<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/X/ Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-11(c) or
Section240.14a-12
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE>
[LOGO]
One Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
March 5, 1999
Dear Stockholder:
I am pleased to invite you to the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Fleet
Financial Group, Inc. ("Fleet"), which will be held on Wednesday, April 21,
1999, at 11:00 a.m. at the World Trade Center Boston, 164 Northern Avenue,
Boston, Massachusetts.
The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement
contain the matters to be considered and acted upon. Please read these materials
carefully.
Matters scheduled for consideration at the Annual Meeting are the election of
directors, the approval of the Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option and
Restricted Stock Plan, and the ratification of the selection of independent
auditors for 1999.
I hope you will be able to attend the meeting, but if you cannot do so, it is
important that your shares be represented and voted. ACCORDINGLY, I URGE YOU TO
MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE RETURN ENVELOPE
PROVIDED.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Terrence Murray
TERRENCE MURRAY
CHAIRMAN AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
ONE FEDERAL STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 21, 1999
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Fleet Financial Group, Inc., a Rhode
Island corporation ("Fleet"), will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 1999, at
11:00 a.m. at the World Trade Center Boston, 164 Northern Avenue, Boston,
Massachusetts for the purpose of considering and voting upon:
1. The election of seven directors for three-year terms.
2. The approval of the Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option and Restricted
Stock Plan.
3. The ratification of the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
auditors for Fleet for 1999.
4. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting.
The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, the Annual Meeting is the close of business on February 25, 1999. Fleet's
transfer books will not be closed.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ William C. Mutterperl
WILLIAM C. MUTTERPERL
SECRETARY
Boston, Massachusetts
March 5, 1999
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY
AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE, USING THE RETURN ENVELOPE ENCLOSED WITH THE PROXY.
IF YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU WISH, EVEN IF
YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY RETURNED YOUR PROXY.
<PAGE>
FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
ONE FEDERAL STREET
BOSTON, MA 02110
TELEPHONE 617-346-4000
-------------------
1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
-------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors ("Fleet Board") of
Fleet Financial Group, Inc. ("Fleet" or the "Corporation") in connection with
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 21, 1999. This proxy
statement and the enclosed proxy are first being sent to stockholders on or
about March 5, 1999. The proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance
with the instructions indicated on the proxy by the stockholder. If no
instructions are indicated, all shares represented by valid proxies received
pursuant to this solicitation (and not revoked before they are voted) will be
voted FOR proposal Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
The record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting is the close of business on February 25, 1999. On this date, there were
outstanding and entitled to vote 569,023,396 shares of Common Stock, each of
which is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on at the Annual
Meeting. On October 7, 1998, Fleet distributed shares of Common Stock in
completion of a two-for-one stock split. All information related to shares of
Common Stock presented in this proxy statement has been adjusted for the stock
split. The presence (in person or by proxy) of a majority of the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the record
date is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and
broker non-votes will be counted as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes
of determining whether there is a quorum.
Management is not aware of any matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting
other than those referred to in this proxy statement. If any other business
should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy
will vote according to their best judgment.
VOTING PROCEDURES
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented at
the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote is required to elect directors, approve
the Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the "1992
Plan") and to ratify the selection of auditors. In voting for the election of
directors, stockholders may cast their votes in favor or against, but
abstentions may not be specified. Abstentions may be specified with respect to
the approval of the 1992 Plan and the ratification of the selection of
independent auditors. Unless a broker's authority to vote on a particular matter
is limited, broker non-votes are counted in determining the votes present and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions also are counted for this
purpose. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the "Stock Exchange"),
a broker non-vote generally occurs when beneficial owners have not provided
their brokers with voting instructions with respect to matters deemed
"non-routine" by the Stock Exchange. Consequently, a broker non-vote or an
abstention has the same effect as a vote against a proposal, as each broker
non-vote or abstention would be one less vote in favor of a proposal. As
proposal Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are considered routine, Fleet does not expect to
receive any broker non-votes with respect to the matters to be considered at the
Annual Meeting.
A stockholder of record may revoke a proxy by delivering written notice of
revocation to William C. Mutterperl, Secretary of Fleet, at the address set
forth above, by filing a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by
attending the Annual Meeting in person, notifying the Secretary, and voting by
ballot at the Annual Meeting. Any stockholder of record attending the Annual
Meeting may vote in person whether or not a proxy has been previously given, but
the mere presence (without notifying the Secretary) of a stockholder at the
Annual Meeting will not constitute revocation of a previously given proxy. In
addition, stockholders whose shares of Common Stock are not registered in their
own name will need additional documentation from the record holder of the shares
to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table lists all stockholders known by Fleet to beneficially own
more than 5% of the 569,503,624 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP CLASS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
FMR Corp.(1)................................................................ 52,639,244(1) 9.24%(1)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
KKR Associates(2)........................................................... 51,183,780(2) 8.79%(2)
9 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) FMR Corp. ("FMR") beneficially owned 52,639,244 shares of Common Stock as of
December 31, 1998 as a result of various of its subsidiaries and affiliates
providing investment advisory and management services. FMR has sole voting
power with respect to 2,944,010 of the shares, sole dispositive power with
respect to 52,639,244 of the shares, with no shared voting or dispositive
power. This information is based on a Schedule 13G filed by FMR with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") dated February 1,
1999.
(2) KKR Associates, which was organized by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
("KKR"), a private investment firm, as the general partner of each of
Whitehall Associates, L.P. and KKR Partners II, L.P. (the "Partnerships"),
beneficially owned, together with the Partnerships, 38,183,780 shares of
Common Stock and rights to purchase 13,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"Rights") as of December 31, 1998. The total number of shares of Common
Stock represented by such Common Stock and Rights is 51,183,780 shares
(after giving effect to the exercise of the Rights). KKR Associates is a New
York limited partnership, whose General Partner is KKR & Co. LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company. The members of KKR & Co. LLC consist of Henry R.
Kravis, George R. Roberts, Robert I. MacDonnell, Paul E. Raether, Michael W.
Michelson, James H. Greene, Jr., Michael T. Tokarz, Perry Golkin, Clifton S.
Robbins, Scott M. Stuart and Edward A. Gilhuly. Certain past and present
employees of KKR, partnerships and trusts for the benefit of the families of
the members, employees of KKR and former members of KKR, are limited
partners of KKR Associates. KKR, KKR Associates, the Partnerships and
Messrs. Kravis, Raether, Tokarz, Golkin, Robbins and Stuart have an address
of 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019. Messrs. Roberts,
MacDonnell, Michelson, Greene and Gilhuly have an address of 2800 Sand Hill
Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, California 94025. KKR Associates has sole
voting and investment power for the Partnerships. This information is
derived from an amended Schedule 13D filed with the Commission on January
13, 1996, and other information furnished to Fleet. For purposes of
calculating the percent of Common Stock beneficially owned, the number of
shares of Common Stock deemed to be outstanding includes 13,000,000 shares
that may be issued upon exercise of the Rights described above.
2
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Fleet Board consists of 22 persons.
The Fleet Board is divided into three classes, with each class serving staggered
terms of three years, so that only one class is elected in any one year. Seven
directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the 2002 Annual
Meeting and until their successors are elected and have qualified. Such nominees
are Paul J. Choquette, Jr., Robert M. Kavner, Thomas D. O'Connor, Michael B.
Picotte, Thomas C. Quick, Thomas M. Ryan and Paul R. Tregurtha, and proxies
cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees
named. Directors generally are elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of
Common Stock, present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting when there is a quorum. Raymond C. Kennedy and John R.
Riedman will retire at the Annual Meeting and, under Rhode Island law, the Fleet
Board may elect successors to fill Messrs. Kennedy and Riedman's unexpired
terms.
Each of the nominees for director is presently a director of Fleet. Each has
consented to being named a nominee in this proxy statement and has agreed to
serve as a director if elected at the Annual Meeting. In the event that any
nominee is unable to serve, the persons named in the proxy have discretion to
vote for other persons if the other persons are designated by the Fleet Board.
The Fleet Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be
unavailable for election.
THE FLEET BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL NOMINEES
FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOMINEE, AGE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OTHER INFORMATION
- ------------------------
<C> <S>
TERMS EXPIRING IN 2002
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY
[PHOTO] Mr. Choquette was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gilbane Building
Paul J. Choquette, Jr. Company, a building construction company, in 1997, having served as President and Chief
60 Executive Officer since 1981, and Executive Vice President since 1975. He has been a
Executive Committee; director of Gilbane Building Company since 1981, and is Chairman of the Board of
Vice Chairman, Risk Directors of Gilbane Properties, Inc., a real estate development and management
Management Committee company. Mr. Choquette also is a director of Carlisle Companies Incorporated, the
Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, and the President's Council of Providence
College. He is a trustee of Eastern Utilities Associates, a trustee emeritus of Brown
University, and President of the Northeast Region of the Boy Scouts of America. A
graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School, Mr. Choquette was elected to the
Fleet Board in 1982.
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOMINEE, AGE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OTHER INFORMATION
- ------------------------
TERMS EXPIRING IN 2002
<C> <S>
GENERAL PARTNER, IDEALAB, INC.
[PHOTO] Mr. Kavner has served as General Partner of Idealab, Inc., a technology venture capital
Robert M. Kavner firm, since December 1998. He served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a
55 director of On Command Corp., a provider of in-room video services to the lodging
Human Resources and industry, from September 1996 until December 1998. From July 1994 until August 1996,
Planning Committee Mr. Kavner provided consulting services to the communications and media industries
first as an executive of Creative Artists Agency, Inc. and then as Managing Director of
Kavner & Associates. For 10 years prior to that, Mr. Kavner held various positions at
American Telephone and Telegraph ("AT&T"), including Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer since 1984. He became a member of AT&T's Executive Committee in 1989,
and in 1993 was named Chief Executive Officer of the Multimedia Product and Services
Group of AT&T. He previously was a partner of Coopers & Lybrand, an international
accounting firm, for 10 years. Mr. Kavner is a director of Earthlink Networks, Inc.,
Ticketmaster--City Search, Inc., Xing Technologies, Inc., PocketScience, Inc.,
GoTo.com, Inc. and Paradim Technologies, Inc. Mr. Kavner was elected to the Fleet Board
in 1986.
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MOHAWK PAPER MILLS, INC.
[PHOTO] Mr. O'Connor has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mohawk Paper Mills, Inc.,
Thomas D. O'Connor a paper manufacturer, since 1971. He is a director of the Institute of Paper Science
68 and Technology, and a former board member of St. Gregory's School for Boys and Emma
Risk Management Willard School. A Yale University graduate, Mr. O'Connor was elected a director of
Committee Norstar Bancorp, Inc. ("Norstar") in 1984, and joined the Fleet Board in 1988.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE PICOTTE COMPANIES
[PHOTO] Mr. Picotte is President and Chief Executive Officer of the real estate ownership and
Michael B. Picotte management entities comprising The Picotte Companies, Albany, New York, having worked
51 for these entities since 1970. He serves on the boards of various educational and
Chairman, Risk public service organizations, including Mercycare Corporation and Villanova University.
Management Committee; He has served as Chairman of St. Peter's Hospital, as well as a trustee of WMHT-TV
Executive Committee (PBS) and the College of St. Rose. He is a graduate of Villanova University and the OPM
Program of the Harvard University Graduate School of Business, and was elected to the
Board of Directors of Fleet in 1989 and Fleet National Bank in April 1998.
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOMINEE, AGE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OTHER INFORMATION
- ------------------------
TERMS EXPIRING IN 2002
<C> <S>
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, QUICK & REILLY/FLEET SECURITIES, INC.
[PHOTO] Mr. Quick is President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Quick & Reilly/ Fleet
Thomas C. Quick Securities, Inc., successor to The Quick & Reilly Group, Inc. ("Quick & Reilly"), a
44 Fleet subsidiary and holding company for four major financial services businesses. Mr.
Quick has held this position since 1996. From 1985 to 1996, he was President of Quick &
Reilly, Inc., a Quick & Reilly subsidiary and a national discount brokerage firm. Mr.
Quick serves as a trustee for the Securities Industry Foundation for Economic
Education. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Best Buddies and the Board
of Trustees, the Investment Advisory Board and the Endowment Committee for the St. Jude
Children's Hospital. He is a trustee and treasurer of the National Corporate Theater
Fund, the United World Colleges and the Alcoholism Council of New York, and a Trustee
of Fairfield University. A graduate of Fairfield University, Mr. Quick joined the Fleet
Board in January 1998 in connection with the acquisition of Quick & Reilly.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CVS CORPORATION
[PHOTO] Mr. Ryan joined CVS in 1975 and has held a number of managerial and professional
Thomas M. Ryan positions in the company. In 1994, he was named President and Chief Executive Officer
46 of CVS Pharmacy, Inc. In April, 1998, Mr. Ryan was named President and Chief Executive
Employee Development and Officer of CVS Corporation. Mr. Ryan is a director of Reebok International, Ltd. and
Public Policy Committee; the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. He serves on the Board of Trustees of
Executive Committee The University of Rhode Island, The Rhode Island Public Expenditures Council and
Trinity Repertory Company. He also co-chairs, with the Governor, The Rhode Island
Economic Policy Council. Mr. Ryan was elected to the Fleet Board in 1997.
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MORMAC MARINE GROUP, INC.; CHAIRMAN, MORAN
[PHOTO] TRANSPORTATION COMPANY
Paul R. Tregurtha Mr. Tregurtha joined Mormac Marine Group, a marine shipping business, in 1988 and Moran
63 Transportation, a tug and barge shipping business, in July 1994. Prior to that, he
Vice Chairman, Human served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Moore McCormack Resources,
Resources and Planning Inc. He is a director of Mormac Marine Group, a director and Vice Chairman of Interlake
Committee Holding Company and Lakes Shipping Company, Inc., and a director of Brown & Sharpe
Manufacturing Company and FPL Group, Inc. Mr. Tregurtha is a trustee of Teachers
Insurance and Annuity Association of America and a trustee emeritus of Cornell
University. He became a Fleet director in 1995, having served as a director of Shawmut
National Corporation ("Shawmut") since 1987. Mr. Tregurtha also served as a director of
a Shawmut banking subsidiary from 1979 to 1988.
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR, AGE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OTHER INFORMATION
- ------------------------
<C> <S>
TERMS EXPIRING IN 2000
<CAPTION>
<C> <S>
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WILLIAM BARNET & SON, INC.
[PHOTO] Mr. Barnet has been President and Chief Executive Officer of William Barnet & Son,
William Barnet, III Inc., a synthetic fiber processing company, since 1976. He also serves on the boards of
56 numerous civic and business entities, including the Palmetto Business Forum and Spartan
Executive Committee; Mills, the Spartanburg County Foundation, and the Sirrine Foundation. Additionally, Mr.
Risk Management Barnet chairs the Board of Trustees of Converse College and the South Carolina
Committee; Employee Education Oversight Committee. A graduate of Dartmouth College and its Amos Tuck School
Development and Public of Business Administration, Mr. Barnet became a Fleet director in 1988, having served
Policy as a Norstar director since 1984.
Committee
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE COLLINS GROUP, INC.
[PHOTO] Mr. Collins is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Collins Group, Inc.
John T. Collins Previously, Mr. Collins was President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor Printing,
52 (USA) Corp. Mr. Collins joined Quebecor Printing, (USA) Corp. in 1990. From 1986 to
Executive Committee; 1990, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor America, Inc. Mr.
Human Resources and Collins is an advisory board member of Pell Rudman Venture Partners, a board member of
Planning Committee the National Association of Printers and Lithographers and a director of Joan Fabrics,
Inc. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bentley College and a trustee of Beth
Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Mr. Collins also is on the advisory council of Junior
Achievement of Northern New England. Since 1995, Mr. Collins has been a director of
Fleet National Bank and a member of its Risk Management Committee and Executive
Committee. Elected to the Fleet Board in 1995, Mr. Collins previously served as a
Shawmut director from 1992 until the merger of Shawmut into Fleet ("Shawmut Merger").
He also served as a director of two Shawmut banking subsidiaries beginning in 1992 and
1987, respectively.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, UNITED WAY OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY
[PHOTO] Ms. Heard has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of
Marian L. Heard Massachusetts Bay and as Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of New England since
58 1992. For 17 years prior to that, she served in various leadership capacities at the
Employee Development and United Way of Eastern Fairfield County and served the last three as President and Chief
Public Policy Executive Officer. Ms. Heard is a director of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Committee Massachusetts, Inc., Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and the New England Aquarium.
She is also a Council member of the Women's Cancers Program at the Dana-Farber
Institute, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and
the Board of Governors of Dana-Farber, Inc. Ms. Heard is a trustee of Fairfield
University, and was the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the Points of
Light Foundation. In June 1995, she was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of
the Points of Light Foundation and served until completion of her second term in 1997.
A director of Fleet National Bank since 1992, Ms. Heard was elected to the Fleet Board
in February 1998.
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR, AGE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OTHER INFORMATION
- ------------------------
TERMS EXPIRING IN 2000
<C> <S>
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF TREEFORT FELLOWS AND LADDINS ROCK CORPORATION
[PHOTO] AND PRINCIPAL OF ROBERT J. MATURA ASSOCIATES
Robert J. Matura Mr. Matura has held his present position with Treefort Fellows and Robert J. Matura
65 Associates since June 1992. Mr. Matura has held his position with Laddins Rock
Vice Chairman, Corporation since April 1998. From July 1988 to May 1992, he served as Chairman,
Audit Committee President and Chief Executive Officer of The William Carter Company, a manufacturer of
infants' and childrens' apparel. From July 1986 through June 1988, he served, pro bono,
as Chief Executive Officer and Chancellor of Sacred Heart University. From March 1976
to June 1986, Mr. Matura was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
Warnaco, Inc., an international diversified apparel company. He is a director of EMI
and Ed Mitchell's, Inc., a clothing retailer. Mr. Matura is Chairman of the executive
committee of the Board of Trustees and a trustee of Sacred Heart University. Mr. Matura
served as a director of Shawmut from 1992 until the Shawmut Merger, and on the boards
of two Shawmut banking subsidiaries from 1989 until 1995. Prior to Shawmut's merger
with Hartford National Corporation ("Hartford National"), Mr. Matura served as a
Hartford National director from 1984 until 1989. He was elected to the Fleet Board in
1995.
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
[PHOTO] Mr. Murray joined Fleet in 1962, became President in 1978, and was named Chairman,
Terrence Murray President and Chief Executive Officer in 1982. He continued to serve in that capacity,
59 except in 1988 following the Norstar acquisition, when he served as President and Chief
Vice Chairman Operating Officer, and following the Shawmut Merger until December 1996, when he served
Executive Committee as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Murray became Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer in 1997. Mr. Murray is a director of A.T. Cross Company, Allmerica
Financial Corporation and CVS Corporation and a member of the Business Roundtable. He
also serves as a trustee emeritus of Brown University and as an honorary trustee of the
Rhode Island School of Design. Mr. Murray is a past director of the International
Monetary Conference and a member of the Board of Overseers of the Museum of Fine Arts
Boston. A graduate of Harvard University, Mr. Murray has served on the Fleet Board
since 1976.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PARTNERS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, INC.; PROFESSOR OF
[PHOTO] MEDICINE, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
Samuel O. Thier Dr. Thier has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Partners Healthcare System,
61 Inc. since 1997, after having served as President from 1994 to 1996, and CEO from 1996
Risk Management to 1997. From 1994 to 1997, he also served as President of Massachusetts General
Committee Hospital Corporation. Prior to that, he served as President of Brandeis University from
1991 to 1994. From 1985 to 1991, Dr. Thier was President of the Institute of Medicine,
National Academy of Sciences. He is a director of Merck & Company, WGBH-TV (Boston) and
the Commonwealth Fund, and a trustee of Brandeis University, Cornell University and the
Boston Museum of Science. Elected a Shawmut director in 1994, Dr. Thier joined the
Fleet Board in 1995 in connection with the Shawmut Merger.
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR, AGE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OTHER INFORMATION
- ------------------------
<C> <S>
TERMS EXPIRING IN 2001
<CAPTION>
<C> <S>
PRESIDENT AND MANAGING PARTNER, SHAWMUT CAPITAL PARTNERS, INC.
[PHOTO] Mr. Alvord has been President and Managing Partner of Shawmut Capital Partners, Inc., a
Joel B. Alvord venture capital firm, since 1997. Previously, he held a number of executive positions
60 in predecessor banks of Fleet. He was elected President of Hartford National in 1978.
Chairman, Executive In 1988, he was elected Chief Executive Officer of Shawmut and with the Shawmut Merger,
Committee; Co-Chairman, became the Chairman of Fleet. Currently, he is a director of HSB Group, Inc., Cuno
Employee Development Incorporated and American Skiing Company. He also serves as a director of The Wang
and Public Policy Center for the Performing Arts, and the American Repertory Theater. He is a member of
Committee the Board of Overseers of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the Boston Symphony
Orchestra. Mr. Alvord graduated from Dartmouth College and received an MBA from the
Amos Tuck School of Business Administration. He has served as a Fleet director since
1995.
CHAIRMAN, A.T. CROSS COMPANY
[PHOTO] Mr. Boss joined A.T. Cross Company, a manufacturer of writing instruments, in 1958,
Bradford R. Boss became President in 1971, was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1979, and
65 became Chairman in April 1993. He has served as President and Chairman of the Writing
Human Resources and Instrument Manufacturers Association and is a former member of the Board of Governors
Planning Committee of the American Stock Exchange. Mr. Boss is a graduate of the University of Rhode
Island, and was elected to the Fleet Board in 1976.
PRESIDENT, HARCOTT CORPORATION
[PHOTO] President of Harcott Corporation since 1987, Mr. Brown previously was Executive Vice
Stillman B. Brown President, Chief Financial Officer and a director of United Technologies Corporation,
65 where he served in a variety of executive positions from 1978 to 1986. He is a director
Audit Committee of The Stanley Works, a director of the University of California--Berkeley Foundation
and past Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of Hartford. Mr. Brown
became a director of Fleet in 1995, having served as a Shawmut director since 1987. Mr.
Brown also served as a Shawmut banking subsidiary director from 1979 to 1988.
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR, AGE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OTHER INFORMATION
- ------------------------
TERMS EXPIRING IN 2001
<C> <S>
DEAN OF THE FACULTY, HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
[PHOTO] Mr. Clark, the Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration, is Dean of
Kim B. Clark the Faculty at Harvard Business School. A member of the Harvard faculty since 1978,
49 Dean Clark's research has focused on the areas of modularity in design, technology,
Audit Committee productivity, product development and operations strategy in a variety of industries,
including automobiles, steel, semiconductors, computers and advanced ceramics. Dean
Clark was elected to the Fleet Board in February 1998.
RETIRED CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TEXTRON INC.
[PHOTO] Mr. Hardymon served as Chairman of Textron, Inc., a diversified manufacturing company
James F. Hardymon ("Textron"), until his retirement in January 1999. He joined Textron in December 1989
64 as President and Chief Operating Officer, at which time he was named to the Textron
Chairman, Human Board of Directors. In 1992, he was elected Chief Executive Officer and served as such
Resources and Planning until 1998. He was elected Chairman in 1993. He is a trustee of the University of
Committee; Executive Kentucky and a director of Air Product & Chemicals, Inc., Circuit City, Inc.,
Committee Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc., Lexmark International and Groupe Schneider. Mr.
Hardymon received his Bachelor and Master's degrees in civil engineering from the
University of Kentucky, and has served on the Fleet Board since 1991.
PRIVATE INVESTOR
[PHOTO] Mr. Milot was President of Brewster Lumber Company, a supplier of building materials,
Arthur C. Milot from 1969 to 1986. He is a director of Benodet Insurance Co., Ltd. and Philan Insurance
66 Co., Ltd., and served as a director of various Fleet banking subsidiaries from 1969 to
Audit Committee 1995. A Harvard University graduate, Mr. Milot has been a Fleet director since 1976.
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR, AGE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OTHER INFORMATION
- ------------------------
TERMS EXPIRING IN 2001
<C> <S>
GUEST SCHOLAR, THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION
[PHOTO] Mrs. Rice joined The Brookings Institution's Program in Economic Studies in 1991. From
Lois D. Rice 1981 to 1991, she was a director and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at
66 Control Data Corporation. Mrs. Rice is a director of International Multifoods, McGraw
Co-Chairman, Employee Hill Companies, HSB Group, Inc. and Unum Corp. She also serves on the boards of the
Development and Public Center for Naval Analysis, the Public Agenda Foundation and The Harry Frank Guggenheim
Policy Committee; Foundation. She is a lifetime trustee of The Urban Institute, and a member of the
Executive Committee President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Elected a director of Shawmut in 1992,
Mrs. Rice joined the Fleet Board in 1995 in connection with the Shawmut Merger.
</TABLE>
CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
During 1998, the Fleet Board met nine times and committees of the Fleet Board
met as follows: the Executive Committee did not meet in 1998, the Audit
Committee met five times, the Human Resources and Planning Committee and the
Risk Management Committee each met four times and the Employee Development and
Public Policy Committee met three times. In 1998, all Fleet Board members (with
the exception of Mr. Kennedy (who retires from the Fleet Board this year), who
attended 71% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Fleet Board and its
committees on which he served) attended more than 75% of the aggregate of the
meetings of the Fleet Board and its committees on which they served.
The Executive Committee generally has the power to exercise the power of the
full Fleet Board during intervals between meetings of the Fleet Board. The Audit
Committee oversees the scope of Fleet's internal auditing, the independence of
the outside auditors, the adequacy of Fleet's system of internal accounting
controls and procedures, and the adequacy of management's action with respect to
recommendations made by Fleet's auditors. The Audit Committee is also
responsible for oversight of Fleet's regulatory compliance. The Human Resources
and Planning Committee is responsible for human resources policies and systems,
compensation and benefit plans (including management bonuses and equity-based
awards), senior officer appointments, succession planning and other matters. The
Human Resources and Planning Committee also periodically reviews management's
plans for integrating acquired entities and monitors implementation, and reviews
significant organizational changes and restructurings. The Risk Management
Committee is responsible for certain corporate risk areas, including loan
review, credit administration and asset and liability management. The Employee
Development and Public Policy Committee, with representation from the Fleet
Board and certain bank subsidiary boards, is responsible for reviewing
management's policies, practices and performance related to work force
diversity, community affairs activities, charitable contributions, compliance
with the Community Reinvestment Act and certain other related consumer laws and
regulations, the Corporation's Code of Ethics, and current and emerging public
policy issues.
The Fleet Board has no nominating committee as the Fleet Board as a whole
studies the qualifications and recommends to the stockholders the election of
Fleet directors. A stockholder may nominate a person for election as a director
by complying with Section 3.15 of the Fleet By-laws, which provides that advance
notice of a nomination must be delivered to Fleet and must contain the name and
certain information concerning the nominee and the stockholders who support the
nominee's election. A copy of this By-law provision may be obtained by writing
to William C. Mutterperl, Secretary of Fleet, One Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110. In accordance with the terms of Joel Alvord's 1995
employment agreement, Fleet will sponsor Mr. Alvord's election and re-election
to the Fleet Board until Mr. Alvord reaches age 65, and, until his 65th
birthday, Mr. Alvord will serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the
Fleet Board or in such other capacity as Fleet and Mr. Alvord shall agree.
10
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
ANNUAL RETAINER AND MEETING FEES. For their service on the Fleet Board,
directors (other than Messrs. Murray and Quick) receive an annual retainer of
$40,000, plus $1,500 for each Board meeting attended and $1,000 for each
telephonic meeting attended. Committee members receive $1,000 per committee
meeting attended and $750 for each telephonic meeting attended, and each
committee chairman is paid an additional $5,000 per year. Fees are not paid to
directors employed by Fleet.
DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION AND STOCK UNIT PLAN (the "DIRECTORS' PLAN").
Effective April 15, 1998, the Fleet Board adopted a new director compensation
program that links directors' pay more closely with the interests of
shareholders. Pursuant to the Directors' Plan, each nonemployee director
receives an annual award of stock units equal to 50% of the annual retainer
(currently $20,000). The stock units are payable in shares of Common Stock
following termination of service as a director, and replace any additional
benefit accruals under the retirement plans previously maintained. All
directors, except Messrs. Matura and Kennedy (who retires from the Board this
year), chose to convert the present value of their accrued retirement plan
benefits into stock units based on the fair market value of Common Stock on
April 15, 1998. In addition, the Directors' Plan requires the mandatory deferral
of 25% of each director's annual retainer into stock units. Directors also may
elect to defer all or a portion of their remaining annual retainer and meeting
fees into stock units or a fixed rate account, or a combination of the two. For
1998, the rate of return on amounts deferred into the fixed rate account was
12%.
Fleet previously maintained a retirement plan for its nonemployee directors who
were not former Norstar directors. Under this plan, a director became eligible
for benefits after he or she served on the Fleet Board for at least five years.
The plan provided the participant a maximum retirement benefit of $200,000. All
directors participating in this plan, except Mr. Matura, converted their
accumulated balances into stock units under the Directors' Plan described above,
based on the fair market value of the Common Stock on April 15, 1998. Fleet also
maintained the Supplemental Compensation Plan for former Norstar directors,
which was assumed in connection with the Norstar Merger. The plan generally
provided each eligible Fleet director who was previously a Norstar director with
a maximum retirement benefit of $200,000. All former Norstar directors, with the
exception of Mr. Kennedy (who retires from the Board this year), converted the
present value of their accrued retirement benefit into stock units under the
Directors' Plan described above, based on the fair market value of the Common
Stock on April 15, 1998.
SHAWMUT PROGRAMS. In connection with the Shawmut Merger, Fleet assumed the
Shawmut 1989 Nonemployee Directors' Restricted Stock Plan (the "Directors' Stock
Plan") for nonemployee members of the Shawmut Board, which was previously
approved by the Shawmut stockholders. In assuming the Directors' Stock Plan, the
Fleet Board has prohibited any future awards under the plan. The terms of the
Directors' Stock Plan will continue to apply to any outstanding shares of Fleet
restricted stock held by former Shawmut directors continuing on the Fleet Board.
Also in connection with the Shawmut Merger, Fleet succeeded to Shawmut's
obligations under an irrevocable trust agreement which holds life insurance
policies on the lives of the members of the former Shawmut Board, including the
former Shawmut directors continuing on the Fleet Board, and cash sufficient to
cover future premium costs. The policies fund the Shawmut Charitable Giving
Program that was established in 1995 to provide support to charitable
institutions and to attract and retain qualified directors. Each director is
permitted to recommend up to four tax-exempt charities to receive contributions.
Upon a director's death, annual contributions will be made for a period of ten
years to the tax-exempt charity or charities recommended by such director; the
amount of such annual contribution, in the aggregate, will be $100,000 ($1
million over ten years). Directors derive no financial benefit from the program.
The current Fleet directors participating in the program are Joel B. Alvord,
Stillman B. Brown, John T. Collins, Robert J. Matura, Lois D. Rice, Samuel O.
Thier and Paul R. Tregurtha.
11
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below shows the number of shares of Common Stock and the percent of
outstanding Common Stock beneficially owned as of December 31, 1998 by (i) each
of the current directors, (ii) each of the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table, and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a
group.
No director or executive officer of the Corporation beneficially owns any equity
security of Fleet other than Common Stock. Since April 15, 1998, when the new
Directors' Plan became effective, all nonemployee directors receive stock units
as part of their total compensation for service on the Fleet Board. See "Certain
Information Regarding the Board of Directors--Compensation of Directors." Stock
units are payable in shares of Common Stock on a one-for-one basis following a
director's cessation of service on the Fleet Board. As of December 31, 1998, the
aggregate stock unit account balance for all nonemployee directors as a group
was 131,416 Common Stock shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL NATURE TOTAL COMMON
OR IDENTITY OF OF BENEFICIAL STOCK EQUITY PERCENT OF
GROUP OWNERSHIP(1)(2) UNITS(9) OWNERSHIP CLASS(10)
-------------------------- -------------- ----------- ------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Joel B. Alvord.......................................... 157,137 4,906 162,043 .03%
William Barnet, III..................................... 22,024 24,869 46,893 *
Bradford R. Boss........................................ 63,952(3) 5,181 69,133 *
Stillman B. Brown....................................... 40,022 7,821 47,843 *
Paul J. Choquette, Jr................................... 20,289(4) 4,720 25,009 *
Kim B. Clark............................................ 0 1,849 1,849 *
John T. Collins......................................... 90,124 2,666 92,790 .02%
James F. Hardymon....................................... 7,503 3,658 11,161 *
Marian L. Heard......................................... 192 2,270 2,462 *
Robert M. Kavner........................................ 6,480 6,029 12,509 *
Raymond C. Kennedy...................................... 41,128 1,480 42,608 *
Robert J. Matura........................................ 18,230(5) 4,558 22,788 *
Arthur C. Milot......................................... 487,280 19,067 506,347 .09%
Terrence Murray......................................... 1,450,533 0 1,450,533 .25%
Thomas D. O'Connor...................................... 47,916 8,505 56,421 *
Michael B. Picotte...................................... 60,486 12,418 72,904 .01%
Thomas C. Quick......................................... 7,838,040(6) 0 7,838,040 1.37%
Lois D. Rice............................................ 7,482 5,587 13,069 *
John R. Riedman......................................... 728,219 4,744 732,963 .13%
Thomas M. Ryan.......................................... 1,500(7) 2,392 3,892 *
Samuel O. Thier......................................... 504 2,778 3,282 *
Paul R. Tregurtha....................................... 25,782 5,918 31,700 *
Robert J. Higgins....................................... 658,748 0 658,748 .11%
H. Jay Sarles........................................... 719,181 0 719,181 .13%
Gunnar S. Overstrom, Jr................................. 635,639(8) 0 635,639 .11%
Michael R. Zucchini..................................... 362,394 0 362,394 .06%
All directors and executive officers as a group (35
persons).............................................. 13,490,785 131,416 13,622,201 2.38%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Amounts shown include 54,000, 836,667, 173,400, 370,334, 354,000, 171,334,
165,334 and 1,194,885 shares, respectively, that may be acquired by Messrs.
Alvord, Murray, Quick, Higgins, Sarles,
12
<PAGE>
Overstrom and Zucchini, and all other directors and executive officers as a
group, pursuant to employee stock options on or prior to March 1, 1999.
(2) Amounts shown include 36,622, 21,231, 57,455, 7,531, and 21,726 shares,
respectively, allocated to the accounts of Messrs. Higgins, Sarles,
Overstrom and Zucchini, and all other executive officers as a group, in the
Common Stock fund held in trust under the Fleet Savings Plan.
(3) Amount shown for Mr. Boss includes 1,000 shares held in his wife's name.
(4) Amount shown for Mr. Choquette includes 3,100 shares held in his wife's
name.
(5) Amount shown for Mr. Matura includes 10,341 shares held in his wife's name.
(6) Amount shown includes 7,299,420 shares with respect to which Mr. Quick holds
sole or shared voting and investment power in his capacity as trustee or
general partner of certain trusts and a general partnership.
(7) Amount shown for Mr. Ryan includes 500 shares held in his wife's name.
(8) Amount shown for Mr. Overstrom includes 5,524 shares held in the names of
his wife and children.
(9) Amounts shown for nonemployee director's stock unit account balances have
been rounded to the nearest whole share.
(10) For purposes of this calculation, the number of shares of Common Stock
deemed to be outstanding includes shares that are issuable to Fleet's
executive officers upon conversion of stock options on March 1, 1999 and
includes the number of stock units attributable to directors.
* Less than .01%
13
<PAGE>
HUMAN RESOURCES AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
OVERVIEW. The Human Resources and Planning Committee (the "Committee") is
composed entirely of five independent nonemployee members of the Fleet Board who
initiate all compensation actions for the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and
review and approve the compensation for all executive officers.
Fleet's executive compensation programs are designed to be market competitive in
order to attract and retain high quality and experienced executives who are
motivated to enhance shareholder value. In 1998, as in past years, the
Committee's compensation decisions with respect to the CEO and the four other
most highly compensated executive officers identified in the Summary
Compensation Table (the "Named Executive Officers") were driven by Fleet's
strategy to place considerable emphasis on variable compensation in the form of
performance-based bonuses and equity awards that link the Named Executive
Officers' pay closely with the interests of Fleet's shareholders. Eighty-five to
ninety percent (85%-90%) of the total compensation opportunity for the Named
Executive Officers (and a significant portion for other senior executive
officers) is in at-risk annual bonus and equity-based components. Fleet's goal
is to ensure a pay-for-performance linkage and to produce total pay for the
Named Executive Officers at the median of compensation paid to the executives in
comparable positions for comparable performance at the 14 largest (as determined
by asset size) domestic banks, excluding Fleet (the "Peer Group"). This is the
group used for the Stock Performance Graph. In addition, Fleet reviews a variety
of survey sources reflecting current pay practices at large financial
institutions with respect to all executive officers.
The exact amounts paid to each of the executive officers in the form of base
salary, and short- and long-term incentive awards, are discretionary (subject to
the terms of the applicable plans) based on the Committee's assessment of
certain quantitative and qualitative factors discussed later in this report
under the heading CEO Compensation. In 1998, no relative weights were assigned
to these factors. The CEO makes recommendations to the Committee for the Named
Executive Officers, other than the CEO, as well as certain other executives, all
of which were approved by the Committee for 1998.
It is Fleet's policy to seek deductibility of compensation costs related to its
Named Executive Officers to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code and consistent with the achievement of the above stated
objectives.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM. Fleet's executive compensation program consists
of three primary components:
BASE SALARY. The base salary of each executive officer (including the CEO) is
compared to the median of base salaries paid to executives who hold
substantially similar positions within the Peer Group and set at an amount that
reflects the executive's position, duties and level of responsibility.
Consistent with Fleet's strategy to continue to place considerable emphasis on
variable compensation in the form of performance-based bonuses and equity
awards, certain executives, including the Named Executive Officers, were
ineligible for scheduled base salary increases in 1998. Any salary increases in
1998 were due to competitive market conditions.
ANNUAL INCENTIVE. Fleet's executive bonus plans support the objective of paying
for performance that increases shareholder value by providing for bonuses under
the plans only if Fleet achieves specified targets of ROE and Net Income.
(1) NEO BONUS PLAN. The Named Executive Officer Bonus Plan permits the
Committee to award bonuses to the Named Executive Officers only if certain
performance goals related to Net Income and ROE are achieved for a particular
year. On the basis of Fleet's performance in 1998, the maximum bonus awards
allowed under the plan to the CEO and to each of the other Named Executive
Officers were $4,334,000 and $2,167,000, respectively. The Committee retains the
discretion to decrease (but not to increase) these bonus amounts.
14
<PAGE>
(2) MANAGEMENT BONUS PLAN. Fleet's executive officers (except for the Named
Executive Officers) and certain other employees are eligible to participate in
the Management Bonus Plan, which provides for a bonus pool that is based on
Fleet's performance in achieving pre-established target levels of ROE (50% of
the bonus pool) and Net Income (20% of the bonus pool). The remaining 30% of the
bonus pool is discretionary. The bonus award ranges are intended to result in
actual bonus payments that are at the median of bonuses paid to executives in
comparable positions for comparable performance within the Peer Group.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE. Long-term incentive awards, which include qualified and
non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock
awards, act as a retention tool and link the executive officers' opportunity for
financial reward with that of the shareholders, and ensure that short-term
performance is adequately balanced with the achievement of longer-range
objectives that are in the best interests of the shareholders. The Committee's
decisions are made without regard to the amount or terms of the options and
restricted stock already held by executive officers, either individually or as a
group.
Stock options are awarded at the fair market value on the date of the grant, so
that the gains for the executive officers are comparable to those of a
shareholder purchasing a share of Common Stock on the same date. Beginning with
the 1996 award, generally, options vest in 33% increments, beginning on the
first anniversary of the date of the grant, and expire in not more than 10
years. Option award values are intended to be at the median of the value of
option awards granted to executives in comparable positions within the Peer
Group. In 1998, stock option award levels were increased to complement Fleet's
strategy of emphasizing variable pay and to ensure the on-going competitiveness
of the stock option plan.
In October 1998, the Committee awarded performance-based restricted stock under
the 1992 Plan to seven executive officers, including the CEO and the other Named
Executive Officers. The awards provide that if earnings per share growth or
average ROE, measured over a three-year period, exceeds a threshold that is
related to the performance of our Peer Group, or if Fleet's stock price
appreciation reaches specified levels, the executive officers will vest in a
percentage of the shares awarded, ranging from 50% to 100%. These awards are
designed to provide the executive officers with an incentive opportunity linked
both to corporate financial performance and shareholder value (see footnote 3,
Summary Compensation Table).
CEO COMPENSATION
In 1998, Fleet's most highly compensated Named Executive Officer was Terrence
Murray, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Committee acknowledged and
approved Mr. Murray's performance and determined that he met or exceeded all
critical objectives in 1998. The Committee also discussed 1999 business
objectives for Mr. Murray.
Mr. Murray's compensation for 1998 included a base salary at the same level as
in effect since 1994 and a bonus in the amount of $3,400,000. The Committee
exercised its judgment in determining the amount of Mr. Murray's award and
considered primarily: the successful integration of three major acquisitions,
Quick & Reilly, Advanta's credit card business and Columbia Management Company,
each of which diversified Fleet's growth capabilities and revenue streams; the
announced acquisitions of Sanwa Business Credit, and the Merrill Lynch
Specialist business, as well as Household Finance's credit card portfolio,
further diversifying Fleet's business portfolio; the execution of Fleet's
business strategies as they relate to overall management, products and systems;
Fleet's performance in 1998, as measured by return on equity ("ROE"), net income
and return on assets ("ROA"), each of which reflected strong performance;
continued progress toward Fleets's diversity goals; Fleet's overall performance
as it relates to financial goals, including growth in fee income, which improved
revenue mix, continued shrinkage of nonperforming assets and the achievement of
strategic objectives; and the level of compensation being paid to executive
officers, including the CEOs, with comparable responsibilities within the Peer
Group. Mr. Murray was not present during Committee or Board discussions
concerning his compensation. The Committee's decision was unanimously endorsed
by the Fleet Board.
15
<PAGE>
Mr. Murray was awarded 125,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock
under the 1992 Plan (see discussion above). The Committee's decisions with
respect to this award followed the same principles as those described for the
Named Executive Officers generally.
The Committee believes that Mr. Murray's total compensation package for 1998,
including his base salary and annual and long-term incentive awards, will be at
or near the median of the total compensation trends in the Peer Group, which
have been obtained via surveys, outside consultants and historical data.
SUBMITTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND PLANNING COMMITTEE.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
James F. Hardymon (Chairman) John T. Collins
Paul R. Tregurtha (Vice Chairman) Robert M. Kavner
Bradford R. Boss
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The Stock Performance Graph compares the yearly change in the cumulative total
shareholder return on the Common Stock against the cumulative total return of
the S&P 500 Stock Index, the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods ("KBW") East Regional Bank
Index, and the Peer Group, for the five-year period from December 31, 1993
through December 31, 1998. The graph assumes that $100 was invested in the
Common Stock and the indices on December 31, 1993, and that all dividends were
reinvested. The financial institutions which comprise the Peer Group are
Citigroup Inc., BankAmerica Corporation, The Chase Manhattan Corporation, Bank
One Corporation, J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated, First Union Corporation, Wells
Fargo Company, Bankers Trust Corporation, SunTrust Banks, Inc., National City
Corporation, KeyCorp, PNC Bank Corporation, U.S. Bancorp, and BankBoston
Corporation. The returns of each of these corporations have been weighted
according to their market capitalization at the beginning of each year
presented. Additions to the Peer Group include BankBoston Corporation, National
City Corporation and SunTrust Banks, Inc., while First Chicago NBD Corporation,
NationsBank Corporation and Norwest Corporation are no longer among the Peer
Group due to mergers and acquisitions.
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL RETURN PERFORMANCE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fleet Financial Group,
Inc. S&P 500 Top 14 Banks Peer Group KBW East Regional Index
12/31/1993 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
12/31/1994 100.96 101.32 91.38 88.77
12/31/1995 133.03 139.39 140.39 150.69
12/31/1996 169.16 171.26 196.00 206.69
12/31/1997 262.30 228.42 286.03 330.74
12/31/1998 320.13 293.69 293.62 344.57
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table shows, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996, the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the four other
most highly compensated executive officers of Fleet during 1998 who were serving
as executive officers at year-end 1998. The persons named in the table are
referred to in this proxy statement as the "Named Executive Officers".
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
-------------------- ---------------------------
AWARDS
---------------------------
OTHER RESTRICTED SECURITIES
ANNUAL STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARD(S) OPTIONS/SARS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($)(1) ($)(2)(3) (#)(4) ($)(6)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Terrence Murray............... 1998 $992,200 $3,400,000 $ 87,161 $4,898,438 -- $292,958
Chairman and Chief Executive 1997 992,200 2,800,000 29,484 1,980,000 2,000,000(5) 242,615
Officer 1996 992,200 2,100,000 137,033 1,196,250 300,000 197,110
Robert J. Higgins............. 1998 653,800 1,500,000 6,546 2,743,125 180,000 227,238
President and Chief Operating 1997 600,000 1,250,000 33,251 990,000 160,000 151,281
Officer 1996 525,000 800,000 12,812 -- 120,000 98,088
H. Jay Sarles................. 1998 525,000 1,300,000 8,481 2,351,250 160,000 251,211
Vice Chairman and Chief 1997 525,000 1,100,000 11,156 990,000 150,000 166,684
Administrative Officer 1996 525,000 725,000 6,649 598,125 120,000 114,974
Gunnar S. Overstrom, Jr....... 1998 525,000 1,100,000 2,673 1,959,375 135,000 381,124
Vice Chairman 1997 525,000 950,000 81,986 792,000 130,000 199,343
1996 525,000 800,000 2,531 -- 120,000 57,483
Michael R. Zucchini........... 1998 525,000 1,000,000 7,255 1,959,375 135,000 232,526
Vice Chairman and Chief 1997 525,000 850,000 10,370 792,000 130,000 126,824
Technology Officer 1996 525,000 400,000 9,960 -- 120,000 89,193
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Perquisites and other personal benefits paid to each of the Named Executive
Officers in each instance aggregated less than $50,000, except the amount
reported for Mr. Murray for 1996 includes a relocation expense and moving
allowance aggregating $57,000, and a tax preparation and financial planning
expense of $24,000.
(2) The values shown in the table are based on the closing price of Common Stock
on the date of each grant, rather than the December 31, 1998 closing price.
With respect to each of the restricted stock awards described in footnote
(3): (a) the 1998 year-end value for each award is based on the December 31,
1998 closing price of Common Stock ($44.6875); (b) dividends will be paid on
the awards if, and to the extent, dividends are paid on Common Stock
generally; and (c) if a change of control of Fleet were to occur, the
restricted stock awards would immediately vest in full.
(3) In October 1998, Fleet awarded performance-based restricted stock to Messrs.
Murray, Higgins, Sarles, Overstrom and Zucchini under the 1992 Plan. The
awards provide that the restrictions will lapse if either earnings per share
growth or average ROE, measured over a three-year period, exceeds certain
thresholds that are related to the performance of Fleet's Peer Group. To the
extent any one of the targets is met or exceeded, the executive officers
will vest in a percentage of the shares awarded, ranging from 50% to 100%.
In addition, 50% or 80% of the restrictions will lapse sooner if, during the
performance period, the closing price of the Common Stock reaches a target
price of $51.84 or $58.07 per share, respectively, and averages at that
level or higher for a consecutive 90-day period that begins on or begins
anytime after the day the closing price equaled $51.84 or $58.07 per share,
respectively. All restrictions will lapse sooner if, during the performance
period, the closing price of the Common Stock reaches a target price of
$62.21 per share and averages at that level or higher for a consecutive
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
18
<PAGE>
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE)
90-day period that begins on or begins any time after the day that the
closing price equaled $62.21 per share. Also, a prorata portion of the
restrictions will lapse if, during the last calendar quarter of the
performance period, the closing price of the Common Stock reaches a new
price target for the first time and averages at that level or higher for the
remaining trading days in the performance period or, in certain
circumstances, at least ten days through January 9, 2002. The amount and
1998 year-end value of the performance-based restricted stock awarded in
1998 under the 1992 Plan are: Mr. Murray, 125,000 and $5,585,938; Mr.
Higgins, 70,000 and $3,128,125; Mr. Sarles, 60,000 and $2,681,250; and each
of Messrs. Overstrom and Zucchini, 50,000 and $2,234,375.
(4) The stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers under the 1992
Plan do not include awards of tandem SARs.
(5) In December 1997, Fleet awarded 1,650,000 stock units to Mr. Murray. The
units were granted at the fair market value of the Common Stock on the award
date and will vest if Mr. Murray remains a Fleet employee on August 1, 2001,
and earlier under certain circumstances (including, without limitation, upon
a change of control of Fleet). The units represent the right to receive a
cash payment upon exercise in an amount per unit equal to any appreciation
in the value of the Common Stock between the grant date and the exercise
date. The stock units were in addition to 350,000 stock options awarded to
Mr. Murray in October 1997.
(6) 1998 amounts for the Named Executive Officers include: (a) contributions by
Fleet under Fleet's Savings Plan, and any amounts accrued under Fleet's
Executive Supplemental Plan: Mr. Murray, $59,540; Mr. Higgins, $39,230; Mr.
Sarles, $31,512; Mr. Overstrom, $31,512; and Mr. Zucchini, $31,512; (b)
executive group term life insurance premiums paid by Fleet on behalf of the
following executive officers: Mr. Murray, $33,147; Mr. Higgins, $13,910; Mr.
Sarles, $10,433; Mr. Overstrom, $8,999 and Mr. Zucchini, $9,526; and (c)
preferential earnings on deferred compensation: Mr. Murray, $200,271; Mr.
Higgins, $174,098; Mr. Sarles, $209,267; Mr. Overstrom, $340,613; and Mr.
Zucchini, $191,489 (Mr. Overstrom's amount includes preferential earnings on
amounts deferred pursuant to his employment agreement, as amended; see
"Severance Agreements and Employment Contracts").
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock options
made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 to the Named Executive
Officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
---------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT
NUMBER OF OF TOTAL
SECURITIES OPTIONS/SARS
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO
OPTIONS/SARS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OR GRANT DATE
GRANTED IN FISCAL BASE PRICE EXPIRATION PRESENT VALUE
NAME (#)(1) YEAR(2) ($/SH) DATE ($)(3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrence Murray........................... 0 0% -- -- --
Robert J. Higgins......................... 180,000 1.74% $ 39.06 10/20/2008 $ 1,848,600
H. Jay Sarles............................. 160,000 1.55% 39.06 10/20/2008 1,643,200
Gunnar S. Overstrom, Jr................... 135,000 1.31% 39.06 10/20/2008 1,386,450
Michael R. Zucchini....................... 135,000 1.31% 39.06 10/20/2008 1,386,450
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Stock options granted on October 21, 1998 under the 1992 Plan. No SARs were
awarded with these grants. The options first become exercisable in annual
one-third installments, beginning one year from the grant date, and have a
ten-year term. If a change of control of Fleet were to occur, the options
would become immediately exercisable in full. These options are transferable
to immediate family
19
<PAGE>
members and to trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies and other
entities for the benefit of immediate family members ("Permitted
Transferees").
(2) The percentages in the table for the stock options granted in 1998 are based
on a total of 10,330,142 stock options granted in 1998 to Fleet employees,
all of which were granted on the same material terms described in footnote
(1), except that options granted to executive officers only are
transferable.
(3) The grant date present values shown in the table for the stock options are
determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions
used in calculating the Black-Scholes present value of approximately $10.27
per option for new option grants were as follows: (a) a risk-free interest
rate of 4.18% (based on the yield on a U.S. Treasury security with a
maturity approximating the expected life of the options); (b) a dividend
yield of 2.5% (approximates the current yield on the Common Stock); (c)
volatility of the Common Stock of 26% (based on the daily Common Stock price
for the seven years prior to the option grant); and (d) an average option
term of seven years (representing the average historical period of time from
grant date to exercise).
The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating
the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are
fully transferable. In addition, option pricing models require the use of
highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price
volatility. Because Fleet's employee stock options have characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in
the subjective assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates,
the Black-Scholes model does not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of Fleet's employee stock options. The amount
realized from an employee stock option ultimately depends on the market
value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table contains information for the Named Executive Officers
concerning the exercise of options during the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998 and unexercised options held as of the end of the 1998 fiscal year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS AT
OPTIONS/SARS AT
VALUE FISCAL YEAR-END (#)(1) FISCAL YEAR-END ($)(2)(3)
SHARES ACQUIRED REALIZED -------------------------- ----------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE (#) ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrence Murray.................. 150,000 $ 3,220,500 836,667 493,333 $ 19,379,683 $ 8,881,479
Robert J. Higgins................ -- -- 370,334 392,666 8,666,018 4,793,316
H. Jay Sarles.................... 65,000 1,925,950 354,000 366,000 8,229,143 4,599,758
Gunnar S. Overstrom, Jr.......... -- -- 171,334 309,666 3,405,309 3,824,833
Michael R. Zucchini.............. -- -- 165,334 327,666 3,466,081 4,298,435
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) None of the Named Executive Officers holds any stock options with tandem
SARs. Any tandem SARs previously granted to the Named Executive Officers
were cancelled in 1995.
(2) Value based on the fair market value of the Common Stock on December 31,
1998 ($44.6875), minus the grant price.
(3) The value of unexercised in-the-money stock options at December 31, 1998 is
presented to comply with Commission regulations. The actual amount realized
upon exercise of stock options (if any) will depend upon the excess of the
fair market value of the Common Stock over the grant price at the time the
stock option is exercised. There is no assurance that the values of
unexercised stock options reflected in this table will be realized.
20
<PAGE>
PENSION PLANS
The following table shows the estimated annual pension benefits payable at
normal retirement to a participant in certain of the Corporation's qualified and
nonqualified defined benefit plans.
PENSION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINAL
AVERAGE 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 20 YEARS 25 YEARS 30 YEARS
SALARY SERVICE(1) SERVICE(1) SERVICE(1) SERVICE(1) SERVICE(1)
- ------------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
900,000..................... 88,833 177,665 355,331 444,164 532,996
1,100,000..................... 108,833 217,665 435,331 544,164 652,996
1,300,000..................... 128,833 257,665 515,331 644,164 772,996
1,500,000..................... 148,833 297,665 595,331 744,164 892,996
1,700,000..................... 168,833 337,665 675,331 844,164 1,012,996
1,900,000..................... 188,833 377,665 755,331 944,164 1,132,996
2,100,000..................... 208,833 417,665 835,331 1,044,164 1,252,996
2,300,000..................... 228,833 457,665 915,331 1,144,164 1,372,996
2,500,000..................... 248,833 497,665 995,331 1,244,164 1,492,996
2,700,000..................... 268,833 537,665 1,075,331 1,344,164 1,612,996
2,900,000..................... 288,833 577,665 1,155,331 1,444,164 1,732,996
3,100,000..................... 308,833 617,665 1,235,331 1,544,164 1,852,996
3,300,000..................... 328,833 657,665 1,315,331 1,644,164 1,972,996
3,500,000..................... 348,833 697,665 1,395,331 1,744,164 2,092,996
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) The table sets forth the combined benefits as of December 31, 1998 payable
under the Fleet Financial Group, Inc. Pension Plan, the Fleet Financial
Group, Inc. Retirement Income Assurance Plan, and the Fleet Financial Group,
Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (collectively, the "Pension
Plan"). Messrs. Murray, Higgins, Sarles, Overstrom and Zucchini each
participate in these three plans.
A participant's "Final Average Salary" means the average annual salary during
the 60 consecutive calendar months in the last 120 calendar months of a
participant's employment in which the sum of the participant's salary (including
salary from Shawmut), plus short-term bonuses paid by Fleet after 1993, was the
highest. The "salary" and "bonus" used to determine a participant's Final
Average Salary are the same as the "Salary" and "Bonus" reported in the Summary
Compensation Table.
The table describes the annual benefit payable as a single life annuity
beginning at age 65. The benefits shown in the table are not subject to any
deduction for Social Security or other offset amounts. In general, the annual
benefit at age 65 is calculated as the sum of 1.25% of Final Average Salary up
to the Integration Level (as specified below) and 2% of Final Average Salary in
excess of the Integration Level, for each year of service up to 30. For 1998,
the Integration Level equaled $31,128. The Integration Level will increase in
future years based on the maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security
taxes.
For purposes of the Pension Plan the years of service and Final Average Salary
as of December 31, 1998 of the Named Executive Officers were: Mr. Murray, 30
years and $2,830,547; Mr. Higgins, 27 years and $1,306,154; Mr. Sarles, 30 years
and $1,215,000; Mr. Overstrom, 30 years (1.5 of which are counted under the
Pension Plan formula and 28.5 years of service are counted under the Shawmut
SERP) and $1,017,000; and Mr. Zucchini, 16 years and $1,110,000.
The table does not include a total annual pension benefit of $895,000 earned by
Mr. Overstrom under the Shawmut National Corporation Executive Supplemental
Retirement Plan (the "Shawmut SERP") and his amended employment agreement with
Fleet, which benefit is expressed as a 50% joint and survivor annuity payable
beginning at age 62. Mr. Overstrom's benefit is based on final average
compensation of $1,595,000 and 28.5 years of service (including eight additional
years credited pursuant to his employment agreement, five of which were credited
as a result of prior action by the Hartford National Board of Directors).
Mr. Zucchini's years of service for purposes of the Pension Plan include an
additional five years of service credited in 1998, but do not include an
additional five years of service that will be credited in 2003, based on Mr.
Zucchini's continuous employment with Fleet to the year 2003.
21
<PAGE>
SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS AND EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS. Severance agreements are in effect between Fleet and each
of the Named Executive Officers. The agreements are intended to encourage the
executives to continue to carry on their duties in the event of a change of
control of Fleet. Under the terms of these agreements, if termination of an
executive's employment occurs within the two-year period following a change of
control of Fleet and such termination is by Fleet (or its successor) other than
for cause or by the executive for good reason (each as defined in the
agreement), each executive, other than Mr. Overstrom, will be entitled to
receive, among other things: (i) the executive's accrued salary; (ii) a pro rata
portion of his highest annual bonus; and (iii) an amount equal to the sum of
annual base salary and highest annual bonus, multiplied by three. Under Mr.
Overstrom's severance agreement (negotiated separately in connection with the
Shawmut Merger), as amended in 1997 and subject to the provisions of his amended
employment agreement described below, he will be entitled to receive, among
other things: (i) an amount equal to the sum of annual base salary and any
amount awarded under Fleet's short-term incentive plan for the year preceding
the year of termination, multiplied by three, or the number of years remaining
to Mr. Overstrom's 65th birthday, whichever is shorter; and (ii) a pro rata
portion of his long-term incentive award awarded prior to the Shawmut Merger.
The severance agreements confer no benefits prior to a change of control. In the
event that any payments received by the executives in connection with a change
of control are subject to the excise tax imposed upon certain change of control
payments under federal tax laws, the agreements provide for an additional
payment sufficient to restore the executive to the same after-tax position he
would have been in if the excise tax had not been imposed.
OVERSTROM EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. In connection with the Shawmut Merger, Mr.
Overstrom entered into an employment agreement with Fleet which provides for:
(i) an annual salary not less than that paid to other vice chairmen of Fleet;
(ii) eligibility to receive annual and long-term bonuses pursuant to the Fleet
incentive plans applicable to the other vice chairmen; and (iii) participation
in all employee benefit arrangements available to other similarly situated
executive officers of Fleet (only to the extent that the benefits provided
thereunder do not duplicate benefits received by Mr. Overstrom based on certain
Shawmut plans). The employment agreement is for a two-year term, and is subject
to extension for an additional one-year period on each successive anniversary of
the Shawmut Merger unless Fleet gives notice of nonrenewal at least 60 days
prior to such anniversary.
In April 1997, the Fleet Board approved amendments to Mr. Overstrom's employment
agreement to induce Mr. Overstrom to remain in Fleet's employ. The amended
agreement requires Fleet to credit to an account on the books of the Corporation
an amount (the "Deferral Amount") equal to certain benefits Mr. Overstrom would
have been entitled to receive under his original agreement if he had terminated
his employment as of April 17, 1997 for any reason other than death, cause (as
defined in the agreement) or disability (as defined in the agreement). The
Deferral Amount ($7,370,952) includes (i) his base salary in effect as of April
17, 1997, multiplied by three ($1,575,000); (ii) the highest annual and
long-term bonuses awarded to Mr. Overstrom during the three fiscal years ended
December 31, 1996, multiplied by three ($3,791,057); and (iii) the value of Mr.
Overstrom's Shawmut split-dollar insurance benefit ($2,004,895). Payment of the
Deferral Amount is deferred until Mr. Overstrom's actual termination date, and
the Deferral Amount will be credited during the deferral period with interest at
Fleet National Bank's prime rate, as in effect from time to time. The provisions
of Mr. Overstrom's original employment agreement that entitle him to coverage or
credited service, as applicable, based on Fleet's employee benefit plans (or
certain Shawmut plans) remain in effect. The amended employment agreement also
effected an amendment to Mr. Overstrom's severance agreement that entitles him
to the benefits described above even if Mr. Overstrom's actual termination date
occurs after a change of control of Fleet. Any benefits payable to Mr. Overstrom
under the severance agreement shall be reduced by an amount equal to the
benefits payable to him pursuant to his amended employment agreement. In the
event that any payments received by Mr. Overstrom in connection with the
employment agreement (other than interest earned on the Deferral Amount) are
subject to the excise tax imposed under federal tax laws, the employment
agreement provides for an additional payment sufficient to restore him to the
same after-tax position he would have been in if the excise tax had not been
imposed.
22
<PAGE>
OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO DIRECTORS,
NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
INDEBTEDNESS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
The banking subsidiaries of Fleet have had transactions in the ordinary course
of business, including borrowings, with certain directors and executive officers
of Fleet and their associates, all of which were on substantially the same
terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time
for comparable transactions with other persons, and did not involve more than
the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.
In 1972, subsidiaries of Fleet and Gilbane Building Company ("Gilbane"), a
building construction company of which Paul J. Choquette, Jr., a Fleet director,
is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and a director, formed an equal
partnership (the "Gilbane Partnership") to develop an urban renewal project,
including a shopping center and residential units, in Narragansett, Rhode
Island. The initial phase was an apartment complex developed by a limited
partnership of which the Gilbane Partnership is the general partner and in which
it has a 5% interest. The second phase was a shopping center and condominium
development. Fleet Real Estate, Inc. ("FRE"), a Fleet subsidiary, made loans in
connection with these projects having an aggregate principal balance as of
December 31, 1998 of approximately $629,484 (the highest amount outstanding
since January 1, 1998 having been $644,213), including loans aggregating
$188,928 that are nonperforming and which were originally made pursuant to the
Gilbane Partnership's commitment to fund certain contingencies relating to the
apartment complex. FRE has refinanced the current portion of the loans with a
five-year term loan that bears interest at a fixed rate of 9.76% per annum and
matures on December 15, 1999. In addition, Fleet National Bank leases space from
the Gilbane Partnership in the shopping center for a branch bank at an annual
cost of approximately $18,708.
A subsidiary of Fleet is a partner in several partnerships with certain other
parties, including subsidiaries of, and limited partnerships organized by,
Gilbane to construct and manage the Fleet Center in Providence, Rhode Island
("Providence Fleet Center"), and to rehabilitate an adjacent structure. One of
the partnerships has constructed a parking garage on land it is leasing from
Fleet National Bank. Fleet and Gilbane have 46.55% and 36.75% partnership
interests, respectively, in the partnership that developed the Providence Fleet
Center. In 1992, FRE provided permanent mortgage financing to three of such
partnerships in the amount of $52,000,000, secured by a first mortgage on the
Providence Fleet Center and the Arcade Garage. As of December 31, 1998, the
amount remaining unpaid under the loan was $50,445,392 (the highest amount
outstanding since January 1, 1998 having been $51,181,570). The loan presently
carries an interest rate of 8.5% per annum plus a contingent interest feature
that serves to enhance FRE's yield. The loan closed and was fully funded on
December 31, 1992. Fleet and Fleet National Bank have leased space in the
building for a total annual rental of approximately $3,246,563.
A Fleet subsidiary is an investor in a limited partnership (the "Partnership")
that invests principally in targeted businesses in the financial services
industry. Joel B. Alvord, a Fleet director, is a majority equity owner of the
limited liability company that serves as the general partner of the Partnership.
The Fleet subsidiary has committed to invest up to $10,000,000 as a limited
partner participant.
Fleet purchased paper in 1998 for $151,083 from Mohawk Paper Mills, Inc. for its
1997 Annual Report to Stockholders. Thomas D. O'Connor is Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Mohawk Paper Mills, Inc. and owns more than 10% of the
outstanding equity of Mohawk Paper Mills.
A Fleet subsidiary pays for the lease on a Stock Exchange seat that is owned by
Fleet director Thomas C. Quick and is leased to an employee of a Fleet
subsidiary. The same Fleet subsidiary also pays for the leases by its employees
for three additional Stock Exchange seats that are owned by members of Mr.
Quick's family. Each of the four leases provides for an annual rent of $160,000,
is for a one-year term and is renewed automatically unless terminated with sixty
days' notice.
23
<PAGE>
A company, of which John R. Riedman, a director of Fleet, is an executive
officer and owns a substantial equity interest, leases office space from a
subsidiary of the Corporation. In 1998, the gross rental paid to the Fleet
subsidiary was $65,550. The lease expires in October 2001.
An insurance agency, of which Mr. Riedman is an executive officer and principal
stockholder, has assisted the Corporation in obtaining coverage under various
insurance policies necessary for its business operations. During 1998, the
agency received from the Corporation commissions and fees of approximately
$145,000. The Corporation believes that such commissions and fees are at rates
customary in the industry.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Mr. Murray serves on the Board of Directors of A.T. Cross Company and is
chairman of its Compensation Committee. Mr. Boss, Chairman of A.T. Cross
Company, serves on Fleet's Human Resources and Planning Committee. Mr. Murray
also serves on the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee of CVS
Corporation. Mr. Ryan, President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS Corporation,
serves on the Fleet Board.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Fleet believes that during 1998 all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable
to its directors and executive officers were complied with, except that Lois D.
Rice inadvertently failed to report on a timely basis the call for redemption of
124 shares of the 9.30% Cumulative Preferred Stock of Fleet that she owned,
Thomas D. O'Connor inadvertently failed to report on a timely basis 800 shares
purchased by his wife and Robert B. Hedges, Jr., an executive officer of Fleet,
inadvertently failed to report on a timely basis 1,428 shares he acquired
through his broker's dividend reinvestment program.
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED AND
RESTATED 1992 STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
BACKGROUND
As noted in the Human Resources and Planning Committee Report on Executive
Compensation, equity-based incentive compensation is a central component of
Fleet's overall compensation system. The Fleet Board believes that such
compensation plays a critical role in attracting and retaining highly qualified
and experienced executives and employees who are key to Fleet's success. This
component of the compensation program has been traditionally supported through
the 1992 Plan. Given the importance of equity-based incentive compensation to
the Corporation's compensation arrangements, and in view of the significant
increase in the number of potential grant recipients due to the mergers and
acquisitions completed by the Corporation in recent years, the Fleet Board
believes that it is appropriate at this time to propose for stockholder approval
the 1992 Plan, as amended. The 1992 Plan, as amended, would increase the number
of shares issuable under the 1992 Plan. The last amendment to the 1992 Plan was
in 1996.
The following description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms
of the 1992 Plan as it is proposed to be amended, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Appendix A.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED SHARES. Of the 47,000,000 shares of Common Stock that
have been authorized for issuance or award under the 1992 Plan as stock options
or performance-based restricted stock, 6,034,283 shares remained available as of
December 31, 1998. The Fleet Board proposes to increase the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable under the 1992 Plan by 27,500,000 to 74,500,000 (an
increase of approximately 4.9 percent of the Common Stock outstanding as of the
record date.) The Fleet Board also proposes to amend the limitation on the total
number of shares of restricted stock that may be awarded
24
<PAGE>
under the 1992 Plan on a cumulative basis by reducing said amount from one
percent to one half of one percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of
the Corporation as of the date of any such award.
CURRENT PLAN FEATURES
RESTRICTED STOCK. Consistent with Fleet's policy of seeking maximum tax
deductibility of compensation costs, only performance-based restricted stock may
be awarded under the 1992 Plan. Such awards are intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation for purposes of the regulations under Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which limits the deductibility of
compensation in excess of $1 million unless certain requirements are met. In
awarding such restricted stock, the Human Resources and Planning Committee
selects performance goals based on one or more of the following criteria: (i)
earnings or earnings per share, (ii) return on equity, (iii) return on assets,
(iv) revenues, (v) expenses, (vi) one or more operating ratios, (vii) stock
price, (viii) stockholder return, (ix) market share, (x) charge-offs, (xi)
credit quality, (xii) reductions in nonperforming assets, (xiii) customer
satisfaction measures, and (xiv) accomplishment of mergers, acquisitions,
dispositions, or other similar extraordinary business combinations. The
performance goals selected need not be applicable across the Corporation, but
may be particular to an individual's function or business unit. The value of the
performance-based restricted stock is taxable income to the recipient when the
restrictions lapse; the Corporation is allowed a corresponding deduction. The
spread between the fair market value and the option price is taxed as income to
the recipient when stock options are exercised; the Corporation is allowed a
corresponding deduction.
PROHIBITION AGAINST REPRICING OF STOCK OPTIONS. In 1996, an express prohibition
against repricing stock options was adopted. The amendment to reduce the
exercise price of any existing option or the granting of a replacement option
for the purposes of reducing the exercise price of such option is prohibited.
OPTION PRICE. The option exercise price shall not be less than the fair market
value on the date of grant, subject to the following two narrow exceptions: (i)
in connection with an amendment that does not reduce the exercise price of the
option but which may be treated for tax or other technical purposes (including
for Section 16 purposes of the Securities Exchange Act) as a new grant of the
stock option, the exercise price of such amended option may be less than the
fair market value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such option on the
date of the amendment of the option, so long as such exercise price is equal to
or greater than the exercise price of the original option, and (ii) in
connection with an acquisition, consolidation, merger or other extraordinary
transaction, options may be granted at less than the then fair market value in
order to replace options previously granted by one or more parties to such
transaction (or their affiliates) so long as the aggregate spread on such
replacement options for any recipient of such options is equal to or less than
the aggregate spread on the options being replaced. The 1992 Plan, as currently
in effect, provides that any shares of Common Stock delivered to or withheld by
the Corporation to pay the exercise price or to satisfy the tax withholding
consequences of an option exercise or the grant or vesting of a restricted stock
award shall again be available for purposes of the 1992 Plan.
ADMINISTRATION. The 1992 Plan is administered by one or more committees (the
"Committee") appointed by the Fleet Board. Presently the Human Resources and
Planning Committee administers the 1992 Plan to the extent required by, and
consistent with, Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act and Section 162(m) of
the Internal Revenue Code, for the total scope of awards and specific awards to
executive officers, and the Non-Executive Officer Compensation Committee
administers the 1992 Plan for individual grants to non-executive officers.
TERMINATION OF SERVICE. The Committee has the discretion to determine the
extent to which the holder of each stock option award (or his estate) shall have
the right to exercise the option following termination of service based on the
reasons for termination of service and other relevant factors. The Committee has
the discretion to accelerate the time at which all or any part of any
outstanding stock option may be exercised. Similarly, the Committee has the
discretion to determine the extent to which restrictions on any restricted
25
<PAGE>
stock award will lapse upon termination of the holder's service due to death,
disability, retirement or for any other reason.
LIMITATIONS. The following limitations are a part of the 1992 Plan:
(a) The total number of shares of restricted stock that may be awarded under
the 1992 Plan on a cumulative basis shall not exceed one half of one
percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation as
of the date of any such award. Based on the outstanding number of shares
of Common Stock as of the record date, one half of one percent equals
2.85 million shares.
(b) In any fiscal year, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to
which restricted stock awards may be granted to any one participant shall
not exceed 200,000 shares.
(c) In any fiscal year, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to
which stock options may be granted to any one participant shall not
exceed 650,000 shares.
(d) In any fiscal year, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to
which stock appreciation rights may be granted to one participant shall
not exceed 650,000 shares.
(e) The maximum number of shares issuable on the exercise of incentive stock
options is 30 million shares.
NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS. Stock options and restricted stock can be awarded to
nonemployee directors solely in lieu of some or all of the cash compensation
such directors would otherwise receive for their services as directors. Any
restricted stock awarded to nonemployee directors vests at the earlier of (i)
the director's retirement at or after the retirement age specified in the
Corporation's By-laws (currently, age 68), (ii) the director's death or total
and permanent disability, or (iii) the director's resignation with the consent
of the Fleet Board. Fleet has not awarded any stock options or restricted stock
to nonemployee directors under the 1992 Plan.
STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL OF THE 1992 PLAN
The approval of the 1992 Plan, as amended and restated, requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Common Stock present in person or
represented by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon at the Annual Meeting when a
quorum is present.
As of the record date, the closing price of the Common Stock was $42.50.
THE FLEET BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL, WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS
PROPOSAL 2 ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF FLEET'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The ratification of the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to serve as
independent auditors of Fleet for the current fiscal year ending December 31,
1999, will be submitted to the Annual Meeting. Representatives of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to
make a statement if they so desire, and will be available to answer appropriate
questions.
The firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP has advised Fleet that neither it nor any of
its members has any direct financial interest in Fleet as a promoter,
underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or employee. All professional
services rendered by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP during the year ended December 31,
1998 were furnished at customary rates.
The ratification of the selection of independent auditors requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of Common Stock, present in person or represented
by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon at the Annual Meeting when there is a
quorum.
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THE FLEET BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL, WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS
PROPOSAL 3 ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.
1999 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders to be included in next year's proxy statement and form
of proxy must be received by November 8, 1999. If a stockholder desires to bring
business before the Corporation's Annual Meeting of Stockholders that is not a
proposal submitted to the Corporation for inclusion in the Corporation's proxy
statement, notice must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation on or
before November 8, 1999. Proposals should be mailed to William C. Mutterperl,
Secretary of Fleet, at One Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of the Corporation are contained in the 1998 Annual
Report to Stockholders, which has been provided to the stockholders concurrently
herewith. Such report and the financial statements contained therein are not to
be considered as a part of this soliciting material.
MISCELLANEOUS
The cost of solicitation of proxies, including the cost of reimbursing brokerage
houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries for forwarding proxies and
proxy statements to their principals, will be borne by Fleet. Solicitations may
be made in person or by telephone by officers or regular employees of Fleet, who
will not receive additional compensation therefor. In addition, Fleet has
retained Georgeson & Co., New York, NY to aid in the solicitation of proxies.
The charges of such firm, estimated at $20,000 excluding expenses, will be paid
by Fleet.
Submitted by Order of the Board of
Directors,
WILLIAM C. MUTTERPERL
SECRETARY
Boston, Massachusetts
March 5, 1999
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APPENDIX A
FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1992 STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
1. PURPOSE
This Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the
"Plan") constitutes an amendment and restatement of the 1992 Stock Option and
Restricted Stock Plan which was adopted by the Board of Directors of Fleet
Financial Group, Inc. (the "Corporation") on January 15, 1992, and approved by
the stockholders of the Corporation on April 15, 1992, further amended on
February 16, 1994 and approved by the stockholders on April 20, 1994 (the "1994
Amendment"), further amended on February 21, 1996 and approved by the
stockholders on April 17, 1996 (the "1996 Amendment"), and further amended on
February 17, 1999 and submitted for stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held on April 21, 1999 (the "1999 Amendment"). The purpose
of this Plan is to advance the interests of the Corporation by enhancing the
ability of the Corporation and its subsidiaries to attract and retain officers,
employees and nonemployee directors to the Corporation, to reward such
individuals for their contributions and to encourage them to take into account
the long-term interests of the Corporation through interests in the
Corporation's Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Stock"). Any officer,
director or employee selected to receive an award under the Plan is referred to
as a "participant".
The Plan provides for the grant of options to acquire Stock ("Options"),
which may be incentive options ("ISOs") within the meaning of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and awards of Stock subject to
certain restrictions ("Restricted Stock"). Under the Plan, Restricted Stock
consists exclusively of (i) Stock subject to performance-based restrictions
intended to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code
("Performance-Based Restricted Stock) and (ii) Stock awarded to nonemployee
directors in lieu of some or all of the cash compensation such directors would
otherwise receive for their service as directors ("Nonemployee Director
Restricted Stock"). Grants of Options and awards of Restricted Stock are
referred to herein as "Awards". The grant of an Option may also involve the
grant of stock appreciation rights as described in Section 6.
2. ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered, construed and interpreted by the Board of
Directors or by one or more committees appointed by the Board of Directors of
the Corporation (any such committee being referred to herein as the
"Committee"). The Committee shall have the discretionary authority, not
inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan, (a) to make Awards to such
participants as the Committee may select; (b) to determine the time or times
when Awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock subject to each
Award; (c) to determine which Options are, and which Options are not, intended
to be ISOs; (d) to determine the terms and conditions of each Award; (e) to
prescribe the form or forms of instruments evidencing Awards and any other
instruments required under the Plan and to change such forms from time to time;
(f) to adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of
the Plan; and (g) to interpret the Plan and to decide any questions and settle
all controversies and disputes that may arise in connection with the Plan. Such
determinations of the Committee shall be conclusive and shall bind all parties.
No member of the Board of Directors or the Committee shall be liable for any
action or determination made in good faith, and the members shall be entitled to
indemnification and reimbursement in the manner provided in the Corporation's
By-laws.
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As used in the Plan, the "fair market value" of Stock as of any date shall
be the mean of the high and low sale prices of the shares of Stock on the
principal exchange on which the Stock is traded on such date or as the Committee
may otherwise determine.
3. ELIGIBILITY
Persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan shall be those key
employees and officers, who, in the opinion of the Committee, are in a position
to make a significant contribution to the success of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries. No person who beneficially owns five percent or more of the
outstanding Stock of the Corporation shall be eligible to participate in the
Plan, to exercise an Option previously granted to him or her or to take full
possession of Restricted Stock previously issued to him or her. A "subsidiary"
of the Corporation shall mean a corporation, whether domestic or foreign, in
which the Corporation shall own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the
capital shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting thereof. Nonemployee
directors shall be eligible to receive Awards under the Plan in lieu of some or
all of the cash compensation they would otherwise receive for their services as
directors, to the extent that their eligibility for such Awards would not
disqualify them as disinterested persons for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
4. STOCK SUBJECT TO AWARDS
The Stock subject to Awards under the Plan shall be either authorized but
unissued shares or treasury shares. Subject to adjustment in accordance with the
provisions of Paragraph 5(g) and 7(e) hereof, the total number of shares (the
"Eligible Shares") of such Stock shall be 47,000,000 shares (the number of
shares authorized under the Plan prior to adoption of the 1999 Amendment) plus
an additional 27,500,000 shares (after approval of the 1999 Amendment). Subject
to like adjustment, the total amount of Stock as to which Options may be granted
or Stock Awards may be issued to any one person participating under the Plan
shall not exceed the aggregate number of shares that equal ten percent of the
total amount of shares outstanding Stock of the Corporation. Subject to like
adjustment, the maximum number of shares issuable upon the exercise of options
that are ISOs shall be 30,000,000.
In the event that any outstanding Option or Restricted Stock Award under the
Plan for any reason expires, is forfeited or is terminated prior to the end of
the period during which Awards may be made under the Plan, the shares of Stock
allocable to the unexercised portion of such Option or the portion of such
Restricted Stock Award that has terminated or been forfeited may again be
subject to award under the Plan. Shares of Stock delivered to the Corporation to
pay the exercise price of any Option or to satisfy the tax withholding
consequences of an Option exercise or the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock
shall again be subject to award under the Plan.
5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL OPTIONS GRANTED UNDER THE PLAN
Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by agreements in
such form as the Committee shall, from time to time, approve, which agreements
shall in substance include and comply with and be subject to the following terms
and conditions:
A. MEDIUM AND TIME OF PAYMENT
The exercise price of an Option shall be payable either (i) in United States
dollars in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of
the Corporation, (ii) through the delivery of shares of Stock owned by the
optionee with a fair market value equal to the option price or (iii) by a
combination of (i) and (ii). Fair market value of Stock so delivered shall be
determined on the date of exercise. Unless the Committee otherwise determines,
an optionee may engage in successive exchange (or series of exchanges) in which
Stock such optionee is entitled to receive upon exercise of an Option may be
simultaneously utilized as payment for the exercise of an additional Option or
Options.
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To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may permit payment
of the Option exercise price through arrangements with a brokerage firm under
which such firm, on behalf of the optionee, will pay the exercise price to the
Corporation and the Corporation shall promptly deliver to such firm the number
of shares of Stock subject to the Option so that the firm may sell such shares,
or a portion thereof, for the account of the optionee. In addition, the
Committee may permit payment of the Option exercise price by delivery of an
unconditional and irrevocable undertaking by a broker to deliver promptly to the
Corporation sufficient funds to pay the exercise price as soon as the shares
subject to the Option, or a portion thereof, are sold on behalf of the optionee.
B. NUMBERS OF SHARES
The Option shall state the total number of shares to which it pertains. No
Option may be exercised in part for fewer than twenty shares. Subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 5(g), in any fiscal year of the Corporation,
the aggregate number of shares of Stock of the Corporation as to which Options
may be granted to any one participant shall not exceed 650,000.
C. OPTION PRICE
The exercise price of an Option shall be not less than the fair market value
of the shares of Stock covered by the Option on the date of grant except that
(i) in connection with an amendment of an Option which does not reduce the
exercise price of the Option but which, in the opinion of the Committee, is or
may be treated for tax or other technical purposes (including, in particular,
for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act) as a new grant of the Option,
the exercise price of such amended Option may be less than the then fair market
value of the shares of Stock subject to such Option so long as such exercise
price is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the original Option, and
(ii) in connection with an acquisition, consolidation, merger or other
extraordinary transaction, Options may be granted at less than the then fair
market value in order to replace Options previously granted by one or more
parties to such transaction (or their affiliates) so long as the aggregate
spread on such replacement Options for any recipient of such Options is equal to
or less than the aggregate spread on the Options being replaced.
D. EXPIRATION OF OPTIONS
Each Option granted under the Plan shall expire on a date determined by the
Committee which date may not be more than ten years from the date the Option is
granted.
E. DATE OF EXERCISE
The Committee may, in its discretion, provide that an Option may not be
exercised in whole or in part for any period or periods of time specified by the
Committee. Except as may be so provided, any Option may be exercised in whole at
any time, or in part from time to time, during its term. In the case of an
Option not immediately exercisable in full, the Committee may at any time
accelerate the time at which all or any part of the Option may be exercised.
F. TERMINATION OF SERVICE
The Committee shall, subject to the provision of Section 5(d), determine for
each Award of an Option the extent to which the participant (or his legal
representative) shall have the right to exercise the Option following
termination of such participant's service to the Corporation or any subsidiary.
Such provisions may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for the
termination of service and any other relevant factors that the Committee may
determine.
G. ADJUSTMENTS ON CHANGES IN STOCK
The aggregate number of shares of Stock as to which Options may be granted
under the Plan, the aggregate number of shares of Stock as to which Options may
be granted to any one such participant, the number of shares of Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the exercise price per share of each outstanding
Option, shall be proportionately adjusted by the Committee for any increase or
decrease in the
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number of issued shares of Stock resulting from subdivisions or consolidation of
shares or other capital adjustments, the payment of a Stock dividend or any
other increase or decrease in such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Corporation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such adjustment
shall be made unless and until the aggregate effect of all such increases and
decreases accruing after the effective date of the 1999 Amendment shall have
increased or decreased the number of issued shares of Stock by five percent or
more; AND PROVIDED FURTHER, that any factional shares resulting from any such
adjustment shall be eliminated. Any such determination by the Committee shall be
conclusive.
H. ASSIGNABILITY
Except as permitted by the Committee, Options shall be nontransferable
except by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified
domestic relations order. So long as nontransferability of an Option shall be
required to exempt the grant of an Option from the provisions of Section 16(b)
of the Exchange Act, no Option that the Committee intends to grant in a
transaction exempted from such Section may be assigned or transferred except by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution. So long as nontransferability
of ISOs is a requirement of the Code, unless the Committee specifies otherwise,
no Option granted as an ISO may be assigned or transferred except by will, by
the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic
relations order.
I. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER
An optionee shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to shares
covered by an Option until the date the shares are issued and only after such
shares are fully paid. No adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights
the record date for which is prior to the date of such issuance.
J. TAX WITHHOLDING
The Committee shall have the right to require that the participant
exercising the Option remit to the Corporation an amount sufficient to satisfy
any federal, state, or local withholding tax requirements (or make other
arrangements satisfactory to the Committee with regard to such taxes) prior to
the delivery of any Stock pursuant to the exercise of the Option. If permitted
by the Committee, either at the time of the grant of the Option or in connection
with its exercise, the participant may elect, at such time and in such manner as
the Committee may prescribe, to satisfy such withholding obligation by (i)
delivering Stock having a fair market value equal to such withholding
obligations, or (ii) requesting that the Corporation withhold from the shares of
Stock to be delivered upon the exercise a number of shares of Stock having a
fair market value equal to such withholding obligation.
In the case of an ISO, the Committee may require as a condition of exercise
that the participant exercising the Option agree to inform the Corporation
promptly of any disposition (within the meaning of Section 424(c) of the Code
and the regulations thereunder) of Stock received upon exercise.
K. CHANGE IN CONTROL
Notwithstanding the provisions of any Option that provide for its exercise
in installments, such Option shall become immediately exercisable in the event
of a change in control or offer to effect a change in control. For purposes of
this Paragraph 5(k), a "change in control" shall mean either of the following
events: (a) the acquisition of the beneficial ownership (as that term is defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 20 percent of more of the voting
securities of the Corporation by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise by
any person or by persons acting as a group within the meaning of Section 13(d)
of the Exchange Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, a change in control shall not be deemed
to have occurred if the acquisition of such securities is by one or more
employee benefit plans of the Corporation, or (b) in any two-year period,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of
Directors of the Corporation cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation at, or at any time prior
to the conclusion of, such two-year period. The term "person" refers to an
individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, association, joint venture,
pool,
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syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization or any other form of
entity not specifically listed herein. The decision as to whether a change in
control or offer to effect a change in control has occurred shall be made by a
majority of the continuing Directors (as defined in the restated Articles of
Incorporation as in effect on February 21, 1996) and shall be conclusive and
binding.
Notwithstanding Paragraph 8 of the Plan, this provision shall not be amended
or revoked in any manner without the affirmative vote of 80% of the Board of
Directors and a majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined above).
L. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS
The Committee may impose such other restrictions and conditions (in addition
to those required by the provisions of this Plan) on any Award of Options
hereunder and may waive any such additional restrictions and conditions, so long
as (i) any such additional restrictions and conditions are consistent with the
terms of this Plan and (ii) such waiver does not waive any restriction or
condition required by the provisions of this Plan.
M. REPRICING
The Committee shall not, without further approval of the stockholders of the
Corporation, (i) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option to reduce the
exercise price of such Option or (ii) grant a replacement Option upon the
surrender and cancellation of a previously granted Option for the purpose of
reducing the exercise price of such Option. Nothing contained in this section
shall affect the Committee's right to make the adjustment permitted under
Section 5(g).
6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
At the discretion of the Committee, a participant who has been granted an
Option may also be granted the right to require the Corporation to purchase all
or a portion of such Option for cancellation (a "stock appreciation right"). To
the extent that the participant exercises this right, the Corporation shall pay
him in cash and/or Stock the excess of the fair market value of each share of
Stock covered by the Option (or a portion thereof purchased), determined on the
date the election is made, over the exercise price of the Option. The election
shall be made by delivering written notice thereof to the Committee. Shares
subject to the Option so purchased shall not again be available for purposes of
the Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5(g), in any fiscal year
of the Corporation, the aggregate number of shares of Stock as to which stock
appreciation rights may be granted to any one person participating under the
Plan shall not exceed 650,000.
7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
Awards of Restricted Stock may be Performance-Based Restricted Stock, as
described in Section 7(i), or Nonemployee Director Restricted Stock, as
described in Section 7 (j). The provisions of Sections 7(a) through 7(h) are
applicable to all shares of Restricted Stock.
A. NUMBER OF SHARES
The total number of shares of Restricted Stock that may be awarded under the
Plan on a cumulative basis shall not exceed one half of one percent of the Stock
of the Corporation outstanding at the date of any such Award. In any fiscal year
of the Corporation, the aggregate number of shares of Stock as to which
Restricted Stock Awards may be granted to any one person participating under the
Plan shall not exceed 200,000.
Each Restricted Stock Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by a stock
certificate of the Corporation, registered in the name of the participant,
accompanied by an agreement in such form as the Committee shall prescribe from
time to time. The Restricted Stock Awards shall comply with the following
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terms and conditions and with such other terms and conditions not inconsistent
with the terms of this Plan as the Committee, in its discretion, shall
establish.
B. STOCK LEGENDS; PROHIBITION ON DISPOSITION
Certificates for shares of Restricted Stock shall bear an appropriate legend
referring to the restrictions to which they are subject, and any attempt to
dispose of any such shares of Stock in contravention of such restrictions shall
be null and void and without effect. The certificates representing shares of
Restricted Stock shall be held by the Corporation until the restrictions are
satisfied.
C. TERMINATION OF SERVICE
The Committee shall determine the extent to which the restrictions on any
Restricted Stock Award shall lapse upon the termination of the participant's
service to the Corporation and its subsidiaries, due to death, disability,
retirement or for any other reason. If the restrictions on all or any portion of
a Restricted Stock Award shall not lapse, the participant, or in the event of
his death, his personal representative, shall forthwith deliver to the Secretary
of the Corporation such instruments of transfer, if any, as may reasonably be
required to transfer the shares back to the Corporation.
D. CHANGE IN CONTROL
Upon the occurrence of a change in control or an offer to effect a change in
control of the Corporation, as determined in Paragraph 5(k) of this Plan, all
restrictions then outstanding with respect to shares of Restricted Stock shall
automatically expire and be of no further force and effect and all certificates
representing such shares of Stock shall be delivered to the participant.
E. ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES IN STOCK
The Committee shall proportionately adjust the aggregate number of shares of
Stock as to which Restricted Stock Awards may be granted to participants under
the Plan and the aggregate number of shares of Stock as to which Restricted
Stock Awards may be granted to any one such person for any increase or decrease
in the number of issued shares of Stock resulting from the subdivision or
consolidation of shares or other capital adjustments, the payment of a stock
dividend, or any other increase or decrease in such shares without the payment
of consideration; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such adjustment shall be made
unless and until the aggregate effect of all such increases and decreases
accruing after the effective date of the 1999 Amendment shall have increased or
decreased the number of issued shares of Stock of the Corporation by five
percent or more; and provided, further, that any fractional shares resulting
from any such adjustment shall be eliminated. Any such determination by the
Committee shall be conclusive. Shares of Stock issued with respect to any
outstanding Awards as a result of any of the foregoing events shall be subject
to the same restrictions.
F. EFFECT OF ATTEMPTED TRANSFER
No benefit payable or interest in any Restricted Stock Award shall be
subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment,
pledge, encumbrance or charge and any such attempted action shall be void and no
such interest in any Restricted Stock Award shall be in any manner liable for or
subject to debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any
participant or his beneficiary. If any participant or beneficiary shall become
bankrupt or shall attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign,
pledge, encumber or charge any benefit payable under or interest in any
Restricted Stock Award, then the Committee, in its discretion, may hold or apply
such benefit or interest or any part thereof to or for the benefit of such
participant or his beneficiary, his spouse, children, blood relatives or other
dependents, or any of them, in any such manner and such proportions as the
Committee may consider proper.
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G. PAYMENT OF TAXES
The Corporation shall have the right to deduct from any Restricted Stock
Award or other payment hereunder any amount that federal, state, local or
foreign tax law requires to be withheld with respect to such Award or payment or
to require that the participant, prior to or simultaneously with the Corporation
incurring any obligation to withhold any such amount, pay such amount to the
Corporation in cash or, at the option of the Corporation, shares of Stock (which
shall be valued at the fair market value on the date of payment). There is no
obligation under the Plan that any participant be advised of the existence of
the tax or the amount required to be withheld. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, in any case where it is determined that tax is required to be
withheld in connection with the issuance, transfer or delivery of shares of
Stock under this Plan, the Corporation may, pursuant to such rules as the
Committee may establish, reduce the number of shares so issued, transferred or
delivered by such number of shares as the Corporation may deem appropriate in
its sole discretion to comply with such withholding. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Plan, the Committee may impose such conditions on the payment
of any withholding obligations as may be required to satisfy applicable
regulatory requirements, including without limitation, those under the Exchange
Act.
H. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER
A participant shall have the right to receive dividends on shares of Stock
subject to the Restricted Stock Award during the applicable Restricted Period,
to vote the Stock subject to the award and to enjoy all other stockholder
rights, except that the employee shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock
certificate until the applicable Restricted Period shall have lapsed (if at
all).
I. PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK
Awards of Performance-Based Restricted Stock are intended to qualify as
performance-based for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee
shall provide that shares of Stock issued to a participant in connection with an
Award of Performance-Based Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, except by will or
the laws of descent and distribution, for such period as the Committee shall
determine, beginning on the date on which the Award is granted (the"Restricted
Period") and that the Restricted Period applicable to such Restricted Stock
shall lapse (if at all) only if certain preestablished objectives are attained.
Performance goals may be based on any of the following criteria: (i) earnings or
earnings per share, (ii) return on equity, (iii) return on assets, (iv)
revenues, (v) expenses, (vi) one or more operating ratios, (vii) stock price,
(viii) stockholder return, (ix) market share, (x) charge-offs, (xi) credit
quality, (xii) reductions in non-performing assets, (xiii) customer satisfaction
measures and (xiv) the accomplishment of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or
similar extraordinary business transactions. The Committee shall establish one
or more objective performance goals for each such Award of Restricted Stock on
the date of grant. The performance goals selected in any case need not be
applicable across the Corporation, but may be particular to an individual's
function or business unit. The Committee shall determine whether such
performance goals are attained and such determination shall be final and
conclusive. In the event that the performance goals are not met, the Restricted
Stock shall be forfeited and transferred to, and reacquired by, the Corporation
at no cost to the Corporation.
The Committee may impose such other restrictions and conditions (in addition
to the performance-based restrictions described above) on any Award of shares of
Performance-Based Restricted Stock as the Committee deems appropriate and may
waive any such additional restrictions and conditions, so long as such waiver
does not waive any restriction described in the previous paragraph. Nothing
herein shall limit the Committee's ability to reduce the amount payable under an
Award upon the attainment of the performance goal(s), provided, however, that
the Committee shall have no right under any circumstance to increase the amount
payable under, or waive compliance with, any applicable performance goal(s).
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J. NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR RESTRICTED STOCK
Awards of Nonemployee Director Restricted Stock shall be made exclusively to
directors of the Corporation who are not employees of the Corporation or any of
its subsidiaries. The Committee shall provide that shares issued in connection
with an Award of Nonemployee Director Restricted Stock may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledge, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, except by
will or the laws of descent and distribution, until the earlier of (i) the
director's retirement as a director of the Corporation at or after the
retirement age specified in the Corporation's By-laws, (ii) the director's death
or total and permanent disability or (iii) the director's resignation from the
Board of Directors of the Corporation with the consent of such Board. Shares of
Nonemployee Director Restricted Stock may be awarded only in lieu of cash
compensation that would otherwise have been payable to the director receiving
such Award and such cash compensation shall be reduced by the fair market value
of the shares of Stock so awarded on the date of such Award.
The Committee may impose such other restrictions and conditions (in addition
to the restrictions described above) on any Award of shares of Nonemployee
Director Restricted Stock as the Committee deems appropriate and may waive any
such additional restrictions and conditions applicable to such shares as long as
such waiver does not waive any restriction described in the preceding paragraph.
8. AMENDMENT; APPLICABILITY TO OUTSTANDING OPTIONS
The Committee may alter, amend or suspend the Plan at any time or alter and
amend Awards granted hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such amendment may,
without the consent of any participant to whom an Option shall theretofore have
been granted or to whom a Restricted Stock Award shall theretofore have been
issued, adversely affect the right of such participation under such Award.
Unless the Committee otherwise determines, any amendment to the Plan effected by
the 1999 Amendment shall not apply to any Option outstanding on the date of
stockholder approval of the 1999 Amendment held by a participant subject to
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act if the effect of such application would be to
cause the Option to be deemed to have been regranted for purposes of Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act, and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that no material amendment of the
Plan may, without stockholder approval thereof, become effective if such
approval is required for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
9. TERMINATION
Options and Restricted Stock Awards may be granted pursuant to the Plan from
time to time within a period of ten years from January 15, 1992. The Board of
Directors may terminate the Plan at any time, and no Options shall be granted
nor Restricted Stock awarded thereafter. Such termination shall not affect the
validity of any Award then outstanding.
10. LEGALITY OF GRANT
The granting of any Award under this Plan and the issuance or transfer of
Options and shares of Stock pursuant hereto are subject to all applicable
federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any
regulatory or government agency (including, without limitation, no-action
positions of the Securities and Exchange Commission) which may, in the opinion
of counsel for the Corporation, be necessary or advisable in connection
therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Awards may be
granted under this Plan and no Options or shares shall be issued by the
Corporation, nor cash payments made by the Corporation pursuant to or in
connection with any such Award unless and until in any such case all legal
requirements applicable to the issuance or payment have, in the opinion of
counsel for the Corporation, been complied with. In connection with any Option
or Stock issuance or transfer, the person acquiring the shares or the Option
shall, if requested by the Corporation, give assurance satisfactory to counsel
to the Corporation with respect to such matters as the Corporation may deem
desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.
A-8
<PAGE>
11. EFFECTIVE DATE
The 1999 Amendment shall become effective upon the adoption thereof by the
affirmative vote of a majority of stockholders, present in person or represented
by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders when a quorum is present.
A-9
<PAGE>
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FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 21, 1999, OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS
THEREOF. THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE
STOCKHOLDER(S).
P The undersigned hereby appoints John T. Collins, James F. Hardymon and
R Marian L. Heard, jointly and severally with full power of substitution to
O each, as proxies for and on behalf of the undersigned, to attend the Annual
X Meeting of Stockholders of Fleet Financial Group, Inc., to be held at the
Y World Trade Center Boston, 164 Northern Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, on
Wednesday, April 21, 1999 at 11:00 a.m., or any adjournments thereof, and
to vote as directed below all stock of this Company which the undersigned
would be entitled to vote if personally present.
By acceptance, the proxies named above agree that this Proxy will be
voted in the manner directed by the stockholder giving this Proxy. If
no directions are specified, the Proxy will be voted FOR the election of
all 7 nominees for Director, FOR the approval of the Amended and
Restated1992 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, and FOR the
ratification of the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999, all as set forth
on the reverse. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to all
other matters which may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof. This Proxy, if properly executed and delivered,
will revoke all other Proxies.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED.
NOMINEES FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
Three-Year Term: Paul J. Choquette, Jr., Robert M. Kavner, Thomas D. O'Connor,
Michael B. Picotte, Thomas C. Quick, Thomas M. Ryan and Paul R. Tregurtha.
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE ON THE REVERSE SIDE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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DETACH AND RETURN PROXY CARD
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
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Please mark your CLEAR AREA
/X/ votes as in this
example.
The Proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein
by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this Proxy will be
voted FOR all nominees, and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.
FOR AGAINST FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of Directors: / / / / 2. PROPOSAL / / / / / / 3. PROPOSAL / / / / / /
Three-Year Term: to approve the Amended and to ratify selection of
Restated 1992 Stock Option KMPG Peat Marwick LLP as
and Restricted Stock Plan independent auditors for
(SEE REVERSE SIDE) the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1999.
Vote against the following nominees only
----------------------------------------
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING
ENVELOPE.
NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
Please sign EXACTLY as name(s) appear hereon. When signing as
administrator, attorney, guardian or trustee, please give your
full title. If signer is a corporation or partnership, please
sign full corporate or partnership name by any authorized officer
or person. If shares are held jointly, each joint owner should
sign.
Receipt of Notice of the Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement is
hereby acknowledged.
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SIGNATURE(S) DATE
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DETACH AND RETURN PROXY CARD
FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 21, 1999
WORLD TRADE CENTER BOSTON
164 NORTHERN AVENUE
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
11:00 A.M.
</TABLE>
