FIRST UNION CORP
8-K, 1997-11-18
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)            November 18, 1997
                                                   -----------------------------


                             FIRST UNION CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        North Carolina                   1-10000               56-0898180
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State of other jurisdiction           (Commission            (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)               File Number)        Identification No.)

          One First Union Center
        Charlotte, North Carolina                                 28288-0013
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code          (704)374-6565
                                                   -----------------------------

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------    
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)



<PAGE>



Item 5. Other Events.

         On November 18, 1997, First Union Corporation (the "Corporation")
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Mergers (the "Merger Agreement"), which
provides, among other things, for the merger (the "Merger") of CoreStates
Financial Corp ("CoreStates") into the Corporation. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, each outstanding share of CoreStates common stock would be converted
into 1.62 shares of the Corporation's common stock (the "Exchange Ratio"),
subject to possible adjustment under certain circumstances.

         The Merger is intended to constitute a reorganization under Section
368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to be accounted for
as a pooling of interests. Consummation of the Merger is subject to various
conditions, including: (i) receipt of the approval of the Merger Agreement by
CoreStates' and the Corporation's stockholders, and approval by the
Corporation's stockholders of an amendment to the Corporation's Articles of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Corporation's
common stock from 750,000,000 to 2,000,000,000; (ii) receipt of requisite
regulatory approvals from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
and other federal and state regulatory authorities; (iii) receipt of opinions as
to the tax and accounting treatment of certain aspects of the Merger; (iv)
listing, subject to notice of issuance, of the Corporation's common stock to be
issued in the Merger; and (v) satisfaction of certain other conditions.

           In connection with the Merger Agreement, the Corporation and
CoreStates entered into the following Stock Option Agreements: (i) a stock
option agreement dated November 18, 1997 (the "CoreStates Stock Option
Agreement"), pursuant to which CoreStates granted to the Corporation an option
to purchase, under certain circumstances, up to 39,364,847 shares of CoreStates
common stock at a price, subject to certain adjustments, of $72.00 per share
(the "CoreStates Option"); and (ii) a stock option agreement dated November 18,
1997 (the "Corporation Stock Option Agreement"), pursuant to which the
Corporation granted to CoreStates an option to purchase, under certain
circumstances, up to 56,285,593 shares of the Corporation's common stock at a
price, subject to certain adjustments, of $52.00 per share (the "Corporation
Option") (collectively, the "Option Agreements" and the "Options"). The
CoreStates Option, if exercised, would give the holder thereof the right to
acquire, before giving effect to the exercise of the CoreStates Option, up to
19.9% of the total number of shares of CoreStates common stock outstanding. The
Corporation Option, if exercised, would give the holder thereof the right to
acquire, before giving effect to the exercise of the Corporation Option, up to
9.9% of the total number of shares of the Corporation's common stock
outstanding. The Option Agreements were granted by the respective parties as
conditions and inducements to each others' willingess to enter into the Merger
Agreement. Under certain circumstances, the respective issuers of the Options
may be required to repurchase the Options or the shares acquired pursuant to the
exercise thereof.

         The Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances,
including by the Board of Directors of CoreStates by giving notice to the
Corporation if either (x) both (i) the average closing price of the
Corporation's common stock for the ten full trading days ending on the date the
Federal Reserve Board approves the Merger (the "Average Closing Price") is less
than the product of the closing price of the Corporation's common stock (the
"Starting Price") on the first full trading

                                        2

<PAGE>



day after public announcement of execution of the Merger Agreement (the
"Starting Date") and 0.85, and (ii) the number obtained by dividing the Average
Closing Price by the Starting Price is less than the number obtained by (a)
dividing the weighted average of the closing prices of a specified group index
of bank stocks during the above-mentioned ten-day period by the weighted average
closing prices of such bank stocks on the Starting Date and (b) subtracting
0.15, or (y) the Average Closing Price is less than the product of the Starting
Price and 0.75. In the event CoreStates gives notice of its intent to terminate
the Merger Agreement pursuant to the conditions set forth in the preceding
sentence, the Corporation may determine, in its sole discretion, to increase the
Exchange Ratio to eliminate CoreStates' right to terminate the Merger Agreement.

         A copy of a news release (the "News Release") relating to the Merger is
being filed as Exhibit (99)(a) to this report and is incorporated herein by
reference.

         On November 19, 1997, the Corporation intends to hold a meeting (the
"Meeting") with analysts and others with respect to the Merger. At the Meeting,
certain financial and other information relating to the Merger is to be
presented (the "Presentation Materials"). The News Release and certain of the
Presentation Materials contain, among other things, certain forward-looking
statements regarding each of the Corporation, CoreStates and the combined
company following the Merger, including statements relating to cost savings,
enhanced revenues and accretion to reported earnings that may be realized from
the Merger, and certain restructuring charges expected to be incurred in
connection with the Merger. Such forward-looking statements involve certain
risks and uncertainties, including a variety of factors that may cause the
Corporation's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results
or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that
might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (1) expected cost
savings from the Merger and the Corporation's other pending acquisitions may not
be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame; (2) revenues
following the Merger and the other pending acquisitions may be lower than
expected, or deposit attrition, operating costs or customer loss and business
disruption following the Merger and the other pending acquisitions may be
greater than expected; (3) competitive pressures among depository and other
financial institutions may increase significantly; (4) costs or difficulties
related to the integration of the business of the Corporation, CoreStates, and
the other pending acquisitions may be greater than expected; (5) changes in the
interest rate environment may reduce margins; (6) general economic or business
conditions, either nationally or in the states or regions in which the
Corporation does business, may be less favorable than expected, resulting in,
among other things, a deterioration in credit quality or a reduced demand for
credit; (7) legislative or regulatory changes may adversely affect the
businesses in which the Corporation is engaged; and (8) changes may occur in the
securities markets. Additional information with respect to factors that may
cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such
forward-looking statements is included in the Corporation's 1997 Third Quarter
Report on Form 10-Q and may be included in subsequent reports filed by the
Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         A copy of the visual portion of the Presentation Materials is being
filed as Exhibit (99)(b) to this report, substantially in the form intended to
be presented at the Meeting, and such materials are incorporated herein by
reference.


                                        3

<PAGE>




Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         (c) Exhibits.

               (99)(a)     The News Release.

               (99)(b)     The Presentation Materials.


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                             FIRST UNION CORPORATION


         Date: November 18, 1997             By: /s/ Kent S. Hathaway
                                                 --------------------
                                                 Name: Kent S. Hathaway
                                                 Title:   Senior Vice President





                                        4

<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


         Exhibit No.                    Description
         -----------                    ------------

         (99)(a)                        The News Release.

         (99)(b)                        The Presentation Materials.




                                       5


<PAGE>

Tuesday
November 18, 1997


FIRST UNION AND CORESTATES ANNOUNCE MERGER AGREEMENT-
$204 BILLION COMPANY TO BE THE LEADING BANK ON THE EAST COAST


PHILADELPHIA - First Union Corporation (NYSE:FTU) and CoreStates Financial Corp
(NYSE:CFL) have signed a definitive merger agreement that would create a $204
billion financial services company with the leading banking presence on the
Eastern Seaboard.

The combined company will have the largest share of retail deposits on the East
Coast, including the top market share in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the
leading share in the city of Philadelphia. With 2,766 offices serving 16 million
customers, it will be the nation's sixth largest banking company. As of Sept.
30, 1997, Philadelphia-based CoreStates had assets of $47.6 billion.

"While this merger is important strategically, it also meets our financial
performance criteria by being cumulatively accretive within 18 months," said
Edward E. Crutchfield, chairman and chief executive officer of First Union Corp.

First Union expects to bring 3,000 new jobs to the Greater Philadelphia
Metropolitan Area as Philadelphia becomes the headquarters for the combined
five-state regional banking group, which includes Connecticut, New York,
Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Philadelphia will also become the
headquarters for the combined corporate banking functions for the entire
corporation and a major center for the combined bank's customer service
operations. The new jobs are expected to significantly offset the impact of
merger-related job reductions.

In addition to expanding the Philadelphia-based operations, First Union will
establish and fund a $100 million Foundation dedicated to enriching the region
CoreStates serves. The majority of the directors of the Foundation will come
from the CoreStates Board of Directors. The Foundation's Board of Directors will
be chaired by the chief executive officer of CoreStates.

                                    --MORE--

<PAGE>

FIRST UNION AND CORESTATES ANNOUNCE MERGER -- PAGE 2


First Union will also establish a $16 million Employee Training and Development
Fund to assist any displaced employees by providing additional training for
positions within First Union or other companies in the region.

"We are particularly pleased that First Union is demonstrating an unwavering
commitment to the growth and vitality of the region CoreStates serves.
CoreStates would only consider a merger that clearly enhanced our ability to
create superior long-term value for our customers, shareholders, employees and
the communities we serve," said Terrence A. Larsen, chairman and chief executive
officer of CoreStates. "Our combined organization will enable us to leverage our
expertise, products and customer relationships in a powerful new way. Together,
we will be unbeatable."

"CoreStates has established leadership positions in corporate banking,
international trade finance, cash management, small business banking, electronic
banking, retail banking and other key areas," said Edward E. Crutchfield,
chairman and chief executive officer of First Union Corp. "This merger will
create the premier banking organization on the East Coast."

First Union has agreed to exchange 1.62 shares of its common stock for each
share of CoreStates common stock. Based on First Union's closing stock price of
$51.75 on Nov. 14, 1997, the transaction would be valued at $16.6 billion and
represent an exchange value of $83.84 for each share of CoreStates common stock.

First Union expects the merger to be cumulatively accretive to earnings within
18 months. This estimate excludes estimated after-tax merger-related
restructuring charges of approximately $795 million which are anticipated to be
taken in the second quarter of 1998.

As with any earnings estimates, there are factors that could cause the actual
results to differ materially from such estimates, such as changes in economic
conditions and other factors indicated on a Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

Following the merger, the Office of the Chairman will include Crutchfield as
chairman and chief executive officer, Larsen as vice chairman and First Union's
John Georgius as president. Six members of the CoreStates Corporate Board of
Directors will join the First Union Corporate Board.

In his role as First Union Corporation's vice chairman, Larsen will have direct
leadership responsibilities for the combined company's corporate banking
functions which include specialized industry lending, large corporate lending,
and capital markets businesses such as investment banking, merchant banking,
leasing, international, funds management and other key operations.

                                    --MORE--


<PAGE>


FIRST UNION AND CORESTATES ANNOUNCE MERGER -- PAGE 3

Larsen will also serve as Chairman of the combined five-state Regional Bank
Board of Directors. As the senior officer for the regional bank, Larsen will
take responsibility for overseeing the effective integration into one
organization. The combined banking assets in the five-state region will total
approximately $80 billion.

The combined company will have the first, second or third-largest share of
deposits in 21 of the 30 largest metropolitan areas on the East Coast.

"First Union and CoreStates have very strong compatibility in overall values as
well as in the approach taken to customers. I intend to take every opportunity
to reinforce our focus on customer needs and to build on our relationships with
customers and all of our stakeholders," Larsen said.

The merger, which will be accounted for as a pooling of interests, is expected
to be consummated by April 30, 1998, pending CoreStates and First Union
shareholder approval, regulatory approval and other customary conditions of
closing. In connection with the execution of the merger agreement, CoreStates
granted First Union an option to purchase, under certain circumstances, up to
19.9 percent of CoreStates's outstanding shares of common stock. In addition,
First Union granted CoreStates an option to purchase, under certain
circumstances, up to 9.9 percent of First Union's outstanding shares of common
stock.

Media contacts are Tish Signet and Mary Eshet of First Union at 800-669-5855,
and Gary Brooten and George Biechler of CoreStates at 215-973-3546. Investor
contacts are Alice Lehman of First Union at 704-374-4139, and George Karklins of
CoreStates at 215-973-4185.

                                     --END--





<PAGE>

Cautionary Statement
================================================================================

This presentation contains certain estimates and projections regarding each of
First Union Corporation, CoreStates Financial Corp and the combined company
following the merger, including estimates and projections relating to cost
savings, enhanced revenues and accretion to illustrative earnings that may be
realized from the merger, and certain restructuring charges expected to be
incurred in connection with the merger. These estimates and projections
constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which involve significant risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed
in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference
include, but are not limited to, those discussed in First Union Corporation's
Current Report of Form 8K, dated November 18, 1997, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, to which report reference is hereby made.




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates          exhibit 1

<PAGE>

Transaction Rationale
================================================================================

o Financially Attractive
     oo Accretive in 1999
     oo Meets 18 month test

o Strategically Compelling
     oo Leading position in Mid-Atlantic

o In-Market Deal
     oo Low-risk transaction
     oo Wealthy, desirable market
     oo Demonstrated ability to integrate quickly

o Business Leverage




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates             exhibit 2           Transaction Rationale

<PAGE>


Terms of Transaction
================================================================================

Fixed Exchange Ratio               1.62 First Union shares for each
                                   CoreStates share

Indicated Purchase Price
Per Share                          $83.84

Indicated Total Price              $16.6 Billion

Accounting Method                  Pooling of interests

First Union Shares Issued(1)       320.1 million, representing 33% pro forma
                                   CoreStates ownership

Expected Closing                   End of April 1998

Expected Conversion                Beginning of November 1998





(1) Excludes  issuance of an estimated  4.9 million  shares  required to qualify
transaction for pooling-of-interest accounting treatment.

Based on closing prices as of November 14, 1997.



================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates             exhibit 3               Transaction Terms


<PAGE>


Favorable Transaction for First Union
================================================================================

Premium to Market                  18%

Price to Book Value                5.3x

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   First      CoreStates     Comparable
                                   Union     Transaction    Acquisitions(1)
                                   -----     -----------    ---------------

Multiple to:
- ------------

1998 Estimated Earnings(2)         13.2x         19.8x(2)       19.5x

1998 Estimated Earnings(3)                       11.5x(3)       11.4x
     Adjusted for Synergies

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


(1)  Comparable acquisitions represent 3 bank transactions with deal values over
     $3 billion announced since January 1997. (Excludes  transactions  involving
     First Union.)

(2)  Based on First Call  consensus  estimates  as of November  14,  1997.  Such
     estimates are used for  illustrative  purposes only and are not intended to
     be projections.

(3)  Includes run-rate  synergies.  Excludes pre-tax and post-tax  restructuring
     charges  of $1,195  million  and $795  million,  respectively,  or $.81 per
     share,  and  pre-tax  and  post-tax  gains on deposit  divestitures  of $70
     million and $44  million,  respectively,  or $.04 per share  expected to be
     taken in 2nd quarter of 1998.

Note: Closing prices as of November 14, 1997.


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates             exhibit 4               Transaction Terms


<PAGE>



Opportunity for Higher Performance
================================================================================

                                             CoreStates + FTU
                                             1997 Pro Forma(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ROE                                               20.66%
EPS Growth                                           11%
ROA                                                1.50%
Overhead Efficiency Ratio                         54.90%
Fee Income/Revenue                                 34.6%
Tier 1 Leverage                                    6.87%
NCO/Average Loans(2)                               66bps


(1)  Includes  only First Union and  CoreStates  results  for nine months  ended
     9/30/97 and excludes restructuring charges.

(2)  Annualized rate.


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates             exhibit 5               Higher Perfomance


<PAGE>


Strategically Compelling:
Why First Union?
================================================================================



o    First Union's technology leadership

o    Strength of retail products and systems

o    Accelerates Capital Markets capabilities

o    Compatible values and vision for customers, employees and communities

o    Value for our shareholders



================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates           exhibit 6                    Why First Union


<PAGE>


Strategically Compelling:
The Power of the Combined Franchise
================================================================================


o    No. 1 deposit share in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

o    33% market share in Philadelphia, 4th largest MSA

o    Per capita income 12% higher than national average



September 30, 1997 (pro forma)*       |         Map of PA, NJ, DE 
Assets:            $74.6 billion      |         [GRAPHIC OMITTED] 
Loans:             $53.1 billion      |           
Deposits:          $53 billion        |         
Branches:          1,100              |
ATMs               1,380              |   o  CoreStates Branches
                                      |   oo First Union Branches


*    Includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware region prior to
     divestitures.

================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates           exhibit 7               Powerful Combination


<PAGE>

Strategically Compelling:
Regional Banking
================================================================================


o    #1 Consumer lender in region

     oo   37% Market share 

     oo   50% Household penetration

o    #1 SBA lender

o    25% Small business market penetration


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates           exhibit 8                   Regional Banking

<PAGE>

Strategically Compelling:
Global and Specialized Banking
================================================================================


o    #1 Middle Market and Commercial Bank

o    32% Market Share

o    Leader in Specialized Industries

o    National Leader in Cash Management

o    Congress Financial Corporation

o    International


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates           exhibit 9     Global and Specialized Banking

<PAGE>

Strategically Compelling:
Congress Financial
================================================================================


o    Strong Financial Performer

     oo   3% ROA

     oo   20% CAGR in earnings since 1987

o    Conservative credit culture

     oo   .66% Net Charge-Offs (1987-1996)

o    Over $3 Billion in managed assets

o    12 offices in North America and London

o    90% of customers outside of region


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates           exhibit 10                Congress Financial

<PAGE>

Strategically Compelling:
International
================================================================================


o    Represented in 23 countries

o    Cash Management, Trade Finance, Foreign Exchange

o    1,200 banking relationships in 80 countries

o    Leadership positions

     oo   L/Cs

     oo   International check processing

     oo   Correspondent bank balances

     oo   EXIM Bank programs


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates           exhibit 11                     International

<PAGE>


Strategically Compelling:
Superior Financial Performance (1)(2)
================================================================================

 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

                                      ROE

                        Rank          Year         Percent
                        ----          ----         -------
                          5           1995          19.4%
                          5           1996          20.1%
                          1           1997          23.3%
                                  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

                                      ROA

                        Rank          Year         Percent
                        ----          ----         -------
                          5           1995           1.6%
                          3           1996           1.8%
                          4           1997           1.8%

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

 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

                                      NIM

                        Rank          Year         Percent
                        ----          ----         -------
                          3           1995           5.5%
                          4           1996           5.5%
                          4           1997           5.3%

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

 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

                                Efficiency Ratio

                        Rank          Year         Percent
                        ----          ----         -------
                          5           1995          57.8%
                          4           1996          54.4%
                          5           1997          53.0%


(1) 1997 data annualized for nine months ended 9/30/97. Such annualized data are
not intended to be projections for the full year.

(2) Ranking among the 25 largest banks as defined by SNL, excluding
non-recurring items. 1995 rankings treat CoreStates as if it were among the 25
largest banks at that time.




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates          exhibit 12              Financial Performance



<PAGE>


Financially Attractive
Accretive to Earnings
================================================================================
                                              1998                 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $mm        EPS       $mm        EPS
                                         ---        ---       ---        ---
 1   First Union(1)                     $2,558     $3.91     $2,891     $4.34
 2   CoreStates(1)                         859      4.23        953      4.65
Estimated After-tax Adjustments                              
- -------------------------------                              
 3   Expense Efficiencies                 $258       .26       $459       .46
 4   Revenue Enhancements                   58       .06         89       .09
 5   Earnings on Excess Capital(2)          44       .04         78       .08
 6   Divestitures                          (15)     (.01)       (15)     (.01)
                                        ------     -----     ------     -----
 7   Total Adjustments                    $345       .35       $611       .62
                                        ------     -----     ------     -----
 8   Total Earnings                                          
     on Combined Shares(3)              $3,762     $3.82     $4,455     $4.46
                                        ------               ------          
 9   Accretion to Earnings per share               ($.09)                $.12
10   Total Cash Earnings on Combined                         
     Shares(3)                          $4,133     $4.20     $4,826     $4.83
11   Leverage Ratio                       7.48%                8.15%

(1)  1998 First Union and CoreStates earnings per share are based on First Call
     consensus estimates and exclude restructuring charges. 1999 earnings per
     share are not First Call estimates. Such earnings are based on First
     Union's 1998 First Call consensus earnings per share plus 11% and
     CoreStates's 1998 First Call consensus earnings per share plus 10%. Such
     earnings estimates are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not
     intended to be projections.

(2)  Based on CoreStates's capital in excess of a 6% leverage ratio.

(3)  Assumes 985 million shares outstanding in 1998 and 999 million shares
     outstanding in 1999.




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates          exhibit 13                 Financial Benefits



<PAGE>


Financially Attractive:
Significant Synergy Opportunities
================================================================================

o    Projected expense efficiencies of $723 million (pre-tax)

     oo   45% of CoreStates 1997 annualized expenses

     oo   Synergies fully phased in by 1999

o    Projected fee revenue enhancements of $194 million

     oo   21% of CoreStates 1997 annualized fee revenues

     oo   Synergies begin immediately

o    Increase CoreStates fees/revenue ratio to First Union level




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates          exhibit 14                          Synergies



<PAGE>


Financially Attractive:
Estimated Expense Reductions
================================================================================

($ Millions)                                                  1998         1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Banking Units                                                 $208         $370
Staff and Other                                                103          184
Automation & Operations                                         95          169
                                                              ----         ----
Total Pre-Tax Expense Efficiencies                            $406         $723
% CoreStates Controllable Expense Base*                         26%          45%
Total After-Tax Expense Efficiencies                          $258         $459


*Excludes intangible amortization, Trust Preferred expense and other
non-controllable expenses.




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates          exhibit 15               Expense Efficiencies


<PAGE>


Financially Attractive:
Significant Branch Overlap
================================================================================

o    55% of CoreStates Branches are within 2 miles of a First Union Branch

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

           [MAP OF PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY AND DELAWARE SHOWING THE
                    BRANCHES OF CORESTATES AND FIRST UNION]

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




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates          exhibit 16                     Branch Overlap


<PAGE>

Estimated Merger
Restructuring Charges
================================================================================

                                                                    ($ millions)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Severance and Relocation                                               $305

Contracts and Fixed Assets                                             $255

Real Estate Consolidations                                             $200

Systems Conversions                                                    $200

Charitable Support                                                     $100

Other                                                                  $135
                                                                     ------

Total Pre-Tax Charges                                                $1,195
Total After-Tax Charges                                                $795

================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates           exhibit 17             Restructuring Charges

<PAGE>

Financially Attractive:
Estimated Revenue Opportunities
================================================================================

($ Millions)                                               1998             1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Markets                                             $90            $130

Capital Management                                           18              45

Other                                                        15              19
                                                           ----            ----

Total Revenue Enhancements                                 $123            $194

Revenue Enhancements
After taxes and expenses                                    $58             $89

Fee Income/Total Revenue                                     31%             34%


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates           exhibit 18                           Revenue


<PAGE>

First Union
Integration Expertise
================================================================================

                                        All Acquisitions since 1993       FFB
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets ($ Millions)                                  $66,000            $35,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost Savings                                              45%                18%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Months to Integration                                    2.7                  6

Acquisitions                                              21


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates           exhibit 19             Integration Expertise


<PAGE>

Exceeded Goals at First Fidelity
================================================================================


                                                            % Actual
                                   Goals       Results      vs. Goal

($ in Millions)

Revenue Enhancements(1)             $79          $89          +13%

Expense Efficiencies(1)            $106         $125          +18%
                                   ----         ----

Total                              $185         $214
                                   ====         ====








(1) Pre-tax results based on internal management reporting for 1996.




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates             exhibit 20                 First Fidelity

<PAGE>


Business Leverage:
Commercial Banking & Capital Markets
================================================================================


- ----------------------------------      ----------------------------------------
CoreStates                              First Union
- ----------------------------------      ----------------------------------------
o  Strong middle market & small         o  Full range of FTU/Wheat Capital
   business banking relationships          Markets services available

o  Strong specialized industry          o  Strong specialized industry groups
   groups                                  and Wheat First research focus

o  Well-developed International         o  Broad FTU customer base can
   operations                              leverage off CoreStates network

o  Nationally ranked Cash               o  #4 in Cash Management focused
   Management focused on large             on middle market. Top 5 ranking
   corporate market                        in information reporting via PC
                                           and Internet

o  Congress Financial asset-based       o  Extends current asset-based
   leader                                  product offerings to textile and
                                           furniture customer base

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



================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates             exhibit 21              Business Leverage

<PAGE>


Business Leverage:
Consumer Banking & Capital Management
================================================================================


- ----------------------------------      ----------------------------------------
CoreStates                              First Union
- ----------------------------------      ----------------------------------------
o  Strong home equity originator,       o  Increase FTU national ranking to #2
   leader in region

o  #1 consumer bank in region, 50%      o  Powerful CMG products and
   household penetration                   services

o  Large corporate and personal         o  CMG products and services, money
   trust business                          management opportunities, etc.

o  $33 billion managed, $285            o  Adds to assets under management,
   billion administered                    8th largest

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


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates             exhibit 22              Business Leverage

<PAGE>


Business Leverage:
Advanced Technology
================================================================================


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Union
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

o  Single systems platform, year 2000 prepared

o  Powerful marketing technology (SOLD, Einstein, Data Warehouse)

o  Direct (telephone) Banking

o  PC Banking



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





================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates             exhibit 23              Business Leverage

<PAGE>



Conclusion
================================================================================


o  Financially Attractive

o  Strategically Compelling

o  In-Market Deal

o  Business Leverage





================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates             exhibit 24                     Conclusion

<PAGE>



First Union and CoreStates:
The Power of the Combined Franchise
===============================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   ------------------------------ 
September 30, 1997(1)                                              Map of Eastern United States   
                                                                       [GRAPHIC OMITTED]          
<S>                          <C>                                   <C>
Assets:                      $204 billion                          New Haven, CT               
Loans:                       $137 billion                          Bergen-Passaic Counties, NJ 
Deposits:                    $133 billion                          Middlesex County, NJ       
Equity:                      $15 billion                           Harrisburg, PA              
                                                                   Baltimore, MD               
#1                           in deposits on East Coast             Roanoke, VA                 
                                                                   Columbus, GA                
Nationally Ranked:                                                 Tampa, FL                   
#1                           small-business banking                Fort Meyers, FL             
#2                           home equity lending                   Miami, FL                   
#3                           cash management                       Scranton-Wilkes Barre, PA   
Top 5                        middle-market lending                 Reading, PA                 
#16                          provider of mutual funds(2)           Newark, NJ                  
#2                           2,766 branches                        Monmouth-Ocean, NJ          
#5                           3,570 ATMs                            Trenton, NJ                 
Leadership position          in specialized banking,               Allentown, PA               
                             commercial leasing,                   Philadelphia, PA            
                             international, asset-based finance    Washington, D.C.            
                                                                   Richmond-Petersburg, VA     
                                                                   Norfolk, VA                 
                                                                   Greensboro, NC              
                                                                   Charlotte, NC               
                                                                   Augusta-Aiken, GA           
                                                                   Jacksonville, FL            
                                                                   Daytona Beach, FL           
                                                                   Orlando, FL                 
                                                                   West Palm Beach, FL         
                                                                   Fort Lauderdale, FL         

                                                                      No. 1, 2 or 3 ranking in
                                                                      21 of the 30 largest MSAs
                                                                         on the East Coast
                                                                   ------------------------------ 
</TABLE>

(1)  Pro forma, including the pending Signet, Covenant and Wheat First
     acquisitions

(2)  Also includes conversion of $7.1 billion of common trust assets.

================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION     CoreStates           exhibit 25             Powerful Combination


<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION


        Map of Eastern United States

             [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

                    NY
                    PA
                    CT
                    NJ                               A Powerful
                    MD                              Combination!
                    DC
                    DE
                    VA
                    TN
                    NC
                    SC
                    GA
                    FL

[LOGO]
CoreStates
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION     CoreStates          exhibit 26

<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION





                            Supplemental Information







[LOGO]
CoreStates
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


Dividend Growth
================================================================================


 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

Current Dividend Annualized

In Dollars


Year                   Dollars
- ----                   -------
1978                     .15
1979                     .16
1980                     .17
1981                     .18
1982                     .20
1983                     .23
1984                     .25
1985                     .29
1986                     .33
1987                     .39
1988                     .43
1989                     .50
1990                     .54
1991                     .56
1992                     .64
1993                     .75
1994                     .86
1995                     .98
1996                    1.10
Current                 1.28


================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION     CoreStates                                                     1

<PAGE>



Growth in Fee Income
================================================================================
1996 vs. 1995                               YTD 97 vs. YTD 96                   
- ------------------------------------        ------------------------------------
Wells Fargo                  84.34%*        First Union                  37.16% 
Norwest                      37.97%         ------------------------------------
Bankers Trust                36.60%+        Barnett                      31.87%*
J.P. Morgan                  31.74%+        NationsBank                  30.28%*
First Union                  25.65%         PNC Bank                     28.74% 
- ------------------------------------        Wells Fargo                  21.79%*
Bank of New York             20.84%         Bankers Trust                20.99%+
Banc One                     19.99%*        Republic New York            18.97% 
NationsBank                  18.45%*        Mellon                       17.76% 
Fleet Financial              18.38%*        KeyCorp                      17.35% 
Mellon Bank Corp             16.71%         Norwest                      15.48% 
First Bank System            15.66%         Suntrust                     14.96% 
Wachovia                     13.86%         CoreStates                   14.93% 
                                            
                                                                      

Data from SNL Securities and corporate earnings releases.

Excludes securities gains and losses and unusual or nonrecurring gains and
losses.

* Growth rate substantially affected by accounting treatment of acquisitions.

+ Significant growth in trading income.




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates                                                      2


<PAGE>


Asset Quality: Average Net Charge-Offs
1987 - 1996
================================================================================
1.     0.54      Suntrust                     13.    1.01      Banc One         
2.     0.56      First Union                  14.    1.16      Fleet Financial  
- ---------------------------------------       15.    1.16      Wells Fargo      
3.     0.56      Wachovia                     16.    1.17      Bank of Boston   
4.     0.63      KeyCorp                      17.    1.00      First Bank System
5.     0.67      Barnett Banks                18.    1.20      Norwest          
6.     0.68      Republic New York            19.    1.45      First Chicago    
7.     0.73      National City Corp.          20.    1.46      Bank of New York 
8.     0.81      Nationsbank                  21.    1.46      Chase Manhattan  
9.     0.83      J.P. Morgan                  22.    1.49      Mellon Bank Corp 
10.    0.84      PNC Bank                     23.    1.55      Citicorp         
11.    0.98      BankAmerica                  24.    1.78      Bankers Trust    
12.    1.00      Corestates                   
                                           

Originally reported data. 1995 data reflects 1/1/96 merger with First Fidelity.




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates                                                      3


<PAGE>


First Union: Productivity and Profitability
================================================================================

                         1990           1993          1996          YTD 97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overhead

Efficiency*              60.8%          57.8          54.1          52.0
                                                                    
ROA                      0.79%          1.20          1.31          1.41
ROE                      12.5%          17.4          18.9          19.8


*    Overhead efficiency excluding OREO and intangibles amortization. Overhead
     efficiency, ROA and ROE before SAIF and merger-related charges.

================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates                                                      4



<PAGE>


First Union and CoreStates Markets:
Over 36% of Nation's Gross State Product
================================================================================

 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

                New Jersey                             3.7%
                Pennsylvania                           4.5%
                Delaware                               0.4%
                New York                               8.3%
                Florida                                4.5%
                North Carolina                         2.7%
                Virginia                               2.6%
                Georgia                                2.6%
                Maryland                               1.9%
                Tennessee                              1.8%
                Connecticut                            1.7%
                South Carolina                         1.2%
                Washington, D.C.                       0.7%
                                                     

Source: U.S. Statistical Abstract 1996.




================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION    CoreStates                                                      5


<PAGE>




Concentration of Companies with
Annual Sales $20 MM - 250 MM+
================================================================================


Together, the First Union footprint accounts for over 36% of the 
total national middle-market companies.

  [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]


                New Jersey                    4.2%
                Pennsylvania                  5.0%
                Delaware                      0.4%
                New York                      8.4%
                Florida                       4.6%
                Georgia                       2.8%
                North Carolina                2.4%
                Virginia                      2.2%
                Tennessee                     1.9%
                Connecticut                   1.8%
                Maryland                      1.7%
                South Carolina                1.0%
                Washington, D.C.              0.4%


  Source: Dun & Bradstreet

================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION         CoreStates                                                6



<PAGE>



New Corporate Facilities and Expansions
1994-1996
================================================================================


  [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]


                First Union States            6,651
                East North Central            5,626
                West North Central            2,787
                East South Central            2,165
                Pacific                       1,064
                West South Central              920
                Mountain                        889
                New England                     290


First Union States: DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, NJ, NY, PA.
                    Excludes TN.
Source: Site Selection Magazine, February 1997

================================================================================
[LOGO]
FIRST UNION         CoreStates                                                7



<PAGE>





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