<PAGE>
LOGO
[LOGO OF FIRST COMMERCE CORP. APPEARS HERE]
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the Holders of Common Stock of First Commerce Corporation:
The annual meeting of stockholders of First Commerce Corporation ("FCC") will
be held in the Vieux Carre Room of the Hotel Inter-Continental, 444 St. Charles
Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana, on Monday, April 15, 1996, at 9:00 a.m., New
Orleans time, to:
1. Elect directors.
2. Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournments thereof.
Only holders of record of FCC Common Stock at the close of business on March
1, 1996, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.
PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING
ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. A PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO
THE VOTING THEREOF.
By Order of the Board of Directors
LOGO
[Signature of Michael A. Flick
appears here]
Michael A. Flick
Secretary
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 14, 1996
<PAGE>
FIRST COMMERCE CORPORATION
POST OFFICE BOX 60279
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70160
MARCH 14, 1996
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished to stockholders of First Commerce
Corporation ("FCC" or the "Corporation") in connection with the solicitation on
behalf of its Board of Directors (the "Board") of proxies for use at the annual
meeting of stockholders of FCC to be held on April 15, 1996, at the time and
place set forth in the accompanying notice and at any adjournments thereof (the
"Meeting").
Only stockholders of record of FCC common stock ("Common Stock") at the close
of business on March 1, 1996, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Meeting. On that date, FCC had outstanding 38,610,167 shares of Common Stock,
each of which is entitled to one vote.
A stockholder may revoke the enclosed proxy at any time prior to its exercise
by filing with the Secretary of FCC a written revocation or duly executed proxy
bearing a later date. A stockholder who votes in person at the Meeting in a
manner inconsistent with a proxy previously filed on the stockholder's behalf
will be deemed to have revoked such proxy as it relates to the matter voted
upon in person. Attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself constitute
a revocation of a proxy.
This Proxy Statement is first being mailed to stockholders on or about March
14, 1996, and the cost of soliciting proxies in the enclosed form will be borne
by FCC. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by
personal interview, telephone and telegraph. Banks, brokerage houses and other
nominees or fiduciaries will be requested to forward the soliciting material to
their principals and to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies, and
FCC will, upon request, reimburse them for their expenses in so acting. In
addition, FCC has retained Corporate Investor Communications, Inc., a
professional proxy solicitation firm, to aid in the solicitation of proxies for
a fee of $5,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL
The Articles of Incorporation of FCC authorize the Board to fix the number of
directors at not less than three nor more than thirty. Pursuant thereto, the
Board has fixed the number of directors to be elected at the Meeting at twenty-
five, and proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons. Unless
authority is withheld, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote the
shares represented by the proxies received by them for the election of the
twenty-five persons named below to serve until the next annual meeting and
until their successors are duly elected and qualified. In the unanticipated
event that one or more nominees is unable to be a candidate at the Meeting, the
By-laws of FCC provide that the number of authorized directors will be
automatically reduced by the number of such nominees unless the Board
determines otherwise, in which case proxies will be voted in favor of such
other nominees as may be designated by the Board.
The following table sets forth certain information as of February 16, 1996,
with respect to each nominee to be proposed on behalf of the Board. Unless
otherwise indicated, each person has been engaged in the principal occupation
shown for the past five years. Under FCC's By-Laws, except as described in the
preceding paragraph, for any other person to be eligible for nomination for
election as a director, advance notice must be provided to FCC's Secretary
within 10 days of the date of the notice of the Meeting, stating (a) the name
and address of the nominee and the nominating stockholder, (b) a representation
that the
<PAGE>
stockholder is entitled to vote at the Meeting and intends to appear in person
or by proxy at the Meeting to make the proposed nomination, (c) a description
of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee
and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to
which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder, (d) such
other information regarding each proposed nominee as would be required to be
included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), had the nominee been proposed by
the Board, and (e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of FCC,
if so elected. For future annual meetings the notice must be provided not less
than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the preceding annual
meeting or, if the meeting is scheduled for a time that is not within 30 days
before or after such anniversary, not later than the earlier of the tenth day
following the date on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed
or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR FIRST
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION BECAME A
AND DIRECTORSHIPS IN DIRECTOR
NAME AND AGE OTHER PUBLIC CORPORATIONS OF FCC
------------ ------------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Ian Arnof, 56........... President and Chief Executive Officer of FCC 1983
James J. Bailey III, 53. Managing Partner, Bailey Family Investments (real 1985
estate development and management); director,
United Companies Financial Corporation
John W. Barton, 79...... Private investments 1985
Sydney J. Besthoff III, Chairman of the Board, K & B, Incorporated (retail 1992
68..................... drug stores)
Robert H. Bolton, 87 Senior Chairman of the Board, Rapides Bank & Trust 1986
<F1>................... Company in Alexandria
Robert C. Cudd, III, 59. Private investments 1995
Frances B. Davis, 67 Private investments 1986
<F1>...................
Laurance Eustis, Jr., Advisory Chairman and Consultant, Eustis 1983
82..................... Insurance, Inc.; director, International
Shipholding Corporation and Pan-American Life
Insurance Company
William P. Fuller, 69... President, Fuller Farms, Inc. 1978
Arthur Hollins III, 65.. Chairman of the Board, The First National Bank of 1985
Lake Charles; director, Calcasieu Real Estate &
Oil Co., Inc.
F. Ben James, Jr., 60... President, James Investments, Inc. (real estate 1973
development and private investments); director,
Central Louisiana Electric Co., Inc.
Erik F. Johnsen, 70..... President and director, International Shipholding 1983
Corporation and Central Gulf Lines, Inc. (ocean
shipping)
J. Merrick Jones, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Canal Barge Company, Inc. 1983
61..................... (river transportation)<F2>
Edwin Lupberger, 59..... Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Entergy 1992
Corporation (electric utility holding company);
director, International Shipholding Corporation
Mary Chavanne Martin, Private investments 1995
45.....................
Hugh G. McDonald, Jr., President, Hugh G. McDonald, Jr. Corporation 1995
57..................... (petroleum engineering consultants)
Saul A. Mintz, 64....... Chairman of the Board, Strauss Interests (real 1995
estate distribution and investments) and Sunbelt
Plastics
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR FIRST
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION BECAME A
AND DIRECTORSHIPS IN DIRECTOR
NAME AND AGE OTHER PUBLIC CORPORATIONS OF FCC
------------ ------------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Hermann Moyse, Jr., 74.. Chairman of the Board, FCC; Chairman Emeritus, 1985
City National Bank of Baton Rouge ("CNB");
director, Pan-American Life Insurance Company<F3>
O. Miles Pollard, Jr., Private investments; director, United Companies 1988
58..................... Financial Corporation
G. Frank Purvis, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Pan-American Life Insurance 1975
81..................... Company
Tom H. Scott, 85........ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Scott Truck 1995
and Tractor Company of Louisiana, Inc.
Edward M. Simmons, 67... President and Chief Executive Officer, McIlhenny 1981
Co. (producer of Tabasco brand food products);
director, Pan-American Life Insurance Company,
Piccadilly Cafeterias, Inc. and Central Louisiana
Electric Co., Inc.
H. Leighton Steward, 61. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The 1992
Louisiana Land and Exploration Company (oil and
gas exploration and production)
Joseph B. Storey, 83.... Oil and gas consultant and private investments 1983
Robert A. Weigle, 49.... President, David C. Bintliff & Co., Inc. 1988
(investments)
</TABLE>
[FN]-------
<F1> Mr. Bolton is Mrs. Davis's uncle.
<F2> Mr. Jones was President of Canal Barge Company, Inc. for more than five
years prior to January 1995.
<F3> For more than five years prior to December 1994, Mr. Moyse was Chairman of
the Board of CNB.
----------------
During 1995, the Board held seven meetings. Each incumbent director of FCC
attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings held during 1995 of
the Board and committees of which he or she was a member.
The Board has an Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation
Committee. The current members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Arnof,
Cudd, Fuller, Hollins, Moyse (Chairman), Pollard, Purvis and Simmons. The
Executive Committee, which met six times during 1995, may exercise any of the
powers of the Board when the Committee's members agree unanimously that such
exercise is necessary because it is not possible or practicable to convene the
full Board. In addition, the Executive Committee (1) makes recommendations to
the Board concerning potential acquisitions, dividend policy, stock splits and
other special projects or policies, (2) performs an initial review of
candidates for the Board and the boards of FCC's bank subsidiaries, (3)
approves proposals for, and adopts resolutions authorizing, the acquisition of
failed or failing financial institutions or affiliates thereof and of other
entities where the consideration involved is below certain specified amounts,
(4) reviews any proposed employment contract between FCC or its subsidiaries
and employees of institutions proposed to be acquired by FCC or which provides
for employment protection of executive officers of FCC in the event of a change
in control of FCC and (5) assures that plans for the succession of senior
management personnel have been developed by the President and Chief Executive
Officer.
The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Bailey (Chairman),
Barton, Besthoff, James, Jones, Lupberger and Weigle. The Audit Committee,
which met six times during 1995, is responsible for (1) making recommendations
to the Board concerning the selection and retention of FCC's independent
auditors, (2) consulting with the independent auditors with regard to the plan
of audit, (3) consulting directly with the Chief Internal Auditor of FCC on any
matter the Audit Committee or the Chief Internal Auditor deems
3
<PAGE>
appropriate in connection with carrying out the audit, (4) reviewing the
results of audits of FCC by its independent auditors and the Federal Reserve
Board, (5) reviewing reports of the subsidiaries' Examining Committees
regarding their reviews of the scope and results of internal audits and results
of regulatory examinations, (6) discussing audit recommendations with
management and reporting the results of its reviews to the Board and (7)
determining the compensation of the senior internal auditing personnel and
approving the termination of any member of the internal auditing staff.
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Mrs. Davis and Messrs.
Eustis, Johnsen (Chairman), Steward and Storey. The Compensation Committee,
which met twice during 1995, is responsible for (1) determining the
compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer of FCC and of any
other officer of FCC whose salary and bonus would exceed 80% of the salary and
bonus of the Chief Executive Officer, (2) reviewing the evaluations of FCC's
senior management conducted by the President and Chief Executive Officer, (3)
reviewing and approving certain employment contracts between FCC or any of its
subsidiaries and an employee of FCC or any of its subsidiaries that are not
included in the functions of the Executive Committee and (4) administering the
First Commerce Corporation 1985 Stock Option Plan and the 1992 Stock Incentive
Plan.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Each director who is not an employee of FCC or any of its subsidiaries
receives an annual fee of $20,000 ($60,000 for the Chairman), payable in
monthly installments, for service on the Board and all committees of which he
or she is a member, in addition to any fees paid to a director for services as
a director of subsidiaries of FCC.
4
<PAGE>
SECURITY HOLDINGS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table shows the beneficial ownership of FCC equity securities
of each director and nominee of FCC, each executive officer named under
"Executive Compensation and Certain Transactions--Summary of Executive
Compensation" ("Named Executive Officer"), and all FCC directors and executive
officers as a group as of February 16, 1996, determined in accordance with Rule
13d-3 of the SEC. In addition to its Common Stock, FCC currently has
outstanding three other classes of equity securities, none of which are
entitled to vote at the Meeting: 7.25% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock,
Series 1992 ("Preferred Stock") and two series of 12-3/4% Convertible
Debentures due 2000 ("A Debentures" and "B Debentures"). Unless otherwise
indicated, the securities are held with sole voting and investment power.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NO. OF PERCENT
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES OF CLASS<F1>
------------------------ --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Ian Arnof....................................... 182,349<F2> *
James J. Bailey III............................. 123,137<F3> *
John W. Barton.................................. 86,810 *
Sydney J. Besthoff III.......................... 2,250 *
Robert H. Bolton................................ 195,480<F4> *
Robert C. Cudd, III............................. 849,397<F5> 2.19%
Frances B. Davis................................ 398,979<F3><F5><F6> 1.02%
Laurance Eustis, Jr............................. 37,500 *
William P. Fuller............................... 59,855<F5> *
Arthur Hollins III.............................. 258,437<F2><F5><F7> *
F. Ben James, Jr................................ 13,125 *
Erik F. Johnsen................................. 127,686<F3><F5> *
J. Merrick Jones, Jr............................ 137,488<F5> *
Edwin Lupberger................................. 3,212 *
Mary Chavanne Martin............................ 100,509 *
Hugh G. McDonald, Jr............................ 70,517<F5> *
Saul A. Mintz................................... 505,417<F5><F8> 1.31%
Hermann Moyse, Jr............................... 412,643<F5> 1.06%
O. Miles Pollard, Jr............................ 181,632 *
G. Frank Purvis, Jr............................. 60,098<F9> *
Tom H. Scott.................................... 662,286<F5> 1.71%
Edward M. Simmons............................... 131,291<F5><F10> *
H. Leighton Steward............................. 5,805<F3> *
Joseph B. Storey................................ 93,852<F3> *
Robert A. Weigle................................ 56,606<F5> *
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS(11)
Michael A. Flick................................ 68,631<F2> *
Howard C. Gaines................................ 44,460<F2> *
Ashton J. Ryan, Jr.............................. 33,601<F2> *
Joseph V. Wilson III............................ 39,767<F2> *
ALL DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A GROUP
(35 persons).................................... 8,086,476<F12> 20.38%
</TABLE>
- --------
[FN] * Less than one percent
<F1> Shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days and shares that may be
acquired upon conversion of Preferred Stock or debentures are deemed to be
outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of Common Stock owned
by such person individually and by all directors and executive officers as
a group but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing
the ownership percentage of any other person.
5
<PAGE>
<F2> Includes shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days, restricted
shares and shares allocated to the individual's account in FCC's Tax-
Deferred Savings Plan and Supplemental Tax-Deferred Savings Plan (the
"Plans"), as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTION SHARES RESTRICTED SHARES PLAN SHARES
------------- ----------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Mr. Arnof..................... 33,494 6,521 24,933
Mr. Flick..................... 18,158 1,406 10,549
Mr. Hollins................... 5,540 0 28,501
Mr. Gaines.................... 8,122 1,511 10,081
Mr. Ryan...................... 8,733 3,297 5,084
Mr. Wilson.................... 11,605 3,061 5,464
</TABLE>
<F3> Preferred Stock is beneficially owned by the named individuals as follows,
and the table includes the following number of shares of Common Stock which
may be acquired upon conversion of such Preferred Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK
--------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Mr. Bailey................................... 10,000 11,646
Mrs. Davis................................... 1,200 1,398
Mr. Johnsen.................................. 1,000 1,165
Mr. Steward.................................. 2,000 2,330
Mr. Storey................................... 4,000 4,658
</TABLE>
Mr. Johnsen disclaims beneficial ownership of 1,000 shares of the Preferred
Stock shown, and 1,165 shares of the underlying Common Stock, which are
owned by his wife.
[FN]
<F4> Includes 119,175 shares Mr. Bolton has the right to acquire upon conversion
of $3,178,000 principal amount B Debentures (5.87% of the class), and 7,529
shares allocated to his Plan accounts.
<F5> Includes shares as to which the named individual shares voting and
investment power as follows: Mr. Cudd, 741,720 shares; Mrs. Davis, 78,817
shares; Mr. Fuller, 3,665 shares; Mr. Hollins, 4,687 shares; Mr. Johnsen,
3,533 shares; Mr. Jones, 11,250 shares; Mr. McDonald, 10,326 shares; Mr.
Mintz, 7,174 shares; Mr. Moyse, 382,053 shares; Mr. Scott, 543,134 shares;
Mr. Simmons, 19,800 shares; and Mr. Weigle, 56,606 shares. Mr. Cudd
disclaims beneficial ownership of 89,177 shares held in a trust of which
his wife is trustee, Mr. Simmons disclaims beneficial ownership of 19,800
shares, and Mr. Johnsen disclaims beneficial ownership of 3,533 shares,
which are held in a trust of which he is a co-trustee.
<F6> Includes 282,015 shares Mrs. Davis has the right to acquire upon conversion
of $7,520,400 principal amount of B Debentures (13.88% of the class). The B
Debentures include $1,508,400 principal amount owned by Mrs. Davis's
husband, as to which she disclaims beneficial ownership.
<F7> Includes 198,908 shares Mr. Hollins has the right to acquire upon
conversion of $5,304,225 principal amount of A Debentures (19.76% of the
class). The A Debentures include $333,360 principal amount as to which Mr.
Hollins shares voting and investment power and $59,040 principal amount
owned by his wife, as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.
<F8> Includes 415,093 shares owned by Mr. Mintz's children and grandchildren
that Mr. Mintz has power to vote pursuant to an understanding.
<F9> Includes 53,666 shares owned by Pan-American Life Insurance Company, of
which Mr. Purvis is the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Purvis disclaims
beneficial ownership of these shares.
<F10> Includes 800 shares as to which Mr. Simmons has sole voting and investment
power but disclaims beneficial ownership.
<F11> Information for Mr. Arnof appears above under the heading "Directors and
Director Nominees."
<F12> Includes 23,641 shares underlying 20,300 shares of the Preferred Stock,
416,987 shares underlying $11,119,665 principal amount of A Debentures
(41.42% of the class) and 485,490 shares underlying $12,946,400 principal
amount of B Debentures (23.90% of the class). Of these amounts, 2,100
shares of Preferred Stock, $5,815,440 principal amount of A Debentures and
$2,248,000 principal amount of B Debentures are held by FCC subsidiary
banks as fiduciaries. Also includes (i) 124,312 shares directors
6
<PAGE>
and executive officers are entitled to acquire within 60 days upon the
exercise of options, 21,697 shares of restricted stock and 109,335 shares
allocated to the Plan accounts of such directors and executive officers,
(ii) 8,006 shares held by FCC's Pension Plan and 384,327 shares held by the
trust departments of the subsidiary banks of FCC as fiduciaries, and (iii)
2,278,081 shares of record held by the trustee of the Plans and of the
retirement plans of certain of FCC's recently acquired banks (in addition to
those shares held on behalf of directors and executive officers) that are
voted by the trustee in accordance with the instructions of the Plans'
participants.
----------------
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
SUMMARY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes, for each of the three years in the three year
period ended December 31, 1995, the compensation of FCC's Chief Executive
Officer and each of the four most highly compensated executive officers in all
the capacities in which they served.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALL OTHER
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
----------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------
TOTAL CASH RESTRICTED NO. OF SHARES
NAME AND PRINCIPAL (SALARY STOCK UNDERLYING LTIP
POSITION YEAR SALARY<F1> BONUS AND BONUS) AWARDS<F2> OPTIONS/SARS<F3> PAYOUTS<F4> OTHER<F5>
------------------ ---- --------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ian Arnof............... 1995 $525,000 $175,000 $700,000 $105,840 47,864 $ 0 $13,584
President and Chief 1994 $525,000 $136,500 $661,500 $ 68,448 27,445 $ 0 $13,594
Executive Officer of FCC 1993 $516,667 $210,000 $726,667 $222,498 0 $425,316 $12,917
Joseph V. Wilson III.... 1995 $295,000 $ 60,000 $355,000 $ 58,328 26,372 $ 0 $ 7,500
Senior Executive Vice 1994 $270,000 $ 70,200 $340,200 $ 23,072 9,496 $ 0 $ 6,844
President of FCC 1993 $267,833 $108,000 $375,833 $113,505 0 $183,061 $ 6,747
Ashton J. Ryan, Jr...... 1995 $292,500 $ 60,000 $352,500 $ 64,523 29,170 $ 0 $ 7,500
Senior Executive Vice 1994 $255,000 $ 66,300 $321,300 $ 23,702 9,496 $ 0 $ 6,406
President of FCC and 1993 $252,633 $102,000 $354,633 $105,383 0 $376,875 $ 6,356
President and Chief
Executive Officer of
First National Bank of
Commerce ("FNBC")
Michael A. Flick........ 1995 $290,000 $ 50,000 $340,000 $ 23,678 10,705 $ 0 $ 7,375
Executive Vice 1994 $290,000 $ 58,435 $348,435 $ 13,860 5,592 $ 0 $ 7,375
President, Chief 1993 $288,250 $ 87,000 $375,250 $124,729 0 $253,009 $ 7,195
Administrative Officer
and Secretary of FCC
Howard C. Gaines........ 1995 $272,000 $ 43,500 $315,500 $ 23,678 10,705 $ 0 $ 6,867
Chairman of FNBC and 1994 $272,000 $104,808 $376,808 $ 16,748 6,792 $ 0 $ 6,867
Executive Vice 1993 $270,450 $ 81,600 $352,050 $116,353 0 $242,255 $ 6,673
President of FCC
</TABLE>
[FN]
- --------
<F1> Base salary levels were not increased in 1994 from 1993 levels. Total
salary reported for 1993 reflects two months of salary at 1992 levels and
ten months at 1993 levels.
<F2> Reflects the number of shares of restricted stock awarded multiplied by the
closing market price of FCC Common Stock on the date of the grant. As of
December 31, 1995, the Named Executive Officers held the following
aggregate number of shares of restricted stock with the following year-end
values (calculated by multiplying the number of shares of restricted stock
by the closing market price of FCC Common Stock on December 29, 1995): Mr.
Arnof, 14,411 shares ($461,152); Mr. Wilson, 7,086 shares ($226,752); Mr.
Ryan, 7,034 shares ($225,088); Mr. Flick, 5,829 shares ($186,528); and Mr.
Gaines, 5,637 shares ($180,384). As of December 31, 1995, the Named
Executive Officers also had the right to earn the following aggregate
number of performance shares with the following year-end values
7
<PAGE>
(calculated by multiplying the number of performance shares by the closing
market price of FCC Common Stock on December 29, 1995): Mr. Arnof, 3,260
shares ($104,320); Mr. Wilson, 1,531 shares ($48,992); Mr. Ryan, 1,649
shares ($52,768); Mr. Flick, 703 shares ($22,496); and Mr. Gaines, 755
shares ($24,160). Holders of restricted stock receive dividends paid on the
stock, but no dividends are paid with respect to the performance shares.
The restricted stock will vest and the performance shares will be earned
three years from the date of grant provided specific performance goals are
achieved and the Named Executive Officer remains employed by FCC.
Restrictions on the shares of restricted stock would lapse and the
performance shares would be earned within the three-year period upon (i) a
reorganization, merger or consolidation of FCC in which the beneficial
owners of FCC's voting securities prior to such transaction do not own more
than 80% of the voting securities of the surviving entity, (ii) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of FCC, (iii) the sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of FCC, (iv) the replacement of a majority of FCC's Board
within any two-year period by directors not approved by the Board or (v) a
person or group of persons, other than any employee benefit plan of FCC,
becoming the beneficial owner of securities representing 40% or more of
FCC's total voting power (a "Significant Transaction"). For additional
information regarding the restricted stock and performance shares granted
in 1995, see "1995 Long Term Incentive Plan Awards."
<F3> For additional information regarding options and stock appreciation rights
granted in 1995, see "1995 Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Right
Grants," and for information regarding current holdings of options and
stock appreciation rights, see "Option and Stock Appreciation Right
Holdings."
<F4> Amounts reported for 1993 reflect the value on December 31, 1993, the date
restrictions lapsed with respect to shares of restricted stock granted in
1991. These shares were earned over a three-year performance period based
on cumulative earnings per share targets. All of the shares originally
granted vested on December 31, 1993.
<F5> Consists of amounts contributed by FCC on behalf of the Named Executive
Officer pursuant to FCC's Tax-Deferred Savings Plan and the Supplemental
Tax-Deferred Savings Plan.
----------------
1995 STOCK OPTION AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT GRANTS
The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock
options and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to the Named Executive Officers
during 1995.
1995 STOCK OPTION AND SAR GRANTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL
REALIZABLE VALUE AT
ASSUMED ANNUAL
NO. OF % OF TOTAL RATES OF STOCK
SHARES OPTIONS/SARS PRICE APPRECIATION
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO FOR OPTION/SAR TERM
OPTIONS/SARS EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE OR -------------------
NAME GRANTED<F1> 1995 BASE PRICE EXPIRATION DATE 5% 10%
---- ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------------- -- ----------
<S> vvv <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ian Arnof............... 47,864 3.63% $26.25 February 15, 2003 $599,890 $1,436,840
Joseph V. Wilson III.... 26,372 2.00% $26.25 February 15, 2003 $330,526 $ 791,667
Ashton J. Ryan Jr....... 29,170 2.21% $26.25 February 15, 2003 $365,593 $ 875,661
Michael A. Flick........ 10,705 0.81% $26.25 February 15, 2003 $134,168 $ 321,356
Howard C. Gaines........ 10,705 0.81% $26.25 February 15, 2003 $134,168 $ 321,356
</TABLE>
[FN]
- --------
<F1> The breakdown of the number of shares underlying options and SARs awarded
to the Named Executive Officers is as follows: 9,573 underlying shares and
38,291 SARs to Mr. Arnof; 5,274 underlying shares and 21,098 SARs to Mr.
Wilson; 5,834 underlying shares and 23,336 SARs to Mr. Ryan; 2,141
underlying shares and 8,564 SARs to Mr. Flick; and 2,141 underlying shares
and 8,564 SARs to Mr. Gaines. The options and SARs are separate and not in
tandem, and the exercise or base price represents the fair market value of
FCC Common Stock on the date of the grant. The options and SARs are not
exercisable for one year from the date of grant and become exercisable
thereafter in 25% increments each year, unless the Compensation Committee,
in its discretion, elects to accelerate exercisability. In addition, all
outstanding options and SARs will become immediately exercisable upon the
occurrence of a Significant Transaction. All options and SARs expire eight
years from the date of grant.
8
<PAGE>
1995 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
The following table contains information concerning the grant of restricted
stock and performance shares to the Named Executive Officers during 1995.
1995 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES,
UNITS OR OTHER
RIGHTS GRANTED<F1> ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS
---------------------- --------------------------------------
NO. OF
SHARES OF NO. OF
RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE
NAME STOCK SHARES PERIOD THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
---- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ian Arnof............... 4,032 2,016 3 years 2,016 shares 4,032 shares 6,048 shares
Joseph V. Wilson III.... 2,222 1,111 3 years 1,111 shares 2,222 shares 3,333 shares
Ashton J. Ryan Jr....... 2,458 1,229 3 years 1,229 shares 2,458 shares 3,687 shares
Michael A. Flick........ 902 451 3 years 451 shares 902 shares 1,353 shares
Howard C. Gaines........ 902 451 3 years 451 shares 902 shares 1,353 shares
</TABLE>
[FN]
- --------
<F1> No shares of restricted stock will vest and no performance shares will be
earned, except in the case of death, unless (i) the individual remains
employed by FCC through December 31, 1997, (ii) FCC's average annual return
on equity for the three-year period ending December 31, 1997 (the
"Measurement Period") is 10% or higher, and (iii) cumulative core earnings
per share for the Measurement Period are at least equal to those of the
prior three-year period. Core earnings per share are based on net income
adjusted for provisions for loan losses, securities transactions,
nonperforming assets expense, and other special one-time material items.
The restricted stock may vest, in whole or in part, three years from the
date of grant based on FCC's return on equity for the Measurement Period
relative to the return on equity of companies included in a peer group
established by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., of other banks and bank
holding companies with total assets from $5 billion to $10 billion (the
"KBW Peer Group"). Holders of restricted stock receive dividends paid on
the stock, but no dividends are paid on the performance shares.
Restrictions on the shares of restricted stock would lapse and the
performance shares would be earned within the three-year period upon the
occurrence of a Significant Transaction or on a pro rata basis in the event
of death. For further information regarding the restricted stock and
performance shares, see "Compensation Committee's Report on Executive
Compensation--Stock Incentive Program." As of December 31, 1995, the
aggregate value of the 1995 restricted stock and performance share grants
for each Named Executive Officer (calculated by multiplying the number of
shares by the closing market price of FCC Common Stock on December 29,
1995) was $193,536 for Mr. Arnof; $106,656 for Mr. Wilson; $117,984 for Mr.
Ryan; $43,296 for Mr. Flick; and $43,296 for Mr. Gaines.
OPTION AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT HOLDINGS
The following table sets forth information with respect to unexercised
options and SAR's held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 1995.
OPTION/SAR VALUES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS
OPTIONS/SARS AT AT
DECEMBER 31, 1995 DECEMBER 31, 1995(F1>
------------------------- -------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ian Arnof............... 29,840 71,060 $430,572 $394,673
Joseph V. Wilson III.... 9,040 34,608 $114,727 $195,874
Ashton J. Ryan Jr....... 5,846 37,447 $ 48,637 $212,411
Michael A. Flick........ 15,314 16,321 $249,077 $ 95,980
Howard C. Gaines........ 6,565 17,133 $ 81,489 $ 99,068
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
[FN]
- --------
<F1> Reflects the difference between the closing sale price of FCC Common Stock
on December 29, 1995 and the exercise or base price of the options and
SARs. The following table shows, for exercisable options and SARs, the
value attributed to options and SARs outstanding for the number of years
indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE YEARS
-------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
Mr. Arnof.................................................. $322,405 6
$ 76,883 4
$ 31,284 2
Mr. Wilson................................................. $ 67,446 6
$ 36,594 4
$ 10,688 2
Mr. Gaines................................................. $ 44,652 6
$ 29,192 4
$ 7,646 2
Mr. Flick.................................................. $196,074 6
$ 46,707 4
$ 6,296 2
Mr. Ryan................................................... $ 37,949 4
$ 10,688 2
</TABLE>
PENSION PLANS
FCC has a qualified defined-benefit plan (the "Retirement Plan") and a
nonqualified Benefits Restoration Plan (the "Restoration Plan"), pursuant to
which each participant, including each Named Executive Officer, who has
completed at least five years of service is entitled to receive a monthly
payment after retirement commencing no earlier than age 55. The following table
sets forth the aggregate annual retirement benefits that a participant with the
indicated years of service and compensation level may expect to receive under
the Retirement Plan and the Restoration Plan assuming retirement at age 65.
Annual retirement benefits beginning prior to age 65 would be reduced.
PENSION PLANS TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
--------------------------------------------
COMPENSATION 15 YRS. 20 YRS. 25 YRS. 30 YRS. 35 YRS.
------------ -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$250,000..................... $ 59,186 $ 78,915 $ 98,644 $118,373 $138,101
$300,000..................... $ 71,561 $ 95,415 $119,269 $143,123 $166,976
$350,000..................... $ 83,936 $111,915 $139,894 $167,873 $195,851
$400,000..................... $ 96,311 $128,415 $160,519 $192,623 $224,726
$450,000..................... $108,686 $144,915 $181,144 $217,373 $253,601
$500,000..................... $121,061 $161,415 $201,769 $242,123 $282,476
$550,000..................... $133,436 $177,915 $222,394 $266,873 $311,351
$600,000..................... $145,811 $194,415 $243,019 $291,623 $340,226
$650,000..................... $158,186 $210,915 $263,644 $316,373 $369,101
$700,000..................... $170,561 $227,415 $284,269 $341,123 $397,976
$750,000..................... $182,936 $243,915 $304,894 $365,873 $426,851
$800,000..................... $195,311 $260,415 $325,519 $390,623 $455,726
</TABLE>
The above table reflects the aggregate benefits payable under the Retirement
Plan and the Restoration Plan assuming such benefits will be paid in the form
of a monthly annuity for the life of the participant.
The amount of a participant's monthly payment under the Retirement Plan is
equal to (i) 1% of the participant's average monthly compensation over the
participant's final 120 months of employment multiplied by the number of years
of service, plus (ii) 0.65% of the participant's average monthly compensation
over the participant's final 120 months of employment in excess of Social
Security covered compensation
10
<PAGE>
multiplied by the number of years of service up to a maximum of 35 years.
Compensation for purposes of the Restoration Plan includes the total of salary
plus bonus, but is limited to a total of 130% of salary. Federal law now
prevents certain employees, including the Named Executive Officers, from
receiving the full benefit of this formula under the Retirement Plan because
both the amount of the annual benefit and the amount of compensation on which
the annual benefit is based cannot exceed certain limits. Accordingly, in order
to assure full benefits to employees, FCC adopted the Restoration Plan in 1994.
The benefit under the Restoration Plan is equal to the difference between the
benefit actually payable under the Retirement Plan and the hypothetical benefit
that would be payable under the Retirement Plan if no legal limitations
existed, except that bonuses in excess of 30% of salary are not taken into
account.
Under the Retirement Plan and the Restoration Plan, the number of credited
years of service as of December 31, 1995 was 17, 19, 4, 25 and 7 years for
Messrs. Arnof, Wilson, Ryan, Flick and Gaines, respectively, and the
compensation on which benefits would be calculated for 1993 for each Named
Executive Officer is reported under the "Salary" column in the Summary
Compensation Table appearing elsewhere herein. The compensation on which
benefits would be calculated for 1994 and 1995 for each Named Executive Officer
is reported under the "Total Cash" column in the Summary Compensation Table.
CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS
FCC has entered into change of control employment agreements with certain of
its executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, which provide
for certain payments and benefits to the executive if his or her employment is
terminated under certain circumstances within two years of a change in control
of FCC, including cash payments of up to three times salary and bonus as well
as continued medical and other benefits for three years and vesting under FCC's
retirement plans.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The current members of FCC's Compensation Committee are Mrs. Davis and
Messrs. Eustis, Johnsen, Steward, and Storey. No executive officer of FCC
served in 1995 as a director, or member of the Compensation Committee, of
another entity one of whose executive officers served as a director, or on the
Compensation Committee, of FCC.
Members of the Compensation Committee and their associates have been
customers of, and have had loan transactions with, subsidiary banks of FCC in
the ordinary course of business, and such transactions are expected to continue
in the future. In the opinion of FCC's management, such transactions have been
on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral on
loans, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other
persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or
present other unfavorable features.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE'S REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
General
The Compensation Committee generally oversees compensation arrangements for
executive officers. The Committee is composed of five Board members who are not
employees of FCC. The Committee retains outside consultants to assist it in
obtaining relevant information on compensation practices generally and with
respect to comparable organizations, and in determining whether FCC's
compensation programs are consistent with the Committee's compensation
philosophy and objectives.
The executive compensation programs of FCC are designed to (1) provide a
competitive total compensation package that enables FCC to hire, develop,
reward and retain key executives, (2) link executive performance to the
Corporation's annual, intermediate-term and long-term business objectives and
strategy and (3) provide variable total reward opportunities that are directly
tied to increases in stockholder returns.
11
<PAGE>
These objectives are generally sought to be met with base salaries that are
within competitive ranges of similar institutions, annual incentive bonuses
keyed primarily to annual increases in earnings per share and a mix of stock
award programs that are focused on superior performance in return on equity as
compared to peers, increases in cumulative core earnings per share over a
three-year period, and increases in stock values over a longer term. The
Committee has incorporated long-term and short-term rewards into the
compensation program so that no executive is rewarded for achieving a single
financial target to the detriment of total stockholder returns. Competitive
data used to analyze total compensation is drawn from a group of twelve
financial institutions similar in size and structure to FCC that are referred
to as the "comparator group" in this report. Some of the members of the
comparator group are also included in the industry indices used in the
performance graphs in this Proxy Statement.
Base Salary and Annual Incentive Compensation
General. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the methodology for
determining base salaries and annual incentive bonuses of executive officers,
and determines the base salary and annual incentive bonus of the Chief
Executive Officer and any executive officer whose base salary and bonus would
exceed 80% of the base salary and bonus of the Chief Executive Officer. The
Chief Executive Officer determines the amounts of the base salary and annual
incentive bonus of each other officer, and the Compensation Committee reviews
his determinations and the evaluations on which those determinations are based.
Base Pay. The Committee establishes salary ranges for each executive officer
position based on size adjusted salary data of the comparator group. For the
purpose of attracting and retaining superior management employees, executive
base salary levels are intended to be slightly above average levels of the
comparator group. While the base salaries paid to some of the Named Executive
Officers for 1995 were above the average for similar positions in the
comparator group, the average of base salaries paid during 1995 to all of the
Named Executive Officers approximated the average for the comparator group.
Individual base pay is determined within the established ranges on the basis of
FCC's performances as well as individual performance evaluations conducted by
the Chief Executive Officer and reviewed by the Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive Officer
and determines his base salary. The performance evaluations consider financial
performance and subjective factors indicative of the executive's organizational
skills and adherence to overall corporate policies and goals.
To set the precise level of each executive officer's base salary within the
established ranges, the Chief Executive Officer uses an evaluation that
includes financial performance measures that include return on assets, credit
quality and cost control, and other measures such as teamwork, organizational
skills, and adherence to overall corporate policies and goals. Each
quantitative and qualitative measure is weighted by the Chief Executive Officer
depending on the executive officer's position and the measure's impact on
overall corporate goals.
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. Each year an executive may earn an
incentive cash bonus. The Committee reviews competitive data and establishes as
a target for the bonus award a percentage of the executive's salary, equal to
the average level of the bonuses paid by the comparator group. After the end of
the year, the Committee determines the potential bonus, expressed as a
percentage of salary, by comparing the Corporation's earnings per share for the
year to an earnings per share target approved by the Board at the beginning of
the year. This earnings per share target is based on the Corporation's annual
business plan and is considered by the Board to be confidential. The Committee
may approve potential bonus awards above the target contingent on the
Corporation's performance above the approved business plan for the year. Once
the potential bonus amount is established, the actual annual bonus award is
determined by the Compensation Committee in the case of the Chief Executive
Officer and by the Chief Executive Officer in the case of other executive
officers, after consideration of each officer's individual performance for the
year. The base salaries plus the annual incentive bonuses paid to the Named
Executive Officers for 1995 resulted in total cash compensation that was
slightly below average for the comparator group.
12
<PAGE>
Stock Incentive Program
The purpose of the stock incentive program is to link management to
stockholders by focusing on intermediate and long-term results and at the same
time maximizing stockholder returns. In 1995, as in 1994, the Committee sought
to accomplish these objectives with a combination of grants of stock options,
stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), and awards of performance-based restricted
stock and performance shares. Stock options and SARs have value to the employee
only if there is an increase in FCC's stock price, thereby resulting in a
corresponding increase in value to stockholders. Any restricted stock or
performance shares granted will vest, if at all, only if pre-established
performance goals are achieved.
Stock option grants are made at 100% of the market value of the stock on the
date of the award, and the options become exercisable 25% per year beginning
one year after the award. The size of the awards are determined based on an
analysis of the comparator group supplied by the Committee's outside
consultants and the executive officer's performance during the prior year.
Current stockholdings of the executives are not considered when determining
award sizes. FCC's options and SARs expire eight years after the date of the
grant, while comparator group options and SARs typically have a ten-year life.
Historically, most of the companies in the comparator group grant restricted
stock with the only restriction being continued employment. The Compensation
Committee's position is to only grant performance-based restricted stock.
Grants of restricted stock may vest and performance shares may be earned
after three years only if performance goals are met or exceeded. Threshold
requirements of continued employment (except in the case of death), 10% average
annual return on equity for the three-year period and cumulative core earnings
per share for the three-year period at least equal to those of the prior three-
year period must be met. If the threshold requirements are met, the awards made
in 1995 will be earned or forfeited based on the Corporation's return on equity
for the three-year period ending December 31, 1997 relative to the return on
equity of the banks and bank holding companies included in a peer group
established by Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. of approximately 25 companies
with total assets of between $5 billion and $10 billion (the "KBW Peer Group").
The Corporation must be in the top 25th percentile of the KBW Peer Group for
100% vesting of the restricted stock and in the top 10th percentile for vesting
of the performance shares. No performance shares will be earned unless the
Corporation's return on equity ranks in the top 10th percentile. The shares of
restricted stock will vest and the performance shares will be earned as follows
assuming all other conditions to vesting are met:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE CORPORATION'S POSITION
IN THE KBW PEER GROUP EFFECT ON AWARD
-------------------------- -----------------------------
<S> <C>
Top 10% All performance shares earned
Top 25% All restricted stock vests
Between the top 25% and the top 50% 80% of restricted stock vests
(above the median)
At the median 50% of restricted stock vests
Bottom 50% (below the median) 0% of restricted stock vests
</TABLE>
Any shares of restricted stock that do not vest and all performance shares
that are not earned will be forfeited.
Position Regarding Compliance with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limits the
deduction allowable to the Corporation for compensation paid to the Chief
Executive Officer and each of the four other most highly compensated executive
officers in any year to $1 million. Qualified performance-based compensation is
excluded from this deduction limitation if certain requirements are met. Stock
incentive compensation
13
<PAGE>
granted by the Compensation Committee in 1994 and 1995 was structured to
qualify as performance based compensation. No executive officer of FCC reached
the deductibility cap in 1995. The Committee will continue to evaluate the
Company's cash and stock incentive programs as to the advisability of future
compliance with Section 162(m).
Compensation for the President and Chief Executive Officer
The base salary paid to Mr. Arnof in 1995 was not increased over the 1993 and
1994 levels. An annual incentive bonus of $175,000 was paid to Mr. Arnof under
the bonus program applicable to all executive officers described above under
"Annual Cash Incentive Compensation." Approximately one-half of Mr. Arnof's
bonus was based upon the Corporation's earnings per share for the year as
compared to the earnings per share target set by the Committee at the beginning
of the year. The remaining one-half was based upon the Committee's subjective
evaluation of Mr. Arnof's individual performance.
During 1995, Mr. Arnof was also granted 4,032 shares of performance-based
restricted stock and 2,016 performance shares. At the time of grant, the shares
of restricted stock had a fair market value of $26.25 per share. Mr. Arnof also
received grants of stock options for up to 9,573 shares and stock appreciation
rights relating to 38,291 shares. Mr. Arnof's restricted stock, performance
shares, stock options and stock appreciation rights were granted on the same
terms as those granted to other officers and described in this report under
"Stock Incentive Program." The size of these award grants was determined by the
Committee based upon a competitive analysis of the comparator group and
recommendations of the Committee's outside consultant.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Frances B. Davis Laurance Eustis, Jr. H. Leighton Steward
Erik F. Johnsen (Chairman) Joseph B. Storey
14
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
The graphs below compare the cumulative total stockholder return on FCC
Common Stock for the last five years with the cumulative total return on the
S&P 500 Index and the S&P Major Regional Banks Index, in the first graph, and
on the KBW 50 Total Return Index, in the second graph, in each case assuming
the investment of $100 on January 1, 1991 at closing prices on December 31,
1990 and reinvestment of dividends. The S&P Major Regional Banks Index consists
of fifteen banks and is currently published in Barron's. The KBW 50 Index is
prepared by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., consists of 50 banks and bank
holding companies and is available by contacting Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
directly.
2 CHARTS APPEARS HERE
15
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR
-----------------------------
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FCC............................................... 100 239 365 370 339 509
S&P 500........................................... 100 130 140 153 155 212
S&P MRI........................................... 100 178 225 238 225 351
KBW 50............................................ 100 158 202 213 202 324
</TABLE>
----------------
CERTAIN OTHER TRANSACTIONS
Directors, nominees and executive officers of FCC and their associates have
been customers of, and have had loan transactions with, subsidiary banks of FCC
in the ordinary course of business, and such transactions are expected to
continue in the future. In the opinion of FCC's management, such transactions,
which at December 31, 1995, amounted to an aggregate of 16% of FCC's
stockholders' equity, have been on substantially the same terms, including
interest rates and collateral on loans, as those prevailing at the time for
comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than the
normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.
During 1995, FCC and its subsidiaries paid $371,808 in premiums on disability
and life insurance policies issued by Pan-American Life Insurance Company
covering FCC's employees. In addition, FNBC leases branch space in a building
owned by Pan-American Life Insurance Company. Total rent paid under this lease
in 1995 was $112,283. Mr. G. Frank Purvis, Jr., a director of FCC, is Chairman
of the Board of Pan-American Life Insurance Company.
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires FCC's
directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders to file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission reports of ownership and changes in ownership of equity
securities of FCC. During 1995, Edward M. Simmons, a director of FCC, was late
in filing a report of a purchase of FCC Common Stock, and Frances B. Davis,
also a director of FCC, was late in filing a report of the aggregate number of
shares of FCC Common Stock acquired by her and her spouse during 1995 through
FCC's Dividend and Interest Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. A report of
the grant of stock options to James Altick, an executive officer, was also
delinquent.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
FCC's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1995,
were audited by the firm of Arthur Andersen LLP. Under the resolution
appointing Arthur Andersen LLP to audit FCC's financial statements, such firm
will remain as FCC's auditors until replaced by the Board. Representatives of
Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to be present at the Meeting, with the
opportunity to make any statement they desire at that time, and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
16
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
QUORUM AND VOTING OF PROXIES
The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum. Stockholders voting, or
abstaining from voting, by proxy on any issue will be counted as present for
purposes of constituting a quorum. If a quorum is present, the election of
directors is determined by plurality vote.
All proxies received by FCC in the form enclosed will be voted as specified
and, in the absence of instructions to the contrary, will be voted for the
election of the nominees named herein. FCC does not know of any matters to be
presented at the Meeting other than those described herein. However, if any
other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the
persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the shares represented by them in
accordance with their best judgment.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Eligible stockholders who desire to present a proposal qualified for
inclusion in the proxy materials relating to the 1997 annual meeting of FCC
pursuant to regulations of the SEC, must forward such proposals to the
Secretary of FCC at the address listed on the first page of this Proxy
Statement in time to arrive at FCC prior to November 14, 1996. Under FCC's By-
laws, advance notice of stockholder proposals must be received by January 16,
1997 in order to be considered at the 1997 annual meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
LOGO
/s/ Michael A. Flick
Michael A. Flick
Secretary
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 14, 1996
17
<PAGE>
FIRST COMMERCE CORPORATION
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON APRIL 15, 1996
The undersigned hereby appoints Thomas C. Jaeger and Clifton J. Saik or either
of them, proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote
all shares of Common Stock of First Commerce Corporation that the undersigned is
entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held April 15,
1996, and any adjournments thereof.
Election of Directors, Nominees:
Ian Arnof, James J. Bailey III, John W. Barton, Sydney J. Besthoff III,
Robert H. Bolton, Robert C. Cudd III, Frances B. Davis, Laurance Eustis,
Jr., William P. Fuller, Arthur Hollins III, F. Ben James, Jr., Erik F.
Johnsen, J. Merrick Jones, Jr., Edwin Lupberger, Mary Chavanne Martin, Hugh
G. McDonald, Jr., Saul A. Mintz, Hermann Moyse, Jr., O. Miles Pollard, Jr.,
G. Frank Purvis, Jr., Tom H. Scott, Edward M. Simmons, H. Leighton Steward,
Joseph B. Storey, Robert A. Weigle.
PLEASE SPECIFY YOUR CHOICES BY MARKING THE APPROPRIATE BOXES ON THE REVERSE
SIDE. IF NO SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS ARE GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL
NOMINEES. YOUR SHARES CANNOT BE VOTED UNLESS YOU SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS
PROXY.
<PAGE>
/X/ PLEASE MARK YOUR
VOTES AS IN THIS
EXAMPLE.
TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE(S) MARK THE FOR BOX IN
PROPOSAL 1
AND WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME(S) ON THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW THE BOXES.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 1.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD
1. Election of Directors. (see / / / / 2. In their discretion, to transact such other businss as may
reverse) properly come before the meeting and any adjournments
thereof.
FOR, except vote WITHHELD from the following nominee(s):
- --------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give
full title as such.
The signer hereby revokes all authorizations heretofore given by the signer to
vote at the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
</TABLE>
