SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) November 19, 1999
FLEET BOSTON CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
RHODE ISLAND
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-6366 05-0341324
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-346-4000
<PAGE>
Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
On November 19, 1999, Fleet Boston Corporation ("the Registrant")
dismissed KPMG LLP ("KPMG") as the Registrant's independent public
accountants.
On November 19, 1999, the Registrant selected PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP ("PWC") to replace KPMG as the Registrant's independent public
accountants. The decision to change auditors was approved by the
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
KPMG's report on the financial statements of the Registrant for each
of the past two fiscal years did not contain any adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the Registrant's two most recent fiscal years, and the
subsequent interim period through November 19, 1999, there were no
disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction
of KPMG, would have caused KPMG to make reference to the subject
matter of the disagreements in connection with its audit report with
respect to financial statements of the Registrant.
During the Registrant's two most recent fiscal years, and the
subsequent interim period through November 19, 1999, there was no
disagreement or difference of opinion with KPMG regarding any
"reportable event," as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K.
The Registrant has provided KPMG with a copy of this Report, and has
requested that KPMG furnish the Registrant with a letter addressed
to the Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements made
by the Registrant. Such letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 16.
During the two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim
period through November 19, 1999, neither the Registrant nor anyone
on behalf of the Registrant consulted PWC regarding either the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction,
either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that
might be rendered on the financial statements of the Registrant or
any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, within the
meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or any reportable
event, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K.
<PAGE>
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
(a) Financial statements of business acquired: Not Applicable.
(b) Pro forma financial statements: Not Applicable.
(c) Exhibits:
16. Letter of KPMG LLP re: change in certifying accountant.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed in its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
FLEET BOSTON CORPORATION
Registrant
By: /s/ William C. Mutterperl
-----------------------------------
William C. Mutterperl
Executive Vice President,
Secretary & General Counsel
Dated: November 19, 1999
Exhibit 16
November 19, 1999
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We were previously principal accountants for Fleet Financial Group, Inc., now
known as Fleet Boston Corporation, and, under the date of March 26, 1999, we
reported on the consolidated financial statements of Fleet Financial Group, Inc.
and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 1998 and 1997. On
November 19, 1999, our appointment as principal accountants was terminated. We
have read Fleet Boston Corporation's statements included under Item 4 of its 8-K
dated November 19, 1999, and we agree with such statements.
Very truly yours,
/s/ KPMG LLP
