HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INC/MD
S-4/A, 1997-07-30
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
   
       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 1997
                                 Registration No. 333-30461 and 333-30461-01
                                                     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                      ------------------------------------
                               AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                      TO
                                    FORM S-4
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                      ------------------------------------
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                    <C> 
                HUNTINGTON  BANCSHARES                                                           HUNTINGTON
                     INCORPORATED                                                                 CAPITAL I
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)                     (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                                                                           
                       Maryland                                                                    Delaware
             (State or other jurisdiction                                                (State or other jurisdiction
           of incorporation or organization)                                           of incorporation or organization)
                                                                           
                         6711                                                                        6719
             (Primary Standard Industrial                                                (Primary Standard Industrial
              Classification Code Number)                                                 Classification Code Number)
                                                                           
                      31-0724920                                                                  31-1546176
                   (I.R.S. Employer                                                            (I.R.S. Employer
                  Identification No.)                                                         Identification No.)
                                       ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                           
                   Huntington Center                                                c/o Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
                 41 South High Street                                                          Huntington Center
                 Columbus, Ohio 43287                                                        41 South High Street
                    (614) 480-8300                                                           Columbus, Ohio 43287
                                                                                                (614) 480-8300
   
(Address, including zip code, and telephone                                        (Address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of Registrant's                                       number, including area code, of Registrant's
     principal executive offices)                                                            principal executive offices)
    
</TABLE>

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

                             Ralph K. Frasier, Esq.
                          General Counsel and Secretary
                       Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
                     Huntington Center; 41 South High Street
                              Columbus, Ohio 43287
                                 (614) 480-4647
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                      ------------------------------------

                          Copies of Correspondence to:
                               Mary Beth M. Clary
                         Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur
                       4501 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 400
                           Naples, Florida 34103-3013
                      ------------------------------------
   

    

<PAGE>   2


   
PROSPECTUS 
                                  $200,000,000
                              HUNTINGTON CAPITAL I
             OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS FLOATING RATE CAPITAL SECURITIES
           WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
       FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING FLOATING RATE CAPITAL SECURITIES

                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
     FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT DESCRIBED HEREIN BY
                       HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED
       The Exchange Offer and Withdrawal Rights will expire at 5:00 p.m.,
            New York City Time, on September 2, 1997, unless extended.

     Huntington Capital I, a statutory business trust created under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby offers, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus (as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus") and in the accompanying Letter
of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange Offer"), to exchange up
to $200,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined herein) of its Floating
Rate Capital Securities (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the
"New Capital Securities"), which have been registered under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement
(as defined herein) of which this Prospectus constitutes a part, for a like
Liquidation Amount of its outstanding Floating Rate Capital Securities
(Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security) (the "Old Capital Securities"),
of which $200,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount is outstanding as of the
date hereof. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Huntington Bancshares
Incorporated, a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), is also exchanging (i)
its guarantee with respect to the payment of Distributions (as defined herein)
and other payments on liquidation or redemption of the Old Capital Securities
(the "Old Guarantee") for a like guarantee with respect to the New Capital
Securities (the "New Guarantee"), and (ii) all of its outstanding Floating Rate
Junior Subordinated Debentures (the "Old Subordinated Debentures"), of which
$206,186,000 aggregate principal amount is outstanding, for a like aggregate
principal amount of its Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures (the "New  
Subordinated Debentures"). The New Guarantee and $200,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of the New Subordinated Debentures also have been registered
under the Securities Act. The Old Capital Securities, the Old Guarantee, and
the Old Subordinated Debentures are collectively referred to herein as the "Old
Securities" and the New Capital Securities, the New Guarantee, and the New
Subordinated Debentures are collectively referred to herein as the "New
Securities."
    

     The terms of the New Securities are identical in all material respects to
the respective terms of the Old Securities, except that (i) the New Securities
have been registered under the Securities Act and therefore will not be subject
to certain restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Securities, (ii) the
New Capital Securities will not provide for any increase in the distribution
rate thereon, and (iii) the New Subordinated Debentures will not provide for any
increase in the interest rate thereon. See "Description of New Securities" and
"Description of Old Securities." The New Capital Securities are being offered
for exchange in order to satisfy certain obligations of the Company and the
Trust under a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 1997 (the
"Registration Rights Agreement"), among the Company, the Trust, and the Initial
Purchasers (as defined herein) of the Old Capital Securities. In the event that
the Exchange Offer is consummated, any Old Capital Securities which remain
outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer and the New Capital
Securities issued in the Exchange Offer will vote together as a single class for
purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in
outstanding Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions or exercised
certain rights under the Declaration (as defined herein).

                                                        (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
   
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 18 HEREOF FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION
RELEVANT TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES INCLUDING THE PERIOD AND
CIRCUMSTANCES DURING AND UNDER WHICH PAYMENT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE NEW CAPITAL
SECURITIES MAY BE DEFERRED AND CERTAIN RELATED UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES.
    
   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.

     THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK AND
       ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR
                        ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
<PAGE>   3
   
                  The date of this Prospectus is July  , 1997
     


                                        2
<PAGE>   4
(cover page continued)

     The New Capital Securities represent undivided beneficial ownership
interests in the assets of the Trust. The Company is the owner of all of the
beneficial ownership interests represented by common securities of the Trust
(the "Common Securities"; together with the Capital Securities (as defined
herein), the "Trust Securities"). The Trust exists for the sole purpose of
issuing the Trust Securities and investing the proceeds thereof in the
Subordinated Debentures (as defined herein). The Subordinated Debentures will
mature on February 1, 2027 (the "Stated Maturity"). The Capital Securities will
have a preference under certain circumstances with respect to Distributions and
amounts payable on liquidation, redemption, or otherwise over the Common
Securities. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of Capital
Securities -- Subordination of Common Securities."

   
     As used herein, (i) the "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of
January 31, 1997, relating to the Subordinated Debentures, as amended and
supplemented from time to time, between the Company and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as trustee (the "Indenture Trustee"), (ii) the "Declaration" means the
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust relating to the Trust, dated as of
January 31, 1997, among the Company, as Sponsor, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Property Trustee (the "Property Trustee"), The Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as
Delaware Trustee (the "Delaware Trustee"), and three individuals who are
employees or officers of, or who are affiliated with, the Company (the "Regular
Trustees," and collectively with the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee,
the "Declaration Trustees"); (iii) the "Guarantee Agreement" means the 
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of January 31, 1997, between the Company and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), providing a 
guarantee, on the terms and conditions described herein, for the benefit of
holders of the Capital Securities. In addition, as the context may require,
unless expressly stated otherwise, (i) the "Capital Securities" means the Old
Capital Securities and the New Capital Securities, (ii) the "Subordinated
Debentures" means the Old Subordinated Debentures and the New Subordinated
Debentures, and (iii) the "Guarantee" means the Old Guarantee and the New
Guarantee.

    
     Holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to receive cumulative
cash distributions accruing from the date of original issuance of the Old
Capital Securities and payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of January,
April, July, and October of each year, commencing April 30, 1997, at a variable
annual rate equal to LIBOR (as defined herein) plus .70% on the Liquidation
Amount of $1,000 per Capital Security ("Distributions"). The final Distributions
will be payable on February 1, 2027, and will accrue from the last distribution
payment date prior to such date up to and including January 31, 2027. The
distribution rate and the distribution payment dates and other payment dates for
the Capital Securities correspond to the interest rate and interest payment
dates and other payment dates on the Subordinated Debentures, which are the
sole assets of the Trust. The Company guaranteed the payment of
Distributions and payments on liquidation of the Trust or redemption of the
Capital Securities, but only in each case to the extent of funds held by the
Trust, as described herein. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of
Guarantee." If the Company does not make interest payments on the Subordinated
Debentures held by the Trust, the Trust will have insufficient funds to pay
Distributions on the Capital Securities. The Company's obligations under the
Guarantee, taken together with its obligations under the Subordinated Debentures
and the Indenture, including its obligation to pay all costs, expenses, and
liabilities of the Trust (other than with respect to the Capital Securities),
constitute a full and unconditional guarantee of all of the Trust's obligations
under the Capital Securities. The obligations of the Company under the Guarantee
and the Subordinated Debentures are subordinate and junior in right of payment
to all Indebtedness (as defined in "Description of New Securities -- Description
of Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination") of the Company and are
structurally subordinated to all liabilities and obligations of the Company's
subsidiaries. As of March 31, 1997, approximately $369.3 million aggregate
principal amount of Indebtedness was outstanding, and the Company's subsidiaries
had approximately $19.5 billion of indebtedness and other liabilities 
(including $13.9 billion of bank deposits). The terms of the Subordinated 
Debentures place no limitation on the amount of Indebtedness that may be 
incurred by the Company or on the amount of liabilities and obligations of the 
Company's subsidiaries. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of 
Subordinated Debenture -- Subordination."

     The Company has the right to defer payment of interest on the Subordinated
Debentures at any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding 20
consecutive quarters with respect to each deferral period (each, an "Extension
Period"), provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated
Maturity of the Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination of any such
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due on any Interest Payment


                                        3
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(cover page continued)
    
Date (as defined herein), the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period
subject to the requirements set forth herein. Accordingly, there could be
multiple Extension Periods of varying lengths throughout the term of the
Subordinated Debentures. If interest payments on the Subordinated Debentures are
so deferred, distributions on the Capital Securities will also be deferred and
the Company may not, and may not permit any subsidiary of the Company to, (i)
declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire,
or make a liquidation payment with respect to, the Company's capital stock or
(ii) make any payment of principal, interest, or premium, if any, on or repay,
repurchase, or redeem any debt securities that rank pari passu with or junior to
the Subordinated Debentures or make any guarantee payments with respect to any
guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company
if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debentures
(other than (a) repurchases, redemptions, or other acquisitions of shares of
capital stock of the Company in connection with any employment contract, benefit
plan, or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of any one or more
employees, officers, directors, or consultants, or in connection with a dividend
reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan, (b) as a result of an exchange
or conversion of any class or series of the Company's capital stock (or any
capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any other class or series of
the Company's capital stock or of any class or series of the Company's
indebtedness for any class or series of the Company's capital stock, (c) the
purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock
pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the
security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with any stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock,
or other property under any stockholders' rights plan, or the redemption or
repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of stock,
warrants, options, or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock
issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options, or other rights is the same
stock as that on which the dividend is being paid (or ranks pari passu with or
junior to such stock)). During an Extension Period, interest on the Subordinated
Debentures will continue to accrue (and the amount of Distributions to which
holders of the Capital Securities are entitled will accumulate) at a variable
rate equal to LIBOR plus .70%, compounded quarterly, and holders of the Capital
Securities will be required to accrue interest income for United States federal
income tax purposes prior to receipt of the cash related to such interest
income. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of Subordinated
Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" and "Certain United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount."

     The Subordinated Debentures are not redeemable prior to February 1, 2007,
unless a Special Event (as defined herein) has occurred. The Subordinated
Debentures are redeemable prior to maturity at the option of the Company,
subject to the receipt of any necessary prior approval from the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve") (i) on or after
February 1, 2007, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the
principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures so redeemed plus the accrued and
unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date, or (ii) at any time, in whole
(but not in part), upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, at
such redemption price. The Capital Securities are subject to mandatory
redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures
at Stated Maturity or their earlier redemption, in an amount equal to the amount
of related Subordinated Debentures maturing or being redeemed and at a
redemption price equal to the redemption price of such Subordinated Debentures,
in each case plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of
redemption.

     Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, the Company will
have the right, subject to the receipt of any necessary prior approval from the
Federal Reserve, to dissolve the Trust and cause the Subordinated Debentures to
be distributed to the holders of the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities in liquidation of the Trust. See "Description of New Securities --
Description of Capital Securities -- Redemption -- Special Event Redemption or
Distribution of Subordinated Debentures."

     In the event of the liquidation of the Trust, after satisfaction of the
claims of creditors of the Trust, if any, as provided by applicable law, the
holders of the Capital Securities will be entitled to receive a Liquidation
Amount of $1,000 per Capital Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions
thereon to the date of payment, which may be in the form of a distribution of
such amount in Subordinated Debentures as described above. If such Liquidation
Amount can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets
available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Amount, then the amounts
payable directly by the Trust on the Capital Securities shall be paid on a pro
rata basis. The holder of the Common Securities will be entitled to receive
distributions upon any such liquidation pro rata with the holders of the Capital
Securities, except that if an Indenture Event of Default (as defined herein) has
occurred and is continuing, the Capital Securities will have a priority over the
Common Securities. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of Capital
Securities -- Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution."

     The Trust is making the Exchange Offer of the New Capital Securities in
reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as set forth in
certain interpretive letters addressed to third parties in other transactions.
However, neither the Company nor the Trust has


                                        4
<PAGE>   6
   
(cover page continued)
    
sought its own interpretive letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff
of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a similar
determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive
letters to third parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance, and subject to the two immediately following
sentences, the Company and the Trust believe that New Capital Securities issued
pursuant to this Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities may be
offered for resale, resold, and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other
than a holder who is a broker-dealer) without further compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act,
provided that such New Capital Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of
such holder's business and that such holder is not participating, and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities.
However, any holder of Old Capital Securities who is an "affiliate" of the
Company or the Trust within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act (an
"Affiliate") or who intends to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose
of distributing New Capital Securities, or any broker-dealer who purchased Old
Capital Securities from the Trust to resell pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act ("Rule 144A") or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act, (i) will not be able to rely on the interpretations of the staff
of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission set forth in the
above-mentioned interpretive letters, (ii) will not be entitled to tender such
Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, and (iii) must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any sale or other transfer of such Old Capital Securities unless
such sale is made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements. In addition,
as described below, if any broker-dealer (a "Participating Broker-Dealer") holds
Old Capital Securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making
or other trading activities and exchanges such Old Capital Securities for New
Capital Securities, then such Participating Broker-Dealer must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resales of such New Capital Securities.

     Each holder of Old Capital Securities who wishes to exchange Old Capital
Securities for New Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer will be required to
represent that (i) it is not an Affiliate, (ii) any New Capital Securities to be
received by it are being acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii)
it has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a
distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital
Securities, and (iv) if such holder is not a broker-dealer, such holder is not
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning
of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities. The Letter of Transmittal
contains the foregoing representations. In addition, the Company and the Trust
may require such holder, as a condition to such holder's eligibility to
participate in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to the Company and the Trust (or
an agent thereof) in writing information as to the number of "beneficial owners"
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act")) on behalf of whom such holder holds the Old
Capital Securities to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer. Each Participating
Broker-Dealer that receives New Capital Securities for its own account pursuant
to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have acknowledged by execution of the
Letter of Transmittal or delivery of an Agent's Message (as defined herein) that
it acquired the Old Capital Securities for its own account as the result of
market-making activities or other trading activities and must agree that it will
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
Participating Broker-Dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. Based on the position
taken by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission in
the interpretive letters referred to above, the Company and the Trust believe
that Participating Broker-Dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery
requirements with respect to the New Capital Securities received upon exchange
of such Old Capital Securities (other than Old Capital Securities which
represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old Capital
Securities) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act,
which may be the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so long as it
contains a description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of
such New Capital Securities. Accordingly, this Prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer
during the period referred to below in connection with resales of New Capital
Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities where such Old
Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own
account as a result of market-making or other trading activities. Subject to
certain provisions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
and the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in
connection with resales of such New Capital Securities for a period ending 180
days after the Expiration Date (as defined herein) or, if earlier, when all such
New Capital Securities have been disposed of by such Participating
Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of Distribution." Any person, including any
Participating Broker-Dealer, who is an Affiliate may not rely on such
interpretive letters and must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
transaction. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of New Capital Securities."


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(cover page continued)
    
     In that regard, each Participating Broker-Dealer who surrenders Old Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed, by
execution of the Letter of Transmittal or delivery of an Agent's Message, that,
upon receipt of notice from the Company or the Trust of the occurrence of any
event or the discovery of any fact which makes any statement contained or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus untrue in any material respect or
which causes this Prospectus to omit to state a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference herein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or of the
occurrence of certain other events specified in the Registration Rights
Agreement, such Participating Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of New Capital
Securities pursuant to this Prospectus until the Company or the Trust has
amended or supplemented this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission
and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to such
Participating Broker-Dealer, or the Company or the Trust has given notice that
the sale of the New Capital Securities may be resumed, as the case may be.

   
     New Capital Securities issued in registered, global form will be
deposited with a custodian for and registered in the name of a nominee of The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and beneficial interests in such New Capital
Securities will be shown on and transfers thereof will be effected through
records maintained by DTC and its participants.

     The Old Capital Securities were listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
as of January 31, 1997.  Old Capital Securities not exchanged in the Exchange
Offer will remain listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.  The Company
currently does not intend to apply for listing of the Old Capital Securities or
the New Capital Securities on any securities exchange in the United States or
for quotation through the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation System, but the Old Capital Securities are eligible for trading in
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.'s Private Offerings,
Resales, and Trading through Automatic Linkages (PORTAL) market.

     Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been only a limited secondary market
and no public market in the United States for the Old Capital Securities. The
New Capital Securities will be a new issue of securities for which there
currently is no market. Application has been made to list the New Capital       
Securities on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. There can be no assurance as to
the development or liquidity of any market for the New Capital Securities. 
    

     Any Old Capital Securities not tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer
will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all the same rights and will be
subject to the same limitations applicable thereto under the Declaration (except
for those rights which terminate upon consummation of the Exchange Offer). 
Following consummation of the Exchange Offer, the holders of Old Capital
Securities will continue to be subject to all of the existing restrictions upon
transfer thereof and neither the Company nor the Trust will have any further
obligation to such holders (other than under certain limited circumstances) to
provide for registration under the Securities Act of the Old Capital Securities
held by them. To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and
accepted in the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old
Capital Securities could be adversely affected. See "Risk Factors --
Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities."

     THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE URGED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS
AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO
TENDER THEIR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

   
     Old Capital Securities may be tendered for exchange on or prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on September 2, 1997 (such time on such date being
hereinafter called the "Expiration Date"), unless the Exchange Offer is extended
by the Company and the Trust (in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall
mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended). Tenders
of Old Capital Securities may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the
Expiration Date. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum
Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered for exchange.
However, the Exchange Offer is subject to certain events and conditions which
may be waived by the Company or the Trust and to the terms and provisions of the
Registration Rights Agreement. Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole
or in part having a Liquidation Amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities) and or any integral multiple of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (One
Capital Security) in excess thereof. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses
of the Exchange Offer, except as otherwise specified herein. See "The Exchange
Offer -- Fees and Expenses." Each New Capital Security will pay cumulative
Distributions from the most recent Distribution Date (as defined herein) on the
Old Capital Securities surrendered in exchange for such New Capital Securities.
Holders of the Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted
for exchange will not receive accumulated Distributions on such Old Capital
Securities for any period from and after the last Distribution Date on such Old
Capital Securities prior to the original issue date of the New Capital
Securities and will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any
Distributions on such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and after such
Distribution Date. This Prospectus, together with the Letter of Transmittal, is
being sent to all registered holders of Old Capital Securities as of July 31,
1997.
    

     Neither the Company nor the Trust will receive any proceeds from the
issuance of the New Capital Securities offered hereby. No dealer-manager is
being used in connection with this Exchange Offer. See "Use of Proceeds" and
"Plan of Distribution."

     THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED
HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM
CHERI GRAY, INVESTOR RELATIONS ANALYST, HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES


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10

(cover page continued)

INCORPORATED, HUNTINGTON CENTER, 41 SOUTH HIGH STREET, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43287,
TELEPHONE NUMBER 614-480-3803. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE
DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY AUGUST 25, 1997.
    

   
     THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES WILL BE ISSUED, AND CAPITAL SECURITIES MAY BE 
TRANSFERRED, ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN 
$100,000. ANY TRANSFER, SALE, OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES IN A 
BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE 
VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT 
TO BE THE HOLDER OF SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO THE RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON SUCH CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND SUCH 
TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN SUCH CAPITAL 
SECURITIES. EACH HOLDER OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WHO TENDERS SUCH OLD CAPITAL 
SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THIS EXCHANGE OFFER WILL, BY PARTICIPATING IN THE 
EXCHANGE OFFER AND EXECUTING THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, BE DEEMED TO HAVE 
AGREED AND CONSENTED TO (A) THIS TRANSFER RESTRICTION ON THE NEW CAPITAL 
SECURITIES, AND (B) THE PLACEMENT OF A LEGEND TO THE FOREGOING EFFECT ON EACH 
CERTIFICATE EVIDENCING THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES, WHICH AGREEMENT AND CONSENT 
SHALL BE BINDING UPON SUCH HOLDER AND ALL SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
    

     NO EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OR OTHER PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT SUBJECT
TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED,
OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (EACH, A
"PLAN"), NO ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE "PLAN ASSETS" BY REASON OF
ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY (A "PLAN ASSET ENTITY"), AND NO PERSON
INVESTING "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING IS COVERED BY THE
EXEMPTIVE RELIEF PROVIDED BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION
CLASS EXEMPTION ("PTCE") 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER
APPLICABLE EXEMPTION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR
HOLDER OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE
REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER (A) THE PURCHASER
AND HOLDER IS NOT A PLAN OR A PLAN ASSET ENTITY AND IS NOT PURCHASING SUCH
SECURITIES ON BEHALF OF OR WITH "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN OR (B) THE PURCHASE
AND HOLDING OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES IS COVERED BY THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF
PROVIDED BY PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE
EXEMPTION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING.


                                        7
<PAGE>   9
   
                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Page

<S>                                                                                            <C>
Available Information .......................................................................   8
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference ...........................................   9
Summary .....................................................................................  10
Risk Factors ................................................................................  18
The Trust ...................................................................................  23
The Company..................................................................................  24
Selected Financial Data of the Company ......................................................  25
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges ..........................................................  26
Capitalization ..............................................................................  26
Use of Proceeds .............................................................................  27
Accounting Treatment ........................................................................  27
Exchange Offer ..............................................................................  27
Description of New Securities ...............................................................  37
Description of Old Securities ...............................................................  57
Relationship Among the Capital Securities, the Subordinated Debentures, and the Guarantee ...  57
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences .......................................  59
Book-Entry Issuance .........................................................................  64
Benefit Plan Considerations .................................................................  67
Plan of Distribution ........................................................................  68
Legal Matters ...............................................................................  69
Experts .....................................................................................  69
</TABLE>

    



         NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES
DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER
TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION
IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF SUCH
INFORMATION.


                                        8
<PAGE>   10
                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act. Any reports and other information filed by the
Company with the Commission may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices in
Chicago, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and in
New York, 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of
such material may also be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of
the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. Such material may also be accessed electronically by
means of the Commission's home page on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov).

         The Company and the Trust have filed with the Commission a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the
securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain portions of which
have been omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission.
For further information with respect to the Company and the securities offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
financial statements, notes, and schedules filed as part thereof or incorporated
by reference therein, which may be inspected at the public reference facilities
of the Commission, at the addresses set forth above. Statements made in this
Prospectus concerning the contents of any documents referred to herein are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance are qualified in all respects by
reference to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.

         No separate financial statements of the Trust have been included herein
and no separate financial statements will be prepared in the future. The Company
and the Trust do not consider that such financial statements would be material
to holders of the securities offered hereby because (i) all of the voting
securities of the Trust will be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company,
(ii) the Trust has no independent operations and exists for the sole purpose of
issuing securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of
the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in the representative series of
Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company, and (iii) the obligations of the
Trust under its Capital Securities are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
the Company to the extent the Trust has funds available to meet such
obligations. In addition, the Company does not expect that the Trust will be
filing reports under the Exchange Act with the Commission.


                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

         The following documents, which have been filed by the Company with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus to the extent provided below:
   
        (i)    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996;
        (ii)   Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
               1997; and
        (iii)  Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated January 15, 1997, April 9,
               1997, May 5, 1997, June 19, 1997, and July 30, 1997.
    
         All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14, or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date hereof and prior to the termination of
the offering hereunder shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for all purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or 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 this Prospectus.

         The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy
of this Prospectus has been delivered, on the written or oral request of such
person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above that have been
or may be incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, other than exhibits to
such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference
therein. Requests for such copies should be directed to: Cheri Gray,


                                        9
<PAGE>   11

Investor Relations Analyst, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, Huntington
Center, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43287, telephone number
614-480-3803. In addition, such documents are available, free of charge, from
Chase Manhattan Bank Luxembourg S.A. 5 Rue Plaetis, L-2338, Luxembourg.



                                       10
<PAGE>   12
                                     SUMMARY


         The following information is a summary of certain information contained
herein and should be read in conjunction with such information contained
elsewhere in this Prospectus and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, such information. Capitalized terms used herein have the
respective meanings ascribed to them elsewhere in this Prospectus.

                                   THE COMPANY

         The Company, a multi-state bank holding company incorporated under the
laws of the State of Maryland in 1966, is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. At
March 31, 1997, the Company had total assets of approximately $21.6 billion and
total deposits of approximately $13.9 billion. The Company, through its
affiliates, conducts a full service commercial and consumer banking business,
engages in mortgage banking, lease financing, trust services, discount brokerage
services, underwriting credit life and disability insurance, and issuing
commercial paper guaranteed by the Company, and provides other financial
products and services. At March 31, 1997, the Company's affiliates had 202
banking offices in Ohio and Northern Kentucky, 43 banking offices in West
Virginia, 43 banking offices in Michigan, 43 banking offices in Florida, 24
banking offices in Indiana, and one foreign office in the Cayman Islands. In
addition, the Company's mortgage company affiliate has loan origination offices
throughout the Midwest and East Coast. The principal executive offices of the
Company are located at Huntington Center, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio
43287 (telephone number 614-480-8300).


                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

   
General.......................  Up to $200,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount
                                of New Capital Securities are being offered in
                                exchange for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount
                                of Old Capital Securities. Old Capital
                                Securities may be tendered for exchange in whole
                                or in part in a Liquidation Amount of $100,000
                                (100 Capital Securities) or any integral
                                multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided
                                that if any Old Capital Securities are tendered
                                in exchange for part, the untendered Liquidation
                                Amount must be $100,000 or any integral multiple
                                of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company and the
                                Trust are making the Exchange Offer in order to
                                satisfy their obligations under the Registration
                                Rights Agreement relating to the Old Capital
                                Securities. For a description of the procedures
                                for tendering Old Capital Securities, see "The
                                Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old
                                Capital Securities." 

Expiration Date..............   The Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer will
                                be 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
                                September 2, 1997, unless the Exchange
                                Offer is extended by the Company and the Trust.
                                See "The Exchange Offer -- Expiration Date;
                                Extensions; Amendments."
    
Conditions to
    Exchange Offer...........   The Exchange Offer is subject to certain
                                conditions, which may be waived by the Company
                                and the Trust in their sole discretion. The
                                Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any
                                minimum Liquidation Amount of Old Capital
                                Securities being tendered. See "The Exchange
                                Offer -- Conditions to Exchange Offer." The
                                Company and the Trust reserve the right in their
                                sole discretion, subject to applicable law, at
                                any time and from time to time, (i) to delay the
                                acceptance of the Old Capital Securities for
                                exchange, (ii) to terminate the Exchange Offer
                                if certain specified conditions have not been
                                satisfied, (iii) to extend the Expiration Date
                                of the Exchange Offer and retain all Old Capital
                                Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange
                                Offer, subject, however, to the right of holders
                                of Old Capital Securities to withdraw their
                                tendered Old Capital Securities, or (iv) to
                                waive any condition or otherwise amend the terms
                                of the Exchange Offer in any respect. See "The
                                Exchange Offer -- Expiration Date; Extensions;
                                Amendments."
   
Withdrawal Rights............   Tenders of Old Capital Securities may be
                                withdrawn at any time on or prior to the
                                Expiration Date by delivering a written notice
                                of such withdrawal to The Chase Manhattan Bank,
                                as Exchange Agent (the "Exchange Agent"), or  
                                Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise, as Special
                                Luxembourg Exchange Agent ("Special Luxembourg
                                Exchange Agent"), in conformity with certain    
                                procedures set forth below under "The Exchange
                                Offer -- Withdrawal Rights."
    

                                       11
<PAGE>   13
   
Procedures for Tendering
   Old Capital Securities....   Tendering holders of Old Capital Securities must
                                complete and sign a Letter of Transmittal in
                                accordance with the instructions contained
                                therein and forward the same by mail, facsimile,
                                or hand delivery, together with any other
                                required documents, to the Exchange Agent or
                                the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent, either
                                with the Old Capital Securities to be tendered
                                or in compliance with the specified procedures
                                for guaranteed delivery of Old Capital
                                Securities. Certain brokers, dealers,
                                commercial banks, trust companies, and other
                                nominees may also effect tenders by book-entry
                                transfer, including an Agent's Message in lieu
                                of the Letter of Transmittal. Holders of Old
                                Capital Securities registered in the name of a  
                                broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company,
                                or other nominee are urged to contact such
                                person promptly if they wish to tender Old
                                Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange
                                Offer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures
                                for Tendering Old Capital Securities." Letters
                                of Transmittal and certificates representing
                                Old Capital Securities should not be sent to
                                the Company or the Trust. Such documents should
                                only be sent to the Exchange Agent or the 
                                Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent. Questions 
                                regarding how to tender and requests for 
                                information should be directed to the Exchange 
                                Agent. See "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange 
                                Agent and the Special Luxembourg Exchange 
                                Agent."
    

Resales of New Capital
    Securities................  The Company and the Trust are making the
                                Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of
                                the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance
                                of the Commission as set forth in certain
                                interpretive letters addressed to third parties
                                in other transactions. However, neither the
                                Company nor the Trust has sought its own
                                interpretive letter and there can be no
                                assurance that the staff of the Division of
                                Corporation Finance of the Commission would make
                                a similar determination with respect to the
                                Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive
                                letters to third parties. Based on these
                                interpretations by the staff of the Division of
                                Corporation Finance, and subject to the two
                                immediately following sentences, the Company and
                                the Trust believe that New Capital Securities
                                issued pursuant to this Exchange Offer in
                                exchange for Old Capital Securities may be
                                offered for resale, resold, and otherwise
                                transferred by a holder thereof (other than a
                                holder who is a broker-dealer) without further
                                compliance with the registration and prospectus
                                delivery requirements of the Securities Act,
                                provided that such New Capital Securities are
                                acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's
                                business and that such holder is not
                                participating, and has no arrangement or
                                understanding with any person to participate, in
                                a distribution (within the meaning of the
                                Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities.
                                However, any holder of Old Capital Securities
                                who is an Affiliate or who intends to
                                participate in the Exchange Offer for the
                                purpose of distributing the New Capital
                                Securities, or any broker-dealer who purchased
                                the Old Capital Securities from the Trust to
                                resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other
                                available exemption under the Securities Act,
                                (i) will not be able to rely on the
                                interpretations of the staff of the Division of
                                Corporation Finance of the Commission set forth
                                in the above-mentioned interpretive letters,
                                (ii) will not be permitted or entitled to tender
                                such Old Capital Securities in the Exchange
                                Offer, and (iii) must comply with the
                                registration and prospectus delivery
                                requirements of the Securities Act in connection
                                with any sale or other transfer of such Old
                                Capital Securities unless such sale is made
                                pursuant to an exemption from such requirements.
                                In addition, as described below, any
                                Participating Broker-Dealer must deliver a
                                prospectus meeting the requirements of the
                                Securities Act in connection with any resales of
                                such New Capital Securities.

                                Each holder of Old Capital Securities that
                                wishes to exchange Old Capital Securities for
                                New Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer
                                will be required to represent that (i) it is not
                                an Affiliate, (ii) any New Capital Securities to
                                be received by it are being acquired in the
                                ordinary course of its business, (iii) it has no
                                arrangement or understanding with any person to
                                participate in a distribution (within the
                                meaning of the Securities Act) of such New
                                Capital Securities, and (iv) if such holder is
                                not a broker-dealer, such holder is not engaged
                                in, and does not intend to engage in, a
                                distribution (within the meaning of the
                                Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities.
                                The Letter of Transmittal contains the foregoing
                                representations. Each Participating
                                Broker-Dealer will be deemed to have
                                acknowledged by execution of the Letter of
                                Transmittal or delivery of an Agent's Message
                                that it acquired the Old Capital


                                       12
<PAGE>   14
                                Securities for its own account as the result of
                                market-making activities or other trading
                                activities and must agree that it will deliver a
                                prospectus meeting the requirements of the
                                Securities Act in connection with any resale of
                                such New Capital Securities. The Letter of
                                Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and
                                by delivering a prospectus, a Participating
                                Broker-Dealer will not be deemed to admit that
                                it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
                                Securities Act. Based on the position taken by
                                the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance
                                of the Commission in the interpretive letters
                                referred to above, the Company and the Trust
                                believe that Participating Broker-Dealers may
                                fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements
                                with respect to the New Capital Securities
                                received upon exchange of such Old Capital
                                Securities (other than Old Capital Securities
                                which represent an unsold allotment from the
                                original sale of the Old Capital Securities)
                                with a prospectus meeting the requirements of
                                the Securities Act, which may be the prospectus
                                prepared for an exchange offer so long as it
                                contains a description of the plan of
                                distribution with respect to the resale of such
                                New Capital Securities. Accordingly, this
                                Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented
                                from time to time, may be used by a
                                Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with
                                resales of New Capital Securities received in
                                exchange for Old Capital Securities where such
                                Old Capital Securities were acquired by such
                                Participating Broker-Dealer for its own account
                                as a result of market-making or other trading
                                activities. Subject to certain provisions set
                                forth in the Registration Rights Agreement and
                                to the limitations described below under "The
                                Exchange Offer -- Resale of New Capital
                                Securities," the Company and the Trust have
                                agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be
                                amended or supplemented from time to time, may
                                be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in
                                connection with resales of such New Capital
                                Securities for a period ending 180 days after
                                the Expiration Date or, if earlier, when all
                                such New Capital Securities have been disposed
                                of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. See
                                "Plan of Distribution." Any person, including
                                any Participating Broker-Dealer, who is an
                                Affiliate may not rely on such interpretive
                                letters and must comply with the registration
                                and prospectus delivery requirements of the
                                Securities Act in connection with any resale
                                transaction. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales
                                of New Capital Securities."
   
Exchange Agent...............   The Exchange Agent is The Chase Manhattan Bank.
                                The address and telephone and facsimile numbers
                                of the Exchange Agent are set forth under "The
                                Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent and the
                                Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent" and in the
                                Letter of Transmittal.

Special Luxembourg
    Exchange Agent............  The Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent is 
                                Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise.  The address
                                and telephone number of the Special Luxembourg
                                Exchange Agent are set forth under "The
                                Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent and the Special
                                Luxembourg Exchange Agent" and in the Letter of
                                Transmittal.

    
Use of Proceeds.............    Neither the Company nor the Trust will receive
                                any proceeds from the issuance of the New
                                Capital Securities offered hereby. See "Use of
                                Proceeds."

Certain Tax and ERISA
    Considerations............  Holders of Old Capital Securities should review
                                the information set forth under "Certain United
                                States Federal Income Tax Considerations" and 
                                "ERISA Considerations" prior to tendering 
                                Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer.


                               THE NEW SECURITIES

General.......................  The Capital Securities represent undivided
                                beneficial ownership interests in the assets of
                                the Trust. The holders thereof will be entitled
                                to a preference in certain circumstances with
                                respect to Distributions and amounts payable on
                                redemption, liquidation, or otherwise over the
                                Common Securities. See "Description of New
                                Securities -- Description of Capital Securities
                                -- Subordination of Common Securities." The sole
                                assets of the Trust are the Subordinated
                                Debentures, and payments under the Subordinated
                                Debentures will be the sole revenue of the
                                Trust. The Subordinated Debentures are unsecured
                                subordinated debt securities issued under the
                                Indenture.

Securities Offered...........   The Trust is offering up to $200,000,000
                                aggregate Liquidation Amount of its Capital
                                Securities which have been registered under the
                                Securities Act (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per
                                Capital Security). The New Capital Securities
                                will be issued, and the Old Capital Securities
                                were issued, under the Declaration. The New
                                Capital Securities and any Old Capital
                                Securities which remain outstanding after
                                consummation of the


                                       13
<PAGE>   15
                                Exchange Offer will constitute a single series
                                of Capital Securities under the Declaration, and
                                accordingly, will vote together as a single
                                class for purposes of determining whether
                                holders of the requisite percentage in
                                outstanding Liquidation Amount thereof have
                                taken certain actions or exercised certain
                                rights under the Declaration. See "Description
                                of New Securities -- Description of Capital
                                Securities." The terms of the New Capital
                                Securities are identical in all material
                                respects to the terms of the Old Capital
                                Securities, except that the New Capital
                                Securities have been registered under the
                                Securities Act and therefore are not subject to
                                certain restrictions on transfer applicable to
                                the Old Capital Securities and will not provide
                                for any increase in the distribution rate
                                thereon. See "The Exchange Offer -- Purpose and
                                Effect of Exchange Offer," "Description of New
                                Securities," and "Description of Old
                                Securities."

Distributions.................  Holders of the Capital Securities will be
                                entitled to receive cumulative Distributions at
                                a variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus .70%
                                on the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per Capital
                                Security, accruing from the date of original
                                issuance of the Old Capital Securities and
                                payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of
                                January, April, July, and October of each year
                                commencing on April 30, 1997, to the persons in
                                whose names the Capital Securities are
                                registered at the close of business on the
                                relevant record dates. See "Description of New
                                Securities -- Description of Capital
                                Securities." The final Distributions will be
                                payable on February 1, 2027, and will accrue
                                from the last distribution payment date prior to
                                such date up to and including January 31, 2027.
                                The distribution rate and the distribution and
                                other payment dates for the Capital Securities
                                will correspond to the interest rate and
                                interest and other payment dates on the
                                Subordinated Debentures. See "Description of New
                                Securities -- Description of Capital
                                Securities."

                                Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old
                                Capital Securities are accepted for exchange
                                will not receive accumulated Distributions on
                                such Old Capital Securities for any period from
                                and after the last Distribution Date with
                                respect to such Old Capital Securities prior to
                                the original issue date of the New Capital
                                Securities and will be deemed to have waived the
                                right to receive any Distributions on such Old
                                Capital Securities accumulated from and after
                                such Distribution Date.

Subordinated Debentures......   The Subordinated Debentures mature on February
                                1, 2027. The Subordinated Debentures rank
                                subordinate and junior in right of payment to
                                all Indebtedness of the Company to the extent
                                described herein. In addition, the Company's
                                obligations under the Subordinated Debentures
                                are effectively subordinated to all existing and
                                future liabilities and obligations of its
                                subsidiaries. See "Risk Factors -- Ranking of
                                Subordinated Obligations Under the Guarantee and
                                the Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of
                                New Securities -- Description of Subordinated
                                Debentures -- Subordination."

Guarantee.....................  The payment of Distributions out of moneys held
                                by the Trust and payments on liquidation of the
                                Trust or the redemption of Capital Securities
                                are guaranteed by the Company to the extent the
                                Trust has funds available therefor. If the
                                Company does not make principal or interest
                                payments on the Subordinated Debentures, the
                                Trust will not have sufficient funds to make
                                Distributions on the Capital Securities, in
                                which event the Guarantee shall not apply to
                                such Distributions until the Trust has
                                sufficient funds available therefor. The
                                Company's obligations under the Guarantee, taken
                                together with its obligations under the
                                Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture,
                                including its obligation to pay all costs,
                                expenses, and liabilities of the Trust (other
                                than with respect to the Capital Securities),
                                constitute a full and unconditional guarantee of
                                all of the Trust's obligations under the Capital
                                Securities. See "Description of New Securities
                                -- Description of Guarantee" and "Relationship
                                Among the Capital Securities, the Subordinated
                                Debentures, and the Guarantee." The obligations
                                of the Company under the Guarantee are
                                subordinate and junior in right of payment to
                                all Indebtedness of the Company to the extent
                                described herein. See "Risk Factors -- Ranking
                                of Subordinated Obligations Under the Guarantee
                                and the Subordinated Debentures" and
                                "Description of New Securities -- Description of
                                Guarantee."


                                       14
<PAGE>   16
Right to Defer Interest....     The Company has the right to defer payment of
                                interest on the Subordinated Debentures by
                                extending the interest payment period on the
                                Subordinated Debentures, from time to time, for
                                up to 20 consecutive quarters. There could be
                                multiple Extension Periods of varying lengths
                                throughout the term of the Subordinated
                                Debentures. If interest payments on the
                                Subordinated Debentures are so deferred,
                                distributions on the Capital Securities will
                                also be deferred for an equivalent period and
                                the Company may not, and may not permit any
                                subsidiary of the Company to, (i) declare or pay
                                any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
                                purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment
                                with respect to, the Company's capital stock, or
                                (ii) make any payment of principal, interest, or
                                premium, if any, on, or repay, repurchase, or
                                redeem any debt securities that rank pari passu
                                with or junior to the Subordinated Debentures or
                                make any guarantee payments with respect to any
                                guarantee by the Company of the debt securities
                                of any subsidiary of the Company if such
                                guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior to the
                                Subordinated Debentures (other than (a)
                                repurchases, redemptions, or other acquisitions
                                of shares of capital stock of the Company in
                                connection with any employment contract, benefit
                                plan, or other similar arrangement with or for
                                the benefit of any one or more employees,
                                officers, directors, or consultants, or in
                                connection with a dividend reinvestment or
                                stockholder stock purchase plan, (b) as a result
                                of an exchange or conversion of any class or
                                series of the Company's capital stock (or any
                                capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company)
                                for any other class or series of the Company's
                                capital stock or of any class or series of the
                                Company's indebtedness for any class or series
                                of the Company's capital stock, (c) the purchase
                                of fractional interests in shares of the
                                Company's capital stock pursuant to the
                                conversion or exchange provisions of such
                                capital stock or the security being converted or
                                exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in
                                connection with any stockholders' rights plan,
                                or the issuance of rights, stock, or other
                                property under any stockholders' rights plan, or
                                the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant
                                thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of
                                stock, warrants, options, or other rights where
                                the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon
                                exercise of such warrants, options, or other
                                rights is the same stock as that on which the
                                dividend is being paid (or ranks pari passu with
                                or junior to such stock)). During an Extension
                                Period, interest on the Subordinated Debentures
                                will continue to accrue (and the amount of
                                Distributions to which holders of the Capital
                                Securities are entitled will accumulate) at a
                                variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus .70%,
                                compounded quarterly. During an Extension
                                Period, holders of Capital Securities will be
                                required to include the interest (and the de
                                minimis original issue discount ("OID")) accrued
                                on their pro rata share of the Subordinated
                                Debentures in their gross income as OID even
                                though the cash payments attributable thereto
                                have not been made. See "Description of New
                                Securities -- Description of Subordinated
                                Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment
                                Period" and "Certain United States Federal
                                Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and
                                Original Issue Discount."

                                The Company has no current plan to exercise its
                                right to defer payments of interest by extending
                                the interest payment period on the Subordinated
                                Debentures. However, should the Company elect to
                                exercise such right in the future, the market
                                price of the Capital Securities is likely to be
                                affected. See "Risk Factors -- Option to Extend
                                Interest Payment Period; Tax Consequences,"
                                "Description of New Securities -- Description of
                                Subordinated Debentures," and "Certain United
                                States Federal Income Tax Consequences --
                                Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."

Redemption...................   The Subordinated Debentures are redeemable by
                                the Company in whole or in part on or after
                                February 1, 2007, or at any time, in whole but
                                not in part, upon the occurrence of a Special
                                Event, in either case subject to any necessary
                                prior approval of the Federal Reserve. If the
                                Subordinated Debentures are redeemed, the Trust
                                must redeem Trust Securities having an aggregate
                                Liquidation Amount equal to the aggregate
                                principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures
                                so redeemed. The Trust Securities will be
                                redeemed upon maturity of the Subordinated
                                Debentures. See "Description of New Securities
                                -- Description of Capital Securities --
                                Redemption -- Mandatory Redemption" and "--
                                Special Event Redemption or Distribution of
                                Subordinated Debentures."


                                       15
<PAGE>   17
                                See "Risk Factors -- Special Event Redemption;
                                Proposed Tax Law Changes Affecting Capital
                                Securities" for a discussion of certain
                                legislative proposals that, if adopted, could
                                give rise to a Tax Event (as defined herein),
                                which may permit the Corporation to cause a
                                redemption of the Capital Securities prior to
                                February 1, 2007.

                                No sinking fund will be established for the
                                benefit of the Capital Securities.

Liquidation of the Trust...     Upon the occurrence and continuation of a
                                Special Event, the Company will have the right,
                                subject to any necessary prior approval of the
                                Federal Reserve, to dissolve the Trust and cause
                                the Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to
                                the holders of the Capital Securities and the
                                Common Securities in liquidation of the Trust.
                                See "Description of New Securities --
                                Description of Capital Securities -- Redemption
                                -- Special Event Redemption or Distribution of
                                Subordinated Debentures."

                                In the event of the liquidation of the Trust,
                                after satisfaction of the claims of creditors of
                                the Trust, if any, as provided by applicable
                                law, the holders of the Capital Securities will
                                be entitled to receive a Liquidation Amount of
                                $1,000 per Capital Security plus accumulated and
                                unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of
                                payment, which may be in the form of a
                                distribution of such amount in Subordinated
                                Debentures as described above. If such
                                Liquidation Distribution (as defined herein) can
                                be paid only in part because the Trust has
                                insufficient assets available to pay in full the
                                aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the
                                amounts payable directly by the Trust on the
                                Capital Securities shall be paid on a pro rata
                                basis. The holder of the Common Securities will
                                be entitled to receive distributions upon any
                                such liquidation pro rata with the holders of
                                the Capital Securities, except that if an
                                Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is
                                continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a
                                priority over the Common Securities. See
                                "Description of New Securities -- Description of
                                Capital Securities -- Liquidation Distribution
                                Upon Dissolution."

Absence of Market for
    New Capital Securities..    The New Capital Securities will be a new issue
                                of securities for which there currently is no
                                market. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
                                Lehman Brothers Inc. and Salomon Brothers Inc,
                                the initial purchasers of the Old Capital
                                Securities (the "Initial Purchasers"), informed
                                the Company and the Trust in connection with the
                                offering of the Old Capital Securities that the
                                Initial Purchasers intended to make a market in
                                the Old Capital Securities; however, the Initial
                                Purchasers are not obligated to make a market in
                                the Old Capital Securities or the New Capital
                                Securities, and any such market-making activity
                                with respect to the Old Capital Securities or
                                the New Capital Securities may be discontinued
                                at any time without notice. Accordingly, no
                                assurance can be given that an active public or
                                other market will develop for the Old Capital
                                Securities or the New Capital Securities and no
                                representations can be made as to the liquidity
                                of or the trading market for the Old Capital
                                Securities or the New Capital Securities.

   
Listing/Applications..........  Application has been made to list the Capital 
                                Securities on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
    


                                       16
<PAGE>   18
                                  RISK FACTORS


         Holders of Old Capital Securities should carefully review the
information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus and should particularly
consider the following matters prior to tendering Old Capital Securities in the
Exchange Offer. Certain statements in this Prospectus and documents incorporated
herein by reference are forward-looking and are identified by the use of
forward-looking words or phrases such as "intended," "will be positioned,"
"expects," is or are "expected," "anticipates," and "anticipated." These
forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations. To
the extent any of the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus constitutes a "forward-looking statement" as defined in Section
21E(i)(1) of the Exchange Act, the risk factors set forth below are cautionary
statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.


RANKING OF SUBORDINATED OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE AND THE SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES
   
         The obligations of the Company under the Guarantee issued by the
Company for the benefit of the holders of Capital Securities and under the
Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and rank subordinate and junior in right
of payment to all Indebtedness of the Company to the extent described herein. At
March 31, 1997, the Indebtedness of the Company aggregated approximately $369.3
million. Because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company to
participate in any distributions of assets of any subsidiary upon such
subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of
holders of the Capital Securities to benefit indirectly from such distribution),
is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the
extent that the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of that
subsidiary. There are various legal limitations on the extent to which certain
of the Company's subsidiaries may extend credit, pay dividends or otherwise
supply funds to, or engage in transactions with, the Company. Accordingly, the
Subordinated Debentures will effectively be subordinated to all existing and
future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries, and holders of the
Subordinated Debentures should look only to the assets of the Company for
payments on the Subordinated Debentures. None of the Indenture, the Guarantee
Agreement, or the Declaration places any limitation on the amount of secured or
unsecured Indebtedness that may be incurred by the Company or on the amount of
liabilities and obligations of the Company's subsidiaries. See "Description
of New Securities -- Description of Guarantee -- Status of the Guarantee" and
"-- Description of Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination."
    
         The ability of the Trust to pay amounts due on the Capital Securities
is solely dependent upon the Company making payments on the Subordinated
Debentures as and when required.


ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES

         If a Trust Enforcement Event (as defined herein) occurs and is
continuing, then the holders of Capital Securities would rely on the enforcement
by the Property Trustee of its rights as a holder of the Subordinated Debentures
against the Company. The holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities will have the right to direct the time, method, and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee or to
direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee
under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Property Trustee to
exercise the remedies available to it as a holder of the Subordinated
Debentures. The New Capital Securities and any Old Capital Securities which
remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer will constitute a
single series of Capital Securities under the Declaration, and accordingly, will
vote together as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of
the requisite percentage in outstanding Liquidation Amount thereof have taken
certain actions or exercised certain rights under the Declaration. If the
Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights with respect to the Subordinated
Debentures held by the Trust, any record holder of Capital Securities may, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, institute legal proceedings directly
against the Company to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under such
Subordinated Debentures without first instituting any legal proceedings against
such Property Trustee or any other person or entity.

         If the Company were to default on its obligation to pay amounts payable
under the Subordinated Debentures, the Trust would lack funds for the payment of
Distributions or amounts payable on redemption of the Capital Securities or
otherwise, and, in such event, holders of the Capital Securities would not be
able to rely upon the Guarantee for payment of such amounts. However, in the
event the Company failed to pay interest on or principal of the Subordinated
Debentures on the payment date on which such payment is due and payable, then a
holder of Capital Securities may institute a proceeding directly against the
Company under the Indenture for enforcement of payment to such holder of


                                       17
<PAGE>   19
the interest on or principal of Subordinated Debentures having a principal
amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of
such holder (a "Direct Action"). In connection with such Direct Action, the
Company will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of Capital Securities
under the Declaration to the extent of any payment made by the Company to such
holder of Capital Securities in such Direct Action. Except as set forth herein,
holders of Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other
remedy available to the holders of Subordinated Debentures or assert directly
any other rights in respect of the Subordinated Debentures. See "Description of
New Securities -- Description of Capital Securities -- Trust Enforcement
Events," "-- Description of Guarantee" and "-- Description of Subordinated 
Debentures -- Indenture Events of Default."


OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD; TAX CONSEQUENCES

         The Company has the right under the Indenture to defer the payment of
interest on the Subordinated Debentures at any time or from time to time for a
period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters, provided that no Extension Period
may extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Subordinated Debentures. As a
consequence of any such deferral, quarterly Distributions on the Capital
Securities by the Trust will be deferred during any such Extension Period but
would continue to accumulate at a variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus .70%,
compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. During any such Extension
Period, the Company may not, and may not permit any subsidiary of the Company
to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase,
acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's
capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal, interest, or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase, or redeem any debt securities of the Company that
rank pari passu with or junior to the Subordinated Debentures or make any
guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt
securities of any subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu
with or junior to the Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) repurchases,
redemptions, or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in
connection with any employment contract, benefit plan, or other similar
arrangement with or for the benefit of any one or more employees, officers,
directors, or consultants, or in connection with a dividend reinvestment or
stockholder stock purchase plan, (b) as a result of an exchange or conversion of
any class or series of the Company's capital stock (or any capital stock of a
subsidiary of the Company) for any other class or series of the Company's
capital stock or of any class or series of the Company's indebtedness for any
class or series of the Company's capital stock, (c) the purchase of fractional
interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or
exchange provisions of such capital stock, or the security being converted or
exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders
rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock, or other property under any
stockholders' rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant
thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options, or other
rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such
warrants, options, or other rights is the same stock as that on which the
dividend is being paid (or ranks pari passu with or junior to such stock)).
Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further
extend the Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may exceed 20
consecutive quarters or extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Subordinated
Debentures. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all
amounts then due on any Interest Payment Date, the Company may elect to begin a
new Extension Period subject to the above requirements. See "Description of New
Securities -- Description of Capital Securities -- Distributions" and
"-- Description of Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest 
Payment Period."

         Should the Company defer payment of interest on the Subordinated
Debentures, a holder of Capital Securities will be required to accrue income (in
the form of OID) (which will include both stated interest and the de minimis OID
on the Subordinated Debentures) for United States federal income tax purposes in
respect of its pro rata share of the Subordinated Debentures held by the Trust.
As a result, a holder of Capital Securities will be required to include such
interest income in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes in
advance of the receipt of cash attributable to such interest income, and will
not receive the cash related to such income from the Trust if the holder
disposes of the Capital Securities prior to the record date for the payment of
Distributions with respect to such Extension Period. See "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and Original Issue Discount"
and "-- Sales of Capital Securities."

         The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period on the
Subordinated Debentures. However, should the Company elect to exercise such
right in the future, the market price of the Capital Securities is likely to be
adversely affected. A holder that disposes of its Capital Securities during an
Extension Period, therefore, might not receive the same return on its investment
as a holder that continues to hold its Capital Securities. In addition, as a
result of the Company's right to defer interest payments, the market price of
the Capital Securities (which represent preferred undivided beneficial interests
in the Subordinated


                                       18
<PAGE>   20
Debentures) may be more volatile than the market prices of other similar
securities where the issuer does not have such right to defer interest payments.


SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION; PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES

         Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, the Company
has the right, subject to any necessary prior approval of the Federal Reserve,
to redeem the Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part) within 90 days
following the occurrence of such Special Event and thereby cause a mandatory
redemption of the Capital Securities and Common Securities. A "Special Event"
means a Tax Event, a Regulatory Capital Event, or an Investment Company Event
(each as defined herein).
   
         Legislation was proposed by the United States Department of Treasury on
February 6, 1997, as part of President Clinton's Fiscal 1998 Budget Proposal
(the "Budget Proposal") that contains a provision which generally would deny an
interest deduction for interest paid or accrued on an instrument issued by a
corporation that (i) has a maximum term of more than 15 years and (ii) is not
shown as indebtedness on the separate balance sheet of the issuer or, where the
instrument is issued to a related party (other than a corporation), where the
holder or some other related party issues a related instrument that is not shown
as indebtedness on the consolidated balance sheet that includes the issuer and
the holder. As originally drafted, this provision was proposed to be effective
generally for debt instruments issued on or after the date of the first
Congressional committee action taken on the proposed legislation. If this
provision were to apply to the Subordinated Debentures, the Company would be
prohibited from deducting the interest on the Subordinated Debentures, which
would trigger a "Tax Event" (see below). On June 9, 1997, House Ways and Means
Committee Chairman Bill Archer released his draft proposed Revenue
Reconciliation Act of 1997 which deleted this particular provision. On June 19,
1997, the Senate Finance Committee released its approved draft of the Revenue
Reconciliation Act of 1997, which likewise did not include this particular
provision. This particular provision of the President's Proposal is not
included in the legislation currently under consideration by the Joint
Committee.
    
         Even though the most recent Congressional action does not incorporate
the President's Proposal concerning the disallowance of interest deductions on
long-term debt obligations not treated as indebtedness on the issuer's balance
sheet, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate resolution of the pending
legislation on this issue. Thus, there can be no assurance that the proposed
legislation, future legislative proposals, or final legislation will not
adversely affect the ability of the Company to deduct interest on the
Subordinated Debentures or otherwise affect the tax treatment of the
transactions described herein. Moreover, such legislation could give rise to a
Tax Event, which would permit the Company to cause a redemption of the Capital
Securities, as described more fully herein under the caption "Description of New
Securities -- Description of Capital Securities -- Redemption -- Special Event
Redemption or Substitution of Subordinated Debentures."


LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

         Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, the Company
will have the right, subject to any necessary prior approval of the Federal
Reserve, to dissolve the Trust and, after satisfaction of the claims of
creditors of the Trust, if any, as provided by applicable law, cause the
Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities in liquidation of the Trust. In addition,
upon liquidation of the Trust and certain other events, after satisfaction of
the claims of creditors of the Trust, if any, as provided by applicable law, the
Subordinated Debentures may be distributed to such holders. Under current United
States federal income tax law and interpretations thereof and assuming, as
expected, the Trust is treated as a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes, a distribution by the Trust of the Subordinated Debentures
pursuant to a liquidation of the Trust will not be a taxable event to the Trust
or to holders of the Capital Securities, and will result in a holder of the
Capital Securities receiving directly such holder's pro rata share of the
Subordinated Debentures (previously held indirectly through the Trust). If,
however, the liquidation of the Trust were to occur because the Trust is subject
to United States federal income tax with respect to income accrued or received
on the Subordinated Debentures as a result of the occurrence of a Tax Event or
otherwise, the distribution of Subordinated Debentures to holders of the Capital
Securities by the Trust could be a taxable event to the Trust and each such
holder, and holders of the Capital Securities may be required to recognize gain
or loss as if they had exchanged their Capital Securities for the Subordinated
Debentures they receive upon the liquidation of the Trust. See "Certain United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Distribution of Subordinated
Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of the Trust."

         There can be no assurance as to the market prices for Capital
Securities or Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in exchange for
Capital Securities if a liquidation of the Trust occurs. Accordingly, the
Capital Securities or the Subordinated Debentures that a holder of Capital
Securities may receive on liquidation of the Trust may trade at a discount to
the price that the investor paid to purchase the Capital Securities. See
"Description of New Securities --


                                       19
<PAGE>   21
Description of Capital Securities -- Redemption -- Special Event Redemption or
Distribution of Subordinated Debentures" and "-- Description of Subordinated 
Debentures -- General."


LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS

         Holders of Capital Securities generally will have limited voting rights
relating only to the modification of the Capital Securities and certain other
matters described herein. Holders of Capital Securities will not be entitled to
vote to appoint, remove, or replace any of the Declaration Trustees, which
voting rights are vested exclusively in the holder of the Common Securities,
unless a Declaration Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing. The
Declaration Trustees  and the Company may amend the Declaration without the
consent of holders of Capital Securities to ensure that the Trust will be
classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes even
if such action adversely affects the interests of such holders. See "Description
of New Securities -- Description of Capital Securities -- Voting Rights;
Amendment of the Declaration."


CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES

         The Old Capital Securities have not been registered under the
Securities Act or any state securities laws and therefore may not be offered,
sold, or otherwise transferred in the United States except in compliance with
the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable
securities laws, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom or in a transaction not
subject thereto, and in each case in compliance with certain other conditions
and restrictions. Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after
consummation of the Exchange Offer will continue to bear a legend reflecting
such restrictions on transfer. In addition, upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer, holders of Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding will not be
entitled to any rights to have such Old Capital Securities registered under the
Securities Act or to any similar rights under the Registration Rights Agreement
(subject to certain limited exceptions). The Company and the Trust do not intend
to register under the Securities Act any Old Capital Securities which remain
outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer (subject to such limited
exceptions, if applicable).

         To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and accepted in
the Exchange Offer, a holder's ability to sell untendered Old Capital Securities
could be adversely affected. In addition, although the Old Capital Securities
have been designated for trading in the Private Offerings, Resale, and Trading
through Automatic Linkages ("PORTAL") market, to the extent that Old Capital
Securities are tendered and accepted in connection with the Exchange Offer, any
trading market for Old Capital Securities which remain outstanding after the
Exchange Offer could be adversely affected.

         The New Capital Securities and any Old Capital Securities which remain
outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer will constitute a single
series of Capital Securities under the Declaration and, accordingly, will vote
together as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of the
requisite percentage in outstanding


                                       20
<PAGE>   22
Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions or exercised certain
rights under the Declaration. See "Description of New Securities -- Description
of Capital Securities -- General."
   
         The Old Capital Securities provide that, if a Registration Default (as
defined herein) occurs, the distribution rate borne by the Old Capital
Securities will increase by 0.25% per annum per $1,000 Liquidation Amount of Old
Capital Securities, commencing upon the occurrence of such Registration Default
until such Registration Default is cured. See "Description of Old Capital
Securities." Following consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Old Capital
Securities will not be entitled to any increase in the distribution rate
thereon. The New Capital Securities will not be entitled to any such increase in
the distribution rate thereon.
    

ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET

   
         The Old Capital Securities have not been registered under the
Securities Act and will be subject to restrictions on transferability to the
extent that they are not exchanged for the New Capital Securities. Although the
New Capital Securities will generally be permitted to be resold or otherwise
transferred by the holders (who are not Affiliates) without compliance with the
registration requirements under the Securities Act, they will constitute a new
issue of securities with no established trading market. Capital Securities may 
be transferred by the holders thereof only in blocks having a Liquidation 
Amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Capital Securities). 

         The Company and the Trust were advised by the Initial Purchasers in
connection with the offering of the Old Capital Securities that the Initial
Purchasers intended to make a market in the Old Capital Securities. However, the
Initial Purchasers are not obligated to make a market in the Old Capital
Securities or the New Capital Securities and any such market-making activity
with respect to the Old Capital Securities or the New Capital Securities may be
discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such market-making
activity will be subject to the limits imposed by the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act and may be limited during the Exchange Offer. Accordingly, no
assurance can be given that an active public or other market will develop for
the New Capital Securities or the Old Capital Securities or as to the liquidity
of or the trading market for the New Capital Securities or the Old Capital
Securities. If an active public market does not develop, the market price and
liquidity of the New Capital Securities may be adversely affected.
    

   
         If a public trading market develops for the New Capital Securities,
future trading prices of such securities will depend on many factors, including,
among other things, prevailing interest rates, results of operations of the     
Company, and the market for similar securities. Depending on prevailing
interest rates, the market for similar securities, and other factors, including
the financial condition of the Company, the New Capital Securities may trade at
a discount.
    

         Notwithstanding the registration of the New Capital Securities in the
Exchange Offer, holders who are Affiliates may publicly offer for sale or resell
the New Capital Securities only in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144
under the Securities Act.

         Each Participating Broker-Dealer that receives New Capital Securities
for its own account must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. See "Plan of
Distribution."

   
EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES

         Issuance of the New Capital Securities in exchange for Old Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after a timely
receipt by the Exchange Agent or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent of such
Old Capital Securities, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal or Agent's Message in lieu thereof, and all other required  
documents. Therefore, holders of the Old Capital Securities desiring to tender
such Old Capital Securities in exchange for New Capital Securities should allow
sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. None of the Company, the Trust, the
Exchange Agent, or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent are under any duty to
give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to the tenders of
Old Capital Securities for exchange.
    

CONSEQUENCES OF HIGHLY LEVERAGED TRANSACTION

         The Indenture does not contain any provisions that afford holders of
the Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction, including a change of control, or other similar transactions
involving the Company that may adversely affect such holders. See "Description
of New Securities -- Description of Subordinated Debentures."


                                       21
<PAGE>   23
                                    THE TRUST


         The Trust is a statutory business trust created under the Delaware
Business Trust Act, as amended (the "Trust Act"), pursuant to the Declaration
and the filing of a certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware. The Company acquired the Common Securities in an aggregate
Liquidation Amount equal to $6,186,000, which is 3% of the total capital of the
Trust. The Trust used all the proceeds derived from the issuance of the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities to purchase the Subordinated Debentures
and, accordingly, the assets of the Trust consist solely of the Subordinated
Debentures. The Trust exists for the exclusive purpose of (i) issuing the Trust
Securities representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets
of the Trust, (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust Securities in the
Subordinated Debentures, and (iii) engaging in only those other activities
necessary or incidental thereto. The Declaration does not limit the aggregate
liquidation amount of Trust Securities that may be issued thereunder, provided
that prior to issuing any additional Trust Securities, the Declaration Trustees
shall have received an opinion of counsel to the effect that the issuance of
such Trust's Securities will not affect the Trust status as a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes.

         The Trust's business and affairs are conducted by the Declaration
Trustees, consisting of three Regular Trustees, who are employees or officers of
or who are affiliated with the Company; The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property
Trustee; and The Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, which maintains its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware, as Delaware Trustee. The Chase
Manhattan Bank also acts as the Guarantee Trustee and the Indenture Trustee.

         The Property Trustee holds title to the Subordinated Debentures for the
benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities, and the Property Trustee has the
power to exercise all rights, powers, and privileges with respect to the
Subordinated Debentures under the Indenture pursuant to which the Subordinated
Debentures are issued, as the holder of such Subordinated Debentures. In
addition, the Property Trustee maintains exclusive control of a segregated
non-interest bearing bank account (the "Property Account") to hold all payments
made in respect of the Subordinated Debentures for the benefit of the holders of
the Trust Securities. The Guarantee Trustee holds the Guarantee for the benefit
of the holders of the Capital Securities. The Company, as the holder of all the
Common Securities, has the right to appoint, remove, or replace any of the
Declaration Trustees and to increase or decrease the number of Declaration
Trustees, provided there must always be a Delaware Trustee, a Property Trustee,
and a Regular Trustee.

         Under the Indenture, the Company, as borrower, has agreed to pay all
fees and expenses related to the organization and operations of the Trust
(including any taxes, duties, assessments, or governmental charges of whatever
nature (other than withholding taxes) imposed by the United States or any other
domestic taxing authority upon the Trust) and be responsible for all debts and
obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Capital Securities).
See "Description of New Securities -- Description of Capital Securities --
Expenses and Taxes" and "-- Description of Subordinated Debentures -- Certain
Covenants of the Company."

         For so long as the Capital Securities remain outstanding, the Company
has covenanted (i) to maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership of the
Common Securities, (ii) to cause the Trust to remain a statutory business trust
and not to voluntarily dissolve, wind-up, liquidate, or be terminated, except as
permitted by the Declaration, (iii) to use its commercially reasonable efforts
to ensure that the Trust will not be an "investment company" for purposes of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and (iv) to take no action that
would be reasonably likely to cause the Trust to be classified as an association
or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes.
   
         The Declaration and the Guarantee Agreement incorporate by reference 
the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. The rights of the holders of the Capital
Securities, including economic rights, rights to information, and voting
rights, are set forth in the Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act. See
"Description of New Securities -- Description of Capital Securities."
    

         The location of the principal executive office of the Trust is
Huntington Center, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43287.



                                       22
<PAGE>   24
                                   THE COMPANY


         The Company, a multi-state bank holding company incorporated under the
laws of the State of Maryland in 1966, is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. At
March 31, 1997, the Company had total assets of approximately $21.6 billion and
total deposits of approximately $13.9 billion. The Company, through its
affiliates, conducts a full service commercial and consumer banking business,
engages in mortgage banking, lease financing, trust services, discount brokerage
services, underwriting credit life and disability insurance, and issuing
commercial paper guaranteed by the Company, and provides other financial
products and services. At March 31, 1997, the Company's affiliates had 202
banking offices in Ohio and Northern Kentucky, 43 banking offices in West
Virginia, 43 banking offices in Michigan, 43 banking offices in Florida, 24
banking offices in Indiana, and one foreign office in the Cayman Islands. In
addition, the Company's mortgage company affiliate has loan origination offices
throughout the Midwest and East Coast. The principal executive offices of the
Company are located at Huntington Center, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio
43287 (telephone number 614-480-8300).

         Effective as of June 30, 1997, all but one of the Company's banking
subsidiaries were merged into its wholly owned principal banking subsidiary, The
Huntington National Bank. In February 1997, the Company completed the
acquisition of Citi-Bancshares, Inc., a $548 million bank holding company
headquartered in Leesburg, Florida. On May 5, 1997, the Company entered into an
agreement to acquire First Michigan Bank Corporation, a bank holding company
located in Holland, Michigan, with assets and deposits of $3.6 billion and $3.0
billion, respectively, as of March 31, 1997. On May 22, 1997, the Company
entered into an agreement to acquire The Bank of Winter Park, a Florida
state-chartered bank located in Winter Park, Florida, with assets and deposits
of $90 million and $82.5 million, respectively, as of March 31, 1997. Although
the Company has no other acquisitions pending, the Company continues to explore
other opportunities to acquire banking and non-banking companies, both
interstate and intrastate.



                     SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY
   

         The following selected financial data of the Company for the five years
ended December 31, 1996, have been derived from the Company's audited
consolidated financial statements. The selected financial data for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, have been derived from unaudited
consolidated financial statements and reflect all adjustments (consisting of
normal recurring accruals) that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for
a fair presentation of such data. Operating results for the three months ended
March 31, 1997, are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.
This data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements, related notes, and other financial information of the Company
incorporated by reference herein.
    

BALANCE SHEET DATA (IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            MARCH 31,                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                   -------------------------   -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1997          1996          1996          1995          1994          1993          1992
                                   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Total assets ..................    $21,603,478   $20,137,982   $20,851,513   $20,254,598   $17,770,640   $17,618,707   $16,246,526
Securities available for sale..      4,897,160     4,954,577     4,743,933     4,721,144     3,304,493     3,840,064       399,221
Investment securities .........         59,662        74,213        60,444        67,604       475,692       359,345     3,931,907
Loans .........................     14,869,139    13,369,308    14,260,747    13,261,667    12,064,436    10,953,928     9,514,516
Allowance for loan losses .....        208,763       197,375       199,058       194,456       200,492       211,835       153,654
Deposits ......................     13,940,274    13,006,213    13,385,891    12,636,582    11,965,067    12,044,690    11,747,942
Long-term debt ................      1,909,869     1,985,806     1,556,326     2,103,024     1,214,052       762,310       478,872
Common stock ..................    $ 1,264,664    $1,056,209   $ 1,264,664   $ 1,056,209   $   912,318   $   902,107   $   634,763 
Treasury stock ................       (154,822)     (193,213)     (204,634)     (180,632)      (16,577)      (15,290)       (6,069)
Capital surplus ...............        253,319       241,079       237,348       235,802       215,084       216,168       212,603
Net unrealized (losses) gains
  on securities available for
  sale ........................        (60,924)       (3,954)      (14,569)       40,972       (63,289)          --             --
Retained earnings .............        266,839       402,389       228,705       366,514       364,284       221,652        288,372
                                   -----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
Total shareholders' equity ....    $1,569,076     $1,502,510    $1,511,514    $1,518,865    $1,411,820    $1,324,637     $1,129,669
                                   ==========     ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========     ==========
</TABLE>



                                       23
<PAGE>   25
   
INCOME STATEMENT DATA (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                       MARCH 31,                            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                --------------------    ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1997        1996         1996          1995          1994          1993          1992
                                --------    --------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
<S>                             <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Interest income .............   $405,184    $374,296    $1,510,464    $1,461,896    $1,219,721    $1,236,311    $1,202,286
Interest expense ............    193,664     189,578       751,640       737,333       463,671       440,111       504,846
                                --------    --------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Net interest income ......    211,520     184,718       758,824       724,563       756,050       796,200       697,440
Provision for loan losses ...     18,892      11,823        65,050        28,721        15,284        79,294        81,562
Non-interest income .........     63,824      61,072       255,290       233,953       211,271       219,865       184,503
Securities gains ............      1,977       7,090        17,703         9,056         2,594        27,189        36,332
Non-interest expenses .......    155,315     143,496       567,946       560,403       588,157       600,169       603,278
                                --------    --------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Income before income
     taxes ..................    103,114      97,561       398,821       378,448       366,474       363,791       233,435
Provision for income taxes...     36,664      34,736       136,720       133,959       123,881       126,879        72,389
                                --------    --------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Net income ...............   $ 66,450    $ 62,825    $  262,101    $  244,489    $  242,593    $  236,912    $  161,046
                                ========    ========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========
Per Common Share(a):
   Net income ...............      $0.42       $0.38         $1.63         $1.47         $1.47         $1.45         $1.00
   Cash dividends declared ..      $0.18       $0.16         $0.68         $0.62         $0.56         $0.46         $0.40



<FN>

- ------------------
(a)  Adjusted for the 10% stock dividend to be distributed July 31, 1997

    
</TABLE>




                                       24
<PAGE>   26
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES


         The Company's consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each
of the periods indicated are set forth below (unaudited):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         THREE
                                         MONTHS
                                         ENDED                                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                        MARCH 31,     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1997           1996            1995            1994           1993            1992
                                        ---------     -----------     -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>
Earnings to Fixed Charges:
  Excluding Interest on Deposits.....      2.30           2.33            2.18            3.07           3.80            3.29
  Including Interest on Deposits.....      1.53           1.52            1.51            1.78           1.81            1.46
</TABLE>

         For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges,
earnings represent net income plus applicable income taxes and fixed charges.
Fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits, represent interest expense
(except interest on deposits), and one-third of rental expense (which is deemed
representative of the interest factor). Fixed charges, including interest on
deposits, represent the foregoing items plus interest on deposits.



                                 CAPITALIZATION


         The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the
Company and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 1997, and as adjusted to give
effect to the consummation of the offering of the Old Capital Securities. There
has been no material change in the capitalization of the Company since March 31,
1997. The following data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto of the Company and its subsidiaries
incorporated herein by reference. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference." Also show below are certain consolidated regulatory capital ratios
of the Company and its subsidiaries at March 31, 1997. The issuance of the New
Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer will have no effect on the
capitalization of the Company.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          MARCH 31, 
                                                                                            1997
                                                                                          ----------    
                                                                                         (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                          THOUSANDS)

    <S>                                                                                     <C>          
    Long-term debt:
        Direct obligations of Company ..............................................      $  329,281  
        Obligations of Company subsidiaries ........................................       1,380,588  
        Preferred Stock Issued by Subsidiaries--the Capital Securities (a) .........         200,000  
                                                                                          ----------  
           Total long-term debt ....................................................       1,909,869  
                                                                                          ----------  
    Shareholders' equity:
        Preferred stock ............................................................           --     
        Common stock ...............................................................       1,264,664  
        Treasury stock .............................................................        (154,822) 
        Capital surplus ............................................................         253,319  
        Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale .....................         (60,924) 
        Retained earnings ..........................................................         266,839  
                                                                                          ----------  
           Total shareholders' equity ..............................................       1,569,076  
                                                                                          ----------  
           Total capitalization ....................................................      $3,478,945  
                                                                                          ==========  
    Capital ratios:
        Tier 1 capital to risk-adjusted assets .....................................            8.92%             
        Total capital to risk-adjusted assets ......................................           12.34%             
        Tier 1 Leverage ............................................................            7.60%             
</TABLE>

    

- -------------------
(a)    Reflects the Capital Securities.  The Trust holds the Subordinated
       Debentures as its sole asset.  The Company owns all of the Common
       Securities of the Trust.


                                       25
<PAGE>   27
                                 USE OF PROCEEDS


         Neither the Company nor the Trust will receive any proceeds from the
issuance of the New Capital Securities offered hereby. The Old Capital
Securities surrendered in exchange for the New Capital Securities will be
retired and canceled.

         All of the net proceeds from the sale of the Old Capital Securities,
which totaled approximately $197,246,000, were invested by the Trust in the Old
Subordinated Debentures. The net proceeds from the sale of the Old Subordinated
Debentures were or will be used by the Company for general corporate purposes,
including but not limited to the repayment of existing indebtedness, the
repurchase of the Company's stock, investments in, or extensions of credit to,
the Company's subsidiaries, the financing of possible acquisitions, and general
working capital. Although the Company does not intend to use the proceeds of the
Old Capital Securities for any pending acquisition, the Company continues to
explore opportunities to acquire banking and non-banking companies, both
interstate and intrastate. The precise amounts and timing of the application of
proceeds depend upon the funding requirements of the Company and its
subsidiaries and the availability of other funds. The Company may engage in
other financings in the future.



                              ACCOUNTING TREATMENT


         For financial reporting purposes, the Trust will be treated as a
subsidiary of the Company and, accordingly, the accounts of the Trust will be
included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The Capital
Securities will be presented in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as
a component of long term debt. The Company will record Distributions payable on
the Capital Securities as interest expense in its consolidated statement of
income.



                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

   
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF EXCHANGE OFFER

         In connection with the sale of the Old Capital Securities, the Company
and the Trust entered into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Initial
Purchasers, pursuant to which the Company and the Trust agreed to file and to
use their best efforts to cause to be declared effective by the Commission a
registration statement with respect to the exchange of the Old Capital
Securities for the New Capital Securities with terms identical in all material
respects to the terms of the Old Capital Securities, except that the New Capital
Securities (i) have been registered under the Securities Act and therefore will
not be subject to certain restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital
Securities, and (ii) will not provide for any increase in the distribution rate
thereon. In that regard, the Old Capital Securities provide, among other things,
that, if the Exchange Offer is not consummated by September 11, 1997 (which
is the date that is 30 business days after the date on which the Registration
Statement was declared effective by the Commission), or if the Registration
Statement is filed and declared effective but thereafter ceases to be effective
or fails to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded within
five business days by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement
that cures such failure and that is itself immediately declared effective (a
"Registration Default"), the distribution rate borne by the Old Capital
Securities will increase by 0.25% per annum per $1,000 Liquidation Amount of Old
Capital Securities commencing upon the occurrence of such Registration Default
until such Registration Default is cured. Upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer, holders of Old Capital Securities will not be entitled to any increase in
the distribution rate thereon or any further registration rights under the
Registration Rights Agreement,
    

                                       26
<PAGE>   28
except under limited circumstances. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of a
Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities" and "Description of Old Securities."
A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.

   

         So long as the Capital Securities are listed on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange and the rules of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so require, notice of
the Exchange Offer will be published in a newspaper having a general
circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort).
    

         The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will the Trust or the
Company accept tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Capital Securities in
any jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not
be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

         Unless the context requires otherwise, the term "holder" with respect
to the Exchange Offer means any person in whose name the Old Capital Securities
are registered on the books of the Trust or any other person who has obtained a
properly completed bond power from the registered holder, or any person whose
Old Capital Securities are held of record by DTC who desires to deliver such
Old Capital Securities by book-entry transfer at DTC.

         Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Company will exchange as soon as
practicable after the date hereof, the Old Guarantee for the New Guarantee and
all of the Old Subordinated Debentures, of which $206,186,000 aggregate
principal amount is outstanding, for a like aggregate principal amount of the
New Subordinated Debentures. The New Guarantee and $200,000,000 of the New
Subordinated Debentures have been registered under the Securities Act.


TERMS OF EXCHANGE

   
         The Trust hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, to
exchange up to $200,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of New Capital
Securities for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities
properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not properly withdrawn
in accordance with the procedures described below. The Trust will issue,
promptly after the Expiration Date, an aggregate Liquidation Amount of up to
$200,000,000 of New Capital Securities in exchange for a like aggregate
Liquidation Amount of outstanding Old Capital Securities tendered and accepted
in connection with the Exchange Offer. Holders may tender their Old Capital 
Securities in whole or in part in a Liquidation Amount of not less than 
$100,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that if 
any Old Capital Securities are tendered in exchange for part, the untendered 
Liquidation Amount must be $100,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in 
excess thereof. Each holder of Old Capital Securities who tenders such Old 
Capital Securities pursuant to this Exchange Offer will, by participating in 
the Exchange Offer and executing the Letter of Transmittal, be deemed to have 
agreed and consented to (A) this transfer restriction on the New Capital 
Securities, and (B) the placement of a legend to the foregoing effect on each 
certificate evidencing the New Capital Securities, which agreement and consent 
shall be binding upon such holder and all successors and assigns.

    


         The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum Liquidation
Amount of Old Capital Securities being tendered. As of the date of this
Prospectus, $200,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Old Capital
Securities is outstanding.

         Holders of Old Capital Securities do not have any appraisal or
dissenters' rights in connection with the Exchange Offer. Old Capital Securities
which are not tendered for or are tendered but not accepted in connection with
the Exchange Offer will remain outstanding and be entitled to the benefits of
the Declaration, but will not be entitled to any further registration rights
under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances. See
"Risk Factors -- Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities"
and "Description of Old Securities."

         If any tendered Old Capital Securities are not accepted for exchange
because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth
herein or otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Capital Securities
will be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder thereof promptly
after the Expiration Date.

         Holders who tender Old Capital Securities in connection with the
Exchange Offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or,
subject to the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes with
respect to the exchange of Old Capital Securities in connection with the
Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges and expenses, other than
certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the Exchange Offer.
See " -- Fees and Expenses."

         NEITHER THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY NOR ANY DECLARATION
TRUSTEE MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AS TO
WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THEIR OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. IN ADDITION, NO ONE HAS BEEN
AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
AND, IF SO, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TO TENDER AFTER
READING THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CONSULTING WITH THEIR
ADVISERS, IF ANY, BASED ON THEIR OWN FINANCIAL POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS.


                                       27
<PAGE>   29
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
   
         The Exchange Offer will expire at on the Expiration Date which will
occur at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 2, 1997, unless the
Exchange Offer is extended by the Company and the Trust (in which case the term
Expiration Date shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange
Offer is extended).
    

         The Company and the Trust expressly reserve the right in their sole
discretion, subject to applicable law, at any time and from time to time, (i) to
delay the acceptance of the Old Capital Securities for exchange, (ii) to
terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Capital Securities have
theretofore been accepted for exchange) if the Company and the Trust determine,
in their sole discretion, that any of the events or conditions referred to under
" -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" have occurred or exist or have not been
satisfied, (iii) to extend the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer and retain
all Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, subject,
however, to the right of holders of Old Capital Securities to withdraw their
tendered Old Capital Securities as described under " -- Withdrawal Rights," and
(iv) to waive any condition or otherwise amend the terms of the Exchange Offer
in any respect. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner determined by the
Company and the Trust to constitute a material change, or if the Company and the
Trust waive a material condition of the Exchange Offer, the Company and the
Trust will promptly disclose such amendment by means of an amended or
supplemented Prospectus that will be distributed to the registered holders of
the Old Capital Securities, and the Company and the Trust will extend the
Exchange Offer to the extent required by Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act.

   
         Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination, or amendment will
be followed promptly by oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent
and the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent and by making a public announcement
thereof. Such announcement in the case of an extension will be made no later
than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the
previously scheduled Expiration Date and, so long as the Capital Securities are
listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of the Luxembourg Stock   
Exchange so require, will be promptly published in a newspaper having a general
circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort).
Without limiting the manner in which the Company and the Trust may choose to
make any public announcement and subject to applicable law, the Company and the
Trust shall have no obligation to publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate
any such public announcement other than by issuing a release to an appropriate
news agency.
    

ACCEPTANCE FOR EXCHANGE AND ISSUANCE OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
   

         Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
Trust will exchange New Capital Securities for Old Capital Securities validly  
tendered and not withdrawn (pursuant to the withdrawal rights described under "
- -- Withdrawal Rights") promptly after the Expiration Date.

         In all cases, delivery of New Capital Securities in exchange for Old
Capital Securities tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be made only after timely receipt (i) by the Exchange Agent or the
Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent of Old Capital Securities or by the Exchange
Agent of a book-entry confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Old Capital      
Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, including an Agent's
Message if the tendering holder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal, (ii)
the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees or (in the case of a
book-entry transfer) an Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal,
and (iii) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
    

         The term "book-entry confirmation" means a timely confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account
at DTC. The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by DTC to and
received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation,
which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the tendering
participant, which acknowledgment states that such participant has received and
agrees to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal and that the Trust and the
Company may enforce such Letter of Transmittal against such participant.

   

         Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the Company
and the Trust will be deemed to have accepted for exchange, and thereby
exchanged, Old Capital Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn as, if, and
when the Trust gives oral or written notice to the Exchange Agent of the
Company's and the Trust's acceptance of such Old Capital Securities for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Agent and Special
Luxembourg Exchange Agent will act as agent for the Company and the Trust for
the purpose of receiving tenders of Old Capital Securities, Letters of  
Transmittal, and related documents, and as agents for tendering holders for the
purpose of receiving Old Capital Securities, Letters of Transmittal, and
related documents and transmitting New Capital Securities to validly tendering
holders. Such exchange will be made promptly after the Expiration Date. If for
any reason whatsoever, acceptance for exchange or the exchange of any Old
Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer is delayed (whether
before or after the Company's
    


                                       28
<PAGE>   30
and the Trust's acceptance for exchange of Old Capital Securities) or the
Company and the Trust extend the Exchange Offer or are unable to accept for
exchange or exchange Old Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, then, without prejudice to the Company's and the Trust's rights set forth
herein, the Exchange Agent may, nevertheless, on behalf of the Company and the
Trust and subject to Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, retain tendered Old
Capital Securities and such Old Capital Securities may not be withdrawn except
to the extent tendering holders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described
under " -- Withdrawal Rights."
   

         Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal or Agent's Message in lieu
thereof, a holder of Old Capital Securities will warrant and agree in the Letter
of Transmittal that it has full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell,
assign, and transfer Old Capital Securities, that the Trust will acquire good,
marketable, and unencumbered title to the tendered Old Capital Securities, free
and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges, and encumbrances, and the Old
Capital Securities tendered for exchange are not subject to any adverse claims
or proxies. The holder also will warrant and agree that it will, upon request,
execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company, the Trust,
the Exchange Agent or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent to be necessary or  
desirable to complete the exchange, sale, assignment, and transfer of the Old
Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
    


PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES

   
         VALID TENDER. Except as set forth below, in order for Old Capital
Securities to be validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with
any required signature guarantees, or (in the case of a book-entry tender) an
Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal, and any other required
documents, must be received by the Exchange Agent or Special Luxembourg
Exchange Agent at its address set forth under " -- Exchange Agent and Special
Luxembourg Exchange Agent," and either (i) tendered Old Capital Securities must
be received by the Exchange Agent or Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent, or (ii)
such Old Capital Securities must be tendered pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry transfer set forth below and a book-entry confirmation, including an
Agent's Message if the tendering holder has not delivered a Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent, in each case on or prior
to the Expiration Date, or (iii) the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
below must be complied with.

         If less than all of the Old Capital Securities are tendered, a
tendering holder should fill in the amount of Old Capital Securities being
tendered in the appropriate box on the Letter of Transmittal and the untendered
Liquidation Amount must be $100,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess
thereof. The entire amount of Old Capital Securities delivered to the Exchange
Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

         If less than all of the Old Capital Securities are tendered, a
tendering holder should fill in the amount of Old Capital Securities being
tendered in the appropriate box on the Letter of Transmittal. The entire
amount of Old Capital Securities delivered to the Exchange Agent or Special
Luxembourg Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless   
otherwise indicated.

         THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND
ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING
HOLDER, AND DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT OR SPECIAL LUXEMBOURG EXCHANGE AGENT. HAND DELIVERY, REGISTERED
MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR AN OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO
ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. NO LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR OTHER DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE
SENT TO THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST.

         IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS SEND THEIR LETTERS OF
TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER DOCUMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO AVOID DELAYS
THAT MAY ARISE FROM TRANSMISSION OF SUCH DOCUMENTS TO LUXEMBOURG.

         BOOK ENTRY TRANSFER. The Exchange Agent will establish an account with
respect to the Old Capital Securities at DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer
within two business days after the date of this Prospectus. Any financial
institution that is a participant in DTC's book-entry transfer facility system
may make a book-entry delivery of the Old Capital Securities by causing DTC to
transfer such Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC
in accordance with DTC's procedures for transfers. However, although delivery
of Old Capital Securities may be effected through book-entry transfer into the
Exchange Agent's account at DTC, the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature     
guarantees, or an Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal, and any
other required documents, must in any case be delivered to and received by the
Exchange Agent or Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent at its address set forth 
under " -- Exchange Agent and Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent" on or prior to
the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below must
be complied with.
    

         DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH DTC'S PROCEDURES DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

         SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. Certificates for the Old Capital Securities need
not be endorsed and signature guarantees on the Letter of Transmittal are
unnecessary unless (i) a certificate for the Old Capital Securities is
registered in a name other than that of the person surrendering the certificate
or (ii) such registered holder completes the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" in the Letter of Transmittal.
In the case of (i) or (ii) above, such certificates for Old Capital Securities
must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed


                                       29
<PAGE>   31
bond power, with the endorsement or signature on the bond power and on the
Letter of Transmittal guaranteed by a firm or other entity identified in Rule
17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as an "eligible guarantor institution," including
(as such terms are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer,
municipal securities broker or dealer, or government securities broker or
dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered
securities association, or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is
a participant in a Securities Transfer Association (an "Eligible Institution"),
unless surrendered on behalf of such Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 to
the Letter of Transmittal.

   

         GUARANTEED DELIVERY. If a holder desires to tender Old Capital
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the certificates for such Old
Capital Securities are not immediately available or time will not permit all
required documents to reach the Exchange Agent or Special Luxembourg Exchange
Agent on or before the Expiration Date, or the procedures for book-entry
transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, such Old Capital Securities may
nevertheless be tendered, provided that all of the following guaranteed
delivery procedures are complied with:
    

         (i)      such tenders are made by or through an Eligible Institution;

         (ii)     a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
                  Delivery, substantially in the form accompanying the Letter of
                  Transmittal, is received by the Exchange Agent, as provided
                  below, on or prior to Expiration Date; and
   

         (iii)    the certificates (or a book-entry confirmation) representing
                  all tendered Old Capital Securities, in proper form for
                  transfer, together with a properly completed and duly executed
                  Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message
                  in lieu thereof), with any required signature guarantees and
                  any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are
                  received by the Exchange Agent or Special Luxembourg Exchange
                  Agent within three trading days after the date of execution
                  of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
    

         The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or
transmitted by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent and must include a
guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such notice.

   

         Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the delivery of New Capital
Securities in exchange for Old Capital Securities tendered and accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will in all cases be made only after
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent or Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent of
Old Capital Securities, or of a book-entry confirmation with respect to such
Old Capital Securities, and a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or Agent's Message in lieu thereof), together
with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the
Letter of Transmittal. Accordingly, the delivery of New Capital Securities
might not be made to all tendering holders at the same time, and will depend
upon when Old Capital Securities, book-entry confirmations with respect to Old  
Capital Securities, and other required documents are received by the Exchange
Agent or Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent.
    

         The Company's and the Trust's acceptance for exchange of Old Capital
Securities tendered pursuant to any of the procedures described above will
constitute a binding agreement among the tendering holder, the Company, and the
Trust upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

         DETERMINATION OF VALIDITY. All questions as to the form of documents,
validity, eligibility (including time of receipt), and acceptance for exchange
of any tendered Old Capital Securities will be determined by the Company and the
Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding
on all parties. The Company and the Trust reserve the absolute right, in their
sole discretion, to reject any and all tenders determined by them not to be in
proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in the view of
counsel to the Company or the Trust, be unlawful. The Company and the Trust also
reserve the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the
conditions of the Exchange Offer as set forth under " -- Conditions to the
Exchange Offer" or any condition or irregularity in any tender of Old Capital
Securities of any particular holder whether or not similar conditions or
irregularities are waived in the case of other holders.

   

         The Company's and the Trust's interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the
instructions thereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Old Capital
Securities will be deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities
with respect to such tender have been cured or waived. None of the Company, the
Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Company or the Trust, the Exchange
Agent, or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent, nor any other person shall be
under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in tenders
or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.
    

         If any Letter of Transmittal, endorsement, bond power, power of
attorney, or any other document required by the Letter of Transmittal is signed
by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a


                                       30
<PAGE>   32
corporation, or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
such person should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the Trust,
proper evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Trust, in their sole
discretion, of such person's authority to so act must be submitted.

         A beneficial owner of Old Capital Securities that are held by or
registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or
other nominee or custodian is urged to contact such entity promptly if such
beneficial holder wishes to participate in the Exchange Offer.


RESALES OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES

         The Trust is making the Exchange Offer for the Capital Securities in
reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of
the Commission as set forth in certain interpretive letters addressed to third
parties in other transactions. However, neither the Company nor the Trust sought
its own interpretive letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission would make a similar
determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive
letters to third parties. Based on these interpretations by the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance, and subject to the two immediately following
sentences, the Company and the Trust believe that New Capital Securities issued
pursuant to this Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Capital Securities may be
offered for resale, resold, and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other
than a holder who is a broker-dealer) without further compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act,
provided that such New Capital Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of
such holder's business and that such holder is not participating, and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities.
However, any holder of Old Capital Securities who is an Affiliate or who intends
to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing New Capital
Securities, or any broker-dealer who purchased Old Capital Securities from the
Trust to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act, (i) will not be able to rely on the interpretations of the staff
of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission set forth in the
above-mentioned interpretive letters, (ii) will not be permitted or entitled to
tender such Old Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer, and (iii) must comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
in connection with any sale or other transfer of such Old Capital Securities
unless such sale is made pursuant to an exemption from such requirements. In
addition, as described below, Participating Broker-Dealers must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resales of New Capital Securities.

         Each holder of Old Capital Securities who wishes to exchange Old
Capital Securities for New Capital Securities in the Exchange Offer will be
required to represent that (i) it is not an Affiliate, (ii) any New Capital
Securities to be received by it are being acquired in the ordinary course of its
business, (iii) it has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such
New Capital Securities, and (iv) if such holder is not a broker-dealer, such
holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities. The
Letter of Transmittal contains the foregoing representations. In addition, the
Company and the Trust may require such holder, as a condition to such holder's
eligibility to participate in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to the Company and
the Trust (or an agent thereof) in writing information as to the number of
"beneficial owners" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) on
behalf of whom such holder holds the Old Capital Securities to be exchanged in
the Exchange Offer. Each Participating Broker-Dealer will be deemed to have
acknowledged by execution of the Letter of Transmittal or delivery of an Agent's
Message that it acquired the Old Capital Securities for its own account as the
result of market-making activities or other trading activities and must agree
that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act
in connection with any resale of such New Capital Securities. The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
Participating Broker-Dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. Based on the position
taken by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission in
the interpretive letters referred to above, the Company and the Trust believe
that Participating Broker-Dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery
requirements with respect to the New Capital Securities received upon exchange
of such Old Capital Securities (other than Old Capital Securities which
represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old Capital
Securities) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act,
which may be the prospectus prepared for an exchange offer so long as it
contains a description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of
such New Capital Securities. Accordingly, this Prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer
during the period referred to below in connection with resales of New Capital
Securities received in exchange for Old Capital Securities where such Old
Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own
account as a result of market-making or other trading activities. Subject to
certain provisions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
and the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time,


                                       31
<PAGE>   33
may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of such
New Capital Securities for a period ending 180 days after the Expiration Date
or, if earlier, when all such New Capital Securities have been disposed of by
such Participating Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of Distribution." Any person,
including any Participating Broker-Dealer, who is an Affiliate may not rely on
such interpretive letters and must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
transaction.

         In that regard, each Participating Broker-Dealer who surrenders Old
Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed,
by execution of the Letter of Transmittal or delivery of an Agent's Message in
lieu thereof, that, upon receipt of notice from the Company or the Trust of the
occurrence of any event or the discovery of any fact which makes any statement
contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus untrue in any material
respect or which causes this Prospectus to omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference
herein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading
or of the occurrence of certain other events specified in the Registration
Rights Agreement, such Participating Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of New
Capital Securities pursuant to this Prospectus until the Company or the Trust
has amended or supplemented this Prospectus to correct such misstatement or
omission and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to
such Participating Broker-Dealer or the Company or the Trust has given notice
that the sale of the New Capital Securities may be resumed, as the case may be.

WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

         Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Capital Securities
may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.

   

         In order for a withdrawal to be effective, a written, telegraphic,
telex, or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely
received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth under "-- Exchange
Agent and Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration
Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who
tendered the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn, the aggregate principal
amount of Old Capital Securities to be  withdrawn, and (if certificates for
such Old Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of the registered
holder of the Old Capital Securities as set forth on the Old Capital
Securities, if different from that of the person who tendered such Old Capital
Securities. If Old Capital Securities have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the Exchange Agent or Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent, then
prior to the physical release of such Old Capital Securities, the tendering
holder must submit the certificate numbers shown on the particular Old Capital
Securities to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must
be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except in the case of Old Capital
Securities tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Old Capital
Securities have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry
transfer set forth in "-- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities," the
notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to
be credited with the withdrawal of Old Capital Securities, in which case a
notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by
written, telegraphic, telex, or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of tenders
of Old Capital Securities may not be rescinded. Old Capital Securities properly
withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange
Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to the
Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described above under "--
Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities."

         All questions as to the validity, form, and eligibility (including time
of receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company and the
Trust, in their sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding
on all parties. None of the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the
Company or the Trust, the Exchange Agent, the Special Luxembourg Exchange
Agent, or any other person shall be under any duty to give any notification of
any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal  or incur any liability for
failure to give any such notification. Any Old Capital Securities which have
been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof
promptly after withdrawal.
    


DISTRIBUTIONS ON NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES

         Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are
accepted for exchange will not receive accumulated Distributions on such Old
Capital Securities for any period from and after the last Distribution Date with
respect to such Old Capital Securities prior to the original issue date of the
New Capital Securities and will be deemed to have waived the right to receive
any Distributions on such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and after such
Distribution Date.


CONDITIONS TO EXCHANGE OFFER


                                       32
<PAGE>   34
         Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offer, or any
extension of the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust will not be required
to accept for exchange, or to exchange, any Old Capital Securities for any New
Capital Securities, and, as described below, may terminate the Exchange Offer
(whether or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore been accepted for
exchange) or may waive any conditions to or amend the Exchange Offer, if any of
the following conditions have occurred or exists or have not been satisfied:

         (a)      there shall occur a change in the current interpretation by
                  the staff of the Commission which permits the New Capital
                  Securities issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange
                  for Old Capital Securities to be offered for resale, resold,
                  and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than
                  broker-dealers and any such holder which is an Affiliate)
                  without compliance with the registration and prospectus
                  delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such
                  New Capital Securities are acquired in the ordinary course of
                  such holders' business and such holders have no arrangement or
                  understanding with any person to participate in the
                  distribution of such New Capital Securities;

         (b)      any action or proceeding shall have been instituted or
                  threatened in any court or by or before any governmental
                  agency or body with respect to the Exchange Offer which, in
                  the Company's and the Trust's judgment, would reasonably be
                  expected to impair the ability of the Trust or the Company to
                  proceed with the Exchange Offer;

         (c)      any law, statute, rule, or regulation shall have been adopted
                  or enacted which, in the Company's and the Trust's judgment,
                  would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the
                  Trust or the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer;

         (d)      a banking moratorium shall have been declared by United States
                  federal or Ohio or New York State authorities which, in the
                  Company's and the Trust's judgment, would reasonably be
                  expected to impair the ability of the Trust or the Company to
                  proceed with the Exchange Offer;

         (e)      trading generally in the United States over-the-counter
                  market shall have been suspended by order of the Commission or
                  any other governmental authority which, in the Company's and
                  the Trust's judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair
                  the ability of the Trust or the Company to proceed with the
                  Exchange Offer;

         (f)      a stop order shall have been issued by the Commission or any
                  state securities authority suspending the effectiveness of the
                  Registration Statement or proceedings shall have been
                  initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Trust,
                  threatened for that purpose any governmental approval has not
                  been obtained, which approval the Company and the Trust shall
                  deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer as
                  contemplated hereby; or

         (g)      any change, or any development involving a prospective change,
                  in the business or financial affairs of the Trust or the
                  Company or any of its subsidiaries has occurred which, in the
                  judgment of the Company and the Trust, might materially impair
                  the ability of the Trust or the Company to proceed with the
                  Exchange Offer.

         If the Company and the Trust determine in their sole discretion that
any of the foregoing events or conditions has occurred or exists or has not been
satisfied, the Company and the Trust may, subject to applicable law, terminate
the Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Capital Securities have theretofore
been accepted for exchange) or may waive any such condition or otherwise amend
the terms of the Exchange Offer in any respect. If such waiver or amendment
constitutes a material change to the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Trust
will promptly disclose such waiver by means of an amended or supplemented
Prospectus that will be distributed to the registered holders of the Old Capital
Securities, and the Company and the Trust will extend the Exchange Offer to the
extent required by Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act.



                                       33
<PAGE>   35
EXCHANGE AGENT

         The Chase Manhattan Bank has been appointed as Exchange Agent for the
Exchange Offer. Delivery of the Letters of Transmittal and any other required
documents, questions, requests for assistance, and requests for additional
copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal should be directed to
the Exchange Agent as follows:

         The Chase Manhattan Bank
         450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
         New York, New York 10001
         Attention: Global Trust Services
         Telephone: (212) 946-3042
         Facsimile: (212) 946-8154


   
         In addition, the Company has appointed Kredietbank S.A.
Luxembourgeoise as Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent. Executed Letters of
Transmittal may be delivered by hand or sent by an overnight delivery service,
or by registered or certified mail for next day deliver to the Special
Luxembourg Exchange Agent at the following address:  Kredietbank S.A.
Luxembourgeoise, 43 Boulevard Royal, L-2955, Luxembourg.  All attempted tenders
to the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent must be confirmed by telephone by
calling (011) 352-4797-3935.  DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO THE
SPECIAL LUXEMBOURG EXCHANGE AGENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE
IN CONFORMITY WITH THE PROCEDURES DESCRIBED WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID
DELIVERY.  IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS SEND THEIR LETTERS OF
TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER DOCUMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO AVOID DELAYS
THAT MAY ARISE FROM TRANSMISSION OF SUCH DOCUMENTS TO LUXEMBOURG.


FEES AND EXPENSES

         The Company has agreed to pay the Exchange Agent and Special
Luxembourg Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees their services and will
reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection
therewith. The Company will also pay brokerage houses and other custodians,
nominees, and fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
them in forwarding copies of this Prospectus and related documents to the
beneficial owners of Old Capital Securities, and in handling or tendering for
their customers.
    

         Holders who tender their Old Capital Securities for exchange will not
be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, New
Capital Securities are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of,
any person other than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities
tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange
of Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount
of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any
other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence
of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter
of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to
such tendering holder.

         Neither the Company nor the Trust will make any payment to brokers,
dealers, or others soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer.


                          DESCRIPTION OF NEW SECURITIES


DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES

         Pursuant to the terms of the Declaration, the Trust has issued the Old
Capital Securities and the Common Securities and will issue the New Capital
Securities. The New Capital Securities will represent undivided beneficial
ownership interests in the assets of the Trust and the holders thereof will be
entitled to a preference over the Common Securities in certain circumstances
with respect to Distributions and amounts payable on redemption of the Trust
Securities or liquidation of the Trust, as well as other benefits as described
in the Declaration. The Declaration has been qualified under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). This summary of certain
provisions of the Capital Securities, the Common Securities, and the Declaration
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Declaration, including the
definitions therein of certain terms, and the Trust Indenture Act. Wherever
particular defined terms of the Declaration (as supplemented or amended from
time to time) are referred to herein, the definitions of such defined terms are
incorporated herein by reference.


         GENERAL

         The Capital Securities (including the Old Capital Securities and the
New Capital Securities) are limited to $200,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount
at any one time outstanding. The Capital Securities rank pari passu, and
payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Common Securities, except as
described under "-- Subordination of


                                       34
<PAGE>   36
   

Common Securities." Legal title to the Subordinated Debentures is held by the
Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities. The Guarantee Agreement executed by the
Company for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities is a guarantee
on a subordinated basis with respect to the Capital Securities but does not
guarantee payment of Distributions or amounts payable on redemption of the
Capital Securities or liquidation of the Trust when the Trust does not have
sufficient funds available to make such payments. See "-- Description of
Guarantee." The Company's obligations under the Guarantee, taken together with
its obligations under the Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture, including
its obligation to pay all costs, expenses, and liabilities of the Trust (other
than with respect to the Capital Securities), constitute a full and
unconditional guarantee of all of the Trust's obligations under the Capital
Securities.
    


         Holders of the Capital Securities have no preemptive or similar rights.


         DISTRIBUTIONS

         Distributions on each Capital Security are payable in U.S. dollars at a
variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus .70% (which is the same rate payable on
the Subordinated Debentures) on the Liquidation Amount of $1,000, payable
quarterly in arrears on the last day of January, April, July, and October of
each year. See "-- Description of Subordinated Debentures -- Interest." The
first Distribution Date was April 30, 1997. The final Distributions will be
payable on February 1, 2027, and will accumulate from the last Distribution Date
prior to such date up to and including January 31, 2027. The amount of
Distributions payable for any period will be computed on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed in a year of twelve 30-day months.

         Distributions on the Capital Securities must be paid on the dates
payable to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the payment of such
Distributions. The revenue of the Trust available for distribution to holders of
its Capital Securities will be limited to payments under the Subordinated
Debentures in which the Trust will invest the proceeds from the issuance and
sale of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities. See "-- Description of
Subordinated Debentures." If the Company does not make interest payments on the
Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee will not have funds available to
pay Distributions on the Capital Securities.

         The Company will have the right under the Indenture to defer the
payment of interest on the Subordinated Debentures at any time or from time to
time for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters, provided that no
Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Subordinated
Debentures. Accordingly, there could be multiple Extension Periods of varying
lengths throughout the term of the Subordinated Debentures. As a consequence of
any such extension, quarterly Distributions on the Capital Securities will be
deferred by the Trust during any such Extension Period. Distributions to which
holders of the Capital Securities are entitled will accumulate and compound
quarterly at a variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus .70% from the relevant
payment date for such Distributions. The term "Distributions" as used herein
shall include any such compounded amounts unless the context otherwise requires.
During any such Extension Period, the Company may not, and may not permit any
subsidiary of the Company to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions
on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of the Company's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal,
interest, or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase, or redeem any debt
securities of the Company that rank pari passu with or junior to the
Subordinated Debentures or make any guarantee payments with respect to any
guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company
if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the
Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) repurchases, redemptions, or other
acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any
employment contract, benefit plan, or other similar arrangement with or for the
benefit of any one or more employees, officers, directors, or consultants, or in
connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan, (b)
as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company's
capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any
other class or series of the Company's capital stock or of any class or series
of the Company's indebtedness for any class or series of the Company's capital
stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital
stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a
dividend in connection with any stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of
rights, stock, or other property under any stockholders' rights plan, or the
redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the
form of stock, warrants, options, or other rights where the dividend stock or
the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options, or other rights is
the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid (or ranks pari passu
with or junior to such stock)). Prior to the termination of any such Extension
Period, the Company may further extend the Extension Period, provided that no
Extension Period may exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the Stated
Maturity of the Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination of any such
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due on any Interest Payment
Date, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period subject to the
foregoing requirements.


                                       35
<PAGE>   37
See "-- Description of Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period." The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to
defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period of the
Subordinated Debentures.

         The Property Trustee will cause the rate of Distributions, the amount
of Distributions, the payment dates for each Distribution, and the Extension
Period, if any, to be provided to the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and published in
a daily newspaper in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort)
as soon as possible after the determination thereof.

         In the event that any date on which Distributions are payable on the
Capital Securities is not a Business Day (as defined below), then payment of the
Distributions payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that
is a Business Day (and without any additional Distributions or other payment in
respect of any such delay), with the same force and effect as if made on the
date such payment was originally payable (each date on which Distributions are
payable in accordance with the foregoing, a "Distribution Date"). A "Business
Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on which
banking institutions in the City of New York or the City of Columbus are
authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed or a day on
which the corporate trust office of the Property Trustee or the Indenture
Trustee is closed for business.

         Distributions on the Capital Securities (other than distributions on a
Redemption Date (as defined herein)) are payable to the holders thereof as they
appear on the register of the Trust on the relevant record dates, which is the
fifteenth day of the month of the relevant Distribution Date. Distributions
payable on any Capital Securities that are not punctually paid on any
Distribution Date will cease to be payable to the person in whose name such
Capital Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such
defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the person in whose name such
Capital Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified
date determined in accordance with the Declaration.


         REDEMPTION

         Mandatory Redemption. Unless a Special Event has occurred, the Capital
Securities will not be redeemable prior to February 1, 2007. The Capital
Securities and the Common Securities will mature at their stated amount of
$1,000 per Trust Security (the "Liquidation Amount"), unless redeemed prior
thereto, on February 1, 2027. Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in
part, of the Subordinated Debentures, whether at Stated Maturity or upon earlier
redemption as provided in the Indenture, the proceeds from such repayment or
redemption shall be applied by the Property Trustee to redeem Capital Securities
and Common Securities upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice prior
to the date fixed for repayment or redemption. If less than all of the
Subordinated Debentures are to be repaid or redeemed on a Redemption Date, then
the proceeds from such repayment or redemption shall be allocated to the
redemption pro rata of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities.

         Special Event Redemption or Distribution of Subordinated Debentures. If
a Special Event shall occur and be continuing, the Company will have the right,
subject to the receipt of any necessary prior approval of the Federal Reserve,
to either (i) redeem within 90 days following the occurrence of such Special
Event the Subordinated Debentures on the date of redemption (the "Redemption
Date") in whole (but not in part) and thereby cause a mandatory redemption of
the Capital Securities in whole (but not in part) at a redemption price with
respect to the Capital Securities equal to the redemption price in respect of
the Subordinated Debentures or (ii) to dissolve the Trust and, after
satisfaction of the claims of creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable
law, cause the Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the
Capital Securities in liquidation of the Trust. Under current United States
federal income tax law and interpretations thereof and assuming, as expected,
the Trust is treated as a grantor trust, a distribution of the Subordinated
Debentures should not be a taxable event to holders of the Capital Securities.
Should there be a change in law, a change in legal interpretation, certain Tax
Events, or other circumstances, however, the distribution could be a taxable
event to holders of the Capital Securities. See "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Consequences -- Distribution of Subordinated Debentures or Cash Upon
Liquidation of the Trust."

         If the Company does not elect either option described above, the
Capital Securities will remain outstanding until the repayment of the
Subordinated Debentures, whether at Stated Maturity or their earlier redemption,
and in the event a Tax Event has occurred and is continuing, the Company will be
obligated to pay any additional taxes, duties, assessments, and other
governmental charges (other than withholding taxes) to which the Trust has
become subject as a result of a Tax Event.


                                       36
<PAGE>   38
         A Special Event means a Tax Event, a Regulatory Capital Event, or an
Investment Company Event. A "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Company of an
opinion of counsel, rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters, to the
effect that, as a result of any amendment to, change in, or announced proposed
change in the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any
political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of
any official or administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
adopted or which proposed change, pronouncement, or action or decision is
announced or which action is taken on or after the date of original issuance of
the Capital Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the
Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to
United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on
the Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest payable by the Company on such
Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion,
will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States
federal income tax purposes, or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of
the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other
taxes, duties, or other governmental charges. A "Regulatory Capital Event" means
that the Company shall have received an opinion of independent bank regulatory
counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any
amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws
(or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any rules, guidelines,
or policies of the Federal Reserve or (b) any official or administrative
pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws
or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or such pronouncement or
action or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the
Capital Securities, the Capital Securities do not constitute, or within 90 days
of the date thereof, will not constitute Tier 1 capital (or its then
equivalent); provided, however, that the distribution of the Subordinated
Debentures in connection with the liquidation of the Trust by the Company shall
not in and of itself constitute a Regulatory Capital Event unless such
liquidation shall have occurred in connection with a Tax Event or an Investment
Company Event. "Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an
opinion of counsel, rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters, to the
effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a
change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative
body, court, governmental agency, or regulatory authority (a "Change in 1940 Act
Law"), the Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" that is
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of original
issuance of the Capital Securities.


         REDEMPTION PROCEDURES

         Capital Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be redeemed
at the redemption price received by the Trust in respect of the Subordinated
Debentures (the "Redemption Price") with the applicable proceeds from the
contemporaneous redemption or payment at Stated Maturity of the Subordinated
Debentures. Redemption of the Capital Securities shall be made and the
Redemption Price shall be payable on each Redemption Date only to the extent
that the Trust has sufficient funds available for the payment of such Redemption
Price. See also "-- Subordination of Common Securities."

         Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more
than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of Capital Securities to
be redeemed at its registered address. If the Trust gives a notice of redemption
in respect of the Capital Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time,
on the Redemption Date, to the extent funds are available, the Property Trustee
will deposit irrevocably with DTC or its nominee funds sufficient to pay the
applicable Redemption Price for all securities held in DTC and will give DTC
irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
holders of the Capital Securities held through DTC. See "Book-Entry Issuance."
If any Capital Securities are held in certificated form, the Trust, to the
extent funds are available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for
such Capital Securities funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price
and will give the paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
Redemption Price to the holders thereof upon surrender of their certificates
evidencing the Capital Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions
payable on or prior to the Redemption Date for any Capital Security called for
redemption shall be payable to the holders of such Capital Security on the
relevant record dates for the related Distribution Dates. If notice of
redemption shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then upon the
date of such deposit, all rights of the holders of such Capital Securities so
called for redemption will cease, except the right of the holders of such
Capital Securities to receive the Redemption Price, but without interest on such
Redemption Price, and such Capital Securities will cease to be outstanding. In
the event that any date fixed for redemption of Capital Securities is not a
Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such
Business Day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect
as if made on the date such payment was originally payable. In the event that
payment of the Redemption Price in respect of Capital Securities called for
redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the


                                       37
<PAGE>   39
   

Trust or by the Company pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement as described under
"--Description of Guarantee," Distributions on such Capital Securities will
continue to accrue at the then applicable rate, from the Redemption Date
originally established by the Trust for the Capital Securities to the date such
Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the actual payment date will be
the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.
    

         Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, United States
federal securities law) and to the provisions of the Declaration, the Company or
its subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding
Capital Securities by tender, in the open market, or by private agreement.

         The Trust may not redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Capital
Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all
Capital Securities for all quarterly distribution periods terminating on or
prior to the date of redemption. If less than all of the Capital Securities and
Common Securities issued by the Trust are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date,
then the aggregate amount of such Capital Securities and Common Securities to be
redeemed shall be allocated pro rata among the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities. If the Capital Securities are in book-entry form, they will be
redeemed as described below under "Book-Entry Issuance." If not, the particular
Capital Securities to be redeemed shall be selected on a pro rata basis not more
than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Property Trustee from the
outstanding Capital Securities not previously called for redemption, by such
method as the Property Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may
provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to $1,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of the Liquidation Amount of
Capital Securities of a denomination larger than $1,000. The Property Trustee
shall promptly notify the Trust registrar in writing of the Capital Securities
selected for redemption and, in the case of any Capital Security selected for
partial redemption, the Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed. For all
purposes of the Declaration, unless the context otherwise requires, all
provisions relating to the redemption of Capital Securities shall relate, in the
case of any Capital Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the
portion of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities which has been
or is to be redeemed.


         SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES

         Payment of Distributions on, and the Redemption Price of, the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities, as applicable, shall be made pro rata
based on the Liquidation Amount of such Capital Securities and Common
Securities; provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption
Date an Indenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no
payment of any Distribution on, or Redemption Price of, any of the Common
Securities, and no other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation, or
other acquisition of such Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in
full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all of the
outstanding Capital Securities for all Distribution periods terminating on or
prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the Redemption Price, the full
amount of such Redemption Price on all of the outstanding Capital Securities
then called for redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds
available to the Property Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full
in cash of all Distributions on, or Redemption Price of, the Capital Securities
then due and payable.


         LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION

         Pursuant to the Declaration, the Trust shall automatically dissolve
upon expiration of its term and shall dissolve on the first to occur of: (i) any
liquidation, insolvency, or similar proceeding with respect to the Company or
all or substantially all of its property, (ii) the distribution of the
Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Capital Securities and Common
Securities; (iii) the repayment of all of the Capital Securities in connection
with the maturity or redemption of all of the Subordinated Debentures; and (iv)
the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of an order for the dissolution
of the Trust. Notice of such liquidation shall be given to the holders of the
Common Securities and Capital Securities by the Declaration Trustees within 
30 days of such event.

         If an early dissolution occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), or
(iv) above, the Trust shall be liquidated by the Declaration Trustees as
expeditiously as the Declaration Trustees determine to be possible by
distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
provided by applicable law, to the holders of the Capital Securities and Common
Securities their pro rata interest in the Subordinated Debentures, unless such
distribution is determined by the Property Trustee not to be practicable, in
which event such holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Trust available for distribution to holders, after satisfaction of liabilities
to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to, in
the case of holders of Capital Securities, the aggregate of the Liquidation
Amount plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment
(such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If such Liquidation


                                       38
<PAGE>   40
Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets
available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the
amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Capital Securities shall be paid on
a pro rata basis. The holder of the Common Securities will be entitled to
receive distributions upon any such liquidation pro rata with the holders of the
Capital Securities, except that if an Indenture Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Capital Securities shall have a priority over the Common
Securities.

         Upon any liquidation in which the Subordinated Debentures are
distributed, if at any time of such liquidation the Capital Securities are (i)
rated by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization,
(ii) listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, or (iii) eligible for quotation in
PORTAL, the Company shall use its best efforts to (a) obtain from at least one
nationally recognized statistical rating organization, a rating for the
Subordinated Debentures, (b) list the Subordinated Debentures on the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange, or (c) qualify the Subordinated Debentures for quotation in
PORTAL, as the case may be.

         After the liquidation date is fixed for any distribution of
Subordinated Debentures to holders of the Capital Securities (i) the Capital
Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) DTC or its nominee,
as a record holder of Capital Securities, will receive a registered global
certificate or certificates representing the Subordinated Debentures to be
delivered to it upon such distribution, and (iii) any certificates representing
Capital Securities held in certificated form will be deemed to represent
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of such Capital Securities, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an
amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on such Capital Securities
until such certificates are presented for cancellation whereupon the Company
will issue to such holder, and the Indenture Trustee will authenticate, a
certificate representing such Subordinated Debentures.


         TRUST ENFORCEMENT EVENTS

         An Indenture Event of Default constitutes a "Trust Enforcement Event"
under the Declaration with respect to the Trust Securities, provided that
pursuant to the Declaration, the holder of the Common Securities will be deemed
to have waived any Trust Enforcement Event with respect to the Common Securities
until all Trust Enforcement Events with respect to the Capital Securities have
been cured, waived, or otherwise eliminated. Until such Trust Enforcement Event
with respect to the Capital Securities has been so cured, waived, or otherwise
eliminated, the Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of
the holders of the Capital Securities and only the holders of the Capital
Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee with respect to
certain matters under the Declaration, and therefore the Indenture.

         Upon the occurrence of a Trust Enforcement Event, the Indenture Trustee
or the Property Trustee as the holder of the Subordinated Debentures will have
the right under the Indenture to declare the principal of and interest on the
Subordinated Debentures to be immediately due and payable. Each of the Company
and the Trust is required to file annually with the Property Trustee an
officer's certificate as to its compliance with all conditions and covenants
under the Declaration.

         If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights with respect to the
Subordinated Debentures held by the Trust, any record holder of Capital
Securities may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, institute legal
proceedings directly against the Company to enforce the Property Trustee's
rights under such Subordinated Debentures without first instituting any legal
proceedings against such Property Trustee or any other person or entity. In
addition, if a Trust Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing and such
event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest, principal,
or other required payments on the Subordinated Debentures issued to the Trust on
the date such interest, principal, or other payment is otherwise payable, then a
record holder of Capital Securities may, on or after the respective due dates
specified in the Subordinated Debentures, institute a proceeding directly
against the Company under the Indenture for enforcement of payment on
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities held by such holder. In connection
with such Direct Action, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of such
record holder of Capital Securities to the extent of any payment made by the
Company to such record holder of Capital Securities.


         VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF THE DECLARATION

         Except as provided below and under "-- Description of Guarantee --
Amendments and Assignment" and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration,
the holders of the Capital Securities have no voting rights. The Regular


                                       39
<PAGE>   41
Trustees are required to call a meeting of the holders of the Capital Securities
if directed to do so by holders of at least 10% in aggregate Liquidation Amount
thereof.

         So long as any Subordinated Debentures are held by the Property
Trustee, the Declaration Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method, and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Indenture
Trustee or executing any trust or power conferred on the Property Trustee with
respect to such Subordinated Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is
waivable under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a
declaration that the principal of all the Subordinated Debentures shall be due
and payable, or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification, or termination of
the Indenture or such Subordinated Debentures, where such consent shall be
required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of
a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Capital
Securities; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would
require the consent of each holder of Subordinated Debentures affected thereby,
no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior consent
of each holder of Capital Securities. The Declaration Trustees shall not revoke
any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the holders of the
Capital Securities except pursuant to a subsequent vote of the holders of the
Capital Securities. The Property Trustee shall notify each holder of record of
the Capital Securities of any notice of default which it receives with respect
to the Subordinated Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals
of the holders of the Capital Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing
actions, the Declaration Trustees shall receive an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that the Trust will not be classified
as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes on
account of such action.

         The Declaration may be amended from time to time by the holders of a
majority of the Common Securities and the Regular Trustee (and in certain
circumstances the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee), without the
consent of the holders of the Capital Securities, (i) to cure any ambiguity,
correct or supplement any provisions in the Declaration that may be inconsistent
with any other provision, or make any other provisions with respect to matters
or questions arising under the Declaration that shall not be inconsistent with
the other provisions of the Declaration, or (ii) to modify, eliminate, or add to
any provisions of the Declaration to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure
that the Trust will be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes at all times that any Capital Securities and Common
Securities are outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be required to
register as an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act, or (iii)
to conform to any change in Rule 3a-7 under the Investment Company Act or
written change in interpretation or application of such Rule 3a-7 by any
legislative body, court, government agency, or regulatory authority which
amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the rights, preferences, or
privileges of the Holders; provided, however, that such action shall not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any holder of Capital
Securities or Common Securities, and any amendments of the Declaration shall
become effective when notice thereof is given to the holders of Capital
Securities and Common Securities. The Declaration may also be amended by the
holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities
and the Regular Trustee with (i) the consent of holders representing not less
than a majority (based upon Liquidation Amounts) of the outstanding Capital
Securities and (ii) receipt by the Regular Trustees of an opinion of counsel to
the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the
Regular Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect the Trust's
status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the
Trust's exemption from status as an "investment company" under the Investment
Company Act, provided, that without the consent of each holder of Capital
Securities and Common Securities affected thereby, the Declaration may not be
amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the Capital
Securities and Common Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any
Distribution required to be made in respect of the Capital Securities and Common
Securities as of a specified date, or (ii) restrict the right of a holder of
Capital Securities or Common Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment on or after such date.

         Any required approval of holders of Capital Securities may be given at
a meeting of holders of Capital Securities convened for such purpose or pursuant
to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at
which holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon
which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be given to
each holder of record of Capital Securities in the manner set forth in the
Declaration.

         No vote or consent of the holders of Capital Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel its Capital Securities in accordance
with the Declaration.

         Notwithstanding that holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote
or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital
Securities that are owned by the Company, the Declaration Trustees, or any
affiliate of the Company or any Declaration Trustee, shall, for purposes of such
vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.



                                       40
<PAGE>   42
         EXPENSES AND TAXES

         In the Indenture, the Company, as borrower, has agreed to pay all debts
and other obligations (other than with respect to the Capital Securities) and
all costs and expenses of the Trust (including costs and expenses relating to
the organization of the Trust, the fees and expenses of the Declaration
Trustees, and the costs and expenses relating to the operation of the Trust) and
to pay any and all taxes and all costs and expenses with respect thereto (other
than United States withholding taxes) to which the Trust might become subject.
The Company has also agreed in the Indenture to execute such additional
agreements as may be necessary or desirable to give full effect to the
foregoing.


         NOTICES

         All notices to holders of Capital Securities shall be validly given if
in writing and mailed by first class mail to them at their respective addresses
in the register of holders of Capital Securities maintained by the registrar of
the Trust and so long as (i) the Capital Securities are listed on the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange, and (ii) the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of such
Exchange so require, by publication, in a leading newspaper having general
circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort). Any
such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the later of the date of such
publication and the seventh day after so mailed.


         REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT

         The Chase Manhattan Bank is the initial registrar and The Chase
Manhattan Bank and Chase Manhattan Bank Luxembourg S.A. are transfer agents for
the Capital Securities. The Company and the Trust shall at all times maintain a
transfer agent in the City of New York and, so long as the Capital Securities
are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
and the rules of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so require, a transfer agent in
Luxembourg. Definitive Capital Securities may be presented to the Luxembourg
transfer agent for transfer.

         Registration of transfers of Capital Securities will be effected
without charge by or on behalf of the Trust, but the Trust may require payment
of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with
any transfer or exchange. The Trust will not be required (i) to register or
cause to be registered the transfer or exchange of the Capital Securities during
a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the
mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and ending at the close of business
on the day of mailing of such notice of redemption or (ii) to register or cause
to be registered the transfer or exchange of any Capital Securities so selected
for redemption, except in the case of any Capital Securities being redeemed in
part, any portion thereof not to be redeemed.


         INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE

         The Property Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance
of a Trust Enforcement Event, undertakes to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth in the Declaration and, after such Trust Enforcement
Event, must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would
exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this
provision, the Property Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the
powers vested in it by the Declaration at the request of any holder of Capital
Securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs,
expenses, and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. If no Trust
Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing and the Property Trustee is
required to decide between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous
provisions in the Declaration, or is unsure of the application of any provision
of the Declaration, and the matter is not one on which holders of Capital
Securities are entitled under the Declaration to vote, then the Property Trustee
may, but shall be under no duty to, take such action as is directed by the
Company and, if not so directed, shall take such action as it deems advisable
and in the best interests of the holders of the Capital Securities and the
Common Securities and will have no liability except for its own bad faith,
negligence, or willful misconduct.


         PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY

         Payments in respect of the Global Capital Securities (as defined
herein) shall be made to DTC, which shall credit the relevant accounts at DTC on
the applicable Distribution Dates or, if the Capital Securities are held in
certificated form, such payments shall be made by check mailed to the address of
the holder entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the register
maintained by the registrar. The paying agent (the "Paying Agent") shall
initially be the Property Trustee and any co-paying agent chosen by the Property
Trustee and acceptable to the Regular Trustees and the Company. Initially,


                                       41
<PAGE>   43
Chase Manhattan Bank Luxembourg S.A. will act as co-paying agent. The Company
and the Trust shall at all times and so long as the Capital Securities are
listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so
requires, maintain a paying agent in Luxembourg. The Paying Agent shall be
permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Property
Trustee and the Company. In the event that the Property Trustee shall no longer
be the Paying Agent, the Regular Trustees shall appoint a successor (which shall
be a bank or trust company acceptable to the Regular Trustees and the Company)
to act as Paying Agent.

   

         MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS, OR REPLACEMENTS OF THE TRUST

         The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any entity, except as described below or as
otherwise described in the Declaration. The Trust may, at the request of the
Company with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities, merge with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, be replaced by or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to a trust organized as such under the laws
of any state; provided that (i) such successor entity (if not the Trust) either
(a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with respect to the
Capital Securities or (b) substitutes for the Capital Securities other
securities having substantially the same terms as the Capital Securities (the
"Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the
Capital Securities rank in priority with respect to distributions and payments
upon liquidation, redemption, and otherwise, (ii) if the Trust is not the
successor entity, the Property Trustee expressly appoints a trustee of such
successor entity possessing the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee
as the holder of the Subordinated Debentures, (iii) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer, or lease does not cause the
Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any
nationally recognized statistical rating organization, (iv) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer, or lease does
not adversely affect the rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of
the Capital Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material
respect, (v) such successor entity has a purpose substantially identical to that
of the Trust, (vi) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer, or lease, the Company has received an opinion
from independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect
that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance,
transfer, or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences, and
privileges of the holders of the Capital Securities (including any Successor
Securities) in any material respect and (b) following such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer, or lease, (1)
neither the Trust nor such successor entity will be required to register as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act and (2) the Trust or the
successor entity will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes, (vii) the Company or any permitted successor
or assignee owns all of the Common Securities of such successor entity and
guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under the Successor
Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee Agreement, and
(viii) such successor entity (if not the Trust) expressly assumes all of the
obligations of the Trust with respect to the Declaration Trustees.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall not, except with the consent of
holders of 100% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, be replaced by, or convey,
transfer, or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to
any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge
with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger,
replacement, conveyance, transfer, or lease would cause the Trust or the
successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes.

    

         MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF DECLARATION TRUSTEES

         Any corporation into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee,
or any Regular Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be
consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion, or
consolidation to which such Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation
succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of such
Trustee, shall be the successor of such Trustee under the Declaration, provided
such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible.


         GOVERNING LAW

         The Declaration and the Capital Securities are governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard
to principles of conflict of laws.


                                       42
<PAGE>   44
   

         MISCELLANEOUS

         1. The CUSIP Number for the New Capital Securities is 446283AD5. The
International Securities Identification Number ("ISIN") for the New Capital
Securities is US446283AD57. The New Capital Securities have been accepted for
clearance through Euroclear and CEDEL under the Common Code 7909101.

         2. Application has been made to list the New Capital Securities on the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The legal notice relating to the issue of the New
Capital Securities and the Articles of Incorporation of the Company will be
registered prior to the listing with the Registrar of the District Court in
Luxembourg (Greffier en Chef du Tribunal d'Arrondissement de et a Luxembourg),  
where such documents are available for inspection and where copies thereof can
be obtained upon request. As long as the New Capital Securities are listed on
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, the Company will maintain a paying agent and a
transfer agent in Luxembourg.

         3. Each of the Company and the Trust has obtained all necessary
contents, approvals, and authorizations in connection with the issue and
performance of the New Capital Securities, except as disclosed in this 
Prospectus.
    


         4. Except as disclosed in this Prospectus, there has been no material
adverse change in the financial position or prospects of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries since March 31, 1997.

         5. Other than as referred to elsewhere in this Prospectus, neither the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries is involved in any litigation or arbitration
proceedings that may have, or have had during the 12 months preceding the date
of this document, a significant effect on the financial position of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries aware
that any such proceedings are pending or threatened.

   

         6. A copy of the Articles of Association of the Company and copies of
the Indenture, the Declaration, and the Guarantee Agreement, will, for so long
as the Capital Securities are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, be
available for inspection during usual business hours on any weekday (except
public holidays) at the offices of the transfer agent in Luxembourg. As long as
any Capital Securities remain outstanding, copies of the latest Annual
Report on Form 10-K of the Company, as at December 31 in each year, and the
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as at March 31, June 30, and September 30 in
each year, may be obtained (free of charge) at the offices of the Company
specified above and at the specified offices of the paying agents. Other than
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the Company does not publish interim or other
financial statements.

         7. Approval for the issuance of the New Capital Securities was granted
by the Board of Directors of the Company on January 22, 1997.

         8. The Company has taken all reasonable care to insure that the
information contained in this Prospectus in relation to the Company and the
Capital Securities is true and accurate in all material respects and that in
relation to the Company and the Capital Securities, there are no material facts
the omission of which would make misleading any statement herein. The Company
accepts responsibility for the information contained in this Prospectus.
    


                                       43
<PAGE>   45
DESCRIPTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES


         The Old Subordinated Debentures were issued, and the New Subordinated
Debentures will be issued, as a separate series under the Indenture. The
Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of
certain terms and provisions of the Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the Indenture.


         GENERAL

         Concurrently with the issuance of the Old Capital Securities, the Trust
invested the proceeds thereof and the consideration paid by the Company for the
Common Securities in the Old Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company. The
Old Subordinated Debentures were issued in an aggregate principal amount equal
to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Old Capital Securities and the Common
Securities. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Company will exchange the Old
Subordinated Debentures for the New Subordinated Debentures as soon as
practicable after the date hereof. It is anticipated that, until the
liquidation, if any, of the Trust, each Subordinated Debenture will be held in
the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the
Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The Subordinated Debentures bear
interest at a variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus .70% on the principal
amount thereof, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of January, April,
July, and October of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing
April 30, 1997, to the person in whose name each Subordinated Debenture is
registered, subject to certain exceptions, at the close of business on the
fifteenth day of the month of the relevant Interest Payment Date. The final
Interest Payment Date will be February 1, 2027, and interest will accrue from
the last Interest Payment Date prior to such date up to and including January
31, 2027. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the
basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of twelve 30-day months. In
the event that any date on which interest is payable on the Subordinated
Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of the interest payable on such
date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without
any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force
and effect as if made on the date such payment was originally payable. Accrued
interest that is not paid on the applicable Interest Payment Date will bear
additional interest on the amount thereof (to the extent permitted by law) at a
variable annual rate equal to LIBOR plus .70%, compounded quarterly. The term
"interest" as used herein shall include quarterly interest payments, interest on
quarterly interest payments not paid on the applicable Interest Payment Date,
and any additional interest, as applicable.
Interest on the Subordinated Debentures began accruing from January 31, 1997.

         The Subordinated Debentures mature on February 1, 2027.

         The Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and rank junior and
subordinate in right of payment to all Indebtedness of the Company to the extent
described herein. The Indenture does not limit the incurrence or issuance of
other secured or unsecured debt of the Company, whether under the Indenture or
any existing or other indenture that the Company may enter into in the future or
otherwise. See "-- Subordination."

         The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of
Subordinated Debentures that may be issued thereunder.

         The general provisions of the Indenture do not afford holders of the
Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged or other
transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect holders of the
Subordinated Debentures.


         INTEREST

         The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Calculation Agent (the "Calculation
Agent"), will calculate the interest rate for each quarterly interest period
based on LIBOR determined as of two "London Business Days" (defined as any day,
other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banks are open for business in London)
prior to the first day of such interest period (each, a "Determination Date").
"LIBOR" means, with respect to a quarterly interest period relating to an
Interest Payment Date (in the following order of priority):

                  (i) the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for
         Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity that appears on
         Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related
         Determination Date;


                                       44

<PAGE>   46
                  (ii)   if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750 as 
         of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date, LIBOR
         will be the arithmetic mean (if necessary rounded upwards to the
         nearest whole multiple of .00001%) of the rates (expressed as
         percentages per annum) for Eurodollar deposits having a three-month
         maturity that appear on Reuters Monitor Money Rates Page LIBO ("Reuters
         Page LIBO") as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Determination Date;

                  (iii)  if such rate does not appear on Reuters Page LIBO as of
         11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date, the
         Calculation Agent will request the principal London offices of four
         leading banks in the London interbank market to provide such banks'
         offered quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to prime banks
         in the London interbank market for Eurodollar deposits having a
         three-month maturity as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such
         Determination Date. If at least two quotations are provided, LIBOR will
         be the arithmetic mean (if necessary rounded upwards to the nearest
         whole multiple of .00001%) of such quotations;

                  (iv)   if fewer than two such quotations are provided as
         requested in clause (iii) above, the Calculation Agent will request
         four major New York City banks to provide such banks' offered
         quotations (expressed as percentages per annum) to leading European
         banks for loans in Eurodollars as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such
         Determination Date. If at least two such quotations are provided, LIBOR
         will be the arithmetic mean (if necessary rounded upwards to the
         nearest whole multiple of .00001%) of such quotations; and

                  (v)    if fewer than two such quotations are provided as
         requested in clause (iv) above, LIBOR will be LIBOR determined with
         respect to the interest period immediately preceding such current
         interest period.

         If the rate for Eurodollar deposits having a three-month maturity that
initially appears on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as the case may
be, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the related Determination Date is
superseded on Telerate Page 3750 or Reuters Page LIBO, as the case may be, by a
corrected rate before 12:00 noon (London time) on such Determination Date, the
corrected rate as so substituted on the applicable page will be the applicable
LIBOR for such Determination Date.

         Absent manifest error, the Calculation Agent's determination of LIBOR
and its calculation of the applicable interest rate for each interest period
will be final and binding. Investors may obtain the interest rates for the
current and preceding interest period by writing or calling Corporate Trust
Administration at the Calculation Agent at The Chase Manhattan Bank, 450 West
33rd Street, New York, New York 10001.


         OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

         So long as no Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Company has the right under the Indenture to defer the payment
of interest at any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding 20
consecutive quarters with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no
Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Subordinated
Debentures. At the end of such Extension Period, the Company must pay all
interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at a variable
annual rate equal to LIBOR plus .70%, compounded quarterly, to the extent
permitted by applicable law). During an Extension Period, interest will continue
to accrue and holders of Subordinated Debentures (or holders of Capital
Securities while the Capital Securities are outstanding) will be required to
accrue interest income (as OID) for United States federal income tax purposes.
See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income
and Original Issue Discount."

         During any such Extension Period, the Company may not, and may not
permit any subsidiary of the Company to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or
distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of
principal, interest, or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase, or redeem any
debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu with or junior in interest
to the Subordinated Debentures or make any guarantee payments with respect to
any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the
Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the
Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) repurchases, redemptions, or other
acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any
employment contract, benefit plan, or other similar arrangement with or for the
benefit of any one or more employees, officers, directors, or consultants, or in
connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan, (b)
as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company's
capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any
other class or series of the Company's capital stock or of any class or series
of the Company's indebtedness for any class or series of the Company's capital
stock, (c)


                                       45


<PAGE>   47
the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock
pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the
security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with any stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock,
or other property under any stockholders' rights plan, or the redemption or
repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the form of stock,
warrants, options, or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock
issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options, or other rights is the same
stock as that on which the dividend is being paid (or ranks pari passu with or
junior to such stock)). Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period,
the Company may further extend the Extension Period, provided that no Extension
Period may exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the Stated Maturity
of the Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination of any such Extension
Period and the payment of all amounts then due on any Interest Payment Date, the
Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period subject to the above
requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period,
except at the end thereof. The Company must give the Property Trustee, the
Regular Trustees, and the Indenture Trustee notice of its election of such
Extension Period not less than one Business Day prior to such record date. The
Property Trustee shall give notice of the Company's election to begin a new
Extension Period to the holders of the Capital Securities.


         REDEMPTION

         The Subordinated Debentures are not redeemable prior to February 1,
2007, unless a Special Event has occurred. The Subordinated Debentures are
redeemable prior to maturity at the option of the Company, subject to the
receipt of any necessary prior approval of the Federal Reserve, (i) on or after
February 1, 2007, in whole or in part at any time, at a redemption price equal
to the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures so redeemed plus accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, or (ii) at any time in
whole (but not in part), within 90 days of the occurrence of a Special Event, at
such redemption price.

         If the Subordinated Debentures are redeemed, the Trust must redeem
Trust Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of Subordinated Debentures so redeemed. See "-- Description of
Capital Securities -- Redemption -- Mandatory Redemption."

         Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more
than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Subordinated
Debentures to be redeemed at its registered address. Unless the Company defaults
in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest
will cease to accrue on such Subordinated Debentures or portions thereof called
for redemption.


         CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

         The Company has covenanted in the Indenture that if and so long as the
Trust is the holder of all Subordinated Debentures, the Company, as borrower,
will pay to the Trust all fees and expenses related to the Trust and the
offering of the Capital Securities and will pay, directly or indirectly, all
ongoing costs, expenses, and liabilities of the Trust (including any taxes,
duties, assessments, or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than
withholding taxes) imposed by the United States or any domestic taxing authority
upon the Trust but excluding obligations under the Capital Securities).

         The Company also covenanted that it will not, and will not permit any
subsidiary of the Company to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions
on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of the Company's capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal,
interest, or premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Company that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the
Subordinated Debentures or make any guarantee payments with respect to any
guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company
if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the
Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) repurchases, redemptions, or other
acquisitions of shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with any
employment contract, benefit plan, or other similar arrangement with or for the
benefit of any one or more employees, officers, directors, or consultants, or in
connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan, (b)
as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of the Company's
capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the Company) for any
other class or series of the Company's capital stock or of any class or series
of the Company's indebtedness for any class or series of the Company's capital
stock, (c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital
stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (d) any declaration of a
dividend in connection with any stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of
rights, stock, or other property under any stockholders' rights plan, or the
redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or (e) any dividend in the
form of stock, warrants,


                                       46

<PAGE>   48
options, or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon
exercise of such warrants, options, or other rights is the same stock as that on
which the dividend is being paid (or ranks pari passu with or junior to such
stock)) if at such time (x) there shall have occurred any event of which the
Company has actual knowledge that (i) with the giving of notice or the lapse of
time, or both, would constitute an Indenture Event of Default with respect to
Subordinated Debentures and (ii) in respect of which the Company shall not have
taken reasonable steps to cure, (y) the Company shall be in default with respect
to its payment of any obligations under the Guarantee or (z) the Company shall
have given notice of its election of an Extension Period as provided in the
Indenture and shall not have rescinded such notice, or such Extension Period, or
any extension thereof, shall be continuing.


         SUBORDINATION

         In the Indenture, the Company has covenanted and agreed that any
Subordinated Debentures issued thereunder will be subordinated and junior in
right of payment to all Indebtedness to the extent provided in the Indenture.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company upon any liquidation,
dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, marshaling of assets, or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt
restructuring, or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or
bankruptcy proceeding of the Company, the holders of Indebtedness will first be
entitled to receive payment in full of the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest, if any, on such Indebtedness before the holders of Subordinated
Debentures or the Property Trustee on behalf of the holders of Capital
Securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the
principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Subordinated
Debentures; provided, however, that holders of Indebtedness shall not be
entitled to receive payment of any such amounts to the extent that such holders
would be required by the subordination provisions of such Indebtedness to pay
such amounts over to the obligees on trade accounts payable or other liabilities
arising in the ordinary course of the Company's business.

         In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Subordinated
Debentures, the holders of all Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such
acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts
then due thereon (including any amounts due upon acceleration thereof) before
the holders of Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any
payment in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any,
on the Subordinated Debentures; provided, however, that holders of Indebtedness
shall not be entitled to receive payment of any such amounts to the extent that
such holders would be required by the subordination provisions of such
Indebtedness to pay such amounts over to the obligees on trade accounts payable
or other liabilities arising in the ordinary course of the Company's business.

         No payments on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest,
if any, in respect of the Subordinated Debentures may be made if there shall
have occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to
Indebtedness, or an event of default with respect to any Indebtedness resulting
in the acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceeding shall
be pending with respect to any such default.

         "Indebtedness" means, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the
assets of the Company and whether or not contingent, (i) every obligation of the
Company for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of the Company evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments, including obligations
incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets, or businesses;
(iii) every reimbursement obligation of the Company with respect to letters of
credit, bankers' acceptances, or similar facilities issued for the account of
the Company; (iv) every obligation of the Company issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding trade accounts
payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business); (v)
every capital lease obligation of the Company; (vi) every obligation of the
Company for claims (as defined in Section 101(4) of the United States Bankruptcy
Code of 1978, as amended) in respect of derivative products such as interest and
foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts, and similar arrangements;
and (vii) every obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi)
of another person and all dividends of another person the payment of which, in
either case, the Company has guaranteed or is responsible or liable for,
directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise; provided that "Indebtedness"
shall not include (i) any obligations which, by their terms, are expressly
stated to rank pari passu in right of payment with, or to not be superior in
right of payment to, the Subordinated Debentures, (ii) any Indebtedness of the
Company which when incurred was without recourse to the Company, (iii) any
Indebtedness of the Company to any of its subsidiaries, (iv) Indebtedness to any
employee of the Company, or (v) any Indebtedness in respect of debt securities
issued to any trust, or a trustee of such trust, partnership, or other entity
affiliated with the Company that is a financing entity of the Company in
connection with the issuance by such financing entity of securities that are
similar to the Capital Securities.

         The Indenture places no limitation on the amount of additional
Indebtedness that may be incurred by the Company or any indebtedness or other
liabilities that may be incurred by the Company's subsidiaries. As of March 31,


                                       47


<PAGE>   49
1997, Indebtedness of the Company aggregated approximately $369.3 million to
which the Subordinated Debentures would be effectively subordinated.


         INDENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following described
events with respect to the Subordinated Debentures that has occurred and is
continuing constitutes an "Indenture Event of Default" with respect to the
Subordinated Debentures:

                  (i)   failure for 30 days to pay any interest on the
         Subordinated Debentures when due (subject to the deferral of any due
         date in the case of an Extension Period); or

                  (ii)  failure to pay any principal on the Subordinated
         Debentures when due whether at maturity, upon redemption by declaration
         or otherwise; or

                  (iii) failure to observe or perform in any material respect
         any other covenant contained in the Indenture for 90 days after written
         notice to the Company from the Indenture Trustee or the holders of at
         least 25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of outstanding
         Subordinated Debentures; or

                  (iv)  certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency, or
         reorganization of the Company.

         The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of
Subordinated Debentures have the right to direct the time, method, and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Indenture Trustee. The
Indenture Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate outstanding
principal amount of Subordinated Debentures may declare the principal due and
payable immediately upon an Indenture Event of Default, and, should the
Indenture Trustee or such holders of such Subordinated Debentures fail to make
such declaration, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of
the Capital Securities shall have such right. The holders of a majority in
aggregate outstanding principal amount of Subordinated Debentures may annul such
declaration and waive the default if the default (other than the non-payment of
the principal of Subordinated Debentures which has become due solely by such
acceleration) has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has
been deposited with the Indenture Trustee, and should the holders of such
Subordinated Debentures fail to annul such declaration and waive such default,
the holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities shall have such right.

         The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of
the Subordinated Debentures affected thereby may, on behalf of the holders of
all the Subordinated Debentures, waive any past default, except a default in the
payment of principal or interest (unless such default has been cured and a sum
sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due
otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Indenture Trustee) or
a default in respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot
be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Subordinated Debenture, and should the holders of such Subordinated Debentures
fail to waive such default, the holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation
Amount of the Capital Securities shall have such right. The Company is required
to file annually with the Indenture Trustee a certificate as to whether or not
the Company is in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to
it under the Indenture.

         In case an Indenture Event of Default shall occur and be continuing,
the Property Trustee will have the right to declare the principal of and the
interest on such Subordinated Debentures and any other amounts payable under the
Indenture to be forthwith due and payable and to enforce its other rights as a
creditor with respect to such Subordinated Debentures.


         ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES

         If an Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and
such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest or
principal on the Subordinated Debentures on the date such interest or principal
is otherwise payable, a holder of Capital Securities may institute a Direct
Action for payment. The Company may not amend the Indenture to remove the
foregoing right to bring a Direct Action without the prior written consent of
the holders of all of the Capital Securities. Notwithstanding any payment made
to such holder of Capital Securities by the Company in connection with a Direct
Action, the Company shall remain obligated to pay such principal of or interest


                                       48


<PAGE>   50



on the Subordinated Debentures held by the Trust or the Property Trustee and the
Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of such Capital
Securities with respect to payments on the Capital Securities to the extent of
any payments made by the Company to such holder in any Direct Action. Except as
otherwise described herein, the holders of Capital Securities will not be able
to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the
Subordinated Debentures.


         CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS, AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
   

         The Indenture provides that the Company shall not consolidate with or
merge into any other Person (as defined in the Indenture) or convey, transfer,
or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person,
unless (i) in case the Company consolidates with or merges into another Person
or conveys, transfers, or leases its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to any Person, the successor Person is organized under the laws of the
United States or any state or the District of Columbia, and such successor
Person expressly assumes the Company's obligations on the Subordinated
Debentures issued under the Indenture; (ii) immediately after giving effect
thereto, no Indenture Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or
lapse of time or both, would become an Indenture Event of Default, shall have
happened and be continuing; (iii) if at the time any Capital Securities are
outstanding, such transaction is permitted under the Declaration and Guarantee  
Agreement and does not give rise to any breach or violation of the Declaration
or Guarantee Agreement; (iv) any such lease shall provide that it will remain
in effect so long as any Subordinated Debentures are outstanding; and (v)
certain other conditions prescribed in the Indenture are met.
    

         MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE

         From time to time the Company and the Indenture Trustee may, without
the consent of the holders of the Subordinated Debentures, amend, waive, or
supplement the Indenture for specified purposes, including, among other things,
curing ambiguities, defects, or inconsistencies (provided that any such action
does not materially adversely affect the interest of the holders of Subordinated
Debentures), qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act and adding to, deleting from, or revising the
terms of the Subordinated Debentures to provide for transfer procedures and
restrictions substantially similar to those applicable to the Capital Securities
(for purposes of assuring that no registration of Subordinated Debentures is
required under the Securities Act). The Indenture contains provisions permitting
the Company and the Indenture Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not
less than a majority in principal amount of outstanding Subordinated Debentures
affected, to modify the Indenture in a manner affecting the rights of the
holders of such Subordinated Debentures; provided that no such modification may,
without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Subordinated Debentures so
affected, (i) change the stated maturity of Subordinated Debentures, or reduce
the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment
of interest thereon (except such extension as is contemplated hereby) or (ii)
reduce the percentage of principal amount of Subordinated Debentures the holders
of which are required to consent to any such modification of the Indenture,
provided that, so long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, no such
modification may be made that adversely affects the holders of such Capital
Securities in any material respect, and no termination of the Indenture may
occur, and no waiver of any Indenture Event of Default or compliance with any
covenant under the Indenture may be effective, without the prior consent of the
holders of at least a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
outstanding Capital Securities unless and until the principal of the
Subordinated Debentures and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon have been
paid in full and certain other conditions are satisfied.


         DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE

         The Indenture provides that the Company, at the Company's option: (a)
will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Subordinated
Debentures (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange
of Subordinated Debentures, replace stolen, lost, or mutilated Subordinated
Debentures, maintain paying agencies, and hold moneys for payment in trust) or
(b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture
(including that described in the second paragraph under "-- Certain Covenants of
the Company" as defined in the Indenture), in each case if the Company deposits,
in trust with the Indenture Trustee, money or U.S. Government Obligations which
through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with
their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal
of, and interest and premium, if any, on the Subordinated Debentures on the
dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such Subordinated
Debentures. To exercise any such option, the Company is required to deliver to
the Indenture Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the deposit and
related defeasance would not cause the holders of the Subordinated Debentures to
recognize income, gain, or loss for United States federal income tax purposes
and, in the case of a discharge pursuant to clause (a), such opinion shall be
accompanied by a

                                       49
<PAGE>   51
private letter ruling to the effect received by the Company from the United
States Internal Revenue Service or revenue ruling pertaining to a comparable
form of transaction to such effect published by the United States Internal
Revenue Service.


         DISTRIBUTIONS OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES; BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

         Under certain circumstances involving the termination of the Trust,
Subordinated Debentures may be distributed to the holders of the Capital
Securities in liquidation of the Trust after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law. If distributed to holders
of Capital Securities in liquidation, the Subordinated Debentures will initially
be issued in the form of global securities and certificated securities. DTC, or
any successor depositary, will act as depositary for such global securities. It
is anticipated that the depositary arrangements for and certain restrictions
with respect to such global securities would be substantially identical to those
in effect for the Capital Securities. For a description of global securities and
certificated securities, see "Book-Entry Issuance."

         There can be no assurance as to the market price of any Subordinated
Debentures that may be distributed to the holders of Capital Securities.


         PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS

         The Company initially will act as Paying Agent with respect to the
Subordinated Debentures except that, if the Subordinated Debentures are
distributed to the holders of the Capital Securities in liquidation of such
holders' interests in the Trust, the Indenture Trustee will act as the Paying
Agent. The Company at any time may designate additional Paying Agents or rescind
the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through
which any Paying Agent acts, except that the Company will be required to
maintain a Paying Agent at the place of payment.

         Any moneys deposited with the Indenture Trustee or any Paying Agent, or
then held by the Company in trust, for the payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, or interest on any Subordinated Debentures and remaining
unclaimed for one year after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has
become due and payable shall, at the request of the Company, be repaid to the
Company and the holder of such Subordinated Debentures shall thereafter look, as
a general unsecured creditor, only to the Company for payment thereof.


         GOVERNING LAW

         The Indenture and the Subordinated Debentures are governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


         INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE

         The Indenture Trustee has and is subject to all the duties and
responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust
Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the Indenture Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Indenture at the
request of any holder of Subordinated Debentures, unless offered reasonable
indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses, and liabilities which
might be incurred thereby. The Indenture Trustee is not required to expend or
risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the
performance of its duties if the Indenture Trustee reasonably believes that
repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.



 DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEE

   

         The Old Guarantee was executed and delivered by the Company
concurrently with the issuance by the Trust of the Old Capital Securities for
the benefit of the holders from time to time of such Old Capital Securities. As
soon as practicable after the date hereof, the Old Guarantee will be exchanged
by the Company for the New Guarantee. The New Guarantee has been qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act. The Chase Manhattan Bank is the Guarantee Trustee under
the Guarantee Agreement. This summary of certain provisions of the Guarantee 
Agreement does not purport to be complete and is
    


                                       50


<PAGE>   52
   

subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions
of the Guarantee Agreement, including the definitions therein of certain terms.
The Guarantee Trustee will hold the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of
the Capital Securities.


         GENERAL

         The Company has agreed (and under the New Guarantee will agree) to pay
in full on a subordinated basis, to the extent set forth in the Guarantee
Agreement and described herein, the Guarantee Payments (as defined below) to
the holders of the Capital Securities, as and when due, regardless of any
defense, right of set-off, or counterclaim that the Trust may have or assert
other than the defense of payment. The following payments with respect to the
Capital Securities, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of the Trust (the
"Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the Guarantee: (i) any accumulated
and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on the Capital Securities, to the
extent that the Trust has sufficient funds available therefor at the time, (ii)
the redemption price with respect to any Capital Securities called for
redemption, to the extent that the Trust has sufficient funds available
therefor at such time, or (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
winding up, or liquidation of the Trust (unless the Subordinated Debentures are
distributed to holders of the Capital Securities), the lesser of (a) the
aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities and all accrued and
unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment and (b) the amount of
assets of the Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of Capital
Securities. The Company's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be
satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Company to the
holders of the applicable Capital Securities or by causing the Trust to pay
such amounts to such holders.
    


         The Guarantee is an irrevocable guarantee on a subordinated basis of
the Trust's obligations under the Capital Securities, but will apply only to the
extent that the Trust has sufficient funds available to make such payments.

   
         If the Company does not make interest payments on the Subordinated
Debentures held by the Trust, the Trust will not be able to pay Distributions on
the Capital Securities and will not have funds legally available therefor. The
Guarantee will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Indebtedness of the Company to the same extent as the Subordinated Debenture.
See "--Status of the Guarantee." The Guarantee Agreement does not limit the
incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Company,
whether under the Indenture or any existing or other indenture that the Company
may enter into in the future or otherwise.
    

         The Company has, through the Guarantee, the Subordinated Debentures,
and the Indenture, taken together, fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of
the Trust's obligations under the Capital Securities. No single document
standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other
documents constitutes such guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these
documents that has the effect of providing a full and unconditional guarantee of
the Trust's obligations under the Capital Securities. See "Relationship Among
the Capital Securities, the Subordinated Debentures, and the Guarantee."

   

         STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE

         The Guarantee constitutes an unsecured obligation of the Company and
ranks subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Indebtedness of the
Company to the same extent as the Subordinated Debenture. The Guarantee
Agreement does not place a limitation on the amount of additional Indebtedness
that may be incurred by the Company.

         The Guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection
(i.e., the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against
the Guarantor to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity). The
Guarantee Agreement is held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the
holders of the Capital Securities. The Guarantee will not be discharged except
by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full to the extent not paid by the
Trust or upon distribution of the Subordinated Debentures to the holders of
the Capital Securities in exchange for all of the Capital Securities.
    


         AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
   

         Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely
affect the rights of holders of the Capital Securities (in which case no vote
will be required), the Guarantee Agreement may not be amended without the prior
approval of the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital Securities. The manner of
obtaining any such approval is as set forth under "-- Description of Capital
Securities -- Voting Rights;
    


                                       51


<PAGE>   53
   

Amendment of the Declaration." All guarantees and agreements contained in the
Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees,
and representatives of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the
registered holders of the Capital Securities then outstanding.


         EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         An event of default under the Guarantee Agreement will occur upon the
failure of the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations
thereunder. The holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method, and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in
respect of the Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee Agreement.

         Any holder of the Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee
Agreement without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the
Guarantee Trustee, or any other person or entity.

         The Company, as guarantor, is required to file annually with the
Guarantee Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Company is in
compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the
Guarantee Agreement.


         INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

         The Guarantee Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance
of a default by the Company in performance of the Guarantee Agreement,
undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the
Guarantee Agreement and, after default with respect to the Guarantee Agreement, 
must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would
exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this
provision, the Guarantee Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the
powers vested in it by the Guarantee Agreement at the request of any holder of
any Capital Security unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the
costs, expenses, and liabilities that might be incurred thereby.


         TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEE

         The Guarantee Agreement will terminate and be of no further force and
effect upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all of the Capital
Securities, upon full   payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of the
Trust, or upon distribution of Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the
Capital Securities in exchange for all of the Capital Securities. The Guarantee
Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may
be, if at any time any holder of the Capital Securities must restore payment of
any sums paid under the Capital Securities or the Guarantee.


         GOVERNING LAW

         The Guarantee Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance 
with the laws of the State of New York.



                          DESCRIPTION OF OLD SECURITIES


         The terms of the Old Securities are identical in all material respect
to the New Securities, except that (i) the Old Securities have not been
registered under the Securities Act, are subject to certain restrictions on
transfer, and are entitled to certain rights under the Registration Rights
Agreement (which rights will terminate upon consummation of the Exchange Offer,
except under limited circumstances); (ii) the New Capital Securities will not
provide for any increase in the distribution rate thereon; and (iii) the New
Subordinated Debentures will not provide for any increase in the interest rate
thereon. The Old Securities provide that, in the event that the Exchange Offer
is not consummated on or prior to September 11, 1997, or, in certain limited
circumstances, in the event a shelf registration statement (the "Shelf
Registration Statement") with respect to the resale of the Old Capital
Securities is not filed with the Commission on or prior to 150 days after such
filing obligation arises and is not declared effective on or prior to 180 days
after such obligation arises, then interest will accrue (in addition to the
interest rate on the Subordinated Debentures) at the rate of 0.25% per annum on
the principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures, and Distributions will
accrue (in addition

    

                                       52


<PAGE>   54
to the stated Distribution rate on the Capital Securities) at the rate of 0.25%
per annum on the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities, for the period
from the occurrence of such event until such time as the Exchange Offer is
consummated or any required Shelf Registration Statement is effective. The New
Securities are not, and upon consummation of the Exchange Offer the Old
Securities will not be, entitled to any such additional interest or
Distributions. Accordingly, holders of Old Capital Securities should review the
information set forth under "Risk Factors -- Certain Consequences of Failure to
Exchange Old Capital Securities" and "Description of New Securities."



                   RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES,
                 THE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, AND THE GUARANTEE


         Payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the Capital
Securities (to the extent the Trust has funds available for the payment of such
Distributions) are irrevocably guaranteed by the Company as and to the extent
set forth under "Description of New Securities -- Description of Guarantee." If
and to the extent that the Company does not make payments under the Subordinated
Debentures, the Trust will not pay Distributions or other amounts due on the
Capital Securities. The Guarantee does not cover payment of Distributions when
the Trust does not have sufficient funds to pay such Distributions. In such
event, a holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly
against the Company under the Indenture to enforce payment of such Distributions
to such holder after the respective due dates. Taken together, the Company's
obligations under the Subordinated Debentures, the Indenture, and the Guarantee
provide, in the aggregate, a full and unconditional guarantee of payments of
distributions and other amounts due on the Capital Securities. No single
document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the
other documents constitutes such guarantee. It is only the combined operation of
these documents that has the effect of providing a full and unconditional
guarantee of the Trust's obligations under the Capital Securities. The
obligations of the Company under the Guarantee and the Subordinated Debentures
are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Indebtedness of the
Company to the extent described herein.


SUFFICIENCY OF PAYMENTS

         As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on
the Subordinated Debentures, such payments will be sufficient to cover
Distributions and other payments due on the Capital Securities, primarily
because (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures will
be equal to the sum of the aggregate stated Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities; (ii) the interest rate and interest and
other payment dates on the Subordinated Debentures will match the distribution
rate and Distribution Date and other payment dates for the related Capital
Securities; (iii) the Company will pay for all and any costs, expenses, and
liabilities of the Trust except the Trust's obligations under the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the Declaration provides that the Trust will not engage in
any activity that is not consistent with the limited purposes of the Trust.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture, the Company
has the right to set-off any payment it is otherwise required to make thereunder
with and to the extent the Company has theretofore made, or is concurrently on
the date of such payment making, a related payment under the Guarantee.


ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES

         A holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Trust,
or any other person or entity.

         A default or event of default under any Indebtedness of the Company
will not constitute a default or Indenture Event of Default. In addition, in the
event of payment defaults under, or acceleration of, Indebtedness of the
Company, the subordination provisions of the Indenture provide that, except as
otherwise specified therein, no payments may be made in respect of the
Subordinated Debentures until such Indebtedness has been paid in full or any
payment default thereunder has been cured or waived. Failure to make required
payments on the Subordinated Debentures would constitute an Indenture Event of
Default under the Indenture.


                                       53


<PAGE>   55
LIMITED PURPOSE OF TRUST

         The Capital Securities evidence a beneficial ownership interest in the
assets of the Trust, and the Trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing the
Capital Securities and the Common Securities and investing the proceeds thereof
in Subordinated Debentures. A principal difference between the rights of a
holder of Capital Securities and a holder of Subordinated Debentures is that a
holder of Subordinated Debentures is entitled to receive from the Company the
principal amount of and interest accrued on Subordinated Debentures held, while
a holder of Capital Securities is entitled to receive Distributions from the
Trust (or from the Company under the Guarantee) if and to the extent the Trust
has funds available for the payment of such Distributions.


RIGHTS UPON TERMINATION

         Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination, winding-up, or
liquidation of the Trust involving the liquidation of the Subordinated
Debentures, the holders of the Capital Securities will be entitled to receive,
out of assets held by the Trust, the Liquidation Distribution in cash. See
"Description of New Securities -- Description of Capital Securities --
Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution." Upon any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation or bankruptcy of the Company, the Property Trustee, as holder of the
Subordinated Debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of the Company,
subordinated in right of payment to all Indebtedness to the extent described
herein, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal and interest before
any stockholders of the Company receive payments or distributions. Since the
Company is the guarantor under the Guarantee and has agreed to pay for all
costs, expenses, and liabilities of the Trust (other than the Trust's
obligations to the holders of the Capital Securities), the positions of a holder
of Capital Securities and a holder of the Subordinated Debentures relative to
other creditors and to stockholders of the Company in the event of liquidation
or bankruptcy of the Company would be substantially the same.





              CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES


         In the opinion of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, in its capacity as
special tax counsel to the Company and the Trust ("Tax Counsel"), the following
summary accurately describes the material United States federal income tax
consequences of the Exchange Offer and of the ownership and disposition of the
New Capital Securities. Unless otherwise stated, this summary deals only with
Capital Securities held as capital assets by United States Persons (defined
below) who purchase the Capital Securities upon original issuance at their
original offering price. As used herein, a "United States Person" means (i) a
person that is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation,
partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States or any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income
of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its
source, or (iv) any trust if a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or
more United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all the substantial
decisions of such trust. The tax treatment of a holder may vary depending on its
particular situation. This summary does not address all the tax consequences
that may be relevant to a particular holder or to holders that may be subject to
special tax treatment, such as banks, real estate investment trusts, regulated
investment companies, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies,
tax-exempt investors, or persons holding the Capital Securities as a position in
a "straddle," as part of a "hedging," "conversion," or other integrated
investment. In addition, this summary does not address any description of any
alternative minimum tax consequences, the tax laws of any state, local, or
foreign government that may be applicable to a holder of Capital Securities, or
the income tax consequences to shareholders in, or partners or beneficiaries of,
a holder of the Capital Securities. This summary is based on the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof,
as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a
retroactive basis (See "-- Proposed Tax Law Changes," below). The authorities on
which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, and the
opinions of Tax Counsel are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
or the courts, either of which could take a contrary position. Moreover, no
rulings have been or will be sought from the IRS with respect to the
transactions described herein. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the
IRS will not challenge the opinions expressed herein or that a court would not
sustain such a challenge.

         HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF
THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL,
FOREIGN, AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN UNITED STATES
FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS. FOR A DISCUSSION OF THE POSSIBLE REDEMPTION OF THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN TAX EVENTS, SEE "DESCRIPTION
OF NEW SECURITIES -- DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL


                                       54
<PAGE>   56
SECURITIES -- REDEMPTION -- SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION OR DISTRIBUTION OF
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES."


EXCHANGE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES

         Although the matter is not free from doubt, an exchange of Old Capital
Securities for New Capital Securities should not be taxable to the holders.


CLASSIFICATION OF THE TRUST

         In connection with the issuance of the Old Capital Securities, Tax
Counsel rendered an opinion that under then current law and assuming full
compliance with the terms of the Declaration and other documents, the Trust will
be classified as a grantor trust and will not be taxable as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, for United States
federal income tax purposes, each holder of Capital Securities will be treated
as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Subordinated Debentures and,
thus, will be required to include in its gross income its pro rata share of
interest income or original issue discount that is paid or accrued on the
Subordinated Debentures.


CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

         The Company, the Trust, and the holders of the Capital Securities (by
the acceptance of a beneficial interest in a Capital Security) will agree to
treat the Subordinated Debentures as indebtedness for all United States federal
income tax purposes. In connection with the issuance of the Old Subordinated
Debentures, Tax Counsel rendered an opinion that, under then current law, and
based on the representations, facts, and assumptions set forth therein, the
Subordinated Debentures will be classified as indebtedness for United States
federal income tax purposes.


INTEREST INCOME AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT

         Under the applicable Treasury regulations, the Subordinated Debentures
will not be treated as issued with OID within the meaning of section 1273(a) of
the Code because the Company had concluded, and this discussion assumes, that as
of the date of the original issue of the Old Subordinated Debentures, the
likelihood of its exercising its right to defer payments of interest was remote.
Accordingly, except as set forth below, stated interest on the Subordinated
Debentures generally will be taxable to a holder as ordinary income at the time
it is paid or accrued in accordance with such holder's regular method of tax
accounting.

         If, however, the Company exercises its right to defer payments of
interest on the Subordinated Debentures, the Subordinated Debentures would be
treated as reissued for OID purposes at such time and all holders of the
Subordinated Debentures and, consequently, holders of the Capital Securities
will be required to accrue their pro rata share of OID (which will include both
the stated interest and the de minimis OID on the Subordinated Debentures) on a
daily economic accrual basis during the Extension Period even though the Company
will not pay such interest until the end of the Extension Period, and even
though some holders may use the cash method of tax accounting. Moreover,
thereafter the Subordinated Debentures will be taxed as OID instruments for as
long as they remain outstanding. Thus, even after the end of an Extension
Period, all holders would be required to continue to include the stated interest
(and the de minimis OID) on the Subordinated Debentures in income on a daily
basis, regardless of their method of tax accounting and in advance of receipt of
the cash attributable to such interest income. Under the OID economic accrual
rules, a holder would accrue an amount of interest income each year that
approximates the stated interest payments called for under the terms of the
Subordinated Debentures, and actual cash payments of interest on the
Subordinated Debentures would not be reported separately as taxable income. Any
amount of OID included in a holder's gross income (whether or not during an
Extension Period) with respect to a Capital Security will increase such holder's
tax basis in such Capital Security, and the amount of Distributions received by
a holder in respect of such accrued OID will reduce the tax basis of such
Capital Security.

         In the absence of the Company's election to defer an interest payment
period, de minimis OID would not be subject to income tax until a holder's
Subordinated Debentures were sold, redeemed, or retired, in which event the de
minimis OID would increase any gain or decrease any loss recognized by the
holder. De minimis OID will be present with respect to the Subordinated
Debentures, in an amount equal to the excess of (a) the stated redemption price
at maturity (as defined for income tax purposes) of the Subordinated Debentures,
over (b) the issue price of the


                                       55


<PAGE>   57
Subordinated Debentures, as such amount is less than the product of (x) 0.25% of
the redemption price, and (y) the number of complete calendar years from the
Subordinated Debentures' issue date to its maturity.

         If the Company's option to defer payments of interest were not treated
as remote, the Subordinated Debentures would be treated as initially issued with
OID in an amount equal to the aggregate stated interest over the term of the
Subordinated Debentures, plus the amount of de minimis OID on the Subordinated
Debentures. That OID would generally be includible in a United States Person's
taxable income, over the term of the Subordinated Debentures, on an economic
accrual basis.

         The Treasury regulations described above have not yet been addressed in
any rulings or other interpretations by the IRS, and it is possible that the IRS
could take a contrary position. If the IRS were to assert successfully that the
stated interest on the Subordinated Debentures was OID regardless of whether the
Company exercises its option to defer payments of interest on such debentures,
all holders of Capital Securities would be required to include such stated
interest in income on a daily economic accrual basis as described above.

         Corporate holders of Capital Securities will not be entitled to a
dividends-received deduction with respect to any income recognized by such
holders with respect to the Capital Securities.


DISTRIBUTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST

         As described under the caption "Description of New Securities --
Description of Capital Securities -- Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution,"
Subordinated Debentures may be distributed to holders in exchange for the
Capital Securities and in liquidation of the Trust. Under current law, such a
distribution would be non-taxable, and will result in the holder receiving
directly its pro rata share of the Subordinated Debentures previously held
indirectly through the Trust, with a holding period and aggregate tax basis
equal to the holding period and aggregate tax basis such holder had in its
Capital Securities before such distribution. If, however, the liquidation of the
Trust were to occur because the Trust is subject to United States federal income
tax with respect to income accrued or received on the Subordinated Debentures,
the distribution of the Subordinated Debentures to holders would be a taxable
event to the Trust and to each holder and a holder would recognize gain or loss
as if the holder had exchanged its Capital Securities for the Subordinated
Debentures it received upon liquidation of the Trust. A holder would accrue
interest in respect of the Subordinated Debentures received from the Trust in
the manner described above under "-- Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount."

         Under certain circumstances described herein (see "Description of New
Securities -- Description of Capital Securities -- Redemption -- Special Event
Redemption or Distribution of Subordinated Debentures"), the Subordinated
Debentures may be redeemed for cash, with the proceeds of such redemption
distributed to holders in redemption of their Capital Securities. Under current
law, such a redemption would constitute a taxable disposition of the redeemed
Capital Securities for United States federal income tax purposes, and a holder
would recognize gain or loss as if it sold such redeemed Capital Securities for
cash. See "-- Sales of Capital Securities."


SALES OF CAPITAL SECURITIES

         A holder that sells Capital Securities will recognize gain or loss
equal to the difference between the amount realized by such holder on the sale
of the Capital Securities (except to the extent that such amount realized is
characterized as a payment in respect of accrued but unpaid interest on such
holder's allocable share of the Subordinated Debentures that the holder had not
included in gross income previously) and the holder's adjusted tax basis in the
Capital Securities sold. Such gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or
loss and generally will be taxable as a long-term capital gain or loss if the
Capital Securities have been held for more than one year. Subject to certain
limited exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income
for United States federal income tax purposes.


PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES

         Legislation was proposed by the United States Department of Treasury on
February 6, 1997, as part of President Clinton's Fiscal 1998 Budget Proposal
that contains a provision which generally would deny an interest deduction for
interest paid or accrued on an instrument issued by a corporation that (i) has a
maximum term of more than 15 years and (ii) is not shown as indebtedness on the
separate balance sheet of the issuer or, where the instrument is issued to a
related party (other than a corporation), where the holder or some other related
party issues a related instrument that is not shown as indebtedness on the
consolidated balance sheet that includes the issuer and the holder. As
originally


                                       56


<PAGE>   58
   

drafted, this provision was proposed to be effective generally for debt
instruments issued on or after the date of the first Congressional committee
action taken on the proposed legislation. If this provision were to apply to the
Subordinated Debentures, the Company would be prohibited from deducting the
interest on the Subordinated Debentures which would trigger a "Tax Event" (see
below). On June 9, 1997, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer
released his draft proposed Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1997 which deleted
this particular provision. On June 19, 1997, the Senate Finance Committee
released its approved draft of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1997, which   
likewise did not include this particular provision. This particular provision
of the President's Proposal is not included in the legislation currently under
consideration by the Joint Committee.
    

         Even though the most recent Congressional action does not incorporate
the President's Proposal concerning the disallowance of interest deductions on
long-term debt obligations not treated as indebtedness on the issuer's balance
sheet, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate resolution of the pending
legislation on this issue. Thus, there can be no assurance that the proposed
legislation, future legislative proposals, or final legislation will not
adversely affect the ability of the Company to deduct interest on the
Subordinated Debentures or otherwise affect the tax treatment of the
transactions described herein. Moreover, such legislation could give rise to a
Tax Event, which would permit the Company to cause a redemption of the Capital
Securities, as described more fully herein under the caption "Description of New
Securities -- Description of Capital Securities -- Redemption -- Special Event
Redemption or Substitution of Subordinated Debentures."


NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS

         As used herein, the term "Non-United States Holder" means any holder
that is not a United States Person (as defined above). As discussed above, the
Capital Securities will be treated as evidence of an indirect beneficial
ownership interest in the Subordinated Debentures. See "-- Classification of the
Trust." Thus, under present United States federal income tax law, and subject to
the discussion below concerning backup withholding:

                  (a) no withholding of United States federal income tax will be
         required with respect to the payment by the Trust or the Company or any
         paying agent of principal or interest (which for purposes of this
         discussion includes any OID) with respect to the Capital Securities (or
         on the Subordinated Debentures) to a Non-United States Holder, provided
         (i) that the beneficial owner of the Capital Securities ("Beneficial
         Owner") does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the
         total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company
         entitled to vote within the meaning of section 871(h)(3) of the Code
         and the regulations thereunder, (ii) the Beneficial Owner is not a
         controlled foreign corporation for United States federal income tax
         purposes that is related to the Company through stock ownership, (iii)
         the Beneficial Owner is not a bank whose receipt of interest with
         respect to the Capital Securities (or on the Subordinated Debentures)
         is described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, and (iv) the
         Beneficial Owner satisfies the statement requirement (described
         generally below) set forth in section 871(h) and section 881(c) of the
         Code and the regulations thereunder, and

                  (b) no withholding of United States federal income tax will be
         required with respect to any gain realized by a Non-United States
         Holder upon the sale or other disposition of the Capital Securities (or
         Subordinated Debentures).

         To satisfy the requirement referred to in (a)(iv) above, the Beneficial
Owner, or a financial institution holding the Capital Securities on behalf of
such owner, must provide, in accordance with specified procedures, to the Trust
or its paying agent, a statement to the effect that the Beneficial Owner is not
a United States Person. Pursuant to current temporary Treasury regulations,
these requirements will be met if (1) the Beneficial Owner provides his name and
address, and certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United
States Person (which certification may be made on an IRS Form W-8 (or successor
form)) or (2) a financial institution holding the Capital Securities (or
Subordinated Debentures) on behalf of the Beneficial Owner certifies, under
penalties of perjury, that such statement has been received by it and furnishes
a paying agent with a copy thereof.

         If a Non-United States Holder cannot satisfy the requirements of the
"portfolio interest" exception described in (a) above, payments of interest
(including any OID) made to such Non-United States Holder will be subject to a
30% withholding tax unless the Beneficial Owner provides the Trust or the
Company or any paying agent, as the case may be, with a properly executed (1)
IRS Form 1001 (or successor form) claiming an exemption from, or a reduction of,
such withholding tax under the benefit of a tax treaty or (2) IRS Form 4224 (or
successor form) stating that interest paid with respect to the Capital
Securities (or on the Subordinated Debentures) is not subject to withholding tax
because it is effectively connected with the Beneficial Owner's conduct of a
trade or business in the United States.

         If a Non-United States Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the
United States and interest with respect to the Capital Securities (or on the
Subordinated Debentures) is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade


                                       57


<PAGE>   59
or business, the Non-United States Holder, although exempt from the withholding
tax discussed above, will be subject to United States federal income tax on such
interest income on a net income basis in the same manner as if it were a United
States Person. In addition, if such Non-United States Holder is a foreign
corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its
effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to
adjustments. For this purpose, such interest income would be included in such
foreign corporation's earnings and profits.

         Any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of the Capital
Securities (or the Subordinated Debentures) generally will not be subject to
United States federal income tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected
with a trade or business in the United States of the Non-United States Holder,
(ii) in the case of a Non-United States Holder who is an individual, such
individual is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable
year of such sale, exchange, or retirement, and certain other conditions are
met, or (iii) in the case of any gain representing accrued interest on the
Subordinated Debentures, the requirements of the "portfolio interest" exception
described in (a) above are not satisfied.

         As discussed above, legislation has been introduced in the 105th
Congress that would deny an interest deduction to the Company for the interest
payable on the Subordinated Debentures. Such legislation also may cause the
Subordinated Debentures to be classified as equity (rather than indebtedness) of
the Company for United States federal income tax purposes and, thus, cause the
income derived from the Subordinated Debentures to be characterized as dividend,
rather than interest, income for such purposes. Dividend income is not eligible
for the "portfolio interest" exception described in (a) above. Therefore, if
such legislation is enacted and if it applies to the Subordinated Debentures,
income derived by a Non-United States Holder on the Capital Securities may be
subject to the 30% United States federal withholding tax described above, unless
a reduction or elimination of such tax is available under an applicable tax
treaty or such dividend income is effectively connected with a trade or business
carried on in the United States by such Non-United States Holder. See "--
Proposed Tax Law Changes."


INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING

         The amount of interest (or OID, if any) accrued on the Capital
Securities (or the Subordinated Debentures) held of record by United States
Persons (other than corporations and other exempt holders) will be reported
annually to such holders and to the IRS. The Property Trustee currently intends
to deliver such reports to holders of record prior to January 31 following each
calendar year. It is anticipated that persons who hold Capital Securities as
nominees for beneficial holders will report the required tax information to
beneficial holders on Form 1099.

         "Backup withholding" at a rate of 31% will apply to payments of
interest (or OID, if any) to non-exempt United States Persons unless the holder
furnishes its taxpayer identification number in the manner prescribed in
applicable Treasury regulations, certifies that such number is correct,
certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and meets certain
other conditions.

         No information reporting or backup withholding will be required with
respect to payments made by the Trust or any paying agent to Non-United States
Holders if a statement described in (a)(iv) under "Non-United States Holders"
has been received and the payor does not have actual knowledge that the
beneficial owner is a United States Person.

         In addition, backup withholding and information reporting will not
apply if payments of the principal, interest, OID, or premium with respect to
the Capital Securities (or on the Subordinated Debentures) are paid or collected
by a foreign office of a custodian, nominee, or other foreign agent on behalf of
the Beneficial Owner, or if a foreign office of a broker (as defined in
applicable Treasury regulations) pays the proceeds of the sale of the Capital
Securities (or the Subordinated Debentures) to the owner thereof. If, however,
such nominee, custodian, agent or broker is, for United States federal income
tax purposes, a United States Person, a controlled foreign corporation, or a
foreign person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain periods
from the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, such payments will
not be subject to backup withholding but will be subject to information
reporting, unless (1) such custodian, nominee, agent, or broker has documentary
evidence in its records that the Beneficial Owner is not a United States Person
and certain other conditions are met or (2) the Beneficial Owner otherwise
establishes an exemption.

         On April 22, 1996, proposed Treasury Regulations (the "1996 Proposed
Regulations") were issued which, if adopted in final form, would alter the
information reporting and backup withholding rules in certain respects. In
particular, in the case of Capital Securities (or Subordinated Debentures) the
1996 Proposed Regulations would provide certain presumptions under which a
Non-United States Holder may be subject to backup withholding in the absence of


                                       58


<PAGE>   60
required certification. It cannot be predicted at this time whether the 1996
Proposed Regulations will become effective as proposed or what, if any,
modifications may be made to them.

         Payment of the proceeds from disposition of Capital Securities (or the
Subordinated Debentures) to or through a United States office of a broker is
subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the holder or
beneficial owner establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup
withholding.

         Any amounts withheld from a holder of the Capital Securities under the
backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
holder's United States federal income tax liability, provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.


                               BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE
   
         The Old Capital Securities may be transferred or exchanged only in
blocks having a Liquidation Amount of not less than $100,000 in the manner and
at the offices described below.
    

         The New Capital Securities initially will be represented by one or more
Capital Securities in registered, global form (collectively, the "Global Capital
Securities"). The Global Capital Securities will be deposited upon issuance with
the Property Trustee as custodian for DTC, in New York, New York, and registered
in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a
direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below.

         Except as set forth below, the Global Capital Securities may be
transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Capital
Securities may not be exchanged for Capital Securities in certificated form
except in the limited circumstances described below. See "-- Exchange of
Book-Entry Capital Securities for Certificated Capital Securities." Transfer of
beneficial interests in the Global Capital Securities will be subject to the
applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants
(including, if applicable, those of the Euroclear System ("Euroclear") and 
CEDEL, S.A. ("CEDEL")), which may change from time to time.


DEPOSITARY PROCEDURES

         DTC has advised the Trust and the Company that DTC is a limited-purpose
trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations
(collectively, the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants
include securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchasers),
banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations.
Access to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks,
brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively,
the "Indirect Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially
own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the
Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest
of each actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are
recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.

         DTC has also advised the Trust and the Company that, pursuant to
procedures established by it, the ownership of interests in the Global Capital
Securities will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the
Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect
to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Capital Securities).

         Investors in the Global Capital Securities may hold their interests
therein directly through DTC if they are participants in such system, or
indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and CEDEL) which are
participants in such system. All interests in a Global Capital Security,
including those held through Euroclear or CEDEL, may be subject to the
procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or
CEDEL may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such system. The
laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in
certificated form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to
transfer beneficial interests in a Global Capital Security to such persons will
be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants,
which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the
ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Capital Security to
pledge such interests to


                                       59
<PAGE>   61
persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take
actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical
certificate evidencing such interests. For certain other restrictions on the
transferability of the Capital Securities, see "-- Exchange of Book-Entry
Capital Securities for Certificated Capital Securities."

         Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global Capital
Securities will not have Capital Securities registered in their name, will not
received physical delivery of Capital Securities in certificated form, and will
not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof for any purpose.

         Payments in respect of the Global Capital Security registered in the
name DTC or its nominee will be payable by the Property Trustee to DTC in its
capacity as the registered holder. The Property Trustee will treat the persons
in whose names the Capital Securities, including the Global Capital Securities,
are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments
and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the
Property Trustee nor any agent thereof has or will have any responsibility or
liability for (i) any aspect of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect
Participant's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Capital Securities, or for maintaining,
supervising, or reviewing any of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect
Participant's records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the
Global Capital Securities or (ii) any other matter relating to the actions and
practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants. DTC has
advised the Trust and the Company that its current practice, upon receipt of any
payment in respect of securities such as the Capital Securities, is to credit
the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date
unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment
date. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the
beneficial owners of Capital Securities will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the
Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of
DTC, the Property Trustee, the Trust, or the Company. None of the Company, the
Trust, or the Property Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its
Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Capital Securities, and
the Company, the Trust, and the Property Trustee may conclusively rely on and
will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all
purposes.

         Except for trades involving only Euroclear or CEDEL participants,
interests in the Global Capital Securities will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds
Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in such interests will
therefore settle in immediately available funds, subject in all cases to the
rules and procedures of DTC and its participants.

         Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance
with DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between
participants in Euroclear or CEDEL will be effected in the ordinary way in
accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

         Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the
Capital Securities described herein, cross-market transfers between the
Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or CEDEL participants, on
the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC's rules on
behalf of Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, by its respective depositary;
however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to
Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, by the counter-party in such system in
accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines
(Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, will, if
the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its
respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by
delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Capital Securities in
DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for
same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and CEDEL
participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for
Euroclear or CEDEL.

         Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear
or CEDEL participant purchasing an interest in a Global Capital Security from a
Participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to
the relevant Euroclear of CEDEL participant, during the securities settlement
processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and CEDEL)
immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or
CEDEL as a result of sales of interest in a Global Capital Security by or
through a Euroclear or CEDEL participant to a Participant in DTC will be
received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the
relevant Euroclear or CEDEL cash account only as of the business day for
Euroclear or CEDEL following DTC's settlement date.

         DTC has advised the Trust and the Company that it will take any action
permitted to be taken by a holder of Capital Securities only at the direction of
one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the Global


                                       60


<PAGE>   62
Capital Securities are credited. However, if there is an Event of Default, DTC
reserves the right to exchange the Global Capital Securities for Capital
Securities in certificated form and to distribute such Capital Securities to its
Participants.

         The information in this section concerning DTC, Euroclear, and CEDEL
and their book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that the Trust and
the Company believe to be reliable, but neither the Trust nor the Company takes
responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

         Although DTC, Euroclear, and CEDEL have agreed to the foregoing
procedures to facilitate transfers of interest in the Global Capital Securities
among participants in DTC, Euroclear, and CEDEL, they are under no obligation to
perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be
discontinued at any time. None of the Company, the Trust, or the Property
Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear, or
CEDEL or their respective participants or indirect participants of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations.


EXCHANGE OF BOOK-ENTRY CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR CERTIFICATED CAPITAL SECURITIES

         A Global Capital Security is exchangeable for Capital Securities in
registered certificated form if (i) DTC (x) notifies the Trust that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Capital Security
and the Trust thereupon fails to appoint a successor Depositary or (y) has
ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the
Company in its sole discretion elects to cause the issuance of the Capital
Securities in certificated form, or (iii) there shall have occurred and be
continuing an Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time
or both would be an Event of Default under the Declaration.



                           BENEFIT PLAN CONSIDERATIONS


         Each fiduciary of pension, profit sharing, or other employee benefit
plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), should consider, among other matters, (a) ERISA's fiduciary standards
(including its prudence and diversification requirements), (b) whether such
fiduciary has authority to make an investment in the Capital Securities under
the applicable Plan investment policies and governing instruments, and (c) rules
under ERISA and the Code that prohibit a Plan fiduciary from causing a Plan to
engage in a "prohibited transaction."

         Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Plans, as
well as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans subject to Section 4975
of the Code (also "Plans"), from, among other things, engaging in certain
transactions involving "plan assets" with persons who are "parties in interest"
under ERISA or "disqualified persons" under the Code with respect to such Plan.
A violation of these "prohibited transaction" rules may result in an excise tax
or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for such
persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory or
administrative exemption. Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as
defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section
3(33) of ERISA), and foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA)
are not subject to the requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

         The Department of Labor ("DOL") has issued a regulation (29 C.F.R.
Section 2510.3-101) (the "Plan Assets Regulation") concerning the definition of
what constitutes the assets of a Plan. The Plan Assets Regulation provides that,
as a general rule, the underlying assets and properties of corporations,
partnerships, trusts, and certain other entities in which a plan makes an
"equity" investment will be deemed for purposes of ERISA to be assets of the
investing plan unless certain exceptions apply.

         Pursuant to an exception contained in the Plan Assets Regulation, the
assets of the Trust would not be deemed to be "plan assets" of investing Plans
if, immediately after the most recent acquisition of any equity interest in the
Trust, less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest in the Trust
were held by Plans, other employee benefit plans not subject to ERISA, or
Section 4975 of the Code (such as governmental, church, and foreign plans) and
entities


                                       61


<PAGE>   63


holding assets deemed to be "plan assets" of any Plan (collectively, "Benefit
Plan Investors"). No assurance can be given that the value of the Capital
Securities held by Benefit Plan Investors will be less than 25% of the total
value of such Capital Securities and no monitoring or other measures will be
taken with respect to the satisfaction of the conditions to this exception. All
of the Common Securities will be purchased and held directly by the Company.
   

         There can be no assurance that any of the exceptions set forth in the
Plan Assets Regulation will apply to the purchase of Capital Securities and, as
a result, an investing Plan's assets could be considered to include an undivided
interest in the Subordinated Debentures held by the Trust. In the event that
assets of the Trust are considered assets of an investing Plan, the Declaration
Trustees, the Company, and other persons, in providing services with respect to
the Subordinated Debentures, may be considered fiduciaries to such Plan and
subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of ERISA. In
addition, certain transactions involving the Trust and/or the Capital Securities
could be deemed to constitute direct or indirect prohibited transactions under
ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code with respect to a Plan. For example, if the
Company or any Trustee is a party in interest or a fiduciary with respect to an
investing Plan (either directly or by reason of its ownership of its
subsidiaries), extensions of credit between the Company and the Trust (as
represented by the Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee Agreement) would 
likely be prohibited by Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
    

         The DOL has issued five PTCEs that may provide exemptive relief for
direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase or
holding of the Capital Securities, assuming that assets of the Trust were deemed
to be "plan assets" of Plans investing in the Trust (see above). Those class
exemptions are PTCE 96-23 (for certain transactions determined by in-house asset
managers), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective
investment funds), PTCE 95-60 (for certain transactions involving insurance
company general accounts), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving
insurance company pooled separate accounts), and PTCE 84-14 (for certain
transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers).

         Because of ERISA's prohibitions and those of Section 4975 of the Code,
the Capital Securities may not be purchased or held by any Plan, any Plan Asset
Entity, or any person having "plan assets" of any Plan, unless such purchase or
holding is covered by the exemptive relief provided by PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38,
90-1, or 84-14 or another applicable exemption. If a purchaser or holder of the
Capital Securities that is a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity elects to rely on an
exemption other than PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14, the Company and
the Trust may require a satisfactory opinion of counsel or other evidence with
respect to the availability of such exemption for such purchase and holding. Any
purchaser or holder of the Capital Securities or any interest therein will be
deemed to have represented by its purchase and holding thereof that either (a)
the purchaser and holder is not a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is not
purchasing such securities on behalf of or with "plan assets" of any Plan, or
(b) the purchase and holding of the Capital Securities is covered by the
exemptive relief provided by PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, or 84-14 or another
applicable exemption.

         Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be
imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is
particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons investing in the
Capital Securities on behalf of or with "plan assets" of any Plan consult with
their own counsel regarding the potential consequences if the assets of the
Trust were deemed to be "plan assets" and the availability of exemptive relief
under PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, or 84-14 or another applicable exemption.

         Governmental Plans, as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA, are not
subject to ERISA, and are also not subject to the prohibited transaction
provisions of Section 4975 of the Code. However, state laws or regulations
governing the investment and management of the assets of such plans may contain
fiduciary and prohibited transaction provisions similar to those under ERISA and
the Code discussed above. Accordingly, fiduciaries of government plans, in
consultation with their advisers, should consider the impact of their respective
state laws on investments in the Capital Securities, and the considerations
discussed above, to the extent applicable.


   

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION


        Each broker-dealer that receives New Capital Securities for its own
account in connection with the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Capital
Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by Participating Broker-Dealers during the period referred to
below in connection with resales of New Capital Securities received in exchange
for Old Capital Securities if such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such
Participating Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that this
Prospectus,
    


                                       62


<PAGE>   64
   

as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a
Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of such New Capital
Securities for a period ending 180 days after the Expiration Date (subject to
extension under certain limited circumstances described herein) or, if earlier,
when all such New Capital Securities have been disposed of by such Participating
Broker-Dealer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Resales of New Capital Securities."

        The Company will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the New
Capital Securities offered hereby. New Capital Securities received by
broker-dealers for their own accounts in connection with the Exchange Offer may 
be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter
market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the New
Capital Securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices
prevailing at the time of resale at prices related to such prevailing market
prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to
purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in
the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the
purchasers of any such New Capital Securities. Any broker-dealer that resells
New Capital Securities that were received by it for its own account in
connection with the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates
in a distribution of such New Capital Securities may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any
such resale of New Capital Securities and any commissions or concessions
received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation
under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by
acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Securities Act.

        The Company has agreed to pay all expenses incident to the Company's
performance of, or compliance with, the Registration Rights Agreement and will
indemnify the holders of Old Capital Securities (including any broker-dealers),
and certain parties related to such holders, against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.  In the Commission's view,
indemnification of certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act is
contrary to the federal securities laws and therefore unenforceable.

        The Company has not entered into any arrangements or undertakings with
any person to distribute the New Capital Securities to be received in the
Exchange Offer.
    


                                  LEGAL MATTERS


   
        Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the New
Capital Securities, the enforceability of the Declaration, and the formation of
the Trust will be passed upon on behalf of the Trust by Richards, Layton &
Finger P.A., special Delaware counsel to the Company and the Trust. The validity
of the New Subordinated Debentures and the New Guarantee will be passed upon for
the Company and the Trust by Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur. Certain United
States federal income tax matters will be passed upon for the Company and the
Trust by Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur. Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur will
rely as to certain matters of Delaware law on the opinion of Richards Layton &
Finger. As of June 30, 1997, members of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur
participating in the representation of the Company and the Trust on this matter
beneficially owned an aggregate of 26,510 shares of Huntington Common Stock.
    


                                    EXPERTS


        The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its affiliates
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996, incorporated by reference herein have been audited by Ernst & Young
LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report included therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements audited by Ernst &
Young LLP are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       63
<PAGE>   65
   

                   PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HUNTINGTON
                           BANCSHARES INCORPORATED


                      Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
                              Huntington Center
                             41 South High Street
                            Columbus, Ohio  43287

                     PROPERTY TRUSTEE AND EXCHANGE AGENT

                           The Chase Manhattan Bank
                             450 West 33rd Street
                           New York, New York 10001


                      PAYING AGENTS AND TRANSFER AGENTS


The Chase Manhattan Bank                  Chase Manhattan Bank Luxembourg, S.A.
  450 West 33rd Street                               5, Rue Plaetia
New York, New York  10001                         L-2338, Luxembourg

                                LEGAL ADVISORS


                                As to U.S. law
                        Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur
                             41 South High Street
                            Columbus, Ohio 43215

                              As to Delaware law
                          Richards, Layton & Finger
                              One Rodney Square
                                 P.O. Box 551
                          Wilmington, Delaware 19899

         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED


                              Ernst & Young LLP
                                 One Columbus
                             10 West Broad Street
                             Columbus, Ohio 43215


             LISTING AGENT AND SPECIAL LUXEMBOURG EXCHANGE AGENT

                       Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise
                              43 Boulevard Royal
                              L-2955 Luxembourg


    

<PAGE>   66
                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 20.      INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         The Articles of Incorporation of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
(the "Registrant"), as amended, provide that it shall indemnify its directors to
the full extent of the general laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in
force, including the advance of expenses to directors subject to procedures
provided by such laws; its officers to the same extent it shall indemnify its
directors; and its officers who are not directors to such further extent as
shall be authorized by the Board of Directors and be consistent with law.

         Section 2-418 of the Maryland general corporation law provides, in
substance, that a corporation may indemnify any director made a party to any
proceeding by reason of service in that capacity against judgments, penalties,
fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses actually incurred by the director in
connection with the proceeding, unless it is proved that the act or omission of
the director was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding
and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty; or the director actually received an improper personal benefit in
money, property, or services; or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, the
director had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
Notwithstanding the above, a director may not be indemnified in respect of any
proceeding, by or in the right of the corporation, in which such director shall
have been adjudged liable to the corporation or in respect of any proceeding
charging improper receipt of a personal benefit.

         Termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, or settlement does
not create a presumption that the director did not meet the requisite standard
of conduct. Termination of any proceeding by conviction, plea of nolo contendere
or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, creates
a rebuttable presumption that the director did not meet the requisite standard
of conduct. Indemnification is not permitted unless authorized for a specific
proceeding, after a determination that indemnification is permissible because
the requisite standard of conduct has been met (1) by a majority of a quorum of
directors not at the time parties to the proceeding (or a majority of a
committee of two or more such directors designated by the full board); (2) by
special legal counsel selected by the board of directors; or (3) by the
stockholders.

         The reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a
proceeding may be paid or reimbursed by the corporation in advance of the final
disposition of the proceeding upon receipt by the corporation of both a written
affirmation by the director of his good faith belief that the standard of
conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation has been met, and a
written undertaking by or on behalf of the director to repay the amount if it
shall be ultimately determined that the standard of conduct has not been met.

         The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided or authorized
by Section 2-418 are not exclusive of any other rights to which a director may
be entitled both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding such office.

         Pursuant to Section 2-418, a corporation may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee,
or agent of the corporation, or who, while serving in such capacity, is or was
at the request of the corporation serving as a director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee, or agent of another corporation or legal entity or of an
employee benefit plan, against liability asserted against and incurred by such
person in any such capacity or arising out of such person's position, whether or
not the corporation would have the power to indemnify against liability under
Section 2-418. A corporation may provide similar protection, including a trust
fund, letter of credit, or surety bond, which is not inconsistent with Section
2-418. A subsidiary or an affiliate of the corporation may provide the insurance
or similar protection.

         Subject to certain exceptions, the directors and officers of the
Registrant and its affiliates are insured to the extent of 100% of loss up to a
maximum of $35,000,000 (subject to certain deductibles) in each policy year
because of any claim or claims made against them by reason of their wrongful
acts while acting in their capacities as such directors or officers and up to a
maximum of $10,000,000 (subject to certain deductibles) in each policy year
because


<PAGE>   67
of any claim or claims made against them by reason of their wrongful acts while
acting in their capacities as fiduciaries in the administration of certain of
the Registrant's employee benefit programs. The Registrant is insured, subject
to certain retentions and exceptions, to the extent it shall have indemnified
the directors and officers for such loss.

         Under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, the Registrant has
agreed to indemnify each of the Trustees, and to hold such Trustees harmless
against any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith
on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance of
administration of such Declaration of Trust, including the costs and expenses of
defense against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the
exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties under the Declaration
of Trust, which is filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement.

ITEM 21.          EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

              (a)     EXHIBITS.

        EXHIBIT
          NO.                              DESCRIPTION

         3(i)     Articles of Restatement of Charter, Articles of Amendment to
                  Articles of Restatement of Charter, and Articles Supplementary
                  -- previously filed as Exhibit 3(i) to Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         3(ii)    Bylaws -- previously filed as Exhibit 3(b) to Annual Report
                  on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987, and
                  incorporated herein by reference.
   
         3(iii)   Certificate of Trust of Huntington Capital I (previously filed
                  as Exhibit 4(b) to this Registration Statement.

         4(a)     Indenture, dated as of January 31, 1997, between the
                  Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Indenture Trustee.

         4(b)     Certificate of Trust of Huntington Capital I.

         4(c)     Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Huntington
                  Capital I.

         4(d)*    Form of Unrestricted Certificate of Capital Security for
                  Huntington Capital I.

         4(e)     Form of Guarantee Agreement.

         4(f)     Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 1997,
                  among the Registrant, the Trust, and Morgan Stanley & Co.
                  Incorporated, Lehman Brothers Inc. and Salomon Brothers Inc.

         4(g)     All instruments defining the rights or holders of long-term
                  debt of the Corporation and its subsidiaries (not filed
                  pursuant to Clause 4(iii) of Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K; to
                  be furnished upon the request of the Commission).

         4(h)     Rights Plan, dated February 22, 1990, between Huntington
                  Bancshares Incorporated and The Huntington Trust Company,
                  National Association, -- previously filed as Exhibit 1 to
                  Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Securities
                  and Exchange Commission on February 22, 1990, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         4(i)     Amendment No. 1 To Rights Plan, dated August 16, 1995, between
                  Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and The Huntington Trust
                  Company, National Association-- previously filed as Exhibit
                  4(b) to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities
                  and Exchange Commission on August 28, 1995, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.
    

         5(a)     Opinion of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur as to validity of
                  the New Subordinated Debentures and the New Guarantee to be
                  issued by the Registrant.

         5(b)     Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger as to validity of the New
                  Capital Securities.

         8        Opinion of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur as to certain
                  federal income tax matters.

         10(a)    Memorandum of Understanding concerning certain executives of
                  First Michigan Bank Corporation, dated May 4, 1997, between
                  Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and First Michigan Bank
                  Corporation -- references made to Exhibit 10(a) of
                  Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
                  333-30313, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on
                  June 27, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(b)    Employment Agreement, dated September 16, 1991, between
                  Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and Frank Wobst --
                  previously filed as Exhibit 10(a) to Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         10(c)    Employment Agreement, dated September 16, 1991, between
                  Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and Zuheir Sofia --
                  previously filed as Exhibit 10(b) to Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         10(d)    Employment Agreement, dated September 16, 1991, between
                  Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and W. Lee Hoskins --
                  previously filed as Exhibit 10(c) to Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         10(e)    Executive Agreement, dated September 16, 1991, between
                  Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and Frank Wobst --
                  previously filed as Exhibit 10(f) to Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         10(f)    Executive Agreement, dated September 16, 1991, between
                  Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and Zuheir Sofia --
                  previously filed as Exhibit 10(g) to Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         10(g)    Executive Agreement, dated September 16, 1991, between
                  Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and W. Lee Hoskins --
                  previously filed as Exhibit 10(h) to Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         10(h)    Form of Executive Agreement for certain executive officers --
                  previously filed as Exhibit 10(g) to Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the year ended December 31, 1991, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.

         10(i)    Schedule identifying material details of Executive Agreements,
                  substantially similar to Exhibit 10(h) -- previously filed as
                  Exhibit 10(h) to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(j)    Incentive Compensation Plan -- previously filed as Exhibit
                  10(i) to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(k)    Incentive Compensation Plan Amendment -- previously filed as
                  Exhibit 10(i) to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter
                  ended March 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(l)    Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and
                  effective for performance cycles beginning on or after January
                  1, 1992 -- previously filed as Exhibit 10(j) to Annual Report
                  on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, and
                  incorporated herein by reference.

         10(m)    Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan -- previously filed as
                  Exhibit 10(g) to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 1987, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(n)    Deferred Compensation Plan and Trust for Directors --
                  reference is made to Exhibit 4(a) of Post-Effective Amendment
                  No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                  33-10546, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
                  January 28, 1991, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(o)(1) 1983 Stock Option Plan -- reference is made to Exhibit 4A of
                  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 2-89672,
                  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February
                  27, 1984, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(o)(2) 1983 Stock Option Plan -- Second Amendment -- previously
                  filed as Exhibit 10(j)(2) to Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the year ended December 31, 1987, and incorporated herein by
                  reference.

         10(o)(3) 1983 Stock Option Plan -- Third Amendment -- previously filed
                  as Exhibit 10(j)(3) to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                  ended December 31, 1987, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(o)(4) 1983 Stock Option Plan -- Fourth Amendment -- previously
                  filed as Exhibit 10(m)(4) to Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                  the year ended December 31, 1993, and incorporated herein by
                  reference.

         10(p)(1) 1990 Stock Option Plan -- reference is made to Exhibit 4(a) of
                  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 33-37373,
                  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October
                  18, 1990, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(p)(2) First Amendment to the Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
                  1990 Stock Option Plan -- previously filed as Exhibit 10(q)(2)
                  to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                  1991, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(q)    The Huntington Supplemental Stock Purchase and Tax Savings
                  Plan and Trust (as amended and restated as of February 9,
                  1990) -- previously filed as Exhibit 4(a) to Registration
                  Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 33-44208, filed with
                  the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 1991,
                  and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(r)    Deferred Compensation Plan and Trust for Huntington Bancshares
                  Incorporated Directors -- reference is made to Exhibit 4(a) of
                  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 33-41774,
                  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 19,
                  1991, and incorporated herein by reference.

         10(s)    Huntington Bancshares Incorporated Retirement Plan For Outside
                  Directors -- previously filed as Exhibit 10(t) to Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, and
                  incorporated herein by reference.

         10(t)    1994 Stock Option Plan -- reference is made to Exhibit 4(a) of
                  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 33-52553,
                  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8,
                  1994, and incorporated herein by reference.

         12       Computations of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed
                  Charges.
   

         21 *     Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
    

         23(a)    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

         23(b)    Consent of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur (included in
                  Exhibits 5(a) and 8 filed herewith).

         23(c)    Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (included in Exhibit 5(b)
                  filed herewith).

         24       Powers of Attorney.


                                      II-2
<PAGE>   68
         25(a)    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  to act as Trustee under the Indenture.

         25(b)    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  to act as Trustee under the Declaration of Trust.

         25(c)    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  under the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the
                  Capital Securities.

         27       The Registrant's Financial Data Schedule (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 27 to the Registrant's 1997 First
                  Quarter Report on Form 10-Q).

   
         99(a)*   Form of Letter of Transmittal and instructions thereto.

         99(b)*   Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
    

   

- ------------------
* Filed with this Amendment

    

              (b)     FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

                      None.

ITEM 22.      UNDERTAKINGS.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to
any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this Registration Statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Rule 145(c),
the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the
information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to
reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the
information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

         The Registrant undertakes that every prospectus (i) that is filed
pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph, or (ii) that purports to meet
the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used
in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed
as a part of an amendment to the Registration Statement and will not be used
until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of


                                      II-3


<PAGE>   69
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Registration Statement, within one business
day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first
class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in
documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement
through the date of responding to the request.
   


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to its Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Columbus, State of Ohio, on July 29, 1997.

                                       HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED


                                       By: /s/ Gerald R. Williams
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Gerald R. Williams
                                           Executive Vice President and Chief
                                           Financial Officer


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this 
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following
persons in the  capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       SIGNATURE                             TITLE                                   DATE

<S>                        <C>                                                   <C>
*Frank Wobst               Chairman and Chief Executive Officer     )
- ------------------------   (principal executive officer)            )
                                                                    )
                                                                    )
*Zuheir Sofia              President, Chief Operating Officer       )
- ------------------------   Treasurer, and Director                  )
 Zuheir Sofia                                                       )
                                                                    )
*Gerald R. Williams        Executive Vice President and             )
- ------------------------   Chief Financial Officer                  ) 
 Gerald R. Williams        (principal financial officer and         ) 
                           accounting officer)                      ) 
                                                                    )
                                                                    )
                                                                    )
*Don M. Casto, III         Director                                 )            July 29, 1997
- ------------------------                                            )
 Don M. Casto, III                                                  )
                                                                    )
                                                                    )
*Don Conrad                Director                                 )
- ------------------------                                            )
 Don Conrad                                                         )
                                                                    )
                                                                    )
</TABLE>

    

                                      II-4


<PAGE>   70
   


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                   <C>                                    <C>
*Patricia T. Hayot                    Director                 )
- ---------------------------                                    )
 Patricia T. Hayot                                             )
                                                               )
                                                               )
*Wm. J. Lhota                         Director                 )
- ---------------------------                                    )
 Wm. J. Lhota                                                  )
                                                               )
                                                               )
*Robert H. Schottenstein              Director                 )
- ---------------------------                                    )
 Robert H. Schottenstein                                       )
                                                               )
                                                               )
*George A. Skestos                    Director                 )
- ---------------------------                                    )
 George A. Skestos                                             )
                                                               )
                                                               )
*Lewis R. Smoot, Sr.                  Director                 )             July 29, 1997
- ---------------------------                                    )
 Lewis R. Smoot, Sr.                                           )
                                                               )
                                                               )
*Timothy P. Smucker                   Director                 )
- ---------------------------                                    )
 Timothy P. Smucker                                            )
                                                               )
                                                               )
*William J. Williams                  Director                 )
- ---------------------------                                    )
 William J. Williams                                           )
</TABLE>





*By:    /s/ Gerald R. Williams
       ----------------------------------
       Gerald R. Williams, attorney-in-fact
       for each of the persons indicated



        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Huntington
Capital I has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to its Registration Statement to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Columbus, State of Ohio, on July 29, 1997.
    

                                                HUNTINGTON CAPITAL I

                                                By: /s/ Paul V. Sebert
                                                    ------------------
                                                    Paul V. Sebert
                                                    Regular Trustee


                                      II-5

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      Exhibit 21

               SUBSIDIARIES OF HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED
               --------------------------------------------------

The subsidiaries of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated are listed below. The
state or jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of each subsidiary
(unless otherwise noted) is Ohio.

The Huntington National Bank (United States) and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries, 41 South High Ltd., The Huntington Leasing Company, The Huntington
Mortgage Company, Huntington Residential Mortgage Securities, Inc., The
Huntington Investment Company, Forty-One Corporation, First Sunset Development,
Inc., SFA Holding, Inc., East Sound Realty, Inc., Lodestone Realty Management,
Inc., WS Realty, Inc., Fourteen Corporation, Airbase Realty Company, HNB
Clearing, Inc., National Returns Clearinghouse, Ltd., The Check Exchange System
Co., Thirty-Seven Corporation, Vehicle Reliance Company, Huntington Trade
Services, Inc., Huntington Trade Services, Asia, Limited (Hong Kong), Cybermark
L.L.C., Huntington Merchant Services L.L.C., First Macomb Mortgage Company
(Michigan), and Huntington Insurance Agency, Inc. (Florida).

CB&T Capital Investment Company, Inc. (West Virginia).

Huntington Bancshares Florida, Inc.

Huntington Capital Corp.

Huntington Bancshares Financial Corporation

The Huntington Acceptance Company

The Huntington National Life Insurance Company (Arizona)

Huntington Bancshares Ohio, Inc.

The Huntington State Bank and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, Huntington
Insurance Agency Services, Inc., Huntington Insurance Agency, Inc., Huntington
Life Insurance Agency, Inc., Huntington Insurance Agency, Inc.
(Michigan), and Huntington Property and Casualty Insurance Agency, Inc.

The Huntington Service Company

The Huntington Community Development Corporation

Security First Network Bank, FSB (United States) and its direct subsidiary, 
Security First Technologies, Inc. (Kentucky).*

Money Station, Inc.

Heritage Service Corporation

Huntington Capital I

* - Huntington owns less than 5% voting interest in Security First Network Bank,
FSB, which owns 100% of Security First Technologies, Inc.; however, Huntington
is deemed by the Federal Reserve Board to have a controlling interest in
Security First Technologies, Inc.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 99(a)

                              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                              HUNTINGTON CAPITAL I

                              OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
                        FLOATING RATE CAPITAL SECURITIES
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
                      WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                       FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
                        FLOATING RATE CAPITAL SECURITIES
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)

   
                           PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS
                             DATED JULY 30, 1997

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL
        EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1997,
                          UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    
                             ----------------------
                  THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:
                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


BY REQUIRED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:                BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
- ---------------------------------             ------------------------------
    THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
450 WEST 33RD STREET, 15TH FLOOR             450 WEST 33RD STREET, 15TH FLOOR
    NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10001                    NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001
ATTENTION:  GLOBAL TRUST SERVICES            ATTENTION: GLOBAL TRUST SERVICES

                              CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
                              --------------------
                                 (212) 946-3042

                            FACSIMILE TRANSMISSIONS:
                            -----------------------
                          (ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
                                 (212) 946-8154
   

       THE SPECIAL LUXEMBOURG EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:

                      KREDIETBANK S.A. LUXEMBOURGEOISE
                              43 BOULEVARD ROYAL
                               L-2955 LUXEMBOUG
                             CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE
                             (011) 352-4797-3935
    

              DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS
              OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS
              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER
          THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY

                THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ
            CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED


<PAGE>   2



         Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same
meaning given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).
   

         This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Old Capital
Securities (as defined below) either if Old Capital Securities are to be        
forwarded herewith to The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Exchange Agent") or
Kredietbank S.A. Luxembourgeoise (the "Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent") or
if tenders of Old Capital Securities are to be made by book entry transfer to
an account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company
("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and an
Agent's Message (as defined herein) is not delivered.

         Holders of Old Capital Securities whose certificates (the
"Certificates") for such Old Capital Securities are not immediately available or
who cannot deliver their Certificates and all other required documents to the
Exchange Agent or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent on or prior to the
Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus) or who cannot complete the
procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis    must tender their Old
Capital Securities according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
"The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities --
Guaranteed Delivery" in the Prospectus.

         The New Capital Securities may only be transferred in blocks of
$100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each holder of Old
Capital Securities who tenders such Old Capital Securities pursuant to this
Exchange Offer will, by executing this Letter of Transmittal, be deemed to have
agreed and consented to this transfer restriction on the New Capital Securities
which shall be binding upon such holder and all successors and assigns.

         DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT OR THE SPECIAL LUXEMBOURG EXCHANGE AGENT.
    

                    NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     DESCRIPTION OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If blank, please print name and address         Old Capital Securities tendered
of registered holder                           (Attach additional list if necessary)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                       <C>
                                                                              Aggregate           Liquidation Amount
                                                                          Liquidation Amount        of Old Capital
                                                       Certificate          of Old Capital        Securities Tendered
                                                        Number(s)*            Securities          (if less than all)**
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    TOTAL
                                                    AMOUNT
                                                    TENDERED:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*     Need not be completed by book-entry holders.

   
**    Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof, provided that if any Old Capital Securities are tendered for exchange in part, the untendered Liquidation Amount
thereof must be $100,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. All Old Capital Securities held shall be deemed
tendered unless a lesser number is specified in this column. See Instruction 4.
    
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                        2


<PAGE>   3



            (BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)

[ ]      CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY
         BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE
         AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

         Name of Tendering Institution
                                      -----------------------------------------
         DTC Account Number
                           ----------------------------------------------------
         Transaction Code Number
                                -----------------------------------------------
[ ]      CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
         DELIVERY IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED
         PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE
         EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

         Name of Registered Holder(s)
                                     ------------------------------------------
         Window Ticket Number (if any)
                                      -----------------------------------------
         Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
                                                           --------------------
         Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery
                                                      -------------------------
   

                  If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made By Book-Entry Transfer.
    

         Name of Tendering Institution
                                      -----------------------------------------
         DTC Account Number
                           ----------------------------------------------------
         Transaction Code Number
                                -----------------------------------------------
[ ]      CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OLD
         CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT
         NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.

[ ]      CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD CAPITAL
         SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER
         TRADING ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO
         RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY
         AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

         Name:
              -----------------------------------------------------------------
         Address:
                 --------------------------------------------------------------

                                        3


<PAGE>   4



Ladies and Gentlemen:
   

         The undersigned hereby tenders to Huntington Capital I, a statutory
business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), and
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, a Maryland corporation (the "Corporation"),
the above described aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Trust's Floating Rate
Capital Securities (the "Old Capital Securities") in exchange for a like
aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Trust's Floating Rate Capital Securities
(the "New Capital Securities") which have been registered under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in the Prospectus dated July 30, 1997 (as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is
acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the
Prospectus, constitute the "Exchange Offer").

         Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any
portion of the Old Capital Securities tendered herewith in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is
extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or
amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the
order of the Trust all right, title and interest in and to such Old Capital
Securities as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent and/or the Special Luxembourg
Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the
Exchange Agent and the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent are also acting as
agent of the Corporation and the Trust in connection with the Exchange Offer)
with respect to the tendered Old Capital Securities, with full power of
substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power
coupled with an  interest), subject only to the right of withdrawal described   
in the Prospectus, to (i) deliver Certificates for Old Capital Securities to
the Corporation or the Trust together with all accompanying evidences of
transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Trust, upon receipt by
the Exchange Agent as the undersigned's agent, of the New Capital Securities to
be issued in exchange for such Old Capital Securities, (ii) present
Certificates for such Old Capital Securities for transfer, and to transfer the
Old Capital Securities on the books of the Trust, and (iii) receive for the
account of the Trust all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of
beneficial ownership of such Old Capital Securities, all in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer.

         THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS
FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE SAME ARE ACCEPTED FOR
EXCHANGE, THE TRUST WILL ACQUIRE GOOD, MARKETABLE AND UNENCUMBERED TITLE
THERETO, FREE AND CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES, AND, ENCUMBRANCES,
AND THAT THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES TENDERED HEREBY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY
ADVERSE CLAIMS OR PROXIES. THE UNDERSIGNED WILL, UPON REQUEST, EXECUTE AND
DELIVER ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS DEEMED BY THE TRUST, THE EXCHANGE AGENT, OR 
THE SPECIAL LUXEMBOURG EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO COMPLETE
THE EXCHANGE, SALE, ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
TENDERED HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED WILL COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (AS DEFINED IN THE PROSPECTUS). THE UNDERSIGNED
HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
    

         The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Old
Capital Securities tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not
already set forth above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such
Old Capital Securities. The Certificate number(s) and the Old Capital Securities
that the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate
boxes above.

         If any tendered Old Capital Securities are not exchanged pursuant to
the Exchange Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Old
Capital Securities than are tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for
such nonexchanged or nontendered Old Capital Securities will be returned (or, in
the case of Old Capital Securities tendered by book-entry transfer, such Old
Capital Securities will be credited to an account maintained at DTC), without
expense to the tendering holder, promptly following the expiration or
termination of the Exchange Offer.

         The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Capital Securities
pursuant to any one of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and in the
instruction will, upon the Trust's acceptance for exchange of such tendered Old
Capital Securities, constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and
the Trust upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the
Prospectus, the Trust may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Old
Capital Securities tendered hereby.

                                        4


<PAGE>   5



         Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that the New Capital
Securities be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a
book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities, that such New Capital Securities
be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable,
substitute Certificates representing Old Capital Securities not exchanged or not
accepted for exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a
book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities, will be credited to the account
indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under
"Special Delivery Instructions" below, please deliver New Capital Securities to
the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature.

         BY TENDERING OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL, THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT (I) THE
UNDERSIGNED IS NOT AN "AFFILIATE" OF THE CORPORATION OR THE TRUST WITHIN THE
MEANING OF RULE 405 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (II) ANY NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES TO
BE RECEIVED BY THE UNDERSIGNED ARE BEING ACQUIRED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF ITS
BUSINESS, (III) THE UNDERSIGNED HAS NO ARRANGEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING WITH ANY
PERSON TO PARTICIPATE IN A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES
ACT) OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES TO BE RECEIVED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AND (IV) IF
THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT A BROKER-DEALER, THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT ENGAGED IN, AND
DOES NOT INTEND TO ENGAGE IN, A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
SECURITIES ACT) OF SUCH NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES. BY TENDERING OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL, A HOLDER OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WHICH IS A BROKER-DEALER
REPRESENTS AND AGREES, CONSISTENT WITH CERTAIN INTERPRETIVE LETTERS ISSUED BY
THE STAFF OF THE DIVISION OF CORPORATION FINANCE OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION TO THIRD PARTIES, THAT (A) SUCH OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES HELD BY THE
BROKER-DEALER ARE HELD ONLY AS A NOMINEE, OR (B) SUCH OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF
MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES AND IT WILL DELIVER A
PROSPECTUS (AS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME) MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IN CONNECTION WITH ANY RESALE OF SUCH NEW
CAPITAL SECURITIES (PROVIDED THAT, BY SO ACKNOWLEDGING AND BY DELIVERING A
PROSPECTUS, SUCH BROKER-DEALER WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO ADMIT THAT IT IS AN
"UNDERWRITER" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT).

         THE CORPORATION AND THE TRUST HAVE AGREED THAT, SUBJECT TO THE
PROVISIONS OF THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS, AS IT MAY BE
AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF NEW CAPITAL
SECURITIES RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES, WHERE SUCH OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING NAMES, FOR A
PERIOD ENDING 180 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE (SUBJECT TO EXTENSION UNDER
CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS) OR, IF EARLIER, WHEN
ALL SUCH NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BY SUCH PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER. IN THAT REGARD, EACH BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING
ACTIVITIES (A "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER"), BY TENDERING SUCH OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR DELIVERING AN AGENT'S
MESSAGE IN LIEU THEREOF, AGREES THAT, UPON RECEIPT OF NOTICE FROM THE
CORPORATION OR THE TRUST OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OR THE DISCOVERY OF ANY
FACT WHICH MAKES ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE
PROSPECTUS UNTRUE IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT OR WHICH CAUSES THE PROSPECTUS TO OMIT
TO STATE A MATERIAL FACT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN, IN LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH
THEY WERE MADE, NOT MISLEADING OR OF THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS
SPECIFIED IN THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER
WILL SUSPEND THE SALE OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES (OR THE NEW GUARANTEE OR THE NEW
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, AS APPLICABLE) PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS UNTIL THE
CORPORATION OR THE TRUST HAS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED THE PROSPECTUS TO CORRECT
SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION AND HAS FURNISHED COPIES OF THE AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED PROSPECTUS TO THE PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER OR THE CORPORATION OR
THE TRUST HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES (OR THE
NEW GUARANTEE OR THE NEW SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, AS APPLICABLE) MAY BE RESUMED,
AS THEY CAN BE. IF THE CORPORATION OR THE TRUST GIVES SUCH NOTICE TO SUSPEND
THE SALE OF THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES, IT SHALL EXTEND THE 180-DAY PERIOD
REFERRED TO ABOVE DURING WHICH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS ARE ENTITLED TO USE
THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RESALE OF NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES BY THE
NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE PERIOD FROM AND INCLUDING THE DATE OF THE GIVING OF
SUCH NOTICE TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE WHEN PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS SHALL
HAVE RECEIVED COPIES OF THE SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED PROSPECTUS NECESSARY TO
PERMIT RESALES OF THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES OR TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE ON
WHICH THE CORPORATION OR THE TRUST HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF NEW CAPITAL
SECURITIES (OR THE NEW GUARANTEE OR THE NEW SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, AS
APPLICABLE) MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE.

                                        5


<PAGE>   6



   

         As a result, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use the
Prospectus in connection with resales of New Capital Securities received in
exchange for Old Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify
the Corporation or the Trust, or cause the Corporation or the Trust to be
notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating
Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided above or may be
delivered to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth in the Prospectus under
"The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent and Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent."
    

         Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are
accepted for exchange will not receive accumulated Distributions on such Old
Capital Securities for any period from and after the last Distribution Date with
respect to such Old Capital Securities prior to the original issue date of the
New Capital Securities and will be deemed to have waived the right to receive
any Distributions on such Old Capital Securities accumulated from and after such
Distribution Date.

   
         THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES MAY ONLY BE TRANSFERRED IN BLOCKS OF 
$100,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. EACH HOLDER OF OLD 
CAPITAL SECURITIES WHO TENDERS SUCH OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THIS 
EXCHANGE OFFER WILL, BY PARTICIPATING IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND EXECUTING THIS 
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, BE DEEMED TO HAVE AGREED AND CONSENTED TO (A) THIS 
TRANSFER RESTRICTION ON THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES, AND (B) THE PLACEMENT OF A 
LEGEND TO THE FOREGOING EFFECT ON EACH CERTIFICATE EVIDENCING THE NEW CAPITAL 
SECURITIES, WHICH AGREEMENT AND CONSENT SHALL BE BINDING UPON SUCH HOLDER AND 
ALL SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Trust, the Exchange Agent, or the Special Luxembourg
Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, sale,
assignment and transfer of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby. All
authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of  
Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs,
executors, administrators, representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, legal
representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in
the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.
    

                                        6


<PAGE>   7
   



                               HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE

                        (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5, AND 6)

      (NOTE: SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 2)

         Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
Certificate(s) for the Old Capital Securities hereby tendered or on a security
position listing, or by any person(s) authorized to become the registered
holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith (including such
opinions of counsel, certificates, and other information as may be required by  
the Trust, the Exchange Agent, or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent to
comply with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital
Securities). If signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator,
trustee, guardian, officer of a corporation, or another acting in a fiduciary
capacity or representative capacity, please set forth the signer's full title.
See Instruction 5.
    

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           (Signature(s) of Holder(s))

Date                             , 1997
    -----------------------------

Name(s)
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (Please Print)

Area Code(s) and Telephone Number
                                 ----------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))

                           GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5)

Authorized Signature
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
Name
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (Please Print)

Date                             , 1997
    -----------------------------

Capacity or Title
                 --------------------------------------------------------------

Name of Firm
            -------------------------------------------------------------------

Address
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number
                              -------------------------------------------------

                                        7


<PAGE>   8



SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)

      To be completed ONLY if New Capital Securities and/or any Old Capital
Securities that are not tendered are to be issued in the name of someone other
than the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities whose name(s) appear(s)
above.

Issue:

[ ]   New Capital Securities to:
[ ]   Old Capital Securities not tendered to:

Name
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (Please Print)

Address
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------


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


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Include Zip Code)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)

      To be completed ONLY if New Capital Securities and/or any Old Capital
Securities that are not tendered are to be sent to someone other than the
registered holder of the Old Capital Securities whose name(s) appear(s) above,
or to the registered holder(s) at an address other than that shown above.

Mail:

[ ]   New Capital Securities to:
[ ]   Old Capital Securities not tendered to:

Name
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (Please Print)
Address
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------


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


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Include Zip Code)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)

                                        8


<PAGE>   9
   


                                  INSTRUCTIONS
         FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

         1. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PROCEDURES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a)
tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry
transfer set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and an Agent's Message is not delivered or
(b) Certificates are to be forwarded herewith. Timely confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of such Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's
account at DTC (a "book-entry confirmation"), or Certificates as well as this
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent
or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent at their respective addresses set forth
herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tenders by book-entry transfer may
also be made by delivering an Agent's Message in lieu of this Letter of
Transmittal. The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by DTC to
and received by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry
confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from
the DTC participant, which acknowledgment states that such participant has
received and agrees to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal (including the
representations contained herein) and that the Trust and the Corporation may
enforce the Letter of Transmittal against such participant. Old Capital 
Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in the Liquidation Amount of 
$100,000 (100 Capital Securities) and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess 
thereof, provided that, if any Old Capital Securities are tendered for exchange 
in part, the untendered Liquidation Amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 
Capital Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

         Holders who wish to tender their Old Capital Securities and (i) who
cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely
basis, (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Capital Securities, this Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent or the
Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii)
whose Old Capital Securities are not immediately available, may tender their
Old Capital Securities by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed  delivery procedures set forth
in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in
the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (a) such tender must be made by or
through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (b) a properly completed
and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form
accompanying this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent
on or prior to the Expiration Date; and (c) the Certificates (or a book-entry
confirmation) representing tendered Old Capital Securities, in proper form for
transfer, together with a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or
Agent's Message in lieu thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent or the Special
Luxembourg Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days
after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as
provided in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital
Securities" in the Prospectus.

         The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or
transmitted by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a
guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For
Old Capital Securities to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed
delivery procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery on or prior to the Expiration Date. As used herein and in the
Prospectus, "Eligible Institution" means a firm or other entity identified in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as "an eligible guarantor institution,"
including (as such terms are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer,
municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer,
(iii) a credit union, (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities
association, or clearing agency, or (v) a savings association that is a
participant in a Securities Transfer Association.

         THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING
HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT OR THE SPECIAL LUXEMBOURG EXCHANGE AGENT. HAND DELIVERY, 
REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT
DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

         NO LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR OTHER DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE
COMPANY OR THE TRUST.

         IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS SEND THEIR LETTERS OF
TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER DOCUMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO AVOID DELAYS
THAT MAY ARISE FROM TRANSMISSION OF SUCH DOCUMENTS TO LUXEMBOURG.
    

         Neither the Corporation nor the Trust will accept any alternative,
conditional or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any
notice of the acceptance of such tender.

         2.       GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.  No signature guarantee on this 
Letter of Transmittal is required if:

                  (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
         holder (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any
         participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as
         the owner

                                        9


<PAGE>   10



         of the Old Capital Securities) of Old Capital Securities tendered
         herewith, unless such holder(s) has completed either the box entitled
         "Special Issuance Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery
         Instructions" above, or

                  (ii) such Old Capital Securities are transferred for the 
         account of a firm that is an Eligible Institution.

         In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the 
signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal.  See Instruction 5.

         3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Old Capital Securities" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s)
and/or the Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities and any other required
information should be listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to
this Letter of Transmittal.

   
         4. PARTIAL TENDERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Old Capital
Securities will be accepted only in the Liquidation Amount of $100,000 (100
Capital Securities) and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided
that if any Old Capital Securities are tendered for exchange in part, the
untendered Liquidation Amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital Securities)
or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. If less than all the Old
Capital Securities evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered,
fill in the Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities which are to be
tendered in the box entitled "Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities
Tendered." In such case, new Certificate(s) for the remainder of the Old Capital
Securities that were evidenced by your old Certificate(s) will be sent to the
holder of the Old Capital Securities, promptly after the Expiration Date, unless
the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal are completed. All Old
Capital Securities represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent
or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered
unless otherwise indicated.
    

         Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Capital Securities
may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a
withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written, telegraphic,
telex or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely
received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above or in the
Prospectus on or prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal
must specify the name of the person who tendered the Old Capital Securities to
be withdrawn, the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities to be
withdrawn, and (if Certificates for Old Capital Securities have been tendered)
the name of the registered holder of the Old Capital Securities as set forth on
the Certificates for the Old Capital Securities, if different from that of the
person who tendered such Old Capital Securities. If Certificates for the Old
Capital Securities have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange
Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Certificates for the Old
Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on
the particular Certificates for the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn and
the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution, except in the case of Old Capital Securities tendered for the
account of an Eligible Institution. If Old Capital Securities have been tendered
pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities," the notice of
withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited
with the withdrawal of Old Capital Securities, in which case a notice of
withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by written,
telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission on or prior to the Expiration Date.
Withdrawals of tenders of Old Capital Securities may not be rescinded. Old
Capital Securities properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for
purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time on
or prior to the Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described in
the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital
Securities."

   

         All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time
of receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Trust, in its
sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
None of the Corporation, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the
Corporation or the Trust, the Exchange Agent, or Special Luxembourg Exchange
Agent, nor any other person shall be under any duty to give any notification
of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for
failure to give any such notification. Any Old Capital Securities which have
been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof
without cost to such holder promptly after withdrawal.

         5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, ASSIGNMENTS, AND ENDORSEMENTS.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Old
Capital Securities tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly
with the name(s) written on the face of the Certificate(s) without alteration,
enlargement, or any change whatsoever.
    

         If any of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby are owned of
record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of
Transmittal.

                                       10


<PAGE>   11

         If any tendered Old Capital Securities are registered in different
name(s) on several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and
submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there
are different registrations of Certificates.

   
         If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper
evidence satisfactory to the Corporation and the Trust, in their sole
discretion, of such persons' authority to so act.
    

         When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of
the Old Capital Securities listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of
Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless New Capital
Securities are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered
holder(s). Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

   
         If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered owner(s) of the Old Capital Securities listed, the Certificates must
be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the
name or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also
must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications, and other
information as the Trust, the Exchange Agent, or the Special Luxembourg Exchange
Agent may require in accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to
the Old Capital Securities. Signatures on such Certificates or bond powers
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
    

         6. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If New Capital
Securities are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of
this Letter of Transmittal, or if New Capital Securities are to be sent to
someone other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address
other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal
should be completed. Certificates for Old Capital Securities not exchanged will
be returned by mail or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the
account indicated above maintained at DTC unless the appropriate boxes on this
Letter of Transmittal are completed. See Instruction 4.

   
         7. IRREGULARITIES. The Corporation and the Trust will determine, in
their sole discretion, all questions as to the form of documents, validity,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any
tender of Old Capital Securities, which determination shall be final and binding
on all parties. The Corporation and the Trust reserve the absolute right, in
their sole and absolute discretion, to reject any and all tenders determined by
them not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for, may,
in the view of counsel to the Corporation and the Trust, be unlawful. The
Corporation and the Trust also reserve the absolute right, subject to applicable
law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth in the
Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" or any
conditions or irregularity in any tender of Old Capital Securities of any
particular holder whether or not similar conditions or irregularities are waived
in the case of other holders. The Corporation's and the Trust's interpretation
of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the Letter of
Transmittal and the instructions hereto) will be final and binding. No tender
of Old Capital Securities will be deemed to have been validly made until all
irregularities with respect to such tender have been cured or waived. None of   
the Corporation, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Corporation or the
Trust, the Exchange Agent, or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent, nor any
other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any irregularities
in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give such notification.

         8. QUESTIONS, REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address
and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal, and the Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee.

         9. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Corporation and the Trust reserve the
absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive satisfaction of any or all
conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.

         10. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS. No alternative, conditional, or contingent
tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Old Capital Securities, by
execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice
of the acceptance of Old Capital Securities for exchange.

         None of the Corporation, the Trust, the Exchange Agent, the Special
Luxembourg Exchange Agent, nor any other person is obligated to give notice of
any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Old Capital
Securities nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any
such notice.

         11. LOST, DESTROYED, OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any Certificate(s)
representing Old Capital Securities have been lost, destroyed, or stolen, the
holder should promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be
instructed
    
                                       11


<PAGE>   12

   

as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Certificate(s). This
Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the
procedures for replacing lost, destroyed, or stolen Certificate(s) have been
followed.

         12. SECURITY TRANSFER TAXES. Holders who tender their Old Capital
Securities for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in
connection therewith. If, however, New Capital Securities are to be delivered
to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered
holder of the Old Capital Securities tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed
for any reason other than the exchange of Old Capital Securities in connection
with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether
imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the
tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption
therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such
transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.

         IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE THEREOF) AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT OR THE SPECIAL
LUXEMBOURG EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
    

                                       12


<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99(b)

                          NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                                  FOR TENDER OF

                        FLOATING RATE CAPITAL SECURITIES
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)

                                       OF

                              HUNTINGTON CAPITAL I
   

         This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially equivalent to
this form, must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if (i)
the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a
timely basis (ii) certificates for the Trust's (as defined below) Floating Rate
Capital Securities (the "Old Capital Securities") are not immediately available
or (iii) Old Capital Securities, the Letter of Transmittal, and all other
required documents cannot be delivered to The Chase Manhattan Bank (the
"Exchange Agent") or the Special Luxembourg Exchange Agent on or prior to the
Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus referred to below). This Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, overnight courier or mail,
or transmitted by facsimile transmission, to the Exchange Agent. See "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the
Prospectus.
    

                  THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:               BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
- --------------------------------               -----------------------------
The Chase Manhattan Bank                       The Chase Manhattan Bank
450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor               450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
New York, New York  10001                      New York, New York  10001
Attention:  Global Trust Services              Attention:  Global Trust Services

                              CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
                              ---------------------
                                 (212) 946-3042

                            FACSIMILE TRANSMISSIONS:
                            ------------------------
                          (ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
                                 (212) 946-8154

         Delivery of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to an address other than
as set forth above or transmission of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery via a
facsimile to a number other than as set forth above will not constitute a valid
delivery.

         This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is not to be used to guarantee
signatures. If a signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be
guaranteed by an "Eligible Institution" under the instructions thereto, such
signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the
signature box on the Letter of Transmittal.



<PAGE>   2




Ladies and Gentlemen:
   

         The undersigned hereby tenders to Huntington Capital I, a statutory
business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"),
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated
July 30, 1997 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the
"Prospectus"), and the related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute
the "Exchange Offer"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities set forth below pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
"The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities."
<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
Aggregate Liquidation Amount                         Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
Tendered:                                            
         --------------------------------            ---------------------------------------
Certificate No(s) (if available):                    Address(es):
                                 --------

- -----------------------------------------            ---------------------------------------
                                                     ---------------------------------------
If Old Capital Securities will be tendered by        Area Code and Telephone Number(s):
book-entry transfer, provide the following                                             -----
information:                                         ---------------------------------------
DTC Account Number:                                  Signature(s):
                   ----------------------                          ---------------------------
Date:                                                -----------------------------------------
     ------------------------------------            -----------------------------------------
</TABLE>

               THE GUARANTEE ON THE NEXT PAGE MUST BE COMPLETED

    


                                        2


<PAGE>   3


   

                                    GUARANTEE
                      (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)

         The undersigned, a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as an "eligible guarantor
institution," including (as such terms are defined therein): (1) a bank; (2) a
broker, dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer,
government securities broker, government securities dealer; (3) a credit union;
(4) a national securities exchange, registered securities association, or
clearing agency; or (5) a savings association that is a participant in a
Securities Transfer Association recognized program (each of the foregoing being
referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), hereby guarantees to deliver to the
Exchange Agent, at one of its addresses set forth above, either the Old Capital
Securities tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or confirmation of the
book-entry transfer of such Old Capital Securities to the Exchange Agent's
account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus, in either case together with
one or more properly completed and duly executed Letter(s) of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof) and any other required documents within three New York Stock
Exchange trading days after the date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
    

         The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter(s) of
Transmittal and the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent
within the time period set forth above and that failure to do so could result in
a financial loss to the undersigned.

Name of Firm:____________________________          _____________________________
                                                         (Authorized Signature)

Address:_________________________________          Title:_______________________

________________________________________           Name:________________________
                               (Zip Code)                (Please type or print)

Area Code and
Telephone Number:_______________________           Date:_______________________

NOTE: DO NOT SEND OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WITH THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY. ACTUAL SURRENDER OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES MUST BE MADE PURSUANT TO,
AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY, A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.

                                        3



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