FIRST TENNESSEE NATIONAL CORP
424B5, 1995-11-03
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
                                                Filed pursuant to rule 424(b)(5)
                                                Registration No. 33-52561

 
       THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT RELATES TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
       STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND IS SUBJECT TO
       COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SHALL NOT
       CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN
       OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY
       JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE
       WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE
       SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION.
 
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 1, 1995
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 23, 1994)
 
[First Tennessee LOGO]
 
                                  $75,000,000
 
                      FIRST TENNESSEE NATIONAL CORPORATION
                          % SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE
 
    The          % Subordinated Notes due            ,          (the
"Subordinated Notes") are being offered hereby by First Tennessee National
Corporation (the "Corporation"). The Subordinated Notes will bear interest at
the rate of          % per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on
and          of each year, commencing on            , 1996 and will mature on
         ,            . The Subordinated Notes are not redeemable by the
Corporation prior to maturity and are not entitled to any sinking fund.
 
    The Subordinated Notes will be issued only in fully registered form and will
be represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of a nominee
of The Depository Trust Company, as Depositary. Beneficial interests in the
Global Notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected through,
the records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants'
interests) and its participants. Except as described in the accompanying
Prospectus, the Subordinated Notes will not be available in definitive form. See
"Description of Debt Securities -- Global Securities" in the accompanying
Prospectus. The Subordinated Notes will trade in the Depositary's Same-Day Funds
Settlement System until maturity, and secondary market trading activity for the
Subordinated Notes will therefore settle in immediately available funds. All
payments of principal and interest will be made by the Corporation in
immediately available funds. See "Description of Subordinated Notes -- Same-Day
Settlement and Payment."
 
    The Subordinated Notes will be unsecured and will be subordinated to all
existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation and, in certain
circumstances, to Other Financial Obligations as described herein. See
"Description of Debt Securities -- Subordination of the Subordinated Debt
Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus. Payment of the principal of the
Subordinated Notes may be accelerated only in the case of certain events
involving the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Corporation. There
is no right of acceleration in the case of a default in performance of any
covenants of the Corporation, including the failure to pay principal of or
interest on the Subordinated Notes when due. See "Description of Debt
Securities -- Defaults -- The Subordinated Indenture" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
 
THE SUBORDINATED NOTES ARE NOT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS
OF ANY BANK SUBSIDIARY OF THE CORPORATION AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
      FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
                                   AGENCY.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE
   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
      PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
        OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                              CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  PRICE TO        UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS     PROCEEDS TO THE
                                                THE PUBLIC(1)       AND COMMISSIONS(2)      CORPORATION(1)(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Per Subordinated Note......................            %                     %                      %
Total......................................   $                      $                      $
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from           , 1995.
(2) The Corporation has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) Before deducting expenses estimated at $          , payable by the
     Corporation.
 
    The Subordinated Notes offered hereby are being offered by the several
Underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted
by them and subject to various prior conditions, including their right to reject
orders in whole or in part. It is expected that the Subordinated Notes will be
ready for delivery in book-entry form only through the facilities of The
Depositary Trust Company in New York, New York on or about            , 1995,
against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
 
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
         SECURITIES CORPORATION
 
                                CS FIRST BOSTON
                                                             MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
         THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS             , 1995.
<PAGE>   2
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SUBORDINATED
NOTES AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.
SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                                THE CORPORATION
 
     The Corporation is a Tennessee corporation incorporated in 1968 and
registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956,
as amended (the "BHCA"). Through First Tennessee Bank National Association (the
"Bank") and its other subsidiaries, the Corporation provides a broad range of
financial services. At September 30, 1995, the Corporation had consolidated
total assets of approximately $11.6 billion and consolidated total deposits of
approximately $8.1 billion. As of September 30, 1995, the Corporation was one of
the 60 largest bank holding companies in the United States and ranked first
among bank holding companies headquartered in Tennessee, in each case in terms
of total assets.
 
     The Corporation's principal subsidiary is the Bank, which as of September
30, 1995 was the largest commercial bank headquartered in Tennessee both in
terms of total assets and deposits. At September 30, 1995, the Bank had total
assets of approximately $11.0 billion and total deposits of approximately $7.6
billion. The Corporation through its banking subsidiaries conducts a broad range
of retail and commercial banking and fiduciary services and had 230 banking
locations in Tennessee and 12 locations in northern Mississippi at September 30,
1995. Mortgage banking provides services in 28 states. The Corporation offers a
comprehensive range of financial services, including bond broker/agency
services, merchant credit card processing, nationwide check clearing, integrated
check processing solutions, trust services, brokerage, venture capital, and
credit life insurance. Bond broker/agency services provided by the Bank consist
primarily of the sale and underwriting of bank-eligible securities and mortgage
loans and providing advisory services to other financial institutions.
 
     The Corporation coordinates the financial resources of the consolidated
enterprise and maintains systems of financial, operational and administrative
control that allow coordination of selected policies and activities. The
Corporation's principal executive offices are located at 165 Madison Avenue,
Memphis, Tennessee 38103; telephone: (901) 523-4444.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
 
     The Corporation reported earnings of $43.8 million for the quarter ended
September 30, 1995, an increase of 17% from the $37.6 million for the comparable
period in 1994. Earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 1995
increased to $1.30 compared with $1.11 for the quarter ended September 30, 1994.
For the quarter ended September 30, 1995, return on average assets improved to
1.50% and return on average equity improved to 21.32%, compared to 1.42% and
19.41%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 1994. For the nine
months ended September 30, 1995, net income was $119.2 million, a 4% increase
from $114.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1994. Earnings per
share for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 were $3.51 compared to $3.34
for the same period in 1994. For the nine months ended September 30, 1995,
return on average assets was 1.43% and return on average equity was 19.84%,
compared with 1.45% and 20.21%, respectively, for the same period in 1994.
 
     Total noninterest income (excluding securities gains), which accounted for
56% of the Corporation's total revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 1995,
was $126.4 million for such quarter, a 20% increase from the comparable period
in 1994. Mortgage banking noninterest income increased 29%, as a result of
increased originations and the benefit of new accounting rules related to
originated servicing rights. Noninterest income in the bond division increased
16%, reflecting increased volumes over 1994. Noninterest income from trust
services increased 25%, reflecting continued growth in managed assets and the
benefits of an accounting change earlier in 1995. Bank card income, which
includes credit card and merchant processing fees, increased
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   3
 
17% and income from deposit transactions and cash management increased 8%.
During the quarter ended September 30, 1995, the Corporation's mortgage banking
entities originated $2.5 billion compared with $1.4 billion in the same period
in 1994. For the nine months ended September 30, 1995, total noninterest income
(excluding securities gains) increased 5% from the same period in 1994 to $354.8
million. For the 1995 nine month period, noninterest income in mortgage banking
was relatively flat while noninterest income in the bond division decreased 4%,
primarily due to unusually favorable environments experienced by both business
units in the first quarter of 1994. Additionally, for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995, bank card income increased 21%, trust service income
increased 31%, and income from deposit transactions and cash management
increased 12% over the same nine month period in 1994. Mortgage loan
originations for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 were $5.0 billion
compared to $5.8 billion for the same period in 1994. At September 30, 1995, the
combined servicing portfolio was $15.4 billion compared with $14.5 billion at
September 30, 1994.
 
     For the quarter ended September 30, 1995, net interest income, on a fully
taxable equivalent basis, was $99.8 million, which was relatively flat compared
with the previous year. Average earning assets, net of unearned income,
increased 11% from the same period in 1994 and included an 18% increase in
average loans, net of unearned income, with a 2% decrease in investment
securities. The growth in earning assets was supported by a 29% increase in
purchased funds and a 4% increase in interest-bearing core deposits. The net
interest margin decreased 44 basis points to 3.85% from the quarter ended
September 30, 1994, but has remained relatively stable during 1995. For the nine
months ended September 30, 1995, net interest income, on a fully taxable
equivalent basis, decreased $12.7 million, or 4%, from the same period in 1994.
 
     Total noninterest operating expenses increased 4% for the quarter ended
September 30, 1995 compared to the same period in 1994. Employee compensation,
incentives and benefits, the largest component of noninterest operating expense,
increased 9% for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 compared to the same
period in 1994. The effect of the lower FDIC premiums (from $.23 to $.04 per
$100 of deposits) and the refund from the FDIC reduced deposit insurance expense
$4.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 1995. For the first nine months
of 1995, total noninterest operating expenses have declined 7%, with an 8%
decrease in employee compensation, incentives and benefits for such period. The
other expense category declined 17%, reflecting the cost of establishing a
charitable foundation in 1994.
 
RECENT ACQUISITION
 
     On October 1, 1995, the Corporation acquired Financial Investment
Corporation ("FIC"), parent company of the First National Bank of Springdale
("First National Bank") in Springdale, Arkansas. First National Bank, which
became a subsidiary of the Corporation, had $349.3 million in total assets,
$291.7 million in total deposits, and $48.0 million in shareholders' equity at
September 30, 1995. The purchase price was $70 million, and FIC's shareholders
exchanged each share of FIC common stock for .7181 shares of the Corporation's
common stock. This acquisition was accounted for as a purchase.
 
     During the third quarter of 1995, the Corporation repurchased $30.6 million
of its common stock, and in the second quarter of 1995, repurchased $32.7
million of its common stock in anticipation of acquiring FIC.
 
STOCK REPURCHASE
 
     On October 25, 1995, the Board of Directors of the Corporation authorized
the repurchase of up to $60 million of the Corporation's common stock.
Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market or through
privately negotiated transactions and, subject to market conditions, the
Corporation expects to complete the repurchase by April 30, 1996.
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   4
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data for the
Corporation as of the dates or for the periods indicated. This information
should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the detailed information and financial statements included in the
documents incorporated herein by reference. See "Available Information" and
"Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" in the accompanying
Prospectus. Since the first quarter of 1992, in the respective years indicated,
the Corporation completed business combinations with the following entities, in
each case in a transaction which was accounted for as a pooling of interests,
and, accordingly, the accounts of each of such companies have been combined with
those of the Corporation for all periods presented: (i) Community Bancshares,
Inc. and Carl I. Brown and Company (1995), (ii) Planters Bank, Cleveland Bank &
Trust Company, Highland Capital Management Corporation and SNMC Management
Corporation (1994) and (iii) Home Financial Corporation (1992). The information
set forth below for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1994 has been derived
from unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and
reflects, in the opinion of management of the Corporation, all adjustments
(consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair
presentation of such information. Results for the six months ended June 30, 1995
are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other
interim period or for the year as a whole.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     AT OR FOR THE SIX
                                                          MONTHS                 AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                      ENDED JUNE 30,                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                  -----------------------   -----------------------------------
                                                     1995         1994         1994         1993        1992
                                                  ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------
                                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENTS
(in millions except per share amounts)
  Interest income...............................  $   394.1    $   336.4    $   701.1    $   652.2    $  644.3
  Interest expense..............................      206.4        136.9        306.6        276.1       298.7
  Net interest income...........................      187.7        199.5        394.5        376.1       345.6
  Provision for loan losses.....................        7.4          8.7         17.2         36.5        45.2
  Net interest income after provisions for loan
    losses......................................      180.3        190.8        377.3        339.6       300.2
  Noninterest income............................      229.0        253.7        458.7        389.9       255.3
  Noninterest expense...........................      293.4        334.9        628.2        554.4       406.1
  Income before income taxes....................      115.9        109.6        207.8        175.1       149.6
  Applicable income taxes.......................       40.5         33.1         60.7         65.4        56.9
  Net income....................................       75.4         76.6        147.1        109.7        92.7
  Net income per common share...................        2.21         2.23         4.30         3.22        2.88
  Cash dividends per common share...............         .94          .84         1.73         1.50        1.26
SELECTED PERIOD-END BALANCES(in millions)
  Total assets..................................  $11,614.0    $10,717.7    $10,932.9    $10,800.8    $9,749.4
  Total loans, net of unearned income...........    7,617.3      6,630.5      7,013.4      6,823.6     5,105.1
  Investment securities.........................    2,180.3      2,219.6      2,170.9      2,364.3     3,214.0
  Earning assets................................   10,209.6      9,281.1      9,610.1      2,511.8     8,806.4
  Deposits......................................    8,113.3      7,607.0      7,880.3      7,602.7     7,365.6
  Term borrowings...............................      202.3        111.8        113.8         92.0       133.8
  Shareholders' equity..........................      826.8        761.4        774.9        721.1       647.6
SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS
  Return on average equity......................       19.07%       20.63%       19.36%       16.04%      14.88%
  Return on average assets......................        1.39         1.46         1.39         1.10        1.04
  Net interest margin...........................        3.92         4.33         4.25         4.27        4.36
  Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans
    (net of unearned income)....................        1.45         1.66         1.57         1.62        2.02
  Nonperforming assets as a percentage of
    period-end loans (net of unearned income)
    plus foreclosed real estate and other
    assets......................................         .41          .81          .54          .95        1.29
  Net charge-offs to average loans (net of
    unearned
    income).....................................         .21          .27          .27          .53         .81
  Average equity to average assets..............        7.36         7.19         7.18         6.85        6.99
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (including
    interest on deposits).......................        1.30         1.36         1.68         1.63        1.50
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (excluding
    interest on deposits).......................        2.06         2.25         3.39         2.31        2.29
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   5
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The Corporation intends to use up to $60 million of the net proceeds from
the sale of the Subordinated Notes to purchase shares of the Corporation's
common stock, approximately $14 million of such net proceeds to redeem the
Corporation's 7 3/8% Sinking Fund Debentures due 1997 and the balance of such
net proceeds for general corporate purposes. The Subordinated Notes are intended
to qualify as Tier 2 or supplementary capital under the capital guidelines
established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries at June 30, 1995 and as adjusted as of such
date to give effect to the issuance of the Subordinated Notes offered hereby,
after deduction of underwriting discounts and estimated expenses of the offering
and the application of the net proceeds therefrom. This table should be read in
conjunction with the Corporation's consolidated financial statements and the
notes thereto incorporated by reference herein. See "Available Information" and
"Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            JUNE 30, 1995
                                                                      --------------------------
                                                                        ACTUAL       AS ADJUSTED
                                                                      ----------     -----------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>
TERM BORROWINGS:
  First Tennessee National Corporation Subordinated Notes offered
     hereby.........................................................  $       --     $    75,000
     7 3/8% sinking fund debentures due 1997........................      13,950              --
     10 3/8% subordinated capital notes due 1999....................      74,649          74,649
  First Tennessee Bank National Association
     Notes payable to Federal Home Loan Bank due 1997 -- 1999.......     111,758         111,758
     Industrial development bonds due 1999..........................         400             400
  Cleveland Bank & Trust Company
     Industrial development bonds...................................       1,563           1,563
                                                                      ----------     -----------
          Total term borrowings.....................................     202,320         263,370
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock (without par value); authorized -- 5,000,000
     shares; issued and outstanding -- none.........................          --              --
  Common stock (par value $2.50 per share);
     authorized -- 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
     33,900,290 actual; 32,781,409 as adjusted(1)...................      84,751          81,954(1)
  Capital surplus(1)................................................      82,467          25,264(1)
  Undivided profits.................................................     660,738         660,738
  Unrealized market adjustment on available for sale securities.....       1,140           1,140
  Deferred compensation on restricted stock incentive plan..........      (2,346)         (2,346)
                                                                      ----------     -----------
          Total shareholders' equity................................     826,750         766,750
                                                                      ----------     -----------
          Total term borrowings and stockholders' equity............  $1,029,070     $ 1,030,120
                                                                       =========       =========
CAPITAL RATIOS:
  Tier 1 capital to risk-adjusted assets............................        9.19%           8.46%
  Total capital to risk-adjusted assets.............................       11.42           11.54
  Leverage ratio....................................................        6.84            6.29
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Assumes 1,118,881 shares of the Corporation's common stock are repurchased
     at $53 5/8 per share, the last reported sales price on October 30, 1995.
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   6
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF SUBORDINATED NOTES
 
     The following description of the particular terms of the Subordinated Notes
offered hereby supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith modifies,
the description of the general terms and provisions of Subordinated Debt
Securities set forth in the accompanying Prospectus, to which description
reference is hereby made. The following description is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture (as defined below).
Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in
the accompanying Prospectus or in the Subordinated Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Subordinated Notes offered hereby constitute a series of Subordinated
Debt Securities described in the accompanying Prospectus to be issued under the
Indenture, dated as of November 1, 1995 (the "Subordinated Indenture"), between
the Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). The
Subordinated Notes will be limited to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount,
will be direct, unsecured, subordinated obligations of the Corporation and will
mature on                ,           .
 
     The Subordinated Notes will bear interest at the rate per annum showed on
the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement from                , 1995, payable
semiannually in arrears on each                and                , commencing
               , 1996, to the persons in whose names the Subordinated Notes are
registered at the close of business on the                or                , as
the case may be, next preceding such                or                .
 
     The Subordinated Notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully
registered permanent global Subordinated Notes as described under "Description
of Debt Securities -- Global Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus.
 
     The Subordinated Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity and do not
provide for any sinking fund.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     As described in the accompanying Prospectus, the Subordinated Notes are
subordinated to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation
and, in certain circumstances, to all Other Financial Obligations. The
Subordinated Notes will rank pari passu with Existing Subordinated Indebtedness
of the Corporation, subject to the Holders of the Subordinated Notes being
obligated in certain circumstances to pay over any Excess Proceeds to Entitled
Persons in respect of Other Financial Obligations as described in the
accompanying Prospectus, while holders of Existing Subordinated Indebtedness are
not so obligated. See "Description of Debt Securities -- Subordination of the
Subordinated Debt Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus. As of December 31,
1994, the Corporation had outstanding an aggregate of $14.0 million of long-term
Senior Indebtedness, an aggregate of $67.8 million in short-term Senior
Indebtedness, an aggregate of $74.6 million of Existing Subordinated
Indebtedness and no Other Financial Obligations outstanding. The Indenture does
not prohibit or limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, senior or
subordinated, or Other Financial Obligations by the Corporation.
 
     As described in the accompanying Prospectus, payment of the principal of
the Subordinated Notes may be accelerated only in the case of certain events
involving the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Corporation. There
is no right of acceleration in the case of a default in the performance of any
covenants of the Corporation, including the failure to pay principal of or
interest on the Subordinated Notes when due. See "Description of Debt
Securities -- Defaults -- The Subordinated Indenture" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
 
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
 
     The defeasance provisions of the Subordinated Indenture described under
"Description of Debt Securities -- Defeasance and Discharge" in the accompanying
Prospectus will apply to the Subordinated Notes.
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   7
 
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
 
     Settlement by purchasers of the Subordinated Notes will be made in
immediately available funds. All payments by the Corporation to the Depositary
of principal and interest will be made in immediately available funds.
 
     So long as any Subordinated Notes are represented by Global Notes
registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, such Subordinated Notes
will trade in the Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement System and secondary
market trading in such Subordinated Notes will therefore be required by the
Depositary to settle in immediately available funds. No assurance can be given
as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on
trading activity in the Subordinated Notes.
 
TRUSTEE
 
     The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, will serve as the
Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Notes.
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement
(the "Underwriting Agreement"), each of the underwriters named below (the
"Underwriters") has severally agreed to purchase from the Corporation the
aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes set forth opposite its name
below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
UNDERWRITERS                                                                  SUBORDINATED NOTES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                           <C>
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.........................
CS First Boston Corporation.................................................
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
             Incorporated...................................................
                                                                              -------------------    
          Total.............................................................          $75,000,000
                                                                              ===================
</TABLE>
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several
Underwriters to purchase and accept delivery of the Subordinated Notes offered
hereby are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to
certain other conditions. If any Subordinated Notes are purchased by the
Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, all such Subordinated Notes
must be purchased.
 
     There is currently no public market for the Subordinated Notes. The
Corporation does not intend to apply for listing of the Subordinated Notes on
any national securities exchange. The Corporation has been advised by the
Underwriters that, following completion of the initial offering of the
Subordinated Notes, they presently intend to make a market in the Subordinated
Notes although they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any
market-making activities at any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be
no assurance as to whether an active trading market for the Subordinated Notes
will develop or, if a public market develops, as to the liquidity of the trading
market for the Subordinated Notes.
 
     The Corporation has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or to contribute to payments that the Underwriters may be required to make in
respect thereof.
 
     The Underwriters have advised the Corporation that they propose to offer
the Subordinated Notes to the public initially at a price to the public set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement and to certain dealers
(who may include the Underwriters) at such price less a concession not to exceed
  % of the principal amount thereof. The Underwriters may allow, and such
dealers may re-allow, discounts not in excess of   % of the principal amount
thereof to any other Underwriter and certain other dealers.
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   8
 
                         VALIDITY OF SUBORDINATED NOTES
 
     The validity of the Subordinated Notes will be passed upon for the
Corporation by Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York, and for the Underwriters
by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which includes professional
corporations), New York, New York. Certain other matters will be passed upon for
the Corporation by Harry A. Johnson, III, Esq., Executive Vice President and
General Counsel of the Corporation. Sullivan & Cromwell and Simpson Thacher &
Bartlett will rely as to all matters of Tennessee law on the opinion of Mr.
Johnson. At October 1, 1995, Mr. Johnson beneficially owned approximately 30,369
shares of the Corporation's common stock.
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   9
 
                                  $300,000,000
 
                      FIRST TENNESSEE NATIONAL CORPORATION
 
               DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCK
 
                             ---------------------
 
     First Tennessee National Corporation ("First Tennessee" or the
"Corporation") may offer from time to time in one or more series (i) debt
securities ("Debt Securities"), consisting of debentures, notes and/or other
unsecured evidences of indebtedness, which may be senior ("Senior Debt
Securities") or subordinated ("Subordinated Debt Securities"), (ii) preferred
stock, without par value, of the Corporation ("Preferred Stock") or (iii) common
stock, par value $2.50 per share, of the Corporation ("Common Stock") (the Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock and Common Stock are collectively referred to as the
"Securities"), at an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed U.S.
$300,000,000, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The
Senior Debt Securities when issued will rank on a parity with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Corporation, and the
Subordinated Debt Securities when issued will be subordinated as described
herein under "Description of Debt Securities -- Subordination of the
Subordinated Debt Securities." The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock and Common
Stock may be offered, separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at
prices and on terms to be set forth in the applicable supplement or supplements
to this Prospectus (each a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
     The accompanying Prospectus Supplement sets forth with regard to the
particular Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (i)
in the case of Debt Securities, the title, aggregate principal amount,
denominations, maturity, rate of interest, if any (which may be fixed or
variable), or method of calculation thereof, time of payment of any interest,
any terms for redemption at the option of the Corporation or the holder, any
terms for sinking fund payments, subordination terms, if any, any conversion or
exchange rights, and the initial public offering price and the terms of the
offering thereof, (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific title, the
number of shares, any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting or
other rights and whether interests in such Preferred Stock will be evidenced by
Depositary Shares (as defined herein) and in such event the Depositary (as
defined herein), the initial offering price and the terms of the offering
thereof and (iii) in the case of Common Stock, the number of shares, the initial
offering price and the terms of the offering thereof.
 
     The Common Stock of the Corporation is quoted through the NASDAQ National
Market System under the symbol "FTEN." The accompanying Prospectus Supplement
also contains information, where applicable, as to any listing on a securities
exchange of the Securities covered by such Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Corporation may sell Securities to or through underwriters acting as
principals for their own account or as agents, and also may sell Securities
directly to other purchasers or through agents designated from time to time. The
accompanying Prospectus Supplement sets forth the names of any underwriters or
agents involved in the sale of the Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered, the amounts of Securities, if any, to be
purchased by underwriters and the compensation, if any, of such underwriters or
agents. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
                             ---------------------
 
     THE DEBT SECURITIES WILL BE UNSECURED OBLIGATIONS OF THE CORPORATION AND NO
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY WILL BE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS OR OTHER
OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK SUBSIDIARY OF THE CORPORATION OR WILL BE INSURED BY THE
BANK INSURANCE FUND OR THE SAVINGS ASSOCIATION INSURANCE FUND OF THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR BY ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
        ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
                     THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                 The date of this Prospectus is March 23, 1994.
<PAGE>   10
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Corporation is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Corporation with the Commission
can be inspected and copied at the Commission's public reference facilities at
Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and
at the following regional offices of the Commission: 7 World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, New York, New York 10007 and Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such information can
be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
 
     This Prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-3
(the "Registration Statement") filed by the Corporation with the Commission
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). As
permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this Prospectus omits
certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement and reference
is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further
information with respect to the Corporation and the Securities offered hereby.
Statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document filed as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement, incorporated by reference herein or
otherwise filed with the Commission are not necessarily complete, and in each
instance reference is made to the copy of such document so filed. Each such
statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents have been filed by the Corporation with the
Commission and are hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus: (1)
the Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 1, 1993, filed
October 18, 1993; (2) the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1993; (3) the description of the Corporation's
Common Stock included in the Corporation's registration statement on Form 10
(File No. 0-4491) filed on April 14, 1970 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange
Act (and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating the
description); and (4) the description of the Corporation's rights to purchase
Participating Preferred Stock (the "Rights") included in the Corporation's
registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 0-4491) filed on September 8, 1989
pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. All other documents and reports
filed pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the
date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the
Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and shall be
deemed to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and
documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this
Prospectus.
 
     The Corporation will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy
of this Prospectus is delivered, on written or oral request of such person, a
copy of any or all documents which are incorporated herein by reference (not
including the exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference in the document which this Prospectus incorporates).
Requests should be directed to the Treasurer of the Corporation, 165 Madison
Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103; telephone number (901) 523-4444.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   11
 
                                THE CORPORATION
 
     The Corporation is a Tennessee corporation incorporated in 1968 and
registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956,
as amended (the "BHCA"). Through First Tennessee Bank National Association (the
"Bank") and its other subsidiaries, the Corporation provides a broad range of
financial services. At December 31, 1993, the Corporation had consolidated total
assets of approximately $9.6 billion and consolidated total deposits of
approximately $7.1 billion. As of December 31, 1993, the Corporation ranked 63rd
among bank holding companies in the United States and first among bank holding
companies headquartered in Tennessee in terms of total assets.
 
     The Corporation operates principally through the Bank, which as of December
31, 1993 was the largest commercial bank headquartered in Tennessee both in
terms of total assets and deposits. At December 31, 1993, the Bank had total
assets of approximately $9.4 billion and total deposits of approximately $7.0
billion. The Bank conducts a broad range of retail and commercial banking and
fiduciary services and had 211 banking locations at December 31, 1993. The Bank
also offers a comprehensive range of financial services, including bond
broker/agency services, mortgage banking and check clearing, to companies
nationally. Bond broker/agency services provided by the Bank consist primarily
of the sale of bank-eligible securities to other financial institutions.
Subsidiaries of the Corporation and the Bank are engaged primarily in providing
mortgage banking, integrated check processing solutions, discount brokerage,
equipment finance, venture capital, investment management and credit life
insurance.
 
     The Corporation coordinates the financial resources of the consolidated
enterprise and maintains systems of financial, operational and administrative
control that allow coordination of selected policies and activities. The
Corporation derives substantially all of its consolidated total revenues from
the banking business of its subsidiaries. The Corporation's principal executive
offices are located at 165 Madison Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103; telephone:
(901) 523-4444.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds of the sales of the
Securities for general corporate purposes, which may include the reduction of
indebtedness, investments in or extensions of credit to existing and future
subsidiaries and the financing of acquisitions or such other uses as may be set
forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
 
                CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
      AND COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
 
     For purposes of the following ratios, (i) earnings represent income from
continuing operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges, (ii) fixed
charges represent interest expense (excluding interest on deposits where
indicated) plus the estimated interest component of net rental expense and (iii)
combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements represent
interest expense (excluding interest on deposits where indicated), and an amount
equal to the pre-tax earnings required to meet applicable preferred stock
dividend requirements and the estimated interest component of net rental
expense. There were no shares of preferred stock outstanding during any of the
periods below indicated and therefore the ratio of earnings to combined fixed
charges and preferred stock dividend requirements would have been the same as
the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each period indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                             1993    1992    1991    1990    1989
                                                             -----   -----   -----   -----   -----
<S>                                                          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:
  Including interest on deposits...........................  1.77x   1.52x   1.28x   1.19x   1.12x
  Excluding interest on deposits...........................  4.69x   4.47x   2.94x   2.13x   1.67x
</TABLE>
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   12
 
                           SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
 
     The following discussion sets forth certain of the elements of the
comprehensive regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies and
banks and provides certain specific information relevant to the Corporation and
its subsidiaries. Federal regulation of financial institutions such as the
Corporation and its subsidiaries is intended primarily for the protection of
depositors and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Bank Insurance Fund
rather than shareholders or other creditors. See also "Available Information"
and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
 
GENERAL
 
     As a bank holding company, the Corporation is subject to the regulation and
supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the
"Federal Reserve Board") under the BHCA. Under the BHCA, bank holding companies
may not in general directly or indirectly acquire the ownership or control of
more than 5% of the voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any
company, including a bank, without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve
Board. The BHCA also restricts the types of activities in which a bank holding
company and its subsidiaries may engage. Generally, activities are limited to
banking and activities found by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely
related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto.
 
     In addition, the BHCA generally prohibits the Federal Reserve Board from
approving an application by a bank holding company to acquire shares of a bank
or bank holding company located outside the acquiror's principal state of
operations unless such an acquisition is specifically authorized by statute in
the state in which the bank or bank holding company whose shares are to be
acquired is located. Tennessee has adopted legislation that authorizes
nationwide interstate bank acquisitions, subject to certain state law
reciprocity requirements, including the filing of an application with and
approval of the Tennessee Commissioner of Financial Institutions. The Tennessee
Bank Structure Act of 1974 prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring any
bank in Tennessee if the banks that it controls hold 16 1/2% or more of the
total deposits in individual, partnership and corporate demand and other
transaction accounts, savings accounts and time deposits in all federally
insured financial institutions in Tennessee, subject to certain limitations and
exclusions. As of December 31, 1993, the Corporation estimates that its
subsidiary banks (the "Subsidiary Banks") held approximately 12% of such
deposits. Also, under this act, no bank holding company may acquire any bank in
operation for less than five years or begin a de novo bank in any county in
Tennessee with a population, in 1970, of 200,000 or less, subject to certain
exceptions. Under Tennessee law, branch banking is permitted in any county in
the state.
 
     The Subsidiary Banks are subject to supervision and examination by
applicable federal and state banking agencies. The Bank is a national banking
association subject to regulation and supervision by the Comptroller of the
Currency (the "Comptroller") as its primary federal regulator, as is First
Tennessee Bank National Association Mississippi, which is headquartered in
Southaven, Mississippi. The remaining Subsidiary Bank, Peoples and Union Bank,
is a Tennessee state-chartered bank that is not a member of the Federal Reserve
System, and therefore is subject to the regulations of and supervision by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") as well as state banking
authorities. In addition, all of the Subsidiary Banks are insured by, and
subject to regulation by, the FDIC. The Subsidiary Banks are subject to various
requirements and restrictions under federal and state law, including
requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types
and amounts of loans that may be granted and the interest that may be charged
thereon and limitations on the types of investments that may be made, activities
that may be engaged in, and types of services that may be offered. Various
consumer laws and regulations also affect the operations of the Subsidiary
Banks. In addition to the impact of such regulation, commercial banks are
affected significantly by the actions of the Federal Reserve Board as it
attempts to control the money supply and credit availability in order to
influence the economy.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   13
 
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS
 
     The Corporation is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking
and other subsidiaries. The principal source of cash flow of the Corporation,
including cash flow to pay dividends on its stock or principal (premium, if any)
and interest on debt securities, is dividends from the Subsidiary Banks. There
are statutory and regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends by the
Subsidiary Banks to the Corporation, as well as by the Corporation to its
shareholders.
 
     Each Subsidiary Bank that is a national bank is required by federal law to
obtain the prior approval of the Comptroller for the payment of dividends if the
total of all dividends declared by the board of directors of such Subsidiary
Bank in any year will exceed the total of (i) its net profits (as defined and
interpreted by regulation) for that year plus (ii) the retained net profits (as
defined and interpreted by regulation) for the preceding two years, less any
required transfers to surplus. A national bank also can pay dividends only to
the extent that retained net profits (including the portion transferred to
surplus) exceed bad debts (as defined by regulation).
 
     State-chartered banks are subject to varying restrictions on the payment of
dividends under applicable state laws. With respect to Peoples and Union Bank,
Tennessee law imposes dividend restrictions substantially similar to those
imposed under federal law on national banks, as described above.
 
     If, in the opinion of the applicable federal bank regulatory authority, a
depository institution or a holding company is engaged in or is about to engage
in an unsafe or unsound practice (which, depending on the financial condition of
the depository institution or holding company, could include the payment of
dividends), such authority may require that such institution or holding company
cease and desist from such practice. The federal banking agencies have indicated
that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution's or holding
company's capital base to an inadequate level would be such an unsafe and
unsound banking practice. Moreover, the Federal Reserve Board, the Comptroller
and the FDIC have issued policy statements which provide that bank holding
companies and insured depository institutions generally should only pay
dividends out of current operating earnings.
 
     In addition, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement
Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"), an FDIC-insured depository institution may not make
capital distributions (including the payment of dividends) or pay any management
fees to its holding company or pay any dividend if it is undercapitalized or if
such payment would cause it to become undercapitalized. See "-- FDICIA."
 
     At December 31, 1993, under dividend restrictions imposed under applicable
federal and state laws, the Subsidiary Banks, without obtaining regulatory
approval, could legally declare aggregate dividends of approximately $168.2
million.
 
     The payment of dividends by the Corporation and the Subsidiary Banks may
also be affected or limited by other factors, such as the requirement to
maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines.
 
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
     There are various legal restrictions on the extent to which the Corporation
and its nonbank subsidiaries can borrow or otherwise obtain credit from the
Subsidiary Banks. There are also legal restrictions on the Subsidiary Banks'
purchases of or investments in the securities of and purchases of assets from
the Corporation and its nonbank subsidiaries, a Subsidiary Bank's loans or
extensions of credit to third parties collateralized by the securities or
obligations of the Corporation and its nonbank subsidiaries, the issuance of
guarantees, acceptances and letters of credit on behalf of the Corporation and
its nonbank subsidiaries, and certain bank transactions with the Corporation and
its nonbank subsidiaries, or with respect to which the Corporation and its
nonbank subsidiaries act as agent, participate or have a financial interest.
Subject to certain limited exceptions, a Subsidiary Bank (including for purposes
of this paragraph all subsidiaries of such Subsidiary Bank) may not extend
credit to the Corporation or to any other affiliate (other than another
Subsidiary Bank and certain exempted affiliates) in an amount which exceeds 10%
of the Subsidiary Bank's capital stock and surplus and may not extend credit in
the aggregate to all such affiliates in an amount which exceeds 20% of its
capital stock and surplus. Further, there are legal requirements as to the type,
amount and
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   14
 
quality of collateral which must secure such extensions of credit by the
Subsidiary Banks to the Corporation or to such other affiliates. Finally,
extensions of credit and other transactions between a Subsidiary Bank and the
Corporation or other such affiliates must be on terms and under circumstances,
including credit standards, that are substantially the same or at least as
favorable to such Subsidiary Bank as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with non-affiliated companies.
 
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
 
     The Federal Reserve Board has adopted risk-based capital guidelines for
bank holding companies. The minimum guideline for the ratio of total capital
("Total Capital") to risk-weighted assets (including certain off-balance-sheet
items, such as standby letters of credit) is 8%. At least half of the Total
Capital must be composed of common stock, minority interests in the equity
accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock
and a limited amount of cumulative perpetual preferred stock, less goodwill and
other intangible assets, subject to certain exceptions ("Tier 1 Capital"). The
remainder may consist of qualifying subordinated debt, certain types of
mandatory convertible securities and perpetual debt, other preferred stock and a
limited amount of loan loss reserves. At December 31, 1993, the Corporation's
consolidated Tier 1 Capital and Total Capital ratios were 9.60% and 12.14%,
respectively.
 
     In addition, the Federal Reserve Board has established minimum leverage
ratio guidelines for bank holding companies. These guidelines provide for a
minimum ratio of Tier 1 Capital to average assets, less goodwill and certain
other intangible assets subject to certain exceptions (the "Leverage Ratio"), of
3% for bank holding companies that meet certain specific criteria, including
having the highest regulatory rating. All other bank holding companies generally
are required to maintain a Leverage Ratio of at least 3%, plus an additional
cushion of at least 100 to 200 basis points. The Corporation's Leverage Ratio at
December 31, 1993 was 6.55%. The guidelines also provide that bank holding
companies experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected
to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory
levels without significant reliance on intangible assets. Furthermore, the
Federal Reserve Board has indicated that it will consider a "tangible Tier 1
Capital leverage ratio" (deducting all intangibles) and other indicia of capital
strength in evaluating proposals for expansion or new activities.
 
     Each of the Subsidiary Banks is subject to risk-based and leverage capital
requirements similar to those described above adopted by the Comptroller or the
FDIC, as the case may be. The Corporation believes that each of the Subsidiary
Banks was in compliance with applicable minimum capital requirements as of
December 31, 1993. Neither the Corporation nor any of the Subsidiary Banks has
been advised by any federal banking agency of any specific minimum Leverage
Ratio requirement applicable to it.
 
     Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank to a variety of
enforcement remedies, including the termination of deposit insurance by the
FDIC, and to certain restrictions on its business and in certain circumstances
to the appointment of a conservator or receiver. See "-- FDICIA."
 
     All of the federal banking agencies have proposed regulations that would
add an additional risk-based capital requirement based upon the amount of an
institution's exposure to interest rate risk.
 
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT OF SUBSIDIARY BANKS
 
     Because the Corporation is a holding company, its right to participate in
the assets of any subsidiary upon the latter's liquidation or reorganization
will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors (including
depositors in the case of the Subsidiary Banks) except to the extent that the
Corporation may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the
subsidiary. In addition, depositors of a bank, and the FDIC as their subrogee,
would be entitled to priority over other creditors in the event of liquidation
of a bank subsidiary.
 
     Under Federal Reserve Board policy, the Corporation is expected to act as a
source of financial strength to, and to commit resources to support, each of the
Subsidiary Banks. This support may be required at times when, absent such
Federal Reserve Board policy, the Corporation may not be inclined to provide it.
In addition, any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its
subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   15
 
payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank.
In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank
holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a
subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a
priority of payment.
 
CROSS-GUARANTEE LIABILITY
 
     Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the "FDIA"), a depository
institution insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any loss incurred by, or
reasonably expected to be incurred by, the FDIC after August 9, 1989 in
connection with (i) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository
institution or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to any commonly
controlled FDIC-insured depository institution "in danger of default." "Default"
is defined generally as the appointment of a conservator or receiver and "in
danger of default" is defined generally as the existence of certain conditions
indicating that a default is likely to occur in the absence of regulatory
assistance. The FDIC's claim for damages is superior to claims of shareholders
of the insured depository institution or its holding company but is subordinate
to claims of depositors, secured creditors and holders of subordinated debt
(other than affiliates) of the commonly controlled insured depository
institution. The Subsidiary Banks are subject to these cross-guarantee
provisions. As a result, any loss suffered by the FDIC in respect of any of the
Subsidiary Banks would likely result in assertion of the cross-guarantee
provisions, the assessment of such estimated losses against the Corporation's
other Subsidiary Banks and a potential loss of the Corporation's investment in
such other Subsidiary Banks.
 
FDICIA
 
     FDICIA, which was enacted on December 19, 1991, substantially revised the
depository institution regulatory and funding provisions of the FDIA and made
revisions to several other federal banking statutes. Among other things, FDICIA
requires the federal banking regulators to take "prompt corrective action" in
respect of FDIC-insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital
requirements. FDICIA establishes five capital tiers: "well capitalized,"
"adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized"
and "critically undercapitalized." Under applicable regulations, an FDIC-insured
depository institution is defined to be well capitalized if it maintains a
Leverage Ratio of at least 5%, a risk-adjusted Tier 1 Capital Ratio of at least
6% and a Total Capital Ratio of at least 10% and is not subject to a directive,
order or written agreement to meet and maintain specific capital levels. An
insured depository institution is defined to be adequately capitalized if it
meets all of its minimum capital requirements as described above. An insured
depository institution will be considered undercapitalized if it fails to meet
any minimum required measure, significantly undercapitalized if it has a Total
Risk-Based Capital Ratio of less than 6%, a Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of
less than 3% or a Leverage Ratio of less than 3% and critically undercapitalized
if it fails to maintain a level of tangible equity equal to at least 2% of total
assets. An insured depository institution may be deemed to be in a
capitalization category that is lower than is indicated by its actual capital
position if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating.
 
     FDICIA generally prohibits an FDIC-insured depository institution from
making any capital distribution (including payment of dividends) or paying any
management fee to its holding company if the depository institution would
thereafter be undercapitalized. Undercapitalized depository institutions are
subject to restrictions on borrowing from the Federal Reserve System. In
addition, undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to growth
limitations and are required to submit capital restoration plans. A depository
institution's holding company must guarantee the capital plan, up to an amount
equal to the lesser of 5% of the depository institution's assets at the time it
becomes undercapitalized or the amount of the capital deficiency when the
institution fails to comply with the plan for the plan to be accepted by the
applicable federal regulatory authority. The federal banking agencies may not
accept a capital plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is
based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the
depository institution's capital. If a depository institution fails to submit an
acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is significantly undercapitalized.
 
     Significantly undercapitalized depository institutions may be subject to a
number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient
voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   16
 
reduce total assets and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent
banks. Critically undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to
appointment of a receiver or conservator, generally within 90 days of the date
on which they become critically undercapitalized.
 
     The Corporation believes that at December 31, 1993 all of the Subsidiary
Banks were well capitalized under the criteria discussed above.
 
     Various other legislation, including proposals to revise the bank
regulatory system and to limit the investments that a depository institution may
make with insured funds, is from time to time introduced in Congress.
 
BROKERED DEPOSITS AND "PASS-THROUGH" INSURANCE
 
     The FDIC has adopted regulations under FDICIA governing the receipt of
brokered deposits and "pass-through" insurance. Under the regulations, a bank
cannot accept or rollover or renew brokered deposits unless (i) it is well
capitalized or (ii) it is adequately capitalized and receives a waiver from the
FDIC. A bank that cannot receive brokered deposits also cannot offer
"pass-through" insurance on certain employee benefit accounts. Whether or not it
has obtained such a waiver, an adequately capitalized bank may not pay an
interest rate on any deposits in excess of 75 basis points over certain
prevailing market rates specified by regulation. There are no such restrictions
on a bank that is well capitalized. Because it believes that all the Subsidiary
Banks were well capitalized as of December 31, 1993, the Corporation believes
the brokered deposits regulation will have no present effect on the funding or
liquidity of any of the Subsidiary Banks.
 
FDIC INSURANCE PREMIUMS
 
     The Subsidiary Banks are required to pay semiannual FDIC deposit insurance
assessments. As required by FDICIA, the FDIC adopted a risk-based premium
schedule which has increased the assessment rates for most FDIC insured
depository institutions. Under the new schedule, the premiums initially range
from $.23 to $.31 for every $100 of deposits. Each financial institution is
assigned to one of three capital groups -- well capitalized, adequately
capitalized or undercapitalized -- and further assigned to one of three
subgroups within a capital group, on the basis of supervisory evaluations by the
institution's primary federal and, if applicable, state supervisors and other
information relevant to the institution's financial condition and the risk posed
to the applicable FDIC deposit insurance fund. The actual assessment rate
applicable to a particular institution will, therefore, depend in part upon the
risk assessment classification so assigned to the institution by the FDIC.
 
     The FDIC is authorized by federal law to raise insurance premiums in
certain circumstances. Any increase in premiums would have an adverse effect on
the Subsidiary Banks' and the Corporation's earnings.
 
     Under the FDIA, insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a
finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in
an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any
applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by a federal bank
regulatory agency.
 
DEPOSITOR PREFERENCE
 
     The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 provides that deposits and
certain claims for administrative expenses and employee compensation against an
insured depository institution would be afforded a priority over other general
unsecured claims against such an institution, including the Senior Securities,
in the "liquidation or other resolution" of such an institution by any receiver.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The following description of the terms of the Debt Securities sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of the Debt Securities
offered hereunder (the "Offered Debt Securities"), including the nature of any
variations
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   17
 
from the following general provisions applicable to such Offered Debt
Securities, are described in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement relating to
such Offered Debt Securities.
 
     Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture (the "Senior
Indenture"), between the Corporation and the trustee named in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement as the trustee therefor (the "Senior Trustee").
Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture (the
"Subordinated Indenture"), between the Corporation and The First National Bank
of Chicago as the trustee therefor (the "Subordinated Trustee"). Copies of the
forms of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture have been filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The
Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are sometimes herein referred to
collectively as the "Indentures" and the Senior Trustee and the Subordinated
Trustee are sometimes herein referred to collectively as the "Trustees." The
following summaries of certain provisions of the Senior Debt Securities, the
Subordinated Debt Securities, the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated
Indenture, as modified or superseded by any applicable Prospectus Supplement,
are brief summaries of certain provisions thereof, do not purport to be complete
and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the
provisions of the Indenture applicable to a particular series of Debt Securities
(the "Applicable Indenture"), including the definitions therein of certain
terms. Whenever particular provisions or defined terms in one or both of the
Indentures are referred to, such provisions or defined terms are incorporated
herein by reference. Section references used herein are references to the
Applicable Indenture. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meaning given to them in the Applicable Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt Securities will be limited to the aggregate initial offering price
specified on the cover page of this Prospectus and will be direct, unsecured
obligations of the Corporation. The Debt Securities will not be deposits or
other obligations of a savings association or a bank and will not be insured by
the FDIC or any other governmental agency.
 
     The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt
Securities or of any particular series of Debt Securities which may be issued
thereunder and provide that Debt Securities issued thereunder may be issued from
time to time in one or more series, in each case with the same or various
maturities, at par or at a discount. (Section 301). The Indentures do not limit
the amount of other debt (including additional Senior Indebtedness or Other
Financial Obligations, each as defined in the Subordinated Indenture) that may
be issued by the Corporation and do not contain financial or similar restrictive
covenants. The Corporation expects from time to time to incur additional
indebtedness constituting Senior Indebtedness and Other Financial Obligations.
The Indentures provide that there may be more than one trustee (each, an
"Applicable Trustee") under the Indentures with respect to different series of
Debt Securities.
 
     Because the Corporation is a holding company and a legal entity separate
and distinct from its subsidiaries, the rights of the Corporation to participate
in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation of assets
or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of Holders of Debt
Securities to benefit indirectly from such distribution) would be subject to the
prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent that the
Corporation itself may be a creditor of that subsidiary with recognized claims.
Claims on the Corporation's Subsidiary Banks by creditors other than the
Corporation include substantial obligations with respect to deposit liabilities
(which have priority in liquidation) and federal funds purchased, securities
sold under repurchase agreements, other short-term borrowing and various other
financial obligations.
 
     The Indentures do not contain any provision intended to provide protection
to Holders of Debt Securities against a sudden or dramatic decline in credit
quality of the Corporation that could result from a takeover, recapitalization,
special dividend or other restructuring, although the Corporation's (or a third
party's) ability to engage in such transactions may be regulated or limited by
various bank regulatory agencies.
 
     Reference is made to the accompanying Prospectus Supplement for the
following terms of the Offered Debt Securities offered thereby: (1) the title of
the Offered Debt Securities; (2) whether the Offered Debt Securities are Senior
Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities; (3) any limit upon the
aggregate
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   18
 
principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities and the percentage of such
principal amount at which such Offered Debt Securities may be issued; (4) the
date or dates on which the principal of the Offered Debt Securities is scheduled
to become payable (the "Stated Maturity"); (5) the rate or rates(which may be
fixed or variable) per annum at which the Offered Debt Securities will bear
interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates, if any, the date or
dates from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on
which any such interest will be payable, the Regular Record Date for the
interest payable on any Interest Payment Date, the Person to whom interest or
principal on any Offered Debt Security of such series will be payable, if other
than the Person in whose name that Offered Debt Security (or one or more
predecessor Debt Securities) is registered at the close of business on the
Regular Record Date for such interest and the extent to which, or the manner in
which, any interest payable on a permanent global Offered Debt Security on an
Interest Payment Date will be paid; (6) if other than the location specified in
this Prospectus, the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any,
and interest on the Offered Debt Securities will be payable; (7) the period or
periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions
upon which the Offered Debt Securities will, pursuant to any mandatory sinking
fund provisions or otherwise, or may, pursuant to any optional sinking fund
provisions or otherwise, be redeemed in whole or in part by the Corporation; (8)
the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms
and conditions upon which the Offered Debt Securities may be repaid, in whole or
in part, at the option of the Holders thereof; (9) if other than denominations
of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the
Offered Debt Securities shall be issuable; (10) if other than the principal
amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Offered Debt
Securities which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
Maturity thereof; (11) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currency unit
of payment of principal and premium, if any, and interest on such Offered Debt
Securities, and any index used to determine the amount of payment of principal
or premium, if any, and interest on such Offered Debt Securities; (12) whether
the Offered Debt Securities are to be issuable in permanent global form and, in
such case, the initial depositary with respect thereto and the circumstances
under which such permanent global Offered Debt Security may be exchanged; (13)
whether the subordination provisions summarized below, or different
subordination provisions, including a different definition of "Senior
Indebtedness," "Entitled Persons," "Existing Subordinated Indebtedness" or
"Other Financial Obligations," shall apply to the Offered Debt Securities that
are Subordinated Debt Securities; (14) in the case of convertible Subordinated
Debt Securities, whether the conversion provisions summarized below, or
different conversion provisions, shall apply to the Offered Debt Securities that
are convertible Subordinated Debt Securities, and the Initial Conversion Price,
the Initial Conversion Date and the Final Conversion Date therefor and any other
terms relating to the conversion thereof into Common Stock of the Corporation;
and (15) any other terms of the Offered Debt Securities not specified in this
Prospectus. (Section 301).
 
FORM, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities will be
payable, and the Debt Securities will be transferable, at the agency or office
of the Corporation maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York except that interest may be paid at the option of the
Corporation by check mailed to the address of the Holder entitled thereto as it
appears on the Security Register. (Sections 301, 305 and 1002).
 
     The Corporation, the Trustee and any agent of the Corporation or Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name an Offered Debt Security is registered as the
owner for all purposes, including for the purpose of receiving payment of
principal (and premium, if any) and interest on such Offered Debt Security.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons
(the "Registered Securities"), in denominations of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof. (Section 302). The Indentures provide that Offered Debt
Securities of any series may be issuable in permanent global form. (Section
301). No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of the Debt Securities, but the Corporation may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith. (Section 305).
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   19
 
     Both Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued
as Original Issue Discount Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial
discount below their stated principal amount. Federal income tax consequences
and other special considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount
Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. "Original
Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an amount less
than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon the declaration of
acceleration of the Maturity thereof in accordance with the terms of the
Applicable Indenture. (Section 101).
 
     Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to any
series of Debt Securities that are Original Issue Discount Securities for the
particular provisions relating to acceleration of the Maturity of a portion of
the principal amount of such series of Original Issue Discount Securities upon
the occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof.
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities ("Global Securities") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Global Depositary")
identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Global Securities may be
issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent
form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for individual
certificates evidencing Debt Securities in definitive form represented thereby,
a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Global
Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee of such Global Depositary or by
a nominee of such Global Depositary to such Global Depositary or another nominee
of such Global Depositary or by such Global Depositary or any such nominee to a
successor of such Global Depositary or a nominee of such successor. (Section
305).
 
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any Debt
Securities of a series will be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. The Corporation anticipates that the following provisions will
generally apply to all depositary arrangements although no assurance can be
given that such will be the case.
 
     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Global Depositary or its
nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such Global
Security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with such Global
Depositary ("participants"). The accounts to be credited shall be designated by
the underwriters or agents of such Debt Securities or by the Corporation, if
such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by the Corporation. Ownership
of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to participants or
persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial
interests in such Global Securities will be shown on, and the transfer of that
ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the Global
Depositary or its nominee for such Global Securities (with respect to interests
of participants) and the records of participants (with respect to persons other
than participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in
a Global Security.
 
     So long as the Global Depositary, or its nominee, is the owner of a Global
Security, such Global Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Securities represented by such
Global Security for all purposes under the Applicable Indenture. Except as set
forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be
entitled to have Debt Securities represented by such Global Security registered
in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and will not be considered the
owners or holders thereof under the Applicable Indenture.
 
     Subject to the restrictions discussed under "Description of Debt
Securities -- Form, Registration and Transfer," payment of principal of,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, Debt Securities registered in the
name of or held by a Global Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Global
Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or the
Holder of the Global Security representing such Debt Securities. None of the
Corporation, the Applicable Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar
for
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   20
 
such Debt Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of
the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in a Global Security for such Debt Securities or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests.
 
     The Corporation expects that the Global Depositary for Debt Securities of a
series, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or any
interest in respect of a permanent Global Security, will credit immediately
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global Security
as shown on the records of such Global Depositary or its nominee. The
Corporation also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in such Global Security held through such participants will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in "street name," and will be the responsibility of such participants.
 
     If the Global Depositary for Debt Securities of a series is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as Global Depositary and a successor
Global Depositary is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days or an Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Corporation will issue Debt
Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the Global Security
or Securities representing the Debt Securities of such series. In addition, the
Corporation may at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to any
limitations described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, determine not to
have any Debt Securities of a series represented by one or more Global
Securities and, in such event, will issue Debt Securities of such series in
definitive form in exchange for the Global Security or Securities representing
such Debt Securities. Further, if the Corporation so specifies with respect to
the Debt Securities of a series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global
Security representing Debt Securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to
the Corporation and the Global Depositary for such Global Security, receive Debt
Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for such beneficial
interests, subject to any limitations described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement relating to such Debt Securities. In any such instance, an owner of a
beneficial interest in a Global Security will be entitled to physical delivery
in definitive form of Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global
Security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such
Debt Securities registered in its name (if the Debt Securities of such series
are issuable as Registered Securities).
 
SUBORDINATION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated
Indenture, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of
all Senior Indebtedness. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, in certain events of insolvency, the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the
extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, also be effectively subordinated
in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Other Financial
Obligations. Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any
liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit
of creditors, marshalling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
proceedings of the Corporation, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness will
first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due
thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled
to receive any payment in respect of the principal of or interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities (Section 402 of the Subordinated Indenture). If
upon any such payment or distribution of assets to creditors there remains,
after giving effect to such subordination provisions in favor of the holders of
Senior Indebtedness, any amount of cash, property or securities available for
payment or distribution in respect of Subordinated Debt Securities (defined in
the Subordinated Indenture as "Excess Proceeds") and if, at such time, any
Entitled Persons (as defined in the Subordinated Indenture) in respect of Other
Financial Obligations have not received payment in full of all amounts due or to
become due on or in respect of such Other Financial Obligations, then such
Excess Proceeds shall first be applied to pay or provide for the payment in full
of such Other Financial Obligations before any payment or distribution may be
made in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 1415 of the
Subordinated Indenture). In the event of the acceleration of the Maturity of any
Subordinated Debt Securities, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   21
 
will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon
before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled to
receive any payment upon the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities. No payments on account of the principal of, or
premium, if any, or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities or on account
of the purchase or acquisition thereof shall be made if there shall have
occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior
Indebtedness, or an event of default with respect to Senior Indebtedness
permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof, or if any
judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default. (Section
1404 of the Subordinated Indenture).
 
     By reason of such subordination in favor of the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, in the event of insolvency, creditors of the Corporation who are
not holders of Senior Indebtedness or Holders of the Subordinated Debt
Securities may recover less, ratably, than the holders of Senior Indebtedness
and may recover more, ratably, than the Holders of the Subordinated Debt
Securities. By reason of the obligation of the Holders of Subordinated Debt
Securities to pay over any Excess Proceeds to Entitled Persons in respect to
Other Financial Obligations, in the event of insolvency, holders of Existing
Subordinated Indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than Entitled Persons in
respect of Other Financial Obligations and may recover more, ratably, than the
Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities (other than Existing Subordinated
Indebtedness).
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, "Senior
Indebtedness" of the Corporation is defined in the Subordinated Indenture to
mean the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on (1) all indebtedness of
the Corporation (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the
Corporation), other than the Subordinated Debt Securities and obligations on
account of Existing Subordinated Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date
of execution of the Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed which
is (i) for money borrowed or (ii) evidenced by a note or similar instrument
given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets
of any kind, and (2) amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications or
refundings of any such indebtedness, unless in any case in the instrument
creating or evidencing such indebtedness or pursuant to which the same is
outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness is not superior in right of
payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities or is to rank pari passu with or
subordinate to the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 101 of the
Subordinated Indenture).
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, "Other
Financial Obligations" means (a) all obligations of the Corporation under direct
credit substitutes, (b) obligations of, or any such obligation directly or
indirectly guaranteed by, the Corporation for purchased money or funds, (c) any
deferred obligation of, or any such obligation directly or indirectly guaranteed
by, the Corporation incurred in connection with the acquisition of any business,
properties or assets not evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in
connection therewith, and (d) all obligations of the Corporation to make payment
pursuant to the terms of financial instruments, such as (1) securities contracts
and foreign currency exchange contracts, (2) derivative instruments, such as
swap agreements (including interest rate and foreign exchange rate swap
agreements), cap agreements, floor agreements, collar agreements, interest rate
agreements, foreign exchange rate agreements, options, commodity futures
contracts, commodity option contracts, and (3) in the case of both (1) and (2)
above, similar financial instruments, other than (x) obligations on account of
Senior Indebtedness, and (y) obligations on account of indebtedness for money
borrowed ranking pari passu with or subordinate to the Subordinated Debt
Securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
relating to the particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities offered
thereby, "Entitled Person" means any person who is entitled to payment pursuant
to the terms of Other Financial Obligations. (Section 101 of the Subordinated
Indenture).
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
"Existing Subordinated Indebtedness" means the obligations of the Corporation
under securities issued pursuant to the indenture, dated as of June 1, 1987,
between the Corporation and Security Pacific National Trust Company (New York),
as trustee, relating to the Corporation's 10 3/8% Subordinated Capital Notes due
1999 (the "Subordinated Capital Notes"). (Section 101 of the Subordinated
Indenture). As of the date of this Prospectus, there was outstanding
approximately $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Subordinated
Indebtedness.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   22
 
     The Corporation's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities shall
rank pari passu in right of payment with each other and with the Existing
Subordinated Indebtedness, subject (unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of Subordinated Debt
Securities offered thereby) to the obligations of the Holders of Subordinated
Debt Securities (other than Existing Subordinated Indebtedness) to pay over any
Excess Proceeds to Entitled Persons in respect of Other Financial Obligations as
provided in the Subordinated Indenture.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions,
if any, applicable to the subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a
particular series offered thereby.
 
CONVERSION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 
     If so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Subordinated Debt
Securities offered hereby will be convertible into Common Stock of the
Corporation prior to redemption during the time period specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, initially at the Initial Conversion Price
therefor specified in such Prospectus Supplement ("Convertible Subordinated Debt
Security"). (Section 1501 of the Subordinated Indenture).
 
     The conversion price will be subject to adjustment in certain events,
including (i) dividends (and other distributions) payable in Common Stock on any
class of capital stock of the Corporation, (ii) the issuance to all holders of
Common Stock of rights or warrants entitling them to subscribe for or purchase
Common Stock at less than the current market price (as defined), (iii)
subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of Common Stock, and (iv)
distributions to all holders of Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness of the
Corporation or assets (including securities, but excluding those dividends,
rights, warrants and distributions referred to above and dividends and
distributions paid in cash out of the retained earnings of the Corporation). In
addition to the foregoing adjustments, the Corporation will be permitted to make
such reductions in the conversion price as it considers to be advisable in order
that any event treated for Federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or
stock rights will not be taxable to the holders of the Common Stock. (Section
1504 of the Subordinated Indenture). In case of certain consolidations or
mergers to which the Company is a party or the transfer of substantially all of
the assets of the Corporation, each Convertible Subordinated Debt Security then
outstanding would, without the consent of any Holders of such Convertible
Subordinated Debt Security, become convertible only into the kind and amount of
securities, cash and other property receivable upon the consolidation, merger or
transfer by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such
Convertible Subordinated Debt Security might have been converted immediately
prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer (assuming such holder of Common
Stock failed to exercise any rights of election and received per share the kind
and amount received per share by a plurality of non-electing shares). (Section
1512 of the Subordinated Indenture). Generally no adjustments to the conversion
price will be required to be made until cumulative adjustments amount to 1% or
more of the conversion price as last adjusted. (Section 1505 of the Subordinated
Indenture).
 
     Fractional shares of Common Stock are not to be issued upon conversion,
but, in lieu thereof, the Corporation will pay a cash adjustment based upon
market price (as determined by the Board of Directors). (Section 1504 of the
Subordinated Indenture). Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities surrendered
for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular
Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business
on such Interest Payment Date (except Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities
called for redemption on a Redemption Date within such period) must be
accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest thereon which the
registered Holder is to receive. If any Convertible Subordinated Debt Security
is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next
succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Convertible Subordinated Debt
Security whose Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose
Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such
Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest
(whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the
Person in whose name that Convertible Subordinated Debt Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular
Record Date. Except where Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities surrendered
for conversion must be accompanied by payment as described above, no interest on
converted Convertible
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   23
 
Subordinated Debt Securities will be payable by the Corporation on any Interest
Payment Date subsequent to the date of conversion. No other payment or
adjustment for interest or dividends is to be made upon conversion. (Sections
307 and 1503 of the Subordinated Indenture).
 
     If at any time the Corporation makes a distribution of property to its
shareholders which would be taxable to such shareholders as a dividend for
Federal income tax purposes (e.g., distributions of evidences of indebtedness or
assets of the Corporation, but generally not stock dividends or rights to
subscribe for Common Stock) and, pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture, the conversion price of Convertible Subordinated Debt
Securities is reduced, such reduction may be deemed to be the payment of a
taxable dividend to holders of Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
LIMITATION ON DISPOSITION OF VOTING STOCK OF PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARY BANKS
 
     The Senior Indenture contains a covenant by the Corporation that it will
not sell, assign, transfer, grant a security interest in or otherwise dispose of
any shares of, securities convertible into or options, warrants or rights to
subscribe for or purchase shares of, Voting Stock (other than directors'
qualifying shares) of any Principal Subsidiary Bank and that it will not permit
any Principal Subsidiary Bank to issue (except to the Corporation) shares of,
securities convertible into, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe or
purchase shares of, Voting Stock, except for sales, assignments, transfers,
grants of security interests or other dispositions which: (1) are for fair
market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation) and,
after giving effect to such dispositions and to any potential dilution, the
Corporation will own not less than 80% of the shares of Voting Stock of such
Principal Subsidiary Bank; (2) are made in compliance with an order of a court
or regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction, a condition imposed by any
such court or authority permitting the acquisition by the Corporation, directly
or indirectly, of any other bank or entity the activities of which are legally
permissible for a bank holding company or a subsidiary thereof to engage in, or
an undertaking made to such authority in connection with such an acquisition
(provided that the assets of the bank or entity being acquired and its
consolidated subsidiaries equal or exceed 75% of the assets of such Principal
Subsidiary Bank or such Subsidiary owning, directly or indirectly, any shares of
voting stock of such Principal Subsidiary Bank and its respective consolidated
Subsidiaries on the date of acquisition); or (3) are made to the Corporation or
any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary if such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary agrees to be bound
by this covenant and the Corporation agrees to maintain such Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary as a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
Principal Subsidiary Bank may be merged into or consolidated with another
banking institution organized under the laws of the United States, any State
thereof or the District of Columbia, if after giving effect to such merger or
consolidation, the Corporation or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary owns at least 80%
of the Voting Stock of such other banking institution then issued and
outstanding free and clear of any security interest and if, immediately after
giving effect thereto, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or
lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and
be continuing. (Sections 101 and 1008 of the Senior Indenture). A "Principal
Subsidiary Bank" is defined in the Senior Indenture to mean any Subsidiary which
is a Bank and has total assets equal to 30% or more of the consolidated assets
of the Corporation determined as of the date of the most recent audited
financial statements of such entities. At present, the only Principal Subsidiary
Bank is First Tennessee Bank National Association. "Voting Stock" is defined in
the Senior Indenture to mean stock of the class or classes having general voting
power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of
directors, managers or trustees of such corporation (irrespective of whether or
not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have contingent voting
rights).
 
     The Subordinated Indenture contains no such covenant and the foregoing
covenant is not a covenant for the benefit of any series of Subordinated Debt
Securities. The Indenture relating to the Subordinated Capital Notes, however,
does contain a substantially identical covenant for the benefit of such
Subordinated Capital Notes.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   24
 
DEFAULTS
 
    The Senior Indenture
 
     An Event of Default is defined in the Senior Indenture as, with respect to
Senior Debt Securities of any series issued thereunder: (1) default in payment
of principal of or premium, if any, on any Senior Debt Security of that series
at Maturity; (2) default for 30 days in payment of interest on any Senior Debt
Security of that series; (3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment
when due in respect of that series; (4) default in the performance, or breach,
of any other covenant of the Corporation in the Senior Indenture or in the
Senior Debt Securities of that series, continued for 30 days after written
notice to the Corporation by the Senior Trustee or to the Corporation and the
Senior Trustee by the Holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series; (5) failure to
pay when due any indebtedness of the Corporation or any Principal Subsidiary
Bank for borrowed money in excess of $5,000,000, or acceleration of the maturity
of any such indebtedness in excess of such amount if acceleration results from a
default under the instrument giving rise to such indebtedness and is not
annulled within 30 days after due notice, unless in either case such default is
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (6) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Corporation, or any Principal
Subsidiary Bank; and (7) any other Event of Default with respect to Senior Debt
Securities of that series that is specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. (Section 501 of the Senior Indenture).
 
     The Senior Indenture provides that, if any Event of Default with respect to
Senior Debt Securities of any series at the time outstanding thereunder occurs
and is continuing, either the Senior Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25%
in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series may
declare the principal amount (or, if the Senior Debt Securities of that series
are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as
may be specified in the terms of that series) of all Senior Debt Securities of
that series to be due and payable immediately (provided that no such declaration
is required upon certain events of bankruptcy). The Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that
series may annul a declaration of acceleration of the Senior Debt Securities of
such series, but only if all Events of Default have been remedied and all
payments due on the Senior Debt Securities of that series (other than those due
as a result of acceleration) have been made and certain other conditions have
been met. (Section 502 of the Senior Indenture). Subject to the duty of the
Senior Trustee upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default to
act with the required standard of care, the Senior Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Senior Indenture at
the request or direction of any of the Holders of Senior Debt Securities, unless
such Holders shall have offered to the Senior Trustee reasonable indemnity.
(Section 603 of the Senior Indenture). The Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities of that series will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Senior Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Senior Trustee. (Section 512 of the Senior Indenture). The
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior
Debt Securities of that series may waive any past default under the Senior
Indenture with respect to such series, except a default in the payment of
principal or interest or a default in respect of each covenant in the Senior
Indenture which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Senior Debt Security of the series affected. (Section 513 of the
Senior Indenture). See the second paragraph under "Modification and Waiver"
below. In the event of the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
Corporation, the claims of Holders of Senior Debt Securities would be subject as
to enforcement to the broad equity power of a Federal Bankruptcy Court, and to
the determination by that court of the nature of the rights of the Holders.
 
     The Senior Indenture contains a provision entitling the Senior Trustee,
subject to the duty of the Senior Trustee upon the occurrence and continuation
of an Event of Default to act with the required standard of care, to be
indemnified by the Holders of any series of Outstanding Senior Debt Securities
thereunder before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indenture
at the request of the Holders of such series of Senior Debt Securities. (Section
603 of the Senior Indenture). The Senior Indenture provides that the Holders of
a majority in principal amount of Outstanding Senior Debt Securities thereunder
of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Senior Trustee, or exercising any trust or other
power conferred on the Senior Trustee, with respect to the Senior
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   25
 
Debt Securities of such series, provided that the Senior Trustee may decline to
act if such direction is contrary to law or the Senior Indenture. (Section 512
of the Senior Indenture).
 
     The Corporation will file annually with the Senior Trustee a certificate as
to compliance with all conditions and covenants in the Senior Indenture.
(Section 1004 of the Senior Indenture).
 
  The Subordinated Indenture
 
     Payment of principal of the Subordinated Debt Securities may be accelerated
only upon an Event of Default (as defined below). There is no right of
acceleration in the case of a default in the payment of interest or the payment
of principal prior to the date of Maturity or a default in the performance of
any other covenant of the Corporation in the Subordinated Indenture, unless the
terms of a particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities specifically
provide otherwise, in which case any such extension of such right of
acceleration will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     An "Event of Default" is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as certain
events involving the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Corporation
and any other Event of Default which may be provided for with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities of that series. (Section 501 of the Subordinated
Indenture). A "Default," with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of that
series, is defined in the Subordinated Indenture to include: (1) any Event of
Default with respect to any Subordinated Debt Securities of that series; (2) a
default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any Subordinated Debt
Security of that series at its Maturity; (3) default in the payment of any
interest on any Subordinated Debt Security of that series when due, continued
for 30 days; (4) default in the making of any sinking fund payment; (5) default
in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty of the
Corporation in the Subordinated Indenture or in the Subordinated Debt Securities
of that series, continued for 30 days after written notice to the Corporation by
the Subordinated Trustee or to the Corporation and the Subordinated Trustee by
the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series; or (6) any other
Default with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of that series that is
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 503 of the
Subordinated Indenture). If an Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated
Debt Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, either the Subordinated
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of that series may accelerate the
maturity of all Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series. The
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Subordinated Debt Securities of that series may annul a declaration of
acceleration of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, but only if all
Events of Default have been remedied and all payments due on the Subordinated
Debt Securities of that series (other than those due as a result of
acceleration) have been made and certain other conditions have been met.
(Section 502 of the Subordinated Indenture). Subject to the duty of the
Subordinated Trustee upon the occurrence and continuation of a Default to act
with the required standard of care, the Subordinated Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Subordinated
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Subordinated Debt
Securities, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Subordinated Trustee
reasonable indemnity. (Section 603 of the Subordinated Indenture). The Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt
Securities of that series will have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Subordinated
Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Subordinated Trustee.
(Section 512 of the Subordinated Indenture). The Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of
that series may waive any past default under the Subordinated Indenture with
respect to such series, except a default in the payment of principal or interest
or a default in respect of a covenant in the Subordinated Indenture which cannot
be modified without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Subordinated
Debt Security of the series affected. (Section 513 of the Subordinated
Indenture). See the second paragraph under "Modification and Waiver" below.
 
     In the event of the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
Corporation, the claims of the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities would be
subject as to enforcement to the broad equity power of a Federal Bankruptcy
Court, and to the determination by that court of the nature of the rights of the
Holders.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   26
 
     The Corporation will file annually with the Subordinated Trustee a
certificate as to compliance with all conditions and covenants in the
Subordinated Indenture. (Section 1004 of the Subordinated Indenture).
 
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
 
     Each Indenture provides that the terms of any series of Debt Securities
issued thereunder may provide that the Corporation may terminate all or certain
of its obligations under such Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of
such series on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the
Applicable Indenture, by (a) depositing irrevocably with the Applicable Trustee
as trust funds in trust (1) in the case of Debt Securities denominated in a
foreign currency, money in such foreign currency or Foreign Government
Obligations (as defined below) of the foreign government or governments issuing
such foreign currency which through the scheduled payment of principal and
interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not
later than one day before the due date of any payment, such foreign currency,
(2) in the case of Debt Securities denominated in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollars or
U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below), which through the payment of
interest, principal or premium, if any, in respect thereof in accordance with
their terms will provide, not later than one business day before the due date of
any payment, money, or (3) a combination of money and U.S. Government
Obligations (as hereinafter defined) or Foreign Government Obligations, as
applicable, in each case in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of or
premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series as such are
due and (b) satisfying certain other conditions precedent specified in the
Applicable Indenture. Such deposit and termination is conditioned, among other
things, upon the Corporation's delivery of (a) an opinion of independent counsel
that the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series will have no federal
income tax consequences as a result of such deposit and termination and (b) if
the Debt Securities of such series are then listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, an opinion of counsel that the Debt Securities of such series will not
be delisted as a result of the exercise of this option. (Article Thirteen).
 
     "U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are (1) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, under
clause (1) or (2) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer
thereof. "Foreign Government Obligations" means securities denominated in a
Foreign Currency that are (1) direct obligations of a foreign government for the
payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a
Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of
a foreign government the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a
full faith and credit obligation by such foreign government, which, in either
case, under clause (1) or (2) are not callable or redeemable at the option of
the issuer thereof. (Section 101).
 
     The accompanying Prospectus Supplement states whether any defeasance
provisions of the Applicable Indenture will apply to the Offered Debt
Securities.
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
     Certain modifications and amendments of each of the Indentures may be made
by the Corporation and the Trustee under the Applicable Indenture only with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series issued under such Indenture
and affected by the modification or amendment, provided that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Debt Security issued under such Indenture and affected thereby: (1)
change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal
of or interest on, any such Debt Security; (2) reduce the principal amount of,
or the premium, if any, or the interest on, any such Debt Security (including in
the case of an Original Issue Discount Security the amount payable upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof); (3) change the place of payment where, or
the coin or currency or currency unit in which, any principal of, or premium, if
any, or interest on, any such Debt Security is payable; (4) impair the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated
Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption
Date); (5) reduce the above-stated
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   27
 
percentage of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series the consent of the
Holders of which is necessary to modify or amend the Applicable Indenture; or
(6) modify the foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage of aggregate
principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series required to be
held by Holders seeking to waive compliance with certain provisions of the
Applicable Indenture or seeking to waive certain defaults. (Section 902).
 
     The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of
all Debt Securities of that series waive, insofar as that series is concerned,
compliance by the Corporation with certain restrictive provisions of the
Applicable Indenture. (Section 1008 of the Subordinated Indenture, Section 1009
of the Senior Indenture). The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf
of the Holders of all Debt Securities of that series waive any past default
under the Applicable Indenture with respect to that series, except a default in
the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Debt
Security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision which under the
Applicable Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security issued thereunder of the series
affected. (Section 513).
 
     Each of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture may be modified
or amended by the Corporation and the Trustee under the Applicable Indenture
without the consent of Holders of the Outstanding Debt Securities issued under
such Indenture for the following purposes: (i) to evidence the succession of
another Person to the Corporation and the assumption by such successor of the
covenants of the Corporation, (ii) to add to the covenants of the Corporation or
to surrender any of its rights or powers, (iii) to add any Defaults or Events of
Default, (iv) to add to or change the provisions of the Applicable Indenture to
facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in bearer or uncertificated form, (v)
to modify the Applicable Indenture provided that such modification (A) will not
apply to any Debt Securities of any series created prior to such modification or
modify the rights of any holder of such Debt Security and (B) will become
effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding, (vi) to secure
the Debt Securities, (vii) to establish the form and terms of Debt Securities of
any series in accordance with the Applicable Indenture, (viii) to evidence the
acceptance of an appointment by a successor Trustee with respect to Debt
Securities of one or more series or to add to or change any provisions of the
Indentures to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts
thereunder by more than one trustee, or (ix) to make provision for conversion
rights or (x) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any defective or
inconsistent provision or make other provisions with respect to matters arising
under the Indentures which do not adversely affect the interests of the Holders
of Debt Securities of any series in any material respect. (Section 901).
 
     Each Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities issued under such
Indenture have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent or waiver thereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Debt
Securities for quorum purposes, (1) the principal amount of an Original Issue
Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of
the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such
determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof, and (2) the principal
amount of a Debt Security denominated in a foreign currency or currency unit
shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance
of such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security or, in the
case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent,
determined on the date of original issuance of such Debt Security, of the amount
determined as provided in (1) above. (Section 101).
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
     The Indentures each provide that the Corporation may not consolidate with
or merge into any other Person or transfer its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any Person unless (1) the Person formed by such
consolidation or into which the Corporation is merged or the Person to which the
properties and assets of the Corporation are so transferred shall be a
corporation or partnership organized and validly existing under the laws of the
United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly
assume by a supplemental indenture the payment of the principal of and premium,
if any, and interest on the Senior Debt Securities or the Subordinated Debt
Securities, as the case may be, and the performance of the
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   28
 
other covenants of the Corporation under the Applicable Indenture; (2)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default or
Default, as applicable, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or
both, would become an Event of Default or Default, as applicable, shall have
occurred and be continuing; and (3) certain other conditions are met. (Section
801).
 
TRUSTEES
 
     Any Trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of
Debt Securities and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to
such series. (Section 610). In the event that two or more persons are acting as
Trustee with respect to different series of Debt Securities, each such Trustee
shall be a Trustee of a trust under the Applicable Indenture separate and apart
from the trust administered by any other such Trustee (Section 611), and any
action described herein to be taken by the "Trustee" may then be taken by each
such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series
of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee.
 
     In the normal course of business, the Corporation and its subsidiaries may
conduct banking transactions with any Trustee, and any Trustee may conduct
banking transactions with the Corporation and its subsidiaries.
 
     The First National Bank of Chicago will be the Subordinated Trustee under
the Subordinated Indenture, unless otherwise specified with respect to any
series of Subordinated Debt Securities in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The Corporation's Restated Charter, as amended (the "Charter") authorizes
the issuance of up to 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock. The Corporation intends to propose for shareholder approval at
the annual shareholders' meeting in April 1994 an amendment to the Charter to
increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 50,000,000 to
100,000,000. As of February 23, 1994, 30,175,456 shares of Common Stock and no
shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, approximately 3.3 million
shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance under various employee stock
plans and the Corporation's dividend reinvestment plan, and approximately 1.6
million shares were reserved for issuance in connection with pending
acquisitions anticipated to close in the first quarter of 1994. In addition,
301,755 shares of Preferred Stock are reserved for issuance under the Rights
Plan (defined below). The Common Stock of the Corporation is quoted through the
NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol "FTEN."
 
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The following is a description of certain general terms and provisions of
the Preferred Stock. The particular terms of any series of Preferred Stock will
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If so indicated in a
Prospectus Supplement, the terms of any such series may differ from the terms
set forth below.
 
     The summary of terms of the Corporation's Preferred Stock contained in this
Prospectus and in any Prospectus Supplement does not purport to be complete and
is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Charter
and the Articles of Amendment relating to each series of the Preferred Stock
(the "Articles of Amendment"), filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
  General
 
     Under the Charter, the Corporation's Preferred Stock may be issued from
time to time in one or more
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   29
 
series, without shareholder approval, when authorized by the Board of Directors.
Subject to limitations prescribed by law, the Board of Directors is authorized
to determine the voting powers (if any), designation, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, for each series of Preferred Stock that may
be issued, and to fix the number of shares of each such series. Thus, the Board
of Directors, without shareholder approval, could authorize the issuance of
Preferred Stock with voting, conversion and other rights that could adversely
affect the voting power and other rights of holders of Common Stock or other
series of Preferred Stock.
 
     The Preferred Stock shall have the dividend, liquidation, redemption and
voting rights set forth below unless otherwise described in a Prospectus
Supplement relating to a particular series of the Preferred Stock. The
applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms of the series
of Preferred Stock in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered: (1)
the title of such Preferred Stock and the number of shares offered; (2) the
amount of liquidation preference per share; (3) the initial public offering
price at which such Preferred Stock will be issued; (4) the dividend rate (or
method of calculation), the dates on which dividends shall be payable and the
dates from which dividends shall commence to cumulate, if any; (5) any
redemption or sinking fund provisions; (6) any conversion or exchange rights;
(7) any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and
other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions; (8) any
listing of such Preferred Stock on any securities exchange; and (9) the relative
ranking and preferences of such Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
 
     The Preferred Stock offered hereby will be issued in one or more series.
Shares of Preferred Stock, upon issuance against full payment of the purchase
price therefor, will be fully paid and nonassessable. Neither the par value nor
the liquidation preference is indicative of the price at which the Preferred
Stock will actually trade on or after the date of issuance.
 
  Rank
 
     The Preferred Stock shall, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon
liquidation, winding up and dissolution of the Corporation, rank prior to the
Corporation's Common Stock and to all other classes and series of equity
securities of the Corporation now or hereafter authorized, issued or outstanding
(the Common Stock and such other classes and series of equity securities
collectively may be referred to herein as the "Junior Stock"), other than any
classes or series of equity securities of the Corporation which by their terms
specifically provide for a ranking on a parity with (the "Parity Stock") or
senior to (the "Senior Stock") the Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and
rights upon liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Corporation. The
Preferred Stock shall be junior to all outstanding debt of the Corporation. The
Preferred Stock shall be subject to creation of Senior Stock, Parity Stock and
Junior Stock to the extent not expressly prohibited by the Corporation's
Charter. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Preferred Stock shall rank on a parity with all other preferred stock of the
Corporation and with each other series of Preferred Stock.
 
  Dividends
 
     Holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds of the Corporation legally
available for payment, cash dividends, payable at such dates and at such rates
per share per annum as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Such
rates may be fixed or variable or both. Each declared dividend shall be payable
to holders of record as they appear at the close of business on the stock books
of the Corporation on such record dates, not more than 60 calendar days
preceding the payment dates therefor, as are determined by the Board of
Directors (each of such dates, a "Record Date").
 
     Such dividends may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. If dividends on a series of Preferred Stock
are noncumulative and if the Board of Directors fails to declare a dividend in
respect of a dividend period with respect to such series, then holders of such
Preferred Stock will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of such
dividend period, and the Corporation will have no obligation to pay the dividend
for such period, whether or not dividends are declared payable on any future
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   30
 
dividend payment dates. If dividends of a series of Preferred Stock are
cumulative, the dividends on such shares will accrue from and after the date set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     No full dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on
preferred stock of the Corporation of any series ranking, as to dividends, on a
parity with or junior to the series of Preferred Stock offered by the applicable
Prospectus Supplement for any period unless full dividends for the immediately
preceding dividend period on such Preferred Stock (including any accumulation in
respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, if dividends on such
Preferred Stock are cumulative) have been or contemporaneously are declared and
paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for
such payment. When dividends are not so paid in full (or a sum sufficient for
such full payment is not so set apart) upon such Preferred Stock and any other
preferred stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity as to dividends with the
Preferred Stock, dividends upon such Preferred Stock and dividends on such other
Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Preferred Stock shall be declared
pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on such Preferred
Stock and such other Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Preferred
Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued
dividends for the then-current dividend period per share on such Preferred Stock
(including any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend
periods, if dividends on such Preferred Stock are cumulative) and accrued
dividends, including required or permitted accumulations, if any, on shares of
such other Preferred Stock, bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in
lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment(s) on
Preferred Stock which may be in arrears. Unless full dividends on the series of
Preferred Stock offered by the applicable Prospectus Supplement have been
declared and paid or set apart for payment for the immediately preceding
dividend period (including any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for
prior dividend periods, if dividends on such Preferred Stock are cumulative),
(a) no cash dividend or distribution (other than in shares of Junior Stock) may
be declared, set aside or paid on the Junior Stock, (b) the Corporation may not,
directly or indirectly, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of
its Junior Stock (or pay any monies into a sinking fund for the redemption of
any shares) except by conversion into or exchange for Junior Stock, and (c) the
Corporation may not, directly or indirectly, repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any Preferred Stock ranking on parity as to dividends (or pay any monies
into a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock)
otherwise than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase or a concurrent
redemption of all, or a pro rata portion, of the outstanding Preferred Stock
ranking on parity as to dividends (except by conversion into or exchange for
Junior Stock).
 
     Any dividend payment made on a series of Preferred Stock shall first be
credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to
shares of such series which remains payable.
 
  Redemption
 
     The terms, if any, on which Preferred Stock of any series may be redeemed
will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Liquidation
 
     In the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of a series of
Preferred Stock will be entitled, subject to the rights of creditors, but before
any distribution or payment to the holders of Common Stock or any other security
ranking junior to the Preferred Stock on liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Corporation, to receive a liquidating distribution in the amount of the
liquidation preference per share as set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend
period (including any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior
dividend periods, if dividends on such series of Preferred Stock are
cumulative). If the amounts available for distribution with respect to the
Preferred Stock, and all other outstanding stock of the Corporation ranking on a
parity with the Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up are
not sufficient to satisfy the full liquidation rights of all the outstanding
Preferred Stock and stock ranking on a parity therewith upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, then the holders of each series of such stock will
share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full
respective preferential amount (which in the case of Preferred Stock may include
accumulated dividends) to which they
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   31
 
are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference,
the holders of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation
in any distribution of assets by the Corporation.
 
  Voting
 
     The terms, if any, on which Preferred Stock of any series may be entitled
to vote will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Conversion
 
     The terms, if any, on which Preferred Stock of any series may be converted
into another class or series of securities of the Corporation will be set forth
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  No Other Rights
 
     The shares of a series of Preferred Stock will not have any preferences,
voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights
except as set forth above or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement or the
Charter and in the applicable Articles of Amendment or as otherwise required by
law.
 
  Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
     The transfer agent for each series of Preferred Stock will be described in
the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The following summary of the terms and provisions of the Common Stock does
not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Charter, which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part.
 
     The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive, ratably, such
dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation from
funds legally available therefor, provided that if any shares of preferred stock
are at the time outstanding, the payment of dividends on Common Stock or other
distributions (including purchases of Common Stock) may be subject to the
declaration and payment of full cumulative dividends, and the absence of
arrearages in any mandatory sinking fund, on outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation currently intends to maintain
its present policy of paying regular quarterly cash dividends; however, the
declaration and amount of future dividends will depend on circumstances existing
at the time, including the Corporation's earnings, financial condition and
capital requirements. See "Supervision and Regulation."
 
     The holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote
for each share on all matters presented to shareholders, including elections of
directors. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which
means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock can elect
all of the directors then standing for election. The holders of Common Stock do
not have any conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any
securities of the Corporation. Upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up
of the Corporation resulting in a distribution of assets to the shareholders,
the number of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive such assets ratably
according to their respective number of shares after payment of all liabilities
and obligations and satisfaction of the liquidation preferences of any shares of
Preferred Stock at the time outstanding.
 
     The Corporation's Board of Directors is divided into three classes, which
results in approximately one-third of the directors being elected each year. In
addition, the Charter and the Corporation's bylaws, among other things,
generally give to the Board the authority to fix the number of directors and to
remove directors from and fill vacancies on the Board, other than removal for
cause and the filling of vacancies created thereby which are reserved to
shareholders exercising at least a majority of the voting power of all
outstanding voting stock of the Corporation. To change these provisions of the
bylaws, other than by action of the Board, and to amend these provisions of the
Charter or to adopt any provision of the Charter inconsistent with such bylaw
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   32
 
provisions, would require approval by the holders of at least 80% of the voting
power of all outstanding voting stock. Such classification of the Board and such
other provisions of the Charter and the bylaws may have a significant effect on
the ability of the shareholders of the Corporation to change the composition of
an incumbent Board or to benefit from certain transactions which are opposed by
the Board.
 
     Under the Corporation's Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as
of September 7, 1989 (the "Rights Plan"), each share of Common Stock has, and
each share of Common Stock offered hereby will have, attached to it a Right to
purchase 1/100th of a share of Participating Preferred Stock, without par value,
for $76.67 (the "Exercise Price"), subject to adjustment, upon the business day
following the earlier of (i) the 10th day after commencement of a tender or
exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in a person becoming the
beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (an
"Acquiring Person") and (ii) the first date (the "Flip-in Date") of public
announcement that a person has become an Acquiring Person. The Rights will
expire on the earliest of (i) the Exchange Time (defined below), (ii) September
18, 1999 and (iii) the date on which the Rights are redeemed as described below.
The Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time prior to the Flip-in
Date, redeem all the Rights at a price of $.01 per Right. If a Flip-in Date
occurs, each Right (other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person
or its affiliates, associates or transferees, which Rights will become void), to
the extent permitted by applicable law, will constitute the right to purchase
shares of Common Stock or Participating Preferred Stock having an aggregate
market price equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to
the then-current Exercise Price. In addition, the Board of Directors may, at its
option, at any time after a Flip-in Date and prior to the time that an Acquiring
Person becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock, elect to exchange the Rights (other than Rights beneficially
owned by the Acquiring Person or its affiliates, associates, or transferees) for
shares of Common Stock or Participating Preferred Stock at an exchange ratio of
one share of Common Stock or 1/100th of a share of Participating Preferred Stock
per Right (the "Exchange Right"). The Corporation may not agree to be acquired
by an Acquiring Person without providing that each Right, upon such acquisition,
will constitute the right to purchase common stock of the Acquiring Person
having an aggregate market price equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount
in cash equal to the then-current Exercise Price. The Rights will not prevent a
takeover of the Corporation. The Rights, however, may have certain anti-takeover
effects. The Rights may cause substantial dilution to an Acquiring Person unless
the Rights are first redeemed by the Board of Directors.
 
     The Common Stock shall have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and
other rights, and shall have no preference, appraisal or exchange rights. All
outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares offered hereby, upon
issuance, will be, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     The transfer agent for the Common Stock is The First National Bank of
Boston.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
     The description set forth below and in any Prospectus Supplement of certain
provisions of the Deposit Agreement and of the Depositary Shares and Depositary
Receipts (each as defined below) does not purport to be complete and is subject
to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the forms of Deposit Agreement
and Depositary Receipts relating to each series of the Preferred Stock which
have been or will be filed with the Commission at or prior to the time of the
offering of such series of the Preferred Stock. If so indicated in a Prospectus
Supplement, the terms of any series of Depositary Shares may differ from the
terms set forth herein.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Corporation may, at its option, elect to offer fractional interests in
shares of Preferred Stock ("Depositary Shares"), rather than shares of Preferred
Stock. In the event such option is exercised, the Corporation will provide for
the issuance by a Depositary to the public of receipts for Depositary Shares
("Depositary Receipts"), each of which will represent a fractional interest (to
be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of
Preferred Stock which will be filed with the Commission at or
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   33
 
prior to the time of offering such series of the Preferred Stock as described
below) of a share of Preferred Stock.
 
     The shares of any series of the Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary
Shares will be deposited under a separate Deposit Agreement (the "Deposit
Agreement") each between the Corporation and a bank or trust company selected by
the Corporation having its principal office in the United States and having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (the "Depositary"). The
Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Depositary Shares will set forth
the name and address of the Depositary with respect to such series. Subject to
the terms of the applicable Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share
will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share
of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares, to all the rights and
preferences of the Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Share (including
dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights).
 
     The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued
pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.
 
     Pending the preparation of definitive engraved Depositary Receipts, the
Depositary may, upon the written order of the Corporation, issue temporary
Depositary Receipts substantially identical to (and entitling the holders
thereof to all the rights pertaining to) the definitive Depositary Receipts but
not in definitive form. Definitive Depositary Receipts will be prepared
thereafter without unreasonable delay, and temporary Depositary Receipts will be
exchangeable for definitive Depositary Receipts at the Corporation's expense.
 
     Upon surrender of Depositary Receipts at the office of the Depositary and
upon payment of the charges provided in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the
terms thereof, a holder of Depositary Shares is entitled to have the Depositary
deliver to such holder the whole shares of Preferred Stock underlying the
Depositary Shares evidenced by the surrendered Depositary Receipts. No
fractional shares of such Preferred Stock shall be delivered.
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash
distributions received in respect of the Preferred Stock to the record holders
of Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock in proportion to the
numbers of such Depositary Shares owned by such holders on the relevant record
date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be
distributed without attributing to any holder of Depositary Shares a fraction of
one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be added to and treated as
part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to record
holders of Depositary Shares.
 
     In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Depositary will
distribute property received by it to the record holders of Depositary Shares
entitled thereto, unless the Depositary determines that it is not feasible to
make such distribution, in which case the Depositary may, with the approval of
the Corporation, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such
sale to such holders.
 
     The Deposit Agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner
in which any subscription or similar rights offered by the Corporation to
holders of the Preferred Stock shall be made available to holders of Depositary
Shares.
 
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
     If the series of Preferred Stock represented by the applicable series of
Depositary Shares is redeemable, such Depositary Shares will be redeemable from
the proceeds received by the Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole
or in part, of such Preferred Stock. Whenever the Corporation redeems any
Preferred Stock held by the Depositary, the Depositary will redeem as of the
same redemption date the number of Depositary Shares representing the Preferred
Stock so redeemed.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   34
 
VOTING THE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred
Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary will mail the information contained
in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the Depositary Shares
relating to such Preferred Stock. Each record holder of such Depositary Shares
on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the
Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise
of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of Preferred Stock
underlying such holder's Depositary Shares. The Depositary will endeavor,
insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of Preferred Stock
underlying such Depositary Shares in accordance with such instructions, and the
Corporation will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the
Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to do so. To the extent the
Depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of Depositary
Shares relating to such Preferred Stock, it will abstain from voting the related
shares of Preferred Stock unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF DEPOSITARY AGREEMENT
 
     The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares and any
provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between the Corporation and the Depositary. However, any amendment which
materially and adversely alters the rights of the existing holders of Depositary
Shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the
record holders of at least a majority of the Depositary Shares issued under such
Depositary Agreement then outstanding. A Deposit Agreement may be terminated by
the Corporation or the Depositary only if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares
relating thereto have been redeemed or (ii) there has been a final distribution
in respect of the Preferred Stock of the relevant series in connection with any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and such distribution
has been distributed to the holders of the related Depositary Shares.
 
CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY
 
     The Corporation will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental
charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The
Corporation will pay charges of the Depositary in connection with the initial
deposit of the Preferred Stock and any redemption of the Preferred Stock.
Holders of Depositary Shares will pay other transfer and other taxes and
governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the
Deposit Agreement to be for their accounts.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     The Depositary will forward to the holders of Depositary Shares all reports
and communications from the Corporation which are delivered to the Depositary
and which the Corporation is required to furnish to the holders of the Preferred
Stock.
 
     Neither the Depositary nor the Corporation will be liable if it is
prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing
its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the Corporation
and the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be limited to performance in
good faith of their duties thereunder and they will not be obligated to
prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any Depositary Shares or
Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. They may rely upon
written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons
presenting Preferred Stock for deposit, holders of Depositary Shares or other
persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
 
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY
 
     The Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the Corporation
notice of its election to do so, and the Corporation may at any time remove the
Depositary, and such resignation or removal will take effect upon the
appointment of a successor Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment.
Such successor Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the
notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   35
 
trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Corporation may sell the Securities to one or more underwriters for
public offering and sale by them or may sell the Securities to investors
directly or through agents. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth
the terms of the offering of the Securities offered thereby, including the names
of any underwriters, agents or dealers, the purchase price of such Securities
and the proceeds to the Corporation from any sale, any underwriting discounts
and other items constituting underwriters' compensation and any discounts and
commissions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers or agents. The Corporation
has reserved the right to sell the Securities directly to investors on its own
behalf in those jurisdictions where it is authorized to do so.
 
     Underwriters may offer and sell the Securities at a fixed price or prices
that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices
related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The
Corporation also may, from time to time, authorize dealers, acting as the
Corporation's agents, to offer and sell the Securities upon such terms and
conditions as set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. In connection with
the sale of the Securities, underwriters may receive compensation from the
Corporation in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also
receive commissions from purchasers of the Securities for whom they may act as
agent. Underwriters may sell the Securities to or through dealers, and such
dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concession or
commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for
whom they may act as agents.
 
     Any underwriting compensation paid by the Corporation to underwriters or
agents in connection with the offering of the Securities, and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers,
will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. Dealers and agents
participating in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be
underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit
realized by them on resale of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled,
under agreements entered into with the Corporation, to indemnification against
and contribution towards certain civil liabilities.
 
     If so indicated in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Corporation will
authorize dealers acting as the Corporation's agents to solicit agreements by
certain institutions to purchase Securities from the Corporation at the public
offering price set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement pursuant to
delayed delivery contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on
the date or dates stated in a Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for
an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of the Securities based on the
principal amount or liquidation value, as the case may be, thereof, sold
pursuant to Contracts will be not less nor more than the respective amounts
stated in a Prospectus Supplement. Institutions, with whom Contracts, when
authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable
institutions and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to the
approval of the Corporation. Contracts will be subject to the condition that the
purchase by an institution of the Securities covered by Contracts will not at
the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the
United States to which such institution is subject.
 
     Any Securities issued hereunder (other than Common Stock) will be new
issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters or
agents to or through whom such Securities are sold by the Corporation for public
offering and sale may make a market in such Securities, but such underwriters or
agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market at any time
without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading
market for any such Securities.
 
     Certain of the underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may be
customers of, engage in transactions with, and perform services for, the
Corporation and certain of its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   36
 
                           VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES
 
     The validity of the Securities will be passed upon for the Corporation by
Harry A. Johnson, III, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the
Corporation, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
and for any underwriters by the counsel named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. At February 28, 1994, Mr. Johnson beneficially owned approximately
30,948 shares of Common Stock.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Corporation's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 have been
audited by Arthur Andersen & Co., independent public accountants, as stated in
their report, dated January 18, 1994, which is incorporated herein by reference,
and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
     With respect to the 1991 financial statements of Home Financial
Corporation, a company acquired by the Corporation during 1992 in a transaction
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests, Arthur Andersen & Co. relied upon the
report of Baylor and Backus, independent accountants, whose report dated
February 21, 1992, except with respect to the information discussed in Note 27,
as to which the date is October 21, 1992, was incorporated by reference in the
Corporation's Form 10-K for 1993 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Maryland National Mortgage
Corporation and subsidiaries, appearing in First Tennessee National
Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 1, 1993, for the year
ended December 31, 1992, have been audited by Ernst & Young, independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated
herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements referred to above
are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   37
 
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NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERING MADE HEREBY, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE CORPORATION, THE
UNDERWRITERS OR ANY OTHER PERSON. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN
THE AFFAIRS OF THE CORPORATION SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY BY ANYONE IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH
THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANY
PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MADE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             PAGE
                                             -----
<S>                                          <C>
              PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
The Corporation............................    S-2
Recent Developments........................    S-2
Selected Consolidated Financial Data.......    S-4
Use of Proceeds............................    S-5
Capitalization.............................    S-5
Description of Subordinated Notes..........    S-6
Underwriting...............................    S-7
Validity of Subordinated Notes.............    S-8
                    PROSPECTUS
Available Information......................      2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference................................      2
The Corporation............................      3
Use of Proceeds............................      3
Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed
  Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and
  Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements....      3
Supervision and Regulation.................      4
Description of Debt Securities.............      8
Description of Capital Stock...............     20
Description of Depositary Shares...........     24
Plan of Distribution.......................     27
Validity of the Securities.................     28
Experts....................................     28
</TABLE>
 
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                                  $75,000,000
 
                                First Tennessee
                              National Corporation
                            [First Tennessee LOGO]
                              % Subordinated Notes
                                      Due

                         -----------------------------
                             Prospectus Supplement
                         -----------------------------

                          DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                            SECURITIES CORPORATION
 
                                CS FIRST BOSTON
 
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
                                            , 1995
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