mr. Allbritton in recognition of his personal role
in the Corporation's outstanding financial success and the Board's high regard
for him and his contributions to the Corporation.
 
     THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF RIGGS BANK N.A.  Fred Bollerer
continued to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Riggs Bank N.A.
during 1996.
 
     Mr. Bollerer's 1996 base salary remained at the same level as 1995. Because
the Corporation exceeded its ROA goal and net income target, the Joint
Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, a bonus payment to
Mr. Bollerer.
 
     In April 1996, Mr. Bollerer was granted under the Corporation's 1994 Stock
Option Plan the option to purchase 10,000 shares of the Corporation's Common
Stock at $12.00 per share. This option shall vest and
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
become exercisable as follows: (1) 40% on date of grant, April 10, 1996; and (2)
the remaining 60% vesting and being exercisable in equal parts on the following
two anniversary dates of the grant.
 
     In determining Mr. Bollerer's incentive compensation, the Joint
Compensation Committee sought to create an overall compensation package that
would recognize Mr. Bollerer's ability to enhance the Corporation's financial
performance and reward him accordingly.
 
     OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.  The Joint Compensation Committee established a
performance-based incentive plan for executive officers in 1996 under which
bonuses were paid to officers based on both the Corporation's achievement of
specified targets for 1996 ROA and net income and the executives' performance.
The Corporation used a systematic evaluation approach to appraise all officer
performance, including that of its senior officers.
 
     Additionally, stock option grants were made in 1996 based on corporate
level and individual performance in 1996. See "Stock Option Grants in 1996,"
page 8, for a description of the stock options granted to executive officers.
 
1997 COMPENSATION
 
     The Board has approved a performance-based incentive plan for executive
officers in 1997.
 
TAX DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) does not permit the Corporation to
deduct certain nonperformance-based compensation in excess of $1 million per
taxable year paid to the Chief Executive Officer or the four most highly
compensated employees named in the Proxy Statement.
 
     For 1996, all compensation earned by the Corporation's five highest paid
officers was completely deductible. When applicable, the Joint Compensation
Committee will review the adoption of a policy regarding Section 162(m).
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The Joint Compensation Committee presently consists of the below-named five
directors, none of whom are present or former officers or employees of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. No executive officer of the Corporation
serves as an officer, director or member of a compensation committee of any
entity whose executive officer served on the Joint Compensation Committee or as
a director of the Corporation. During fiscal year 1996, Joint Compensation
Committee members Cuneo, English and Fitzgerald, or their associates, had
outstanding loans with lending subsidiaries of the Corporation on substantially
the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at
the time for comparable transactions with other persons. In the opinion of
management, these transactions did not, at the time they were entered into,
involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable
features.
 
                                          Respectfully Submitted,
 
                                          Ronald E. Cuneo, Chairman
                                          James E. Fitzgerald
                                          Charles A. Camalier, III
                                          Michael J. Jackson
                                          Michela A. English
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
                            STOCK PERFORMANCE CHART
 
     The following graph shows the performance of the Corporation's Common Stock
over the past five fiscal years as compared to the NASDAQ Market Value Index and
the Middle Atlantic Banks Index.

                                   [GRAPH]
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Measurement Period            Riggs National      Middle Atlantic     NASDAQ National
      (Fiscal Year Covered)             Corporation            Banks(1)           Market
<S>                                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>
1991                                            100.00              100.00              100.00
1992                                            238.24              141.16              116.38
1993                                            202.94              164.16              133.59
1994                                            197.06              159.59              130.59
1995                                            305.88              255.42              184.67
1996                                            410.47              366.52              227.16
Assumes $100 invested on 
 December 31, 1991.
Assumes dividends reinvested to 
 fiscal year ended 
 December 31, 1996
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) A list of the banks included in the Middle Atlantic Banks Index is available
    to shareholders at no charge by writing to Mary B. LeMont, Assistant
    Corporate Secretary, Riggs National Corporation, 800 17th Street, N.W., 7th
    Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
                              SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
 
GENERAL
 
     Mrs. Evelyn Y. Davis, Watergate Office Building, 2600 Virginia Avenue,
N.W., Suite 215, Washington, D.C. 20032, who is the owner of 500 shares of
Common Stock, has advised the Corporation that she intends to present the
following proposal for shareholder action at the Meeting:
 
     RESOLVED: "That the stockholders recommend that the Board of Directors take
     the necessary steps to change the Annual Meeting date to the second Monday
     in May."
 
     REASONS: "Recently the Annual Meetings were held on a date where another
     major corporation met. Until a few years ago, the Company has met on a date
     where more independent non-employee shareholders could meet."
 
     "The many problems the Company faces makes maximum attendance by outside
     independent shareholders especially desirable."
 
     "Last year the owners of 1,747,636 shares, representing approximately 8.27%
     of shares voting, voted FOR this proposal."
 
     "If you AGREE, please mark your proxy FOR this resolution."
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION
 
     The Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal. A substantially similar
proposal was submitted at both the 1995 and 1996 Annual Meetings and was soundly
defeated on each occasion (with over 91% of the votes cast each year voting
against the proposal). Your directors have once again considered this proposal,
and continue to believe that its adoption would not be in the best interests of
the Corporation.
 
     Under the Corporation's By-Laws, the Board currently has the discretion to
set the date of the Annual Meeting to the time and day best suited for the
meeting. Therefore, the Board already has sufficient flexibility to change the
Annual Meeting date to the second Wednesday in May--which it has done on
occasion--or to another date deemed appropriate by the Board. By setting the
Annual Meeting date specifically to the second Monday in May without regard for
the Board's determination of the best possible date, the Board would lose such
flexibility. The proposal would impose an undue burden on the Board without
justification.
 
     The proponent offers no reason to support an amendment to the By-Laws,
except that she believes an Annual Meeting date of the second Monday in May will
not conflict with the annual meeting date set by another corporation. The
Corporation, however, cannot rely on or predict the dates of other corporations'
annual meetings nor can it reasonably be expected to set the schedule for its
Annual Meeting according to such dates.
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
               SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING
 
     The Board anticipates that the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be
held on or about May 13, 1998. A shareholder who intends to present a proposal
at the 1998 Annual Meeting must submit the written text of the proposal to the
Corporation no later than December 8, 1997, in order for the proposal to be
considered for inclusion in the Corporation's proxy statement and form of proxy
for that meeting.
 
                         INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     Arthur Andersen LLP are the independent public accountants for the
Corporation and have served as the independent public accountants for Riggs Bank
N.A. since 1974. A representative of Arthur Andersen LLP is expected to be
present at the Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement, if he
desires to do so, and to respond to appropriate questions.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
     This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board. The cost of solicitation of
proxies will be borne by the Corporation. The Corporation may solicit proxies
personally or by telephone, in addition to the solicitations by mail. All such
further solicitations will be made by directors, officers or regular employees
of the Corporation or of Riggs Bank N.A., who will not be additionally
compensated therefor, or by the Corporation's transfer agent (The Bank of New
York), whose costs will be borne by the Corporation. Arrangements will be made
by the Corporation for the forwarding, at the Corporation's expense, of
solicitation materials by brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians to
their principals.
 
     The Board is not aware of any other matters that may come before the
Meeting. If any other business properly comes before the Meeting, the persons
designated as proxies will vote upon such matters according to their discretion.
 
                           ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
 
     A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC, is
available without charge upon written request to James T. Duke, Investor
Relations, at corporate headquarters.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          /s/ LINDA A. MADRID
 
                                          LINDA A. MADRID
                                          Corporate Secretary
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
                                 [RIGGS LOGO]










- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
                                      
                Proxy for 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
                                      
        The undersigned hereby appoints Herman B. Gohn, Russell C. Lindner and
Edward J. Miller as Proxies, severally and each with full power of
substitution, to vote all the shares of Common Stock of Riggs National
Corporation standing in the name of the undersigned on its books on March 31,
1997, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Park Hyatt
Washington Hotel, 1201 24th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, on May 14,
1997, at 9:30 a.m., or at any adjournments thereof, with all the powers the
undersigned would possess if personally present as follows:

        THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND IF
PROPERLY EXECUTED AND TIMELY DELIVERED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN.  IF
NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ITEM 1, "AGAINST" ITEM 2,
AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOULD ANY
OTHER BUSINESS BE PROPERLY PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.

                    (Continued, and to be executed and dated on the other side.)

                                        RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION 
                                        P.O. BOX 11185             
                                        NEW YORK, N.Y. 10203-0185  


<PAGE>   18
RIGGS NATIONAL CORPORATION
1503 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 14, 1997

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting")
of Riggs National Corporation (the "Corporation") will be held on Wednesday,
May 14, 1997, at 9:30 a.m. local time, at The Park Hyatt Washington Hotel, 1201
24th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, for the following purposes:

1. To elect a board of directors for the ensuing year;

2. To consider and act upon a shareholder proposal to require that the Board of
   Directors take the necessary steps to change the Annual Meeting date of the
   Corporation to the second Monday in May; and

3. To consider and act upon any other matters that may properly be brought
   before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 1997, will be
entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. 
Whether or not you contemplate attending the Meeting, please execute the
enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope.  You
may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise by written notice to
the Secretary of the Corporation, by executing and delivering a proxy bearing a
later date, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.

You are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person.

By Order of the Board of Directors

/s/ LINDA A. MADRID

LINDA A. MADRID
Corporate Secretary

April 17, 1997

                            DETACH PROXY CARD HERE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      --------
      --------


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:  FOR all nominees          WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote                *EXCEPTIONS     
                           listed below     /X/      for all nominees listed below   /X/                     /X/

Nominees: Joe L. Albritton, Robert L. Albritton, Timothy C. Coughlin, Lawrence
E. Hebert, Steven B. Pfeiffer, Robert L. Sloan, Jack Valenti, Eddie N. Williams
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark 
the "EXCEPTIONS" box and write that nominee's name on the following line.)

*EXCEPTIONS
           --------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Shareholder Proposal to require that the Board of Directors take the                   3. Other Matters.
   necessary steps to change the Annual Meeting date of the Corporation to the
   second Monday in May.
</TABLE>

   FOR /X/           AGAINST /X/         ABSTAIN  /X/


                                      Change of Address and/      
                                      or Comments Mark Here   /X/ 
                                      
                                      
                                      (When signing as attorney, executor, 
                                      administrator, trustee or guardian, 
                                      please give full title.  If more than 
                                      one trustee, all should sign.
                                      
                                      Dated:                            1997
                                            ----------------------------
                                      
                                      
                                      --------------------------------------
                                               Signature of Shareholder
                                      
                                      --------------------------------------
                                               Signature of Shareholder
                                      
                                      
Please date, sign and return          VOTES MUST BE INDICATED
promptly in the accompanying          (X) in Black or Blue ink.   /X/
envelope.                             
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      


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