PROVIDENT COMPANIES INC /DE/
10-K, 1998-03-31
ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997       Commission file number 1-11834
 
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.
            ------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
          DELAWARE                                             62-1598430     
 ---------------------------------                         ------------------ 
  (State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. Employer  
  incorporation or organization)                           Identification No.)
                                                                              
         1 FOUNTAIN SQUARE                                                    
         CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE                                  37402        
- -------------------------------------                        --------------   
(Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)     
 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code           (423) 755-1011
                                                             --------------
Securities registered pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Act:

                    COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE
                    ---------------------------------------
                               (Title of Class)

      8.10% CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK, LIQUIDATION VALUE $150 PER SHARE
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Title of Class)

Securities registered pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Act:                                            None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.       Yes   X     No
                                             -----    

As of March 9, 1998, there were 135,250,678 shares of the registrant's Common
Stock, and -0- shares of the registrant's 8.10% Cumulative Preferred Stock
outstanding. The aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock, based on
the closing price of those shares on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., held by
non-affiliates was approximately $2,414,224,610.

Selected material from the Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
scheduled for May 6, 1998, have been incorporated by reference into Parts I, II,
and III of this Form 10-K.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [ ]

                                       Total of sequentially numbered pages  132
                                 Index of Exhibits on sequential page number  46
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART 1


                          FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS


This Form 10-K and the information incorporated by reference herein contains and
incorporates by reference certain forward looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to results
of operations and businesses of the Company. These forward looking statements
involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results
to differ materially from those contemplated or projected, forecast, estimated
or budgeted in such forward looking statements include, among others, the
following possibilities: (i) heightened competition, including specifically the
intensification of price competition, the entry of new competitors, and the
development of new products by new and existing competitors; (ii) adverse state
and federal legislation and regulation, including limitations on premium levels,
increases in minimum capital reserves, and other financial viability
requirements; (iii) failure to develop multiple distribution channels in order
to obtain new customers or failure to retain existing customers; (iv) inability
to carry out product design, marketing and sales plans, including, among others,
planned changes to existing products (which may result in reduced market
acceptance of the revised products) or planned strategies to penetrate new
market segments; (v) loss of key executives; (vi) changes in interest rates
causing a reduction of investment income; (vii) general economic and business
conditions which are less favorable than expected; (viii) unanticipated changes
in industry trends; (ix) inaccuracies in assumptions regarding future morbidity,
persistency, mortality, and interest rates used in calculating reserve amounts;
(x) failure to continue improvement of the Company's disability insurance claims
management process; and (xi) with respect to cost savings that may be realized
from, and costs associated with, the acquisition of The Paul Revere Corporation
("Paul Revere")(the "Paul Revere Merger"), the following possibilities: (a) the
expected cost savings (through the implementation of a restructuring program
that includes combining certain functions of the Company and Paul Revere,
restructuring the field organizations of both companies to eliminate redundant
facilities and better serve the combined company's customers, and reducing
staff) are less than anticipated or cannot be fully realized because elements of
the restructuring program are not implemented or because of unanticipated
offsetting costs; and (b) costs or difficulties related to the integration of
the businesses of the Company and Paul Revere are greater than expected. See
"Risk Factors" herein.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

GENERAL

  Provident Companies, Inc. (the "Company") is a Delaware business corporation.
The Company is the parent holding company for a group of insurance companies
that collectively operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico, and Canada. The Company's two principal operating subsidiaries are
Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company ("Accident") and The Paul Revere
Life Insurance Company ("Paul Revere Life").  The Company, through its
subsidiaries, is the largest provider of individual disability insurance and the
second largest overall disability insurer in North America on the basis of in-
force premiums. It also provides a complementary portfolio of life insurance
products, including life insurance, employer- and employee-paid group benefits,
and related services.

  Since 1994, the Company has completed a comprehensive corporate repositioning
that has prepared it to support growth and increase stockholder value. A new
management team headed by J. Harold Chandler, who joined the Company in November
1993, initiated a strategic review of the business. As a result of its review,
management refocused the Company's strategy to (i) serve the individual and
employee benefits insurance markets, (ii) leverage the Company's disability
insurance expertise, (iii) utilize multiple distribution channels to reach
broader market segments, and (iv) more closely align the interests of the
Company's employees with those of its stockholders.

  The Company has successfully undertaken a number of major initiatives in
pursuing this strategy. Specifically, the Company (i) sold its group medical
business for $231.0 million in cash and stock, (ii) began winding down its
guaranteed investment contracts ("GIC") business which carried high capital
requirements, (iii) reduced the annual dividend on the Common Stock from $0.52
to $0.40 per share on a split-adjusted basis to preserve capital to fund future
growth, (iv) simplified the corporate legal structure and eliminated a dual
class of common stock that had special voting rights in order to present a more
conventional corporate structure profile to the investing market, (v) sold in
six transactions $1,459.6 million in commercial mortgage loans as part of
repositioning its investment portfolio, (vi) restructured its marketing and
distribution channels, along with the support areas of product development,
underwriting, and claims, to better reach and serve individual and employee
benefits customers, (vii) strengthened its claims management procedures in the
disability income insurance business, on which the Company took a $423.0 million
pre-tax charge in the third quarter of 1993 to strengthen reserves on a portion
of that block of business, and (viii) began restructuring its disability income
products to discontinue over a reasonable period the sale of policies which
combined noncancelable contracts with long-term own-occupation provisions and to
offer in their place an income replacement contract with more reasonable limits
and better pricing for elective provisions.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
  The acquisitions of Paul Revere and GENEX Services, Inc. ("Genex") in early
1997 and the disposition of certain non-core lines of business are recent
accomplishments under the Company's strategic plan. These actions strengthen the
Company's disability insurance capabilities and enable the Company to offer a
comprehensive and well-focused portfolio of products and services to its
customers. Paul Revere is a specialist in disability insurance, with $972.8
million of disability premium income (86 percent of its total premium income) in
1996. From 1989 through 1996 it was the largest provider of individual
disability insurance in the United States and Canada on the basis of in-force
premiums. By combining Paul Revere's operations with those of the Company, the
Company has begun to realize significant operating efficiencies, including
leveraging both companies' knowledge of disability risks, specialized claims and
underwriting skills, and sales expertise. The Company also has begun to realize
cost savings as a result of combining the corporate, administrative, and
financial operations of the two companies.

  Genex provides the Company with specialized skills in disability case
management and vocational rehabilitation that advance the Company's goal of
providing products that enable disabled policyholders to return to work. Genex
provides a full range of disability management services, including worksite
injury management, telephonic early intervention services for injured workers,
medical case management, vocational rehabilitation, and disability cost
analysis, to third party administrators, corporate clients, and insurance
companies. It employs 1,300 people, including 1,100 medical and vocational
rehabilitation experts, in 120 offices in the United States and Canada. In
addition to its historical focus on the worker's compensation market, Genex and
the Company are now working together to offer customized disability programs for
the employee benefits market that are intended to integrate and simplify
coverages, control costs, and improve efficiency for employers with significant
disability and related claims. The Company also expects Genex to play an
increasingly significant role in helping the Company to manage its own exposure
to individual and group disability claims.

  As it has acquired operations that complement its core business, the Company
has also continued to exit non-core lines. On June 30, 1997, the Company
announced that it had agreed to transfer its dental business to Ameritas Life
Insurance Corp. ("Ameritas"). The dental block, which was acquired in the Paul
Revere Merger, produced $48.3 million in premium income in 1996 and $39.2
million in 1997. The full transition of the dental business to Ameritas was
completed in November 1997.

  On December 8, 1997, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell
Provident's in-force individual and tax-sheltered annuity business to various
affiliates of American General Corporation ("American General"). The in-force
business being sold consists primarily of individual fixed annuities and 
tax-sheltered annuities in Accident, Provident National Assurance Company
("National"), Paul Revere Life, The Paul Revere Protective Life Insurance
Company ("Paul Revere Protective") and The Paul Revere Variable

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Annuity Insurance Company ("Paul Revere Variable"). American General is also
acquiring a number of miscellaneous group pension lines of business sold in the
1970's and 1980's which are no longer actively marketed. In addition, pursuant
to an administrative services agreement, American General will be providing
administrative services to registered separate accounts of Paul Revere Variable
and National. The Company and American General have agreed to request that
contract holders of contracts issued under the separate accounts exchange the
separate account contracts for contracts to be issued by a subsidiary of
American General. The sale does not include the Company's block of traditional
GICs or group single premium annuities, which will continue in a run-off mode
until such time as these blocks are completely discontinued. In consideration
for the transfer of the annuity reserves, American General is paying the Company
a ceding commission of approximately $58.0 million. The annuities being sold to
American General represent approximately $2.4 billion of statutory reserves. The
transaction, which is subject to requisite regulatory approvals and certain
other conditions, is expected to close in the second quarter of 1998.


BUSINESS STRATEGIES

  The Company's objective is to grow its business and improve its profitability
by continuing to follow the strategies set forth below.

  Serve the Individual and Employee Benefits Markets. The Company believes
  --------------------------------------------------
that the broad individual and employee benefits insurance markets are
attractive for a company with its specialty focus on disability insurance.
First, the Company believes disability insurers have not traditionally served
the broad market's potential demand for protection against loss of income due
to disability, as evidenced by the industry's size. The total in-force premium
from disability products is approximately $9 billion, compared to $50 billion
for annuities and $97 billion for life insurance. The Company believes that if
it is responsive to the needs of its markets, there is opportunity for growth
in the disability industry.

  Second, individual disability insurance has traditionally been sold primarily
in the medical and physician markets, where market penetration has been
significant. The Company believes that expanding its marketing to other market
segments offers greater opportunities for growth. The penetration of the
attorney, executive, and professional markets, for example, is far less than
that of the medical and physician markets. The market of middle managers and
front-line workers has not been significantly developed by individual disability
insurers. Each of these markets is significantly larger than the medical and
physician market. The Company's strategy is to design products and services that
meet the needs of these underpenetrated market segments, offering them both
individual disability insurance and related life insurance, as well as other
products.

  Third, the Company believes that the markets for group disability insurance
are also underpenetrated. The Company is focused on creating 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
customized solutions for employee benefits customers that include group
disability insurance and related employee- and employer-paid benefits as well as
disability management services. The employee benefits market is undergoing a
change as employers seek to simplify coverages, control costs, and improve
efficiency. The Company has positioned itself to package its products and
services to meet this growing demand for managed disability programs and 24-hour
coverage.

  The Company encourages its sales representatives and producers to respond to
the needs of customers by cross-selling complementary products to each account.
In the past several years, for example, the Company has made ease of meeting
customers' needs the priority for its information systems investments. The
Company can now offer combined proposals that include pre-approved life
insurance with individual disability policies and bill a range of voluntary
product offerings through a single payroll deduction entry on an employee's
paycheck. The Company has also recently introduced new employee and producer
compensation plans that reward the sale of several of the Company's products
rather than single product sales, including grants of stock options to selected
producers and a new multi-line producer compensation plan designed to leverage a
producer's production and overall compensation.

  Leverage Disability Insurance Expertise and Risk Management Skills. In
  ------------------------------------------------------------------      
serving its markets, the Company leads with its disability insurance expertise.
The Company is the largest provider of individual disability insurance with $1.4
billion of premium income in 1997 (pro forma for the Paul Revere Merger), and
the second largest overall disability insurer in North America, on the basis of
in-force premiums, with an additional $302.6 million of group disability
insurance premium (pro forma). The skills required for disability risk
management are more highly specialized than those used in managing the risk of
other life insurance products. The Company believes that its risk management
skills represent a competitive advantage in the disability businesses. The
Company has made a number of recent improvements to its capabilities. In the
claims management area, for example, the Company has shifted from a geographic
distribution of workflow to an organization focused on impairments (psychiatric,
orthopedic, cardiac, and general medical) in order to provide claimants with
more specialized attention. The addition of Genex's case management and
vocational rehabilitation expertise has enabled the Company to further refine
its efforts to assist disabled claimants to return to gainful employment.

  Utilize Multiple Distribution Channels to Reach Different Market Segments.
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------   
The Company's experience is that different distribution channels reach different
market segments. Therefore, its strategy is to distribute its products through a
number of channels in order to reach the broad individual and employee benefits
markets. The Company distributes its individual products primarily through
independent insurance brokers and agents, corporate marketing agreements
with other insurance companies, associations, and 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
financial institutions. It distributes employee benefits products primarily
through brokers, benefits consultants, and a direct sales force that calls on
large corporations. All products and distribution channels are supported through
a network of 70 integrated sales and service offices in the United States, nine
offices in Canada, and non-field sales organizations located in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, Worcester, Massachusetts and Burlington, Ontario.

  The Company believes there are substantial opportunities to increase sales by
improving the productivity of each of these distribution channels and opening
new distribution channels for its products. For example, the National Accounts
distribution system, which involves the sales of the Company's products by
agents of other insurance companies, generates sales from a small percentage of
the agents of the National Account companies. A major focus for 1998 is
increasing the penetration of these National Account relationships.

  Align the Interests of the Company's Employees and Producers With Those of its
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholders. The Company's strategic plan is supported by the goal of raising
- ------------                                                                    
employee stock ownership in the Company. Beginning in 1994, the Company shifted
its long-term cash compensation program for executives to a stock-based plan,
introduced ownership requirements of several times salary for executive
management, and instituted stock option and share grant plans for executive and
middle management. The Company continued to introduce new programs to encourage
ownership in 1995, establishing an employee stock purchase plan open to all
employees, introducing stock-based incentive awards, and expanding the option
program to field sales employees. Most recently, the Company has created a
stock-based plan for executives' short-term compensation and has expanded its
option plans to producers who meet certain sales and profitability goals. These
programs are intended to more closely align the interests of employees,
producers, and stockholders.

  Prior to the implementation of these programs in 1994, there was little
employee ownership of Common Stock. The Company had 1,128,434 outstanding
options for shares of Common Stock on a split-adjusted basis as of December 31,
1993. As of December 31, 1997, employees owned more than 550,000 shares of
Common Stock through the employee stock purchase and 401(k) plans, and the
Company had 6,938,108 outstanding options for shares of Common Stock.
Approximately 50 percent of Provident's employees participate in one or more of
these stock ownership programs.


REPORTING SEGMENTS

  The Company is organized around its customers, with reporting segments that
reflect its major market segments: Individual Life and Disability and Employee
Benefits. The Other Operations segment includes products that the Company no
longer actively markets. The Company's Individual Life and Disability reporting
segment includes individual
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
disability insurance and individual life insurance. The Employee Benefits
segment includes group long- and short-term disability insurance, group life
insurance, accident and sickness and accidental death and dismemberment
coverages, and voluntary benefits (employer-sponsored individual products sold
at the worksite through payroll deduction). For 1997, the Employee Benefits
segment also includes the results of Genex. The Company's Other Operations
segment includes the results from products the Company no longer actively
markets, including GICS, group single premium annuities, corporate-owned life
insurance ("COLI"), the group medical business sold in 1995, the Paul Revere
dental insurance business, individual annuities, and medical stop-loss
insurance.

  Individual Life and Disability. The Individual Life and Disability segment
  ------------------------------                                              
includes the results of disability and life products sold to policyholders on an
individual basis. Individual disability comprises the majority of the segment,
with $1,207.7 million of premium income in 1997 and $1,413.4 million of premium
income on a pro forma basis. Individual life insurance products generated $78.9
million of premium income in 1997 and $86.9 million of premium income on a pro
forma basis.

  Individual disability income insurance provides the insured with a portion of
earned income lost as a result of sickness or injury. Under an individual
disability income policy, monthly benefits generally are fixed at the time the
policy is written. The benefits typically range from 30 percent to 75 percent of
the insured's monthly earned income. Various options with respect to length of
benefit periods and waiting periods before payment begins are available and
permit tailoring of the policy to a specific policyholder's needs. Provident
also markets individual disability income policies which include payments for
transfer of business ownership and business overhead expenses. Individual
disability income products do not provide for the accumulation of cash values.

  Premium rates for these products are varied by age, sex, and occupation based
on assumptions concerning morbidity, persistency, policy related expenses, and
investment income. The Company develops its assumptions based on its own claims
experience and published industry tables. The Company's underwriters evaluate
the medical and financial condition of prospective policyholders prior to the
issuance of a policy.

  Almost all of the Company's in-force individual disability income insurance
was written on a noncancelable basis. Under a noncancelable policy, as long as
the insured continues to pay the fixed annual premium for the policy's duration,
the policy cannot be canceled by the Company nor can the premium be raised. Due
to the noncancelable, fixed premium nature of the policies marketed in the past,
profitability of this part of the business of Accident and Provident Life and
Casualty Insurance Company (collectively "Provident") is largely dependent upon
achieving the morbidity and interest rate assumptions set in the 1993 loss
recognition study with respect to the
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
business written in 1993 and prior and those set in the pricing of business
written after 1993. The profitability of the Paul Revere business will be
largely dependent on meeting the assumptions included in the purchase accounting
adjustments recorded in connection with the Paul Revere Merger. As of December
31, 1997, reserves were adequate for Provident and for Paul Revere. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" on pages 28 to 29 of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the year
ended December 31, 1997, incorporated herein by reference.

  In November 1994, the Company announced its intention to discontinue selling
individual noncancelable contracts with long-term own-occupation provisions
(other than conversion policies available under existing contractual
arrangements), lifetime benefits, and high maximum issue and participation
limits that were identified as the cause of the 1993 loss recognition. The
Company is phasing out the sale of these traditional noncancelable, long-term
own-occupation contracts over a reasonable period of time during which such
products are being modified and repriced and is focusing on replacing them with
a noncancelable loss of earnings ("LE") contract.

  In contrast to traditional noncancelable own-occupation policies, for which
benefits are determined based on whether the insured can work in his or her
original occupation, the LE policy requires the policyholder to satisfy two
conditions for benefits to begin: reduced ability to work due to accident or
sickness and earnings loss of at least 20 percent. These policies are aimed at
repositioning the individual disability income product by making it more
attractive to a broader market of individual consumers, including middle to
upper income individuals and corporate benefit buyers.

  The Company's life insurance offerings include term, universal life, and
interest-sensitive life insurance products. Universal life products provide
permanent life insurance with adjustable interest rates applied to the cash
value and are designed to achieve specific policyholder objectives such as
higher accumulation values and/or flexibility with respect to amount of coverage
and premium payments. The principal difference between fixed premium and
universal life insurance policies centers around policy provisions affecting the
amount and timing of premium payments. Under universal life policies,
policyholders may vary the frequency and size of their premium payments, and
policy benefits may fluctuate accordingly. Premium payments under the fixed
premium policies are not variable by the policyholder and, as a result,
generally reflect lower administrative costs than universal life products for
which extensive monitoring of premium payments and policy benefits is required.

  The largest number of ordinary life policies sold in 1996 and 1997 were ten-
year level-term policies. These products have level premiums for an 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
initial ten-year period after which the policyholder may resubmit to the
underwriting process and possibly qualify for a new ten year period at the
attained age premiums; otherwise, premiums revert to a yearly renewable term
premium which increases annually. When measured by annualized premiums,
universal life with the flexibility and features described above was the largest
product category sold by Provident in this segment in recent years. Paul
Revere's largest product category is interest-sensitive whole life insurance.

  Premium rates for the Company's life insurance products are based on
assumptions as to future mortality, investment yields, expenses, and lapses.
Although a margin for profit is included in setting premium rates, the actual
profitability of products is significantly affected by the variation of actual
experience from assumed experience. Profitability of fixed premium products is
also dependent upon investment income on reserves. The profitability of
interest-sensitive products is determined primarily by the ultimate underwriting
experience and the ability to maintain anticipated investment spreads. The
Company believes that the historical claims experience for these products has
been satisfactory.

  From the Company's viewpoint, the risks involved with interest-sensitive
products include actual versus assumed mortality, achieving investment returns
that at least equal the current declared rate, competitive position of declared
rates on the policies, meeting the contractually guaranteed minimum crediting
rate, and recovery of policy acquisition costs. From the policyholder's
perspective, the risk involved with interest-sensitive products is whether or
not the declared rates on the policy will compare favorably with the returns
available elsewhere in the marketplace.

  Employee Benefits. The Employee Benefits segment includes the results of
  -----------------                                                         
group products sold to employers for the benefit of employees and individual
products sold to groups of employees through payroll deduction at the worksite
("voluntary benefits products"). The Company's Employee Benefits product
offerings include disability, permanent and term life insurance, accident and
sickness, accidental death and dismemberment, and cancer products. Group life
comprises the majority of the segment, with $265.8 million of premium income in
1997 ($281.3 million of premium income on a pro forma basis). Group disability
generated $249.1 million of premium income in 1997 ($302.6 million of premium
income on a pro forma basis). See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on pages 30 to 31 of the Annual
Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997, incorporated herein
by reference.

  Group long-term disability insurance provides employees with insurance
coverage for loss of income in the event of extended work absences due to
sickness or injury. Services are offered to employers and insureds to encourage
and facilitate rehabilitation, retraining, and re-employment. Premiums for this
product are generally based on expected claims of a pool of similar risks plus
provisions for administrative expenses and profit. Some cases, however, carry
experience rating provisions. Premiums for experience 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
rated group disability business are based on the expected experience of the
client given their industry group, adjusted for the credibility of the specific
claim experience of the client. A few accounts are handled on an administrative
services only basis with responsibility for funding claim payments remaining
with the customer.

  Profitability of group disability insurance is affected by deviations of
actual claims experience from expected claims experience and the ability of the
Company to control its administrative expenses. Morbidity is an important factor
in disability claims experience. Also important is the general state of the
economy; for example, during a recession the incidence of claims tends to
increase under this type of insurance. In general, experience rated disability
coverage for large groups has narrower profit margins and represents less risk
to the Company than business of this type sold to small employers. This is
because the Company must bear all of the risk of adverse claims experience in
small case coverages while larger employers often bear much of this risk
themselves. For disability coverages, case management and rehabilitation
activities with regard to claims, along with appropriate pricing and expense
control, are important factors contributing to profitability.

  Group life insurance consists primarily of renewable term life insurance with
the coverages frequently linked to employees' wages. Profitability in group life
is affected by deviations of actual claims experience from expected claims
experience and the ability of the Company to control administrative expenses.
The Company also markets several group benefits products and services including
accident and sickness indemnity, accidental death and dismemberment policies,
and life and health benefits packages for affinity groups.

  Voluntary benefits products are offered through employer-sponsored payroll
deduction programs. Provident's in-force business in 1997 consisted primarily of
universal life and interest-sensitive life products as well as health products,
principally intermediate disability income policies. Profitability in voluntary
benefits is affected by the level of employee participation, persistency,
deviations of actual morbidity and mortality experience from expected 
experience, and the ability of the Company to control administrative expenses.

  Other Operations. The Other Operations segment includes the results of GICs,
  ----------------
group SPAs, a closed block of COLI, the medical services business sold in 1995,
individual annuities, Paul Revere's dental insurance business, medical stop-loss
insurance, and any capital and assets that are not allocated to the principal
business segments.  See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations on pages 31 to 33 of the Annual Report to 
Stockholders for the year ended December 31 1997, incorporated herein by 
reference.
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
  GIC products include traditional GICs, separate account GICs, and synthetic
GICs, in which the assets underlying the contract continue to be owned and
retained by the trustee of the contract holder instead of the Company. In the
first quarter of 1997, the Company announced that the synthetic GIC business was
being sold through an assumptive reinsurance transaction. The sale, which was
subject to the approval of the contract holders and respective state regulators,
was completed in January 1998.

  Traditional GICs have comprised a major portion of this segment's products
sold since 1982. Under traditional GICs, the Company guarantees the principal
and interest to the contract holder for a specified period, generally three to
five years. The Company marketed GICs for use in corporate tax-qualified
retirement plans and derives profits from GICs on the spread between the amount
of interest earned on invested funds and the fixed rate guaranteed in the GIC.
Separate account GICs, which were introduced in 1992, differ from traditional
GICs in that the assets underlying the contract are segregated from the general
account of Provident and held solely for the benefit of the specific contract
involved. In December 1994, Provident discontinued the sale of traditional GICs,
but continues to service its block of existing business. Sales of separate
account GICs were discontinued in 1996, and none remained at December 31, 1997.
See ''--Reserves.'' Group SPAs are used as funding vehicles primarily when
defined benefit pension plans are terminated. The Company also offers annuities
as an employer-sponsored option for retirees receiving their distributions from
401(k) plans. Pursuant to a group SPA contract, the Company receives a one-time
premium payment and in turn agrees to pay a fixed monthly retirement benefit to
specified employees. Sales of group SPAs were discontinued in 1996. Traditional
GICs accounted for $1,603.6 million and group SPAs accounted for $1,199.1
million of accumulated funds under management at December 31, 1997.

  The Company believes that there are three primary sources of risk associated
with traditional GICs and group SPAs.  Underwriting risk represents the risk
that a GIC has been priced properly to reflect the risk of withdrawal and for
group SPAs, that the mortality rates and the ages and frequency at which
annuitants will retire have been accurately projected. Asset/liability risk
represents the risk that the investments purchased to back the GIC or group SPA
will adequately match the future cash flows. Investment risk represents the risk
that the underlying investments backing the GICs and group SPAs will perform
according to the expectations of the Company at the time of purchase.

  COLI is a tax-leveraged policy sold from 1983 to 1990, with most of the block
having been sold before June 21, 1986. Beginning in 1986, Congress began to
enact tax legislation that significantly reduced the ability of policyholders to
deduct policy loan interest on these products which detracted from the internal
rate of return which theretofore had been available. In 1988, Congress went
further by enacting legislation that had adverse tax consequences for
distributions/policy loans from modified endowment contracts. 

                                       12

<PAGE>
 
Under this legislation, new sales of the majority of Provident's COLI products
would have been subject to adverse tax treatment as modified endowment contracts
due to their high premium level. As a consequence, many of these products were
withdrawn, and revised products which would not be considered modified endowment
contracts were introduced. Policies issued prior to June 21, 1986, however, were
grandfathered from the modified endowment provisions. In 1996, Congress enacted
tax legislation which generally eliminates tax deductions for policy loan
interest on COLI products issued on or after June 21, 1986.

  Medical stop-loss insurance is provided to protect the insured against
significant adverse claims experience with respect to group medical coverage.
Under a variety of stop-loss arrangements, the Company charges a premium in
exchange for an obligation that it will absorb (or reimburse the employer or
plan for) claims in excess of a stated amount on an aggregate or individual
basis. Profitability in medical stop-loss arrangements depends upon the ability
of the Company to accurately predict actual claim trends relative to expected
trends, predict rates of medical cost inflation, and analyze the claim practices
of the underlying plan.

  The individual annuities block of business is to be sold to American General
under a reinsurance agreement signed on December 8, 1997, and the sale is
expected to close in the second quarter of 1998.

REINSURANCE

  The Company routinely reinsures portions of its business with other insurance
companies. In a reinsurance transaction a reinsurer agrees to indemnify another
insurer for part or all of its liability under a policy or policies it has
issued for an agreed upon premium. The maximum amount of risk retained by the
Company and not reinsured is $1 million on any individual life insured and
$500,000 on individual accidental death insurance. The amount of risk retained
by the Company on individual disability income products varies by policy type
and year of issue. The Company also reinsures against catastrophic losses in the
Employee Benefits segment. Since the ceding of reinsurance by the Company does
not discharge its primary liability to the policyholder, the Company has control
procedures with regard to reinsurance ceded. These procedures include the
exchange and review of financial statements filed with regulatory authorities,
exchange of Insurance Regulatory Information System results, review of ratings
by A.M. Best Co., determination of states in which the reinsurer is licensed to
do business, on-site visits before entering a contract to assess the operations
and management of the reinsurer, consideration of the need for collateral, such
as letters of credit, and audits of the Company's reinsurance activities by its
Internal Audit staff. The Company also assumes reinsurance from other insurers.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
RESERVES

  The applicable insurance laws under which insurance companies operate require
that they report, as liabilities, policy reserves to meet future obligations on
their outstanding policies. These reserves are the amounts which, with the
additional premiums to be received and interest thereon compounded annually at
certain assumed rates, are calculated to be sufficient to meet the various
policy and contract obligations as they mature. These laws specify that the
reserves shall not be less than reserves calculated using certain specified
mortality and morbidity tables, interest rates, and methods of valuation. The
reserves reported in the Company's financial statements incorporated herein by
reference are calculated based on generally accepted accounting principles
("GAAP") and differ from those specified by the laws of the various states and
carried in the statutory financial statements of the life insurance
subsidiaries. These differences arise from the use of mortality and morbidity
tables and interest assumptions which are believed to be more representative of
the actual business than those required for statutory accounting purposes and
from differences in actuarial reserving methods.

  The consolidated statements of income include the annual change in reserves
for future policy and contract benefits. The change reflects a normal accretion
for premium payments and interest buildup and decreases for policy terminations
such as lapses, deaths, and annuity benefit payments.

  In addition to reserves for future policy and contract benefits, the Company
maintains a balance sheet liability for policyholders' funds.  Policyholders'
funds, as shown on the Company's consolidated statements of financial condition
as of December 31, 1997, were $4,194.9 million. Of this amount, $1,603.6 million
reflected the Company's outstanding GICs, the maturity of which is as follows
(in millions):

<TABLE>
      <S>                                                        <C>
      1 year or less............................................ $  830.8     
      Over 1 year but less than 2 years.........................    572.5     
      Over 2 years but less than 3 years........................    167.9     
      Over 3 years..............................................     32.4
                                                                 --------
         Total.................................................. $1,603.6     
                                                                 ========      
</TABLE>
                                                                                
  In the third quarter of 1996, Paul Revere recorded a reserve strengthening of
$380.0 million before income taxes. The reserve strengthening recorded was
prompted by the results of a comprehensive study of the adequacy of its
individual disability reserves under GAAP completed in October 1996. In
connection with such reserve study, Paul Revere received an actuarial report
from an independent actuarial firm, which report concluded that the net
individual disability reserves of $2.2 billion reported by Paul Revere at
September 30, 1996, which reflected the $380.0 million reserve strengthening

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
adjustment, were adequate on a GAAP basis, based on the assumptions reflected
therein.

  Subsequently, Paul Revere completed, in cooperation with the Division of 
Insurance of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the Massachusetts Division of
Insurance"), a comprehensive study of the adequacy of its statutory individual
disability reserves, as a result of which Paul Revere's statutory reserves were
increased by $144.0 million before income taxes. Pursuant to an agreement with
the Company, dated as of April 29, 1996, Textron Inc. ("Textron"), then the
largest shareholder of Paul Revere, contributed to Paul Revere $121.0 million,
representing the amount of required statutory reserve increases, net of tax
benefits.

  See "Risk Factors--Reserves".


COMPETITION

  There is intense competition among insurance companies for the individual and
group insurance products of the types sold by the Company. At the end of 1997,
there were over 2,000 legal reserve life insurance companies in the United
States, many offering one or more insurance products similar to those marketed
by the Company. The Company's principal competitors in the employee benefits
market include the largest insurance companies in the United States, many of
which have substantially greater financial resources and larger staffs than the
Company. In addition, in the individual life market, the Company competes with
banks, investment advisers, mutual funds, and other financial entities for
investment of savings and retirement funds in general. In the individual and
group disability markets, the Company competes in the United States and Canada
with a limited number of major companies and regionally with other companies
offering specialty products.

  All areas of the employee benefits markets are highly competitive due to the
yearly renewable term nature of the products and the large number of insurance
companies offering products in this market. The Company competes with other
companies in attracting and retaining independent agents and brokers to actively
market its products. The principal competitive factors affecting the Company's
business are price and quality of service.


REGULATION

  The Company and its insurance subsidiaries are subject to detailed regulation
and supervision in the jurisdictions in which each does business. With respect
to the insurance subsidiaries, such regulation and supervision is primarily for
the protection of policyholders rather than for the benefit of investors or
creditors. Although the extent of such regulation varies, state 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
insurance laws generally establish supervisory agencies with broad
administrative powers.

  These supervisory and administrative powers relate chiefly to the granting and
revocation of the licenses to transact business, the licensing of agents, the
approval of policy forms, reserve requirements, and the form and content of
required financial statements. As to the type and amounts of its investments,
the Company's insurance subsidiaries must meet the standards and tests
promulgated by the insurance laws and regulations of Tennessee, Massachusetts,
New York, Delaware, and certain other states in which they conduct business.

  The Company and its insurance subsidiaries are required to file various,
usually quarterly and/or annual, financial statements and are subject to
periodic and intermittent review with respect to their financial condition and
other matters by the various departments having jurisdiction in the states in
which they do business. The last such examination of the Provident insurance
subsidiaries was completed on April 30, 1997, and covered operations for the
five-year period ending December 31, 1995. The final report was issued in the
second quarter of 1997 and no objections were raised by the reviewing
authorities as a result of that examination. The field work related to the last
financial examination of Paul Revere Life and Paul Revere Variable was completed
on March 27, 1997, and covered the operations for the four-year period ending
December 31, 1994. As a result of the examination, statutory reserves were
increased by $35.0 million, which adjustment was reflected in the statutory
financial statements of Paul Revere Life as of December 31, 1995. The scope of
the examination was extended to include a review of the individual disability
income reserves as of September 30, 1996. As a result of that review, which was
completed on February 5, 1997, Paul Revere Life was required to increase its
statutory reserves by $144.0 million on a pre-tax basis or $121.0 million on an
after-tax basis. As a result of the reserve strengthening required, the former
parent of Paul Revere Life made additional capital contributions totaling $121.0
million: $83.5 million was contributed in December 1996 and the balance of $37.5
million was contributed on February 5, 1997. Paul Revere Protective is currently
undergoing a financial examination for the three-year period ending December 31,
1996. As of March 1, 1998, no issues or objections had been raised.

  The laws of the states of Tennessee, Massachusetts, New York, and Delaware
require the registration of and periodic reporting by insurance companies
domiciled within their jurisdiction which control or are controlled by other
corporations or persons so as to constitute a holding company system. The
Company is registered as a holding company system in Tennessee, Massachusetts,
New York, and Delaware. The holding company statutes require periodic disclosure
concerning stock ownership and prior approval of certain intercompany
transactions within the holding company system. The Company may 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
from time to time be subject to regulation under the insurance and insurance
holding company statutes of one or more additional states. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on
page 33 of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31,
1997, incorporated herein by reference.

  The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") and insurance
regulators are re-examining existing laws and regulations and their application
to insurance companies. In particular, this re-examination has focused on
insurance company investment and solvency issues and, in some instances, has
resulted in new interpretations of existing law, the development of new laws,
and the implementation of non-statutory guidelines. The NAIC has formed
committees and appointed advisory groups to study and formulate regulatory
proposals on such diverse issues as the use of surplus notes, accounting for
reinsurance transactions, and the adoption of risk-based capital rules. The NAIC
is currently in the process of recodifying statutory accounting practices, the
result of which is expected to standardize prescribed statutory accounting
practices. Accordingly, this project, which is expected to be completed in 1998,
will likely change, to some extent, prescribed statutory accounting practices
and may result in changes to the accounting practices that the Company's
insurance subsidiaries use to prepare their statutory financial statements.


RISK FACTORS
- ------------
  Any one or more of the following factors may cause the Company's actual
results for various financial reporting periods to differ materially from those
expressed in any forward looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.


RESERVES

  The Company maintains reserves for future policy benefits and unpaid claims
expenses which include policy reserves and claim reserves established for its
individual disability insurance, group insurance, and individual life insurance
products.  Policy reserves represent the portion of premiums received which are
reserved to provide for future claims.  Claim reserves are established for
future payments not yet due on claims already incurred, primarily relating to
individual disability and group disability insurance products.  Reserves,
whether calculated under GAAP or statutory accounting practices, do not
represent an exact calculation of future benefit liabilities but are instead
estimates made by the Company using actuarial and statistical procedures. There
can be no assurance that any such reserves would be sufficient to fund future
liabilities of the Company in all circumstances. Future loss development could
require reserves to be increased, which would adversely affect earnings

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
in current and future periods. Adjustments to reserve amounts may be required in
the event of changes from the assumptions regarding future morbidity (the
incidence of claims and the rate of recovery, including the effects thereon of
inflation and other societal and economic factors), persistency, mortality, and
interest rates used in calculating the reserve amounts.


CAPITAL ADEQUACY

  The capacity for an insurance company's growth in premiums is in part a
function of its statutory surplus.  Maintaining appropriate levels of statutory
surplus, as measured by state insurance regulators, is considered important by
state insurance regulatory authorities and the private agencies that rate
insurers' claims-paying abilities and financial strength.  Failure to maintain
certain levels of statutory surplus could result in increased regulatory
scrutiny, action by state regulatory authorities or a downgrade by the private
rating agencies.

  Effective in 1993, the NAIC adopted a risk-based capital ("RBC") formula,
which prescribes a system for assessing the adequacy of statutory capital and
surplus for all life and health insurers. The basis of the system is a risk-
based formula that applies prescribed factors to the various risk elements in a
life and health insurer's business to report a minimum capital requirement
proportional to the amount of risk assumed by the insurer. The life and health
RBC formula is designed to measure annually (i) the risk of loss from asset
defaults and asset value fluctuation, (ii) the risk of loss from adverse
mortality and morbidity experience, (iii) the risk of loss from mismatching of
asset and liability cash flow due to changing interest rates, and (iv) business
risks. The formula is to be used as an early warning tool to identify companies
that are potentially inadequately capitalized. The formula is intended to be
used as a regulatory tool only and is not intended as a means to rank insurers
generally.

  Based on computations made by the Company in accordance with the prescribed
life and health RBC formula, each of the Company's life insurance subsidiaries
exceeded the minimum capital requirements at December 31, 1997.

  During 1995 and 1996, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance conducted a
quadrennial examination of Paul Revere Life and Paul Revere Variable for the
period ended December 31, 1994. In connection with this examination, as well as
in consideration of a comprehensive study undertaken by Paul Revere in 1995 and
early 1996 of its statutory reserves, Paul Revere Life and Paul Revere
Protective strengthened their individual disability statutory reserves by a
combined total of $35.0 million and reflected this strengthening in the annual
statutory financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1995.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
  During the third quarter of 1996, Paul Revere initiated a comprehensive study
of the adequacy of its individual disability reserves under GAAP and under
statutory accounting principles to consider experience through September 30,
1996. The results of such study prompted Paul Revere to strengthen its GAAP
individual disability reserves by $380.0 million before taxes in the quarter
ended September 30, 1996. The Massachusetts Division of Insurance subsequently
updated its examination of Paul Revere's statutory reserves to review the
results of Paul Revere's statutory reserve study, with the result that Paul
Revere's statutory reserves were strengthened by $144.0 million before income
taxes. In connection with the Paul Revere Merger, Textron, the principal
stockholder of Paul Revere, contributed $121.0 million, representing the amount
of the statutory reserve increases, net of tax benefits, as additional capital
to Paul Revere prior to the effective time of the Paul Revere Merger.

DISABILITY INSURANCE

  Disability insurance may be affected by a number of social, economic,
governmental, competitive, and other factors. Changes in societal attitudes,
work ethics, motivation, stability, and mores can significantly affect the
demand for and underwriting results from disability products. Economic
conditions affect not only the market for disability products, but also
significantly affect the claims rates and length of claims. The climate and the
nature of competition in disability insurance have also been markedly affected
by the growth of Social Security, worker's compensation, and other governmental
programs in the workplace. The nature of that portion of the Company's
outstanding insurance business that consists of noncancelable disability
policies, whereby the policy is guaranteed to be renewable through the life of
the policy at a fixed premium, does not permit the Company to adjust its
premiums on business in-force on account of changes resulting from such factors.
Disability insurance products are important products for the Company. To the
extent that disability products are adversely affected in the future as to sales
or claims, the business or results of operations of the Company could be
materially adversely affected.


INDUSTRY FACTORS

  All of the Company's businesses are highly regulated and competitive. The
Company's profitability is affected by a number of factors, including rate
competition, frequency and severity of claims, lapse rates, government
regulation, interest rates, and general business considerations. There are many
insurance companies which actively compete with the Company in its lines of
business, some of which are larger and have greater financial resources than the
Company, and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to compete
effectively against such companies in the future.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
  In recent years, some U.S. life insurance companies have faced claims,
including class-action lawsuits, alleging various improper sales practices in
the sales of certain types of life insurance products. These claims often relate
to the selling of whole life and universal life policies that accumulate cash
values which may be utilized to fund the cost of the insurance in later years of
the policy. Due to subsequent reductions in dividends or interest credited or
due to other factors, the cash values have not accumulated sufficiently to cover
costs of insurance, resulting in the need for ongoing premium payments. Although
never a principal product line for the Company or Paul Revere, both companies
have sold a modest amount of interest sensitive whole life and universal life
policies. Paul Revere Variable has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed
in New Jersey state court related to the sale of certain universal life
policies. The plaintiff in such lawsuit seeks to represent a national class of
Paul Revere Variable policyholders. This case is in an early stage and has not
been certified as a class action. In addition, Accident is a defendant in two
lawsuits filed by individuals related to the sale of certain life insurance
policies. The Company intends to defend all of the foregoing cases vigorously.
There can be no assurance that any future claims relating to sales of such
policies will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

EFFECT OF THE PAUL REVERE MERGER; INTEGRATION OF OPERATIONS

  The success of the Paul Revere Merger will be determined by various factors,
including the financial performance of the combined company's operations and
management's ability to realize expected cost savings through combining certain
functions of both the Company and Paul Revere and restructuring the field
organizations of both companies. The integration of the operations of Paul
Revere and the Company may be negatively affected if, among other things, the
proposed changes are not made, customers do not react positively to some of the
planned changes intended to increase service or integrate the businesses of the
two companies, unanticipated offsetting costs are incurred, or costs or
difficulties related to the integration of the businesses of the Company and
Paul Revere are greater than expected. There can be no assurance that the
anticipated benefits of the Paul Revere Merger will be realized or that the Paul
Revere Merger will not adversely affect the future operating results of the
Company.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
SELECTED DATA OF SEGMENTS
 
  The following table reflects for the indicated years selected financial data
for the Company's segments.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997      1996      1995
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                            --------- --------- ---------
                                                    (IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
                                                               RECLASSIFIED
                                                            -------------------
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>
REVENUE (EXCLUDING NET REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS
 AND LOSSES)
Individual Life and Disability..................  $ 1,902.3 $ 1,025.0 $   999.1
Employee Benefits...............................      883.7     555.5     520.3
Other Operations................................      752.1     720.0   1,067.6
                                                  --------- --------- ---------
   Total........................................  $ 3,538.1 $ 2,300.5 $ 2,587.0
                                                  ========= ========= =========
INCOME BEFORE NET REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS AND
 LOSSES AND FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Individual Life and Disability..................  $   232.3 $   115.4 $    34.0
Employee Benefits...............................       63.3      46.1      32.2
Other Operations................................       69.6      73.3     141.5
                                                  --------- --------- ---------
   Total........................................  $   365.2 $   234.8 $   207.7
                                                  ========= ========= =========
REVENUE (INCLUDING NET REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS
 AND LOSSES)
Individual Life and Disability..................  $ 1,910.2 $ 1,033.0 $ 1,003.2
Employee Benefits...............................      887.3     555.5     524.2
Other Operations................................      755.7     703.4   1,027.9
                                                  --------- --------- ---------
   Total........................................  $ 3,553.2 $ 2,291.9 $ 2,555.3
                                                  ========= ========= =========
INCOME BEFORE FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Individual Life and Disability..................  $   240.2 $   123.4 $    38.1
Employee Benefits...............................       66.9      46.1      36.1
Other Operations................................       73.2      56.7     101.8
                                                  --------- --------- ---------
   Total........................................  $   380.3 $   226.2 $   176.0
                                                  ========= ========= =========
ASSETS
Individual Life and Disability..................  $11,051.1 $ 5,735.0 $ 5,443.9
Employee Benefits...............................    2,145.2   1,490.0   1,407.8
Other Operations................................    9,981.3   7,767.5   9,449.6
                                                  --------- --------- ---------
   Total........................................  $23,177.6 $14,992.5 $16,301.3
                                                  ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
 
  Total revenue (excluding net realized investment gains and losses) includes
premium income, net investment income, and other income. Total revenue
(including net realized investment gains and losses) includes premium income,
net investment income, net realized investment gains and losses, and other
income. Assets have been allocated to the segments based upon identifiable
liabilities and allocated stockholders' equity. Segment information for 1996
and 1995 has been reclassified to conform to current year reporting. The
reclassification, which reflects the Company's current marketing and
operational structure, did not change total Revenue, total Income Before
Federal Income Taxes, or total Assets.
 
  Additional information regarding the operations of these segments may be
found under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" on pages 26-35 of the Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997, incorporated herein by
reference.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
EMPLOYEES

    At March 1, 1998, the Company had approximately 4,039 full-time employees
(excluding Genex), including approximately 1,819 at its headquarters in
Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Genex had approximately 1,308 full time employees,
including approximately 173 in its home office in Wayne, Pennsylvania.


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

  The Company's home office property consists of two connected office
buildings totaling 840,000 square feet at 1 Fountain Square, Chattanooga,
Tennessee. The office buildings and substantially all of the surrounding 25
acres of land, used primarily as parking lots, are owned by the Company in fee.
With the acquisition of Paul Revere in 1997, the Company also has a large
operations center and owns facilities in Worcester, Massachusetts comprised of
two connected buildings totaling 438,000 gross square feet of office space and
approximately 5.6 acres of land, used primarily as parking. In addition,
approximately 72,000 square feet of space is leased in three buildings located
in the Worcester area and 15,000 square feet of office space is leased in
Springfield, Massachusetts. Total rents are approximately $1.5 million annually.

  The Company also leases other office space and minor storage space at
approximately 65 locations in 33 states in the United States and 14 locations in
7 Canadian provinces for its sales and service force. The Company's real
property lease payments for 1997 were approximately $9.7 million (net of rents
received on subleased property).

  Management of the Company believes that the Company's properties and the
properties which it leases are in good condition and are suitable and adequate
for the Company's current business operations.


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

  In the ordinary course of its business operations, the Company is involved in
routine litigation with policyholders, beneficiaries, and others, and a number
of such lawsuits were pending as of the date of this filing. In the opinion of
management, the ultimate liability, if any, under these suits would not have a
material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or the
consolidated results of operations of the Company.

  An appeal of the decision of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance
approving the acquisition of control of the Paul Revere insurance subsidiaries
domiciled in Massachusetts by the Company was filed by George E. Ginther and
Niagara Financial Services, Inc. (the ''Petitioners''). Mr. Ginther appeared and
testified at the hearing held in connection with such acquisition of control
prior to the approval on March 24, 1997 by the Massachusetts Commissioner of
Insurance. The appeal alleged that the findings in the decision were
unsubstantiated by the evidence and that the statutory criteria for approval of
the merger were not met. The appeal requested a trial de novo before a state
court to determine if the merger meets the statutory criteria under
Massachusetts law and requested that the application of the order 

                                       22

<PAGE>
 
approving the merger be stayed and that the merger be ultimately disapproved or
conditionally approved. The Company filed a motion to dismiss, and the
Massachusetts lower court dismissed the appeal based upon the Petitioners' lack
of standing. The Petitioners have appealed to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial
Court for review of the decision of the lower court. Oral argument on
Petitioners' appeal took place on March 5, 1998. Although the Company believes
the likelihood of Petitioners' success in the proceeding is remote, there can be
no absolute assurance that the proceeding will not result in a decision that is
materially adverse to the Company.

  Two alleged class action lawsuits have been filed in Superior Court in
Worcester, Massachusetts against the Company--one purporting to represent all
career agents of Paul Revere whose employment relationships ended on June 30,
1997 and were offered contracts to sell insurance policies as independent
producers, and the other purporting to represent independent brokers who sold
certain Paul Revere individual disability income policies with benefit riders.
Motions have been filed by the Company to dismiss most of the counts in the
complaints, which allege various breach of contract and statutory claims. To
date no class has been certified in either lawsuit. The Company has strong
defenses to both lawsuits and will vigorously defend its position and resist
certification of the classes. In addition, the same plaintiff's attorney who has
filed the purported class action lawsuits has filed 41 individual lawsuits on
behalf of current and former Paul Revere sales managers alleging various breach
of contract claims. The Company has strong defenses and will vigorously defend
its position in these cases as well. Although the alleged class action lawsuits
and the 41 individual lawsuits are in the early stages, management does not
currently expect these suits to materially affect the financial position or
results of operations of the Company.


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     None

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II


ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS

  The information required by this Item is included on page 72 of the
Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997,
under the caption "Common Stock Information" and is incorporated herein by
reference. As of March 9, 1998, there were 1,581 holders of Common Stock and -0-
holders of the Depositary Shares.

  For information on restrictions relating to the Company's insurance
subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to the Company see "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on
page 33 and "Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" on page
70 of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997,
incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

  The information required by this Item is included on page 36 of the
Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997,
under the caption "Selected Financial Data" and is incorporated herein by
reference.


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

  The information required by this Item is included on pages 26 - 35 of the
Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997,
under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

  The information required by this item is included on pages 37-71 of the
Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997,
under the captions "Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors,"
"Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition," "Consolidated Statements of
Income," "Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity," "Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows," and "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements," and
is incorporated herein by reference.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     None.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
                                   PART III


ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

DIRECTORS

  The information required by this Item with respect to directors is included
under the caption "Information Concerning the Nominees" of the Registrant's
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 6, 1998,
and is incorporated herein by reference.

  EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

  The executive officers of the Company, all of whom are also executive officers
of its principal subsidiaries, were elected to serve in their respective offices
for one year or until their successors are chosen and qualified.

Name                        Age          Position
- ----                        ---          --------
 
J. Harold Chandler          48           Chairman, President, Chief Executive
                                         Officer, and Director
                                       
Thomas R. Watjen            43           Vice Chairman and Chief
                                         Financial Officer, and Director
                                       
Robert O. Best              48           Executive Vice President and Chief
                                         Information Officer/Client Services
                                       
F. Dean Copeland            58           Executive Vice President and
                                         General Counsel
                                       
Thomas B. Heys, Jr.         51           Executive Vice President,
                                         Institutional Sales
                                       
Peter C. Madeja             39           Executive Vice President and President
                                         and CEO of GENEX Services, Inc.
                                       
Jeffrey F. Olingy           48           Executive Vice President, Field
                                         Sales Management
                                       
Ralph A. Rogers, Jr.        49           Senior Vice President and Treasurer

  Mr. Chandler became Chairman of the Company April 28, 1996, and President and
Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company
effective November 8, 1993. Immediately prior to his employment with the 
Company, he served as President of NationsBank Mid-Atlantic 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
Banking Group which includes the NationsBank and Maryland National Corporation
entities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and northern Virginia. He
formerly served as President of the Citizens and Southern National Bank of South
Carolina, a predecessor company of NationsBank. He is a director of AmSouth
Bancorporation, Herman Miller, Inc., and Storage Technology. He is currently a
member of the Board of Trustees of Wofford College.

  Mr. Watjen became Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the Company on
March 26, 1997. He became Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
on July 1, 1994. Prior to joining the Company, he served as a Managing Director
of the insurance practice of the investment banking firm, Morgan Stanley & Co.,
which he joined in 1987.

  Mr. Best became an Executive Vice President of the Company on May 7, 1997. He
became Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Company on
July 11, 1994. He was previously Senior Vice President and Chief Information
Officer at UNUM, which he joined in 1993 following UNUM's acquisition of
Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company. At Colonial, he served as Vice
President, Operations and Information Systems, until 1992 when he was named
Executive Vice President.

  Mr. Copeland became Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the
Company on May 12, 1997. Prior to joining the Company he had been a partner
since 1972 in the law firm of Alston & Bird, where he concentrated on the
financial services industry.

  Mr. Heys became an Executive Vice President of the Company on May 7, 1997. He
became a Senior Vice President, Corporate Risk Management, of the Company in
August 1994. He served as Vice President and Chief Officer of various operating
departments from November 1990 until August 1994.

  Mr. Madeja became an Executive Vice President of the Company on May 7, 1997.
He became Senior Vice President of the Company in February 1997 when the Company
acquired Genex. He continues to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer
of Genex, which he joined in 1982.

  Mr. Olingy became an Executive Vice President of the Company on May 7, 1997.
He became Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, of the Company on April 3,
1996. Prior to joining the Company, he was a Retail Banking Director with Bank
of Boston which he joined in 1993. He served as Executive Vice President of
NationsBank from 1991 to 1993.

  Mr. Rogers became a Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Company on May
7, 1997. Prior to this position he served as Vice President and Controller of
the Company since 1984.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

  The information required by this Item is included under the captions
"Compensation of Directors" and "Executive Compensation" of the Registrant's
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 6, 1998,
and is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

  The information required by this Item is included under the caption
"Beneficial Ownership of Company Securities" and under the caption "Security
Ownership of Directors and Officers" of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 6, 1998, and is incorporated
herein by reference.


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

  The information required by this Item is included under the caption "Certain
Transactions" of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held May 6, 1998, and is incorporated herein by reference.

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  List of Documents filed as part of this report

(1)  Financial Statements

The following report and consolidated financial statements of Provident
Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries, included in the Registrant's Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1997, are incorporated by reference
in Item 8:

     Report of Ernst and Young LLP, Independent Auditors


     Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 1997 and
     1996

     Consolidated Statements of Income for the three years ended December 31,
     1997

     Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three years ended
     December 31, 1997

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December
     31, 1997

     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2)  Schedules Supporting Financial Statements

The following financial statement schedules of Provident Companies, Inc. and
Subsidiaries are included in Item 14(d):

                                                                 Page
                                                                 ----

     I.   Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments
          in Related Parties (Consolidated)                        34

     II.  Condensed Financial Information of Registrant            35

     III. Supplementary Insurance Information
          (Consolidated)                                           39

     IV.  Reinsurance (Consolidated)                               41

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
     V.   Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Consolidated)         42

     Schedules not referred to have been omitted as inapplicable or because they
are not required by Regulation S-X.

     (3)  Exhibits

   (2.1)  Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange between Provident Companies, Inc.
          and Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company of America
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Form 10-K
          filed for fiscal year ended 1995).

   (2.2)  Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April
          29, 1996 by and among Patriot Acquisition Corporation, The Paul Revere
          Corporation and the Company (including exhibits thereto),
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q
          and Form 10-Q/A filed for fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1996).

   (3.1)  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 10-K for fiscal year
          ended 1995, as amended by Certificate of Amendment).

   (3.2)  Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
          Company's Form 10-K filed for fiscal year ended 1995).

   (4.1)  Form of Preferred Stock Certificate relating to the registration of
          6,000,000 Depositary Shares each representing a one-sixth interest in
          a share the 8.10% Cumulative Preferred Stock of America (incorporated
          by reference to America's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
          Registration No. 33-5612).

   (4.2)  Form of Depositary Agreement relating to the registration of 6,000,000
          Depositary Shares each representing a one-sixth interest in a share
          the 8.10% Cumulative Preferred Stock of America (incorporated by
          reference to America's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
          Registration No. 33-5612).

   (4.3)  Form of Depositary Receipt relating to the registration of 6,000,000
          Depositary Shares each representing a one-sixth interest in a share
          the 8.10% Cumulative Preferred Stock of America (incorporated by
          reference to America's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
          Registration No. 33-5612).

   (4.4)  Certificate of Amendment of Restated Charter relating to the
          registration of 6,000,000 Depositary Shares each representing a one-
          sixth interest in a share the 8.10% Cumulative Preferred Stock of
          America (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of America's Form 
          10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992 and to
          America's Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 33-
          5612).

   (4.5)  Articles of Share Exchange (incorporated by reference to the Company's
          Form 10-K filed for fiscal year ended 1995).

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
   (10.1)  Reinsurance and Administration Agreement by and between Transamerica
           Occidental Life Insurance Company of Illinois and Accident dated
           March 18, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of
           Capital's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-
           17017).

   (10.2)  Tax Indemnification and Guaranty Agreement by and among Transamerica
           Occidental, Transamerica Corporation and Accident dated March 18,
           1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Capital's
           Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-17017).

   (10.3)  Asset and Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Healthsource and
           America and its subsidiaries dated December 21, 1994. (incorporated
           by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to America's Form 10-K filed for fiscal
           year ended December 31, 1995).

   (10.4)  Annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan (MICP), adopted by
           stockholders May 4, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5
           to America's Form 10-K filed for fiscal year ended December 31,
           1994), and amended by stockholders May 1, 1996 (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Company's Form 10-K filed for fiscal
           year ended December 31, 1996) and as amended by stockholders May 7,
           1997 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for
           the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held May 7, 1997).*

   (10.5)  Stock Option Plan, adopted by stockholders May 3, 1989, as amended by
           the Compensation Committee on January 10, 1990, and October 29, 1991
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to America's Form 10-K
           filed for the fiscal year 1991); and as amended by the Compensation
           Committee on March 17, 1992 and by the stockholders on May 6, 1992
           (incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 10-K filed for the
           fiscal year ended December 31, 1992). Terminated effective December
           31, 1993.*

   (10.6)  Accident and Subsidiaries Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of Capital's Registration
           Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-17017).*

   (10.7)  Form of Surplus Note, dated December 1, 1996, in the amount of $150
           million executed by Accident in favor of the Company (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's Form 10-K filed for the
           fiscal year ended December 31, 1996).

   (10.8)  Reinsurance and Administration Agreement by and between Transamerica
           Occidental and Accident dated March 18, 1987 (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Capital's Registration Statement on
           Form S-1, Registration No. 33-17017).

   (10.9)  Form of Severance Agreement offered to selected executive officers
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Capital's Form 10-K
           filed for fiscal year ended December 31, 1990), revised February 8,
           1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to registrant's Form
           10-K filed for fiscal year ended December 31, 1993).

   (10.10) Description of Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors
           (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to registrant's Form 
           10-K filed January 27, 1993 on Form 8), and amended by the

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
           Board of Directors on February 8, 1994 (incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 10.15 to America's Form 10-K filed for fiscal year ended
           December 31, 1993).

   (10.11) Stock Option Plan, originally adopted by stockholders May 5, 1993, as
           amended by stockholders on May 1, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
           Exhibit 10.2 of Company's Form 10-Q for fiscal quarter ended June 30,
           1996) and as amended by stockholders on May 7, 1997 (incorporated by
           reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
           Stockholders held May 7, 1997).*

   (10.12) Employment contract between America and J. Harold Chandler, President
           and Chief Executive Officer, dated November 8, 1993 (incorporated by
           reference to Exhibit 10.17 to America's Form 10-K filed for fiscal
           year ended December 31, 1993).*

   (10.13) Employee Stock Purchase Plan (of 1995) adopted by stockholders June
           13, 1995 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-K filed
           for fiscal year ended 1995).*

   (10.14) Credit Agreement between Provident and a consortium of financial
           institutions with The Chase Manhattan Bank as Administrative Agent,
           relating to revolving loan in the aggregate of $800 million maturing
           on July 30, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the
           Company's Form 10-K filed for fiscal year ended December 1996).
           Terminated effective February 28, 1998. 

   (10.15) Amended and Restated Common Stock Purchase Agreement between
           Provident Companies, Inc. and Zurich Insurance Company dated as of
           May 31, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the
           Company's Form 10-K filed for fiscal year ended 1996).

   (10.16) Amended and Restated Relationship Agreement between Provident
           Companies, Inc. and Zurich Insurance Company dated as of May 31, 1996
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Form 10-
           K filed for fiscal year ended 1996).

   (10.17) Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement between Provident
           Companies, Inc. and Zurich Insurance Company dated as of May 31, 1996
           (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's Form 10-
           K filed for fiscal year ended 1996).

   (11)    Statement re computation of per share earnings (incorporated herein 
           by reference to "Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
           Statements" on page 63 of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the
           year ended December 31, 1997).

   (13)    Portions of the Annual Report to Stockholders for year ended December
           31, 1997, incorporated by reference as described in 

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
           Items 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 14 hereof, which portions shall be deemed
           filed as a part hereof.

   (19)    Previously unfiled documents filed herewith include Exhibit 13.

   (21)    Subsidiaries of the Company.

   (23)    Consent of Independent Auditors.

   (24)    Powers of Attorney.

   (27)    Financial Data Schedule.


* Management contract or compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit to
  this form pursuant to Item 14(c) of Form 10-K.

  The total amount of securities authorized pursuant to any instrument defining
rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company does not exceed 10% of the
total assets of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company will
furnish copies of any such instrument to the Commission upon request.

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

     No reports were filed by the  registrant during the fourth quarter of 1997.


(c)  Exhibits

     See "Item 14(a)(3)" above.

(d)  Financial Statement Schedules

     See "Item 14(a)(2)" above.

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
 
                     SCHEDULE I--SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS -
                   OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES

                  PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                               December 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Amount at which
                                                                                                                     shown in the
                                                                                                   Fair              statement of
                 Type of Investment                                              Cost              Value          financial position

                                                                                            (in millions of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                          <C>               <C>                <C>
Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturity Securities:
  Bonds
    United States Government and Government
      Agencies and Authorities                                               $       336.6     $       399.5      $       399.5
    States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions                                13.6              14.8               14.8
    Foreign Governments                                                              526.3             636.2              636.2
    Public Utilities                                                               2,579.5           2,859.9            2,859.9
    Mortgage-backed Securities                                                     2,841.8           2,971.6            2,971.6
    Convertible Bonds                                                                143.6             154.7              154.7
    All Other Corporate Bonds                                                      8,915.7           9,851.7            9,851.7
  Redeemable Preferred Stocks                                                        134.3             146.7              146.7
                                                                             --------------    --------------     --------------
        Total                                                                     15,491.4     $    17,035.1           17,035.1
                                                                             --------------     =============     --------------
                                                                            
                                                                            
Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturity Securities:                                 
  Bonds                                                                     
    United States Government and Government                                 
      Agencies and Authorities                                                        13.1     $        15.7               13.1
    States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions                                 2.9               3.1                2.9
    Mortgage-backed Securities                                                       276.9             300.6              276.9
    All Other Corporate Bonds                                                         13.9              17.2               13.9
                                                                             --------------    --------------     --------------
        Total                                                                        306.8     $       336.6              306.8
                                                                             --------------    ==============     --------------
                                                                            
                                                                            
Equity Securities:                                                          
 Common Stocks                                                                         5.4     $         5.3                5.3
 Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks                                                        5.7               4.7                4.7
                                                                             --------------    --------------     --------------
          Total                                                                       11.1     $        10.0               10.0
                                                                             --------------    ==============     --------------
                                                                            
                                                                            
Mortgage Loans                                                                        18.8                                 17.8  *
Investment Real Estate                                                               110.0                                 87.1  *
Policy Loans                                                                       1,983.9                              1,983.9
Other Long-term Investments                                                           22.6                                 22.6
Short-term Investments                                                                57.5                                 57.5
                                                                             --------------                       --------------
                                                                             $    18,002.1                        $    19,520.8
                                                                             ==============                       ==============
</TABLE>

*Difference between cost and carrying value results from certain valuation
 allowances and other temporary declines in value.


                                       34
<PAGE>
 
          SCHEDULE II--CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

                  PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Company)


STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                               December 31
                                                                         1997            1996
                                                                        (in millions of dollars)
                                                                    ------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>
ASSETS
  Fixed Maturity Securities                                           
   Available-for-Sale--at fair value (cost: $9.6; $9.6)               $    10.8        $    10.3
  Short-term Investments                                                   13.3            121.5
  Investment in Subsidiaries                                            3,720.0          1,659.9
  Short-term Notes Receivable from Subsidiaries                            36.6              7.1
  Surplus Notes of Subsidiaries                                           250.0            150.0
  Other Assets                                                             36.9             11.1
                                                                      ---------        ---------
    Total Assets                                                      $ 4,067.6        $ 1,959.9
                                                                      =========        =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
  Short-term Debt from Subsidiaries                                   $    24.7        $       -
  Long-term Debt                                                          725.0            200.0
  Other Liabilities                                                        38.6             21.3
                                                                      ---------        ---------
    Total Liabilities                                                     788.3            221.3
                                                                      ---------        ---------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Preferred Stock                                                         156.2            156.2
  Common Stock                                                            135.2             45.6
  Additional Paid-in Capital                                              750.6             11.4
  Net Unrealized Gain on Securities, net of deferred federal
   income taxes ($0.4; $0.2)                                                0.8              0.5
  Net Unrealized Gain on Investment of Subsidiaries                       602.8             85.2
  Retained Earnings                                                     1,635.2          1,439.7
  Treasury Stock                                                           (1.5)               -
                                                                      ---------        ---------
    Total Stockholders' Equity                                          3,279.3          1,738.6
                                                                      ---------        ---------
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                        $ 4,067.6        $ 1,959.9
                                                                      =========        =========
</TABLE> 

See notes to condensed financial information.


                                       35
<PAGE>
 
SCHEDULE II--CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (CONTINUED)

                  PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Company)

STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Year Ended December 31
                                                              1997        1996        1995
                                                                 (in millions of dollars)
                                                              ----------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>       <C>
Dividends from Subsidiaries                                 $109.9       $ 52.6     $    -
Interest from Subsidiaries                                    17.1         12.3          -
Other Income                                                   1.3          1.7          -
                                                            ------       ------     ------
     Total Revenue                                           128.3         66.6          -
                                                            ------       ------     ------
Interest Expense on Debt                                      38.7         10.2          -
Other Expenses                                                 4.3          1.2          -
                                                            ------       ------     ------  
     Total Expenses                                           43.0         11.4          -
                                                            ------       ------     ------
Income Before Federal Income Taxes and Equity in   
  Undistributed Earnings of Subsidiaries                      85.3         55.2          - 
Federal Income Taxes (Credit)                                 (7.3)         1.1          -
                                                             ------       ------     ------
Income Before Equity in Undistributed Earnings     
  of Subsidiaries                                             92.6         54.1          -
Equity in Undistributed Earnings of Subsidiaries             154.7         91.5      115.6
                                                            ------       ------     ------
Net Income                                                  $247.3       $145.6     $115.6
                                                            ======       ======     ======
</TABLE>

See notes to condensed financial information.


                                       36
<PAGE>
 
 
     SCHEDULE II-CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (CONTINUED)

                  PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Company)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                          Year Ended December 31

                                                                  1997           1996           1995
                                                                       (in millions of dollars)
                                                                ---------------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>            <C>
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                            $  105.8        $  69.7        $    - 
                                                                --------       --------       -------- 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities                -            0.2              -
  Net (Purchases) Sales of Short-term Investments                  108.2         (120.8)             -
  Acquisition of Business                                         (860.3)             -              -
  Cash Distribution (to) from Subsidiaries                          (5.0)         100.0              -
  Short-term Notes Receivable from Subsidiaries                    (29.5)             -              -
  Surplus Notes Issued to Subsidiaries                            (100.0)          (3.0)             -
  Other                                                             (0.1)          (2.7)             -
                                                                ---------       --------      -------- 
CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                 (886.7)         (26.3)             -
                                                                ---------       --------      -------- 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Short-term Borrowings from Subsidiaries                           24.7              -              -
  Net Long-term Borrowings                                         425.9              -              -
  Issuance of Common Stock                                         389.8            5.8              -
  Dividends Paid to Stockholders                                   (60.0)         (45.5)             -
  Other                                                              0.5           (3.6)             -
                                                                ---------       --------       -------
CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                        780.9          (43.3)            -
                                                                ---------       --------       ------- 
INCREASE IN CASH                                                $    0.0        $   0.1        $     -
                                                                =========       ========       =======
</TABLE> 
See notes to condensed financial information.


                                       37
<PAGE>
 
     SCHEDULE II--CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (CONTINUED)

                   PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. (Parent Company)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Provident
Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries.

Corporate Reorganization

Effective December 27, 1995, Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company of 
America completed a step in a corporate reorganization which created a new 
parent holding company, Provident Companies, Inc., a non-insurance holding 
company incorporated in Delaware. In accordance with the Plan of Share Exchange 
approved by shareholders at the 1995 annual meeting, each share of common stock 
of Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company of America was exchanged for a 
share of common stock of Provident Companies, Inc. Each depositary share of 
cumulative preferred stock of Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company of 
America was also exchanged for an equivalent depositary share of cumulative 
preferred stock of Provident Companies, Inc.

In March 1996, Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company of America and 
Provident Life Capital Corporation were dissolved and their respective assets 
and liabilities were distributed to and assumed by Provident Companies, Inc. 
Assets transferred to the Company had a carrying value of approximately $187.3 
million. Liabilities assumed by the Company in connection with the transfer 
totaled $205.0 million.

 

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
 
               SCHEDULE III--SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION

                  PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        (CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE)


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                       Benefits,              Amortization
                                                        Claims,               of Deferred
                                      Net             Losses and                Policy             Other
                                   Investment         Settlement              Acquisition        Operating         Premiums
          Segment                  Income (2)          Expenses                  Costs            Expenses          Written
                                                (in millions of dollars)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>               <C>                      <C>              <C>             <C> 
Year Ended December 31, 1997

Individual Life and Disability     $      589.8      $      1,196.9            $    62.8       $    410.3      $     1,207.9
Employee Benefits                         130.3               573.1                  9.2            238.1              280.0
Other Operations                          634.6               588.1                  2.4             92.0               64.3
                                   ------------      --------------            ---------       ----------
          Total                    $    1,354.7      $      2,358.1            $    74.4       $    740.4
                                   ============      ==============            =========       ==========



Year Ended December 31, 1996 (1)

Individual Life and Disability     $      371.8      $        680.9            $    54.2      $    174.5       $       581.9
Employee Benefits                          96.9               406.2                  8.4            94.8               189.2
Other Operations                          621.4               574.1                  1.4            71.2                52.2
                                   ------------      --------------            ---------       ----------
          Total                    $    1,090.1      $      1,661.2            $    64.0      $    340.5
                                   ============      ==============            =========       ==========



Year Ended December 31, 1995 (1)

Individual Life and Disability     $      341.6      $        731.0            $    57.4      $    176.7      $       583.9
Employee Benefits                          90.4               394.1                 12.0            82.0              178.0
Other Operations                          789.3               779.5                  1.6           145.0              145.3
                                   ------------      --------------            ---------       ----------
          Total                    $    1,221.3      $      1,904.6            $    71.0      $    403.7
                                   ============      ==============            =========       ==========
</TABLE>

(1)  Segment information for 1996 and prior has been reclassified to conform to
     current year reporting.

(2)  Net investment income is allocated based upon segmentation. In other words,
     as cash flow from operations and assigned capital is generated by a
     segment, the cash is invested in assets with the appropriate
     characteristics for that segment's liabilities and operating structure.
     Thus, each segment has its own specifically identified assets and receives
     the investment income generated by those assets.


                                       39
<PAGE>
 
 
               SCHEDULE III--SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION

                  PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Future                          Other
                                                          Policy                          Policy
                                    Deferred             Benefits,                         Claims
                                     Policy                Losses,                          and
                                   Acquisition          Claims, and        Unearned       Benefits        Premium
          Segment                     Costs            Loss Expenses       Premiums        Payable        Revenue
                                                     (in millions of dollars)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                <C>                  <C>            <C>             <C> 
Year Ended December 31, 1997

Individual Life and Disability     $      290.1      $      8,351.3       $   186.4      $    299.0      $     1,286.6
Employee Benefits                          57.8             1,290.6             3.4           164.7              671.9
Other Operations                           15.0             3,359.2             2.9            67.5               95.2
                                   ------------      --------------       ---------      ----------      -------------
          Total                    $      362.9      $     13,001.1       $   192.7      $    531.2      $     2,053.7
                                   ============      ==============       =========      ==========      =============



Year Ended December 31, 1996 (1)

Individual Life and Disability     $      367.0      $      4,229.5       $    52.5      $    178.8      $       646.1
Employee Benefits                          44.4               777.0             4.1           158.1              452.0
Other Operations                           10.4             3,044.8             2.2            74.8               77.6
                                   ------------      --------------       ---------      ----------      -------------
          Total                    $      421.8      $      8,051.3       $    58.8      $    411.7      $     1,175.7
                                   ============      ==============       =========      ==========      =============



Year Ended December 31, 1995 (1)

Individual Life and Disability                                                                           $       647.4
Employee Benefits                                                                                                423.7
Other Operations                                                                                                 180.8
                                                                                                         -------------
          Total                                                                                          $     1,251.9
                                                                                                         =============

</TABLE> 
(1)  Segment information for 1996 and prior has been reclassified to conform 
     to current year reporting.



(CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE)


                                       40
<PAGE>
 
 
                           SCHEDULE IV--REINSURANCE

                  PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Percentage
                                                      Ceded              Assumed                     Amount
                                      Gross          to Other           from Other      Net         Assumed
                                      Amount         Companies          Companies      Amount        to Net
                                                     (in millions of dollars)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>                <C>            <C>         <C> 
Year Ended December 31, 1997

Life Insurance in Force               $137,924.6     $6,184.7           $416.2         $132,156.1     0.3 %
                                      ==========     ========           ======         ==========    ======


Premium Income:
    Individual Life and Disability    $  1,160.0     $   40.6           $167.2         $  1,286.6    13.0 %
    Employee Benefits                      710.7         39.8              1.0              671.9     0.1 %
    Other Operations                       279.0        190.0              6.2               95.2     6.5 %
                                      ----------     --------           ------         ----------    
        Total                         $  2,149.7     $  270.4           $174.4         $  2,053.7
                                      ==========     ========           ======         ==========    



Year Ended December 31, 1996

Life Insurance in Force               $102,227.5     $4,347.9           $437.0         $ 98,316.6     0.4 %
                                      ==========     ========           ======         ==========    ======


Premium Income: (1)
    Individual Life and Disability    $    659.0     $   48.2           $ 35.3         $    646.1     5.5 %
    Employee Benefits                      467.6         16.1              0.5              452.0     0.1 %
    Other Operations                       303.1        241.2             15.7               77.6    20.2 %
                                      ----------     --------           ------         ----------    
        Total                         $  1,429.7     $  305.5           $ 51.5         $  1,175.7
                                      ==========     ========           ======         ==========    



Year Ended December 31, 1995

Life Insurance in Force               $ 98,492.4     $4,258.5           $460.2         $ 94,694.1     0.5 %
                                      ==========     ========           ======         ==========    ======


Premium Income: (1)
    Individual Life and Disability    $    658.3     $   47.8           $ 36.9         $    647.4     5.7 %
    Employee Benefits                      438.1         14.8              0.4              423.7     0.1 %
    Other Operations                       352.4        186.6             15.0              180.8     8.3 %
                                      ----------     --------           ------         ----------    
        Total                         $  1,448.8     $  249.2           $ 52.3         $  1,251.9
                                      ==========     ========           ======         ==========    
 


(1)  Premium income has been reclassified for 1996 and prior to conform to current year reporting.

</TABLE>


                                       41
<PAGE>
 
 
                 SCHEDULE V--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

                  PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Additions           Deductions for
                                                  Charged to          Amounts Applied
                                Balance at         Realized           to Specific Loan  Balance at
                                Beginning         Investment          at Time of Sale/    End of
          Description           of Period           Losses              Foreclosure       Period
                                            (in millions of dollars)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>            <C>                    <C>               <C>  
Year Ended December 31, 1997

Mortgage loan loss reserve         $ 1.0         $  -                   $   -              $ 1.0

Real estate reserve                $21.5         $7.6                   $ 6.2              $22.9



Year Ended December 31, 1996

Mortgage loan loss reserve         $12.0         $  -                   $11.0              $ 1.0

Real estate reserve                $19.1         $2.4                   $   -              $21.5



Year Ended December 31, 1995

Mortgage loan loss reserve         $49.0         $3.0                   $40.0              $12.0

Real estate reserve                $18.3         $0.8                   $   -              $19.1

</TABLE>


                                       42
<PAGE>
 
 
                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  March 26, 1998              PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.
                                               (Registrant)


                                   By: /s/ J. Harold Chandler
                                       -----------------------------
                                       J. Harold Chandler
                                       Chairman, President and
                                       Chief Executive Officer



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 26, 1998.


/s/ J. Harold Chandler
- -------------------------------------
J. Harold Chandler
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
and a Director
(Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ Thomas R. Watjen                    /s/Ralph A. Rogers, Jr.
- ---------------------                   -----------------------------------
Thomas R. Watjen                        Ralph A. Rogers, Jr.
Vice Chairman, and Chief                Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Financial Officer and a Director


         Signature                           Title
         ---------                           -----

*                                    
_____________________________________________Director       
WILLIAM L. ARMSTRONG

*                                    
_____________________________________________Director
WILLIAM H. BOLINDER


                         (REMAINDER ON FOLLOWING PAGE)


                                       43
<PAGE>
 
                         (REMAINDER ON PRECEDING PAGE)

*                                    
_____________________________________________Director        
STEVEN M. GLUCKSTERN


*                                    
_____________________________________________Director
CHARLOTTE M. HEFFNER


*                                            
_____________________________________________Director
HUGH B. JACKS


*                                    
_____________________________________________Director
WILLIAM B. JOHNSON


*                                            
_____________________________________________Director
HUGH O. MACLELLAN, JR.


*                                    
_____________________________________________Director
A.S. MACMILLAN


*                                    
_____________________________________________Director        
C. WILLIAM POLLARD


*                                    
_____________________________________________Director
SCOTT L. PROBASCO, JR.


*                                    
_____________________________________________Director
STEVEN S REINEMUND


*                                    
_____________________________________________Director
BURTON E. SORENSEN



*By: /s/ Susan N. Roth                       For all of the Directors
     -----------------------                                  
         Susan N. Roth
         Attorney-in-Fact



                                       44
<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C. 20549



                                   EXHIBITS

                                      to

                                   FORM 10-K



                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.










                                      45

<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX OF EXHIBITS
                                        


                      EXHIBIT                                            PAGE
                      -------                                            ----

     (13)  Portions of the Annual Report to Stockholders
           for year ended December 31, 1997............................   48

     (21)  Subsidiaries of the Company.................................  117

     (23)  Consent of Independent Auditors.............................  118

     (24)  Powers of Attorney..........................................  121

All other Exhibits are incorporated by reference as explained in the list in
Item 14(a)(3).












                                      46

<PAGE>
 
Exhibit (13)


                               Portions of the 
                         Annual Report to Stockholders
                       for year ended December 31, 1997

                                  (attached)










                                      47
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME BY SEGMENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31                                  1997          1996(1)       1995(1)
                                                      --------        -------       -------
                                                            (in millions of dollars)
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>           <C>
Premium Income                          
Individual Life and Disability                        $1,286.6       $  646.1      $  647.4
Employee Benefits                                        671.9          452.0         423.7
Other Operations                                          95.2           77.6         180.8
                                                          ----           ----         -----
                                                       2,053.7        1,175.7       1,251.9
Net Investment Income and Other Income
Individual Life and Disability                           615.7          378.9         351.7
Employee Benefits                                        211.8          103.5          96.6 
Other Operations                                         656.9          642.4         886.8
                                                         -----          -----         -----
                                                       1,484.4        1,124.8       1,335.1
Total Revenue (Excluding Net Realized
Investment Gains and Losses)
Individual Life and Disability                         1,902.3        1,025.0         999.1 
Employee Benefits                                        883.7          555.5         520.3                              
Other Operations                                         752.1          720.0       1,067.6  
                                                         -----          -----       ------- 
                                                       3,538.1        2,300.5       2,587.0
Benefits and Expenses
Individual Life and Disability                         1,670.0          909.6         965.1       
Employee Benefits                                        820.4          509.4         488.1
Other Operations                                         682.5          646.7         926.1
                                                         -----          -----         -----
                                                       3,172.9        2,065.7       2,379.3
Income Before Net Realized Investment
Gains and Losses and Federal Income Taxes
Individual Life and Disability                           232.3          115.4          34.0
Employee Benefits                                         63.3           46.1          32.2
Other Operations                                          69.6           73.3         141.5
                                                          ----           ----         -----
                                                         365.2          234.8         207.7
Net Realized Investment Gains(Losses)                     15.1           (8.6)        (31.7)
                                                          ----           -----        ------
Income Before Federal Income Taxes                       380.3          226.2         176.0   
Federal Income Taxes                                     133.0           80.6          60.4
                                                        ------         ------        ------
Net Income                                              $247.3         $145.6        $115.6
                                                        ======         ======        ======

(1) Results by segment for 1996 and 1995 have been reclassified to conform to current year
    reporting.
</TABLE> 

                                      48
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL 
          CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Introduction
- ------------

     The Company acquired GENEX Services, Inc. ("GENEX") and The Paul Revere
Corporation ("Paul Revere") on February 28, 1997, and March 27, 1997,
respectively. The financial information contained herein includes the accounts
and operating results of GENEX and Paul Revere from the respective dates of
acquisition. Since GENEX and Paul Revere are reflected in the results for 1997
and not 1996 or 1995, the difference in comparability of the years is frequently
attributed to that fact.

     Effective with year-end 1997, the Company has changed its reporting
segments to reflect the lines of business the Company will continue to focus on
for growth in the future. The segments as they have been historically
constituted and as they will be constituted in the future are shown in the table
below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     SEGMENTS                 HISTORICAL STRUCTURE           REVISED STRUCTURE
     --------                 --------------------           -----------------
<S>                   <C>                           <C>
INDIVIDUAL LIFE
 AND DISABILITY:      Individual Disability Income  Individual Disability Income
                      Individual Life               Individual Life
                      Individual Annuities          Excess Risk Reinsurance
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:    Voluntary Benefits            Voluntary Benefits
                      Group Life                    Group Life
                      Group Disability              Group Disability
                      Affinity Groups               Affinity Groups
                      Medical Stop-Loss             GENEX
                      GENEX
 
OTHER OPERATIONS:     Corporate-Owned Life          Corporate-Owned Life
                      Group Pension                 Group Pension
                      Medical and Dental            Medical and Dental
                      Excess Risk Reinsurance       Individual Annuities
                                                    Medical Stop-Loss
</TABLE> 


Operating Results:
- ----------------- 

     Revenue excluding net realized investment gains and losses (hereinafter
"revenue") increased $1.24 billion, or 53.8 percent, to $3.54 billion in 1997
from $2.30 billion in 1996.  Revenue includes premium income, net investment
income, and other income.  This increase resulted from increased revenue in the
Individual Life and Disability segment ($877.3 million),

                                      49
<PAGE>
 
Employee Benefits segment ($328.2 million), and Other Operations segment ($32.1
million).

     In 1996, revenue declined $286.5 million, or 11.1 percent, to $2.30 billion
from $2.59 billion in 1995.  This decline resulted from decreased revenue in the
Other Operations segment ($347.6 million).  This decline was partly offset by
increased revenue in the Individual Life and Disability segment ($25.9 million)
and Employee Benefits segment ($35.2 million).

     Income before net realized investment gains and losses and federal income
taxes (hereinafter "income") increased $130.4 million or 55.5 percent, to $365.2
million in 1997 from $234.8 million in 1996.  This increase resulted from higher
income in the Individual Life and Disability segment ($116.9 million) and
Employee Benefits segment ($17.2 million).  These increases were partly offset
by decreased income in the Other Operations segment ($3.7 million).

     In 1996, income increased $27.1 million, or 13.0 percent, to $234.8 million
from $207.7 million in 1995.  The increase resulted from higher income in the
Individual Life and Disability segment ($81.4 million) and Employee Benefits
segment ($13.9 million).  These increases were partly offset by decreased income
in the Other Operations segment ($68.2 million).

     Net income totaled $247.3 million in 1997, compared to $145.6 million in
1996 and $115.6 million in 1995. Net realized investment gains after federal
income taxes were $9.8 million in 1997 compared to losses of $5.4 million in
1996 and $20.7 million in 1995.




     

                                      50

<PAGE>
 
Individual Life and Disability Operating Results  
- ------------------------------------------------

INDIVIDUAL LIFE AND DISABILITY OPERATING RESULTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year Ended December 31                                   1997               1996(1)               1995(1)
                                                      ---------            --------              --------
<S>                                                    <C>                <C>                    <C>     
                                                                (in millions of dollars)
Revenue Excluding Net Realized Investment Gains
Premium Income
  Individual Disability Income                         $1,207.7              $582.8                $584.5
  Individual Life                                          78.9                63.3                  62.9
                                                       --------             -------               -------
Total Premium Income                                    1,286.6               646.1                 647.4
Net Investment Income                                     589.8               371.8                 341.6
Other Income                                               25.9                 7.1                  10.1
                                                       --------             -------               -------
Total                                                   1,902.3             1,025.0                 999.1
                                                       --------             -------               -------

Benefits and Expenses
Policy and Contract Benefits                              771.6               459.6                 425.9
Change in Reserves for Future Policy and
 Contract Benefits and Policyholders' Funds               425.3               221.3                 305.1
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs          62.8                54.2                  57.4
Other Expenses                                            410.3               174.5                 176.7
                                                       --------             -------               -------
Total                                                   1,670.0               909.6                 965.1
                                                       --------             -------               -------
Income Before Net Realized Investment
 Gains and FIT                                            232.3               115.4                  34.0

Net Realized Investment Gains                               7.9                 8.0                   4.1
                                                       --------             -------               -------
Income Before FIT                                        $240.2              $123.4                 $38.1
                                                       ========             =======               =======

Sales - Annualized New Premiums
  Individual Disability Income                           $103.9               $45.1                 $55.2
  Individual Life                                          $9.6                $6.7                  $7.1

</TABLE>
(1)  Results for 1996 and 1995 have been reclassified to conform to current
     year reporting.


                                      51
<PAGE>
 
   Revenue in the Individual Life and Disability segment increased $877.3
million, or 85.6 percent, to $1,902.3 million in 1997 from $1,025.0 million in
1996. The increase was primarily the result of the acquisition of Paul Revere,
which contributed $851.9 million of revenue to this segment in 1997. Premium
income in this segment increased $640.5 million, or 99.1 percent, to $1,286.6
million in 1997 from $646.1 million in 1996. The increase was primarily the
result of the acquisition of Paul Revere, which contributed $636.5 million of
premium income to this segment in 1997. Within this segment, revenue in the
individual disability income line of business increased $840.1 million, or 94.1
percent, to $1,733.1 million in 1997 from $893.0 million in 1996. Revenue in the
individual life line of business increased $37.2 million, or 28.2 percent, to
$169.2 million in 1997 from $132.0 million in 1996. Both of these lines of
business benefited from the Paul Revere acquisition.

     In 1996, revenue in this segment increased $25.9 million, or 2.6 percent,
to $1,025.0 million from $999.1 million in 1995.  Net investment income
increased $30.2 million, or 8.8 percent, to $371.8 million in 1996 from $341.6
million in 1995.  This increase was primarily the result of an increased
allocation of capital to the individual disability income line of business.
Premium income in this segment declined $1.3 million or 0.2 percent, to $646.1
million in 1996 from $647.4 million in 1995.  In the individual disability
income line of business, premium income declined $1.7 million, or 0.3 percent,
to $582.8 million in 1996 from $584.5 million in 1995.  In the individual life
line of business, premium income increased $0.4 million, or 0.6 percent, to
$63.3 million in 1996 from $62.9 million in 1995.

     In November 1994, the Company announced its intention to discontinue
selling individual noncancelable disability contracts with long-term own-
occupation provisions (other than conversion policies available under existing
contractual arrangements).  Similarly, the Company has begun phasing out the
sale by the Paul Revere insurance subsidiaries of individual noncancelable
disability policies with long-term own-occupation provisions.  The Company is
focusing on replacing the traditional noncancelable long-term own-occupation
contracts with "loss of earnings" contracts which insure income rather 
 

                                      52

<PAGE>
 
than occupation. During the ongoing transition to new products, the Company
continues to offer traditional contracts, which are generally being repriced and
modified until they are replaced.

     Following the discontinuation of sales by the Provident insurance
subsidiaries of these traditional individual noncancelable disability contracts,
the Company in general experienced a decline in annualized new premiums through
the first quarter of 1996.  In the remaining quarters of 1996 sales were
generally flat from quarter to quarter.  In 1997, sales declined compared to the
previous year, reflecting the disruption associated with the consolidation of
the Company's and Paul Revere's sales offices, realignment of the field sales
force, and the continued product transition which involves both repriced and
modified traditional noncancelable own-occupation contracts, as well as
additional loss of earnings contracts which are priced based on coverages
provided.

     Revenue is not expected to be significantly impacted by the transition in
products due to continued favorable persistency.  The magnitude and duration of
the decline in sales, such as that experienced during 1997, are dependent on 
the response of customers and competitors in the industry.

     Income in the Individual Life and Disability segment increased $116.9
million, or 101.3 percent, to $232.3 million in 1997 from $115.4 million in
1996.  This increase is primarily due to the acquisition of Paul Revere and
improved results in the Company's individual disability income line of business.
In this line, income increased $112.3 million, or 123.0 percent, to $203.6
million in 1997 from $91.3 million in 1996.  This improvement is primarily due
to the acquisition of Paul Revere and a higher level of net claim resolutions.
Management believes the substantial investment in the individual disability
claims management process since the first quarter of 1995 helped produce the
improvement that has occurred in this line over the past two years.  The major
elements of this investment include an emphasis on early intervention to better
respond to the specific nature of the claims, increased specialization to

                                      53
<PAGE>
 
properly adjudicate the increasingly specialized nature of disability claims,
and an increased level of staffing with experienced claim adjusters.  The
individual life line of business produced income of $28.7 million in 1997, an
increase of $4.6 million, or 19.1 percent, over the $24.1 million in 1996.  The
increase is the result of the acquisition of Paul Revere.

     In 1996, income in this segment increased $81.4 million, or 239.4 percent,
to $115.4 million from $34.0 million in 1995. In the individual disability
income line, income increased $78.2 million to $91.3 million in 1996 from $13.1
million in 1995.  This significant improvement is primarily due to a lower level
of new claims in the third and fourth quarters of 1996 along with higher levels
of claim resolutions, resulting from the substantial investment in the
individual disability claims management process. In addition, net investment
income in this line increased due to a higher allocation of capital to this line
of business.  Income in the individual life line of business increased $3.2
million, or 15.3 percent, to $24.1 million in 1996 from $20.9 million in 1995.

     The Company performed a loss recognition study on its individual disability
income business as of September 30, 1993.  The study resulted in a $423.0
million pre-tax or $275.0 million after-tax charge to operating earnings.  The
charge was required under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") due
to the significant decline in interest rates in 1993 and the increased level of
morbidity experienced by the Company.  Since 1993, the Company has performed
annual reserve adequacy studies to determine the continued adequacy of the
reserves that were established.  Based upon the December 1997 reserve adequacy
study, which incorporated management's best estimate for the assumptions used,
reserves were adequate at December 31, 1997.

     The Company continually studies and refines its methodology for analyzing
frequency and severity rates, as well as other factors that may affect reserve
adequacy.  Management intends to continue to work to provide the Company with a
better 

                                      54
<PAGE>
 
methodology for anticipating changes in morbidity rates and a better methodology
for reflecting those changes in the management of its business. Significant
testing of any methodology must be undertaken. Current indicators suggest a
sufficiency in the Company's reserves.

     It is not possible to predict with certainty whether morbidity, interest
rates, and expenses will continue at a level consistent with the assumptions
used in the loss recognition study, improve, or deteriorate; however, the
current assumptions as to these factors represent management's best estimates in
light of present circumstances. Additional increases to reserves would be
required if there is a material deterioration in morbidity, interest rates,
and/or expenses.


Employee Benefits Operating Results
- -----------------------------------

     Revenue in the Employee Benefits segment increased $328.2 million, or 59.1
percent, to $883.7 million in 1997 from $555.5 million in 1996.  This increase
was primarily the result of an increase in premium income in this segment of
$219.9 million, or 48.7 percent, to $671.9 million in 1997 from $452.0 million
in 1996.  The increase was primarily the result of the acquisition of Paul
Revere, which added to premium income in the group life and group disability
lines of business.  In 1997, Paul Revere added $211.4 million to premium income
and $241.3 million to revenue.  GENEX contributed $72.3 million of revenue in
1997 subsequent to its acquisition.

     In 1996, revenue in this segment increased $35.2 million, or 6.8 percent,
to $555.5 million from $520.3 million in 1995.  This increase is primarily due
to higher premium income which increased $28.3 million, or 6.7 percent, to
$452.0 million in 1996 from $423.7 million in 1995.  Each line of business in
this segment produced increased premium income in 1996 compared to 1995.  Net
investment income in this segment increased $6.5 million, or 7.2 percent, to
$96.9 million in 1996 from $90.4 million in 1995.

                                      55
<PAGE>
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS OPERATING RESULTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year Ended December 31                                   1997               1996(1)               1995(1)
                                                       -------              -------               -------
<S>                                                    <C>                <C>                    <C>     
                                                                (in millions of dollars)
Revenue Excluding Net Realized Investment Gains
Premium Income
  Voluntary Benefits                                      $79.3               $70.6                 $66.3
  Group Life                                              265.8               190.6                 175.9
  Group Disability                                        249.1                89.5                  84.9
  Affinity Groups                                          77.7               101.3                  96.6
                                                       --------             -------               -------
Total Premium Income                                      671.9               452.0                 423.7
Net Investment Income                                     130.3                96.9                  90.4
Other Income                                               81.5                 6.6                   6.2
                                                       --------             -------               -------
Total                                                     883.7               555.5                 520.3
                                                       --------             -------               -------

Benefits and Expenses
Policy and Contract Benefits                              486.7               332.5                 346.0
Change in Reserves for Future Policy and
 Contract Benefits and Policyholders' Funds                86.4                73.7                  48.1
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs           9.2                 8.4                  12.0
Other Expenses                                            238.1                94.8                  82.0
                                                       --------             -------               -------
Total                                                     820.4               509.4                 488.1
                                                       --------             -------               -------

Income Before Net Realized Investment
 Gains and FIT                                             63.3                46.1                  32.2

Net Realized Investment Gains                               3.6                 -                     3.9
                                                       --------             -------               -------

Income Before FIT                                         $66.9               $46.1                 $36.1
                                                       ========             =======               =======

Sales - Annualized New Premiums
  Voluntary Benefits                                      $28.7               $23.0                 $20.2
  Group Life                                              $55.2               $37.8                 $24.2
  Group Disability                                        $70.9               $16.5                 $10.7

</TABLE>

(1)  Results for 1996 and 1995 have been reclassified to conform to current
     year reporting.

                                      56
<PAGE>
 
     Income in the Employee Benefits segment increased $17.2 million, or 37.3
percent, to $63.3 million in 1997 from $46.1 million in 1996.  This increase was
primarily due to increased income in the group disability line of business,
which increased $11.5 million to $15.6 million in 1997 from $4.1 million in
1996.  This increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Paul Revere.  Also
within this segment, income in the affinity groups line increased $5.5 million
to $9.5 million in 1997 from $4.0 million in 1996.  Income in the voluntary
benefits line improved $0.4 million, or 2.7 percent, to $15.1 million in 1997
from $14.7 million in 1996.  GENEX produced $2.0 million of income in this
segment in 1997.  Partly offsetting these increases was a decline in income in
the group life line, which decreased $2.2 million, or 9.4 percent, to $21.1
million in 1997 from $23.3 million in 1996.

     In 1996, income in this segment increased $13.9 million, or 43.2 percent,
to $46.1 million from $32.2 million in 1995.  This increase is primarily due to
improved results in the voluntary benefits and group disability lines of
business.  Income in the voluntary benefits line increased to $14.7 million in
1996 from $7.9 million in 1995.  Income in the group disability line was $4.1
million in 1996, compared to a loss of $11.3 million in 1995.  Both lines
benefited from improved profitability following repricing actions in 1995.  The
improvement in income in these lines of business was partly offset by lower
income in the group life and affinity groups lines of business.




 
     
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
Other Operations Operating Results  
- ----------------------------------
 
OTHER OPERATIONS OPERATING RESULTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year Ended December 31                                               1997                 1996(1)              1995(1)
                                                                   -------              -------               -------
<S>                                                                <C>                 <C>                    <C>     
                                                                             (in millions of dollars)
Revenue Excluding Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses
Premium Income                                      
  Corporate-Owned Life                                              $24.5               $23.6                 $24.8
  Group Pension                                                       1.9                 1.9                   0.5
  Medical Stop-Loss                                                  37.0                49.4                  62.2
  Other (Includes Medical and Dental)                                31.8                 2.7                  93.3
                                                                 --------            --------              --------
Total Premium Income                                                 95.2                77.6                 180.8
Net Investment Income                                               634.6               621.4                 789.3
Gain on Sale of Group Medical Business                                 --                  --                  21.8
Other Income                                                         22.3                21.0                  75.7
                                                                 --------            --------              --------
Total                                                               752.1               720.0               1,067.6
                                                                 --------            --------              --------
                                                    
Benefits and Expenses                               
Policy and Contract Benefits                                        429.5               424.4                 647.8
Change in Reserves for Future Policy and            
 Contract Benefits and Policyholders' Funds                         158.6               149.7                 131.7
Other Expenses                                                       94.4                72.6                 146.6
                                                                 --------            --------              --------
Total                                                               682.5               646.7                 926.1
                                                                 --------            --------              --------
                                                    
Income Before Net Realized Investment Gains and     
 Losses and FIT                                                      69.6                73.3                 141.5
                                                    
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)                                3.6               (16.6)                (39.7)
                                                                 --------            --------              --------
                                                    
Income Before FIT                                                   $73.2               $56.7                $101.8
                                                                 ========            ========              ========


Funds Under Management and Equivalents at End of Year
  Individual Annuities                                           $2,345.2              $278.7                $260.1
  Group Pension Single Premium Annuities                         $1,199.1            $1,188.1              $1,197.8
  Traditional GICs                                               $1,603.6            $3,204.3              $4,838.0
  Synthetic GICs                                                    $97.8            $2,176.6              $2,571.9
  Other                                                            $353.5              $373.0                $447.2
                                              
 

</TABLE>

(1)  Results for 1996 and 1995 have been reclassified to conform to current
     year reporting.

                                      58

<PAGE>
 
     On December 8, 1997, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to
sell its in-force individual and tax-sheltered annuity business to various
affiliates of American General Corporation ("American General"). The Company and
American General also entered into a preliminary agreement whereby American
General will market the Company's individual disability products and the Company
will market American General's individual annuity products. The in-force
business being sold consists primarily of individual fixed annuities and tax-
sheltered annuities in Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company
("Accident"), Provident National Assurance Company ("National"), The Paul Revere
Life Insurance Company ("Paul Revere Life"), The Paul Revere Variable Annuity
Insurance Company ("Paul Revere Variable"), and The Paul Revere Protective Life
Insurance Company ("Paul Revere Protective"). In addition, American General is
acquiring a number of miscellaneous group pension lines of business sold in the
1970's and 1980's which are no longer actively marketed. The sale does not
include the Company's block of traditional GICs or group single premium
annuities, which will continue in a run-off mode. In consideration for the
transfer of the annuity reserves, American General is paying the Company a
ceding commission of approximately $58.0 million. The annuities being sold to
American General represent approximately $2.4 billion of statutory reserves. The
transaction, which is subject to requisite regulatory approvals and certain
other conditions, is expected to close in the second quarter of 1998.

     On June 30, 1997, the Company announced that it had entered into a
marketing agreement with Ameritas Life Insurance Corporation ("Ameritas")
whereby Provident will market Ameritas' dental products.  The two companies also
entered into an agreement that involved the transition of the Company's block of
dental insurance to Ameritas.  The dental block, which was acquired in the Paul
Revere acquisition, produced $48.3 million in premium income in 1996 and $39.2
million in 1997.  The full transition of the dental business to Ameritas was
completed in November 1997.

     Revenue in the Other Operations segment increased $32.1 million, or 4.5
percent, to $752.1 million in 1997 from $720.0 million in 1996.  This increase
is primarily the result of the acquisition of Paul Revere, which added $150.4
million of revenue in 1997, including $119.1 million of revenue in the

                                      59
<PAGE>
 
individual annuities line of business. This increase was partly offset by a
decline in funds under management resulting from the discontinuation of the sale
of products in the group pension line of business. Revenue in this line of
business declined $107.8 million to $300.6 million in 1997 from $408.4 million
in 1996. Revenue in the corporate-owned life insurance line of business
increased by $9.0 million, or 4.5 percent, to $210.3 million in 1997 from $201.3
million in 1996, primarily due to increased net investment income.

     In 1996, revenue in this segment declined $347.6 million, or 32.6 percent,
to $720.0 million from $1,067.6 million in 1995.  This decline was partially due
to the sale of the medical services line of business, which, prior to its sale
on April 30, 1995, contributed operating revenue of $146.1 million and a gain
from the sale of the business of $21.8 million.  In addition, revenue in the
group pension line of business declined $177.2 million, or 30.3 percent, to
$408.4 million in 1996 from $585.6 million in 1995 due to a decrease in funds
under management resulting from the strategic decision to discontinue the sale
of traditional GICs.  Premium income in this segment declined $103.2 million, or
57.1 percent, to $77.6 million in 1996 from $180.8 million in 1995.  This
decline is primarily due to the sale of the medical services line of business,
which produced $90.9 million of premium income prior to its sale in the second
quarter of 1995.

     The Company announced in December 1994, that it would discontinue the sale
of traditional GICs.  Funds under management for the group pension line,
excluding deposits for synthetic GICs, totaled $3.16 billion at December 31,
1997, compared to $4.77 billion at December 31, 1996, and $6.48 billion at
December 31, 1995.

     Also, in keeping with management's strategic desire to focus its resources
in the other two segments, the Company decided to discontinue the sale of
synthetic GICs and has sold this block of business through an assumptive
reinsurance transaction.  The last of these contracts was transferred in

                                      60
<PAGE>
 
January 1998.  Synthetic GIC funds totaled $97.8 million at December 31, 1997,
$2.18 billion at December 31, 1996, and $2.57 billion at December 31, 1995.

     Management expects that revenue in 1998 from this segment will decline from
the levels recorded in 1997 as the funds under management decline and the sale
of the individual annuities line of business is completed.

     Income in the Other Operations segment declined $3.7 million, or 5.0
percent, to $69.6 million in 1997 from $73.3 million in 1996. This decline is
primarily the result of lower income in the group pension line of business,
which produced income of $35.3 million in 1997, a decline of $12.3 million, or
25.8 percent, from $47.6 million in 1996. The decline is primarily due to lower
funds under management. The medical stop-loss line also produced lower income in
1997, declining $3.6 million, or 35.3 percent, to $6.6 million in 1997 from
$10.2 million in 1996. These declines were partly offset by higher income in the
individual annuities line of business, which increased primarily due to the
acquisition of Paul Revere. Income in this line was $17.9 million in 1997
compared to $1.9 million in 1996. Interest expense on long-term debt totaled
$38.7 million in 1997, compared to $12.4 million in 1996.

     In 1996, income in this segment declined $68.2 million, or 48.2 percent, to
$73.3 million from $141.5 million in 1995.  This decline was partially due to
the sale of the medical services lines of business, which produced operating
income of $3.2 million and a gain from the sale of $21.8 million during 1995.
In addition, the decline in this segment was due to lower income in the group
pension line of business, which declined $26.1 million, or 35.4 percent, to
$47.6 million in 1996 from $73.7 million in 1995.  The decline in this line was
primarily the result of lower funds under management and lower income from a
reduced amount of capital allocated to this line.  Income from the corporate-
owned life insurance line of business declined slightly to $19.7 million in 1996
from $20.5 million in 1995.  Income from the medical stop-loss line of business
declined $6.2 

                                      61
<PAGE>
 
million, or 37.8 percent, to $10.2 million in 1996 from $16.4 million in 1995.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

     On March 27, 1997, the Company consummated the acquisition of Paul Revere
("Paul Revere Merger"). The Paul Revere Merger was financed through common
equity issuance to Zurich Insurance Company, a Swiss insurer, and its
affiliates, common equity issuance and cash to Paul Revere stockholders, debt,
and internally generated funds. The debt financing was provided through an
$800.0 million revolving bank credit facility with various domestic and
international banks. The revolving bank credit facility was established in 1996
to provide partial financing for the purchase of Paul Revere and GENEX, to
refinance the existing bank term notes of $200.0 million, and for general
corporate uses. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, outstanding borrowings under the
revolving bank credit facility were $725.0 million and $200.0 million,
respectively. The revolving bank credit facility was repaid on February 24,
1998. The Company redeemed its outstanding 8.10% cumulative preferred stock,
which had an aggregate value of $156.2 million, on February 24, 1998. The debt
repayment and preferred stock redemption were funded through short-term
borrowings.

     In May 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective a
shelf registration statement pursuant to which the Company may issue up to
$900.0 million in debt and/or equity securities.  On March 16, 1998, the Company
completed a public offering of $200.0 million of 7.25% senior notes due March
15, 2028.  On March 16, 1998, Provident Financing Trust I, a subsidiary trust of
the Company, issued $300.0 million of 7.405% capital securities in a public
offering.  These capital securities, which mature on March 15, 2038, are fully
and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, have a liquidation value of
$1,000 per capital security, and have a mandatory redemption feature under
certain circumstances.  The Company issued 7.405% junior subordinated deferrable
interest debentures 

                                      62
<PAGE>
 
which mature on March 15, 2038, to the subsidiary trust in connection with the
capital securities offering.

     The Company has $400.0 million available for debt and/or equity securities
under its shelf registration statement following the issuance of the senior
notes and the capital securities.

     In March 1998, the Company entered into a commitment letter for a $150.0
million five-year revolving credit facility and a $150.0 million 364-day
revolving credit facility with various domestic and international banks. The
purpose of the facility is for general corporate uses.

     The Company believes the cash flow from its operations will be sufficient
to meet its operating and financing cash flow requirements.  Periodically, the
Company may issue debt or equity securities to fund internal expansion,
acquisitions, investment opportunities, and the retirement of the Company's debt
and equity.

     As a holding company, the Company is dependent upon payments from its
wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries and GENEX to pay dividends to its
stockholders and to pay its expenses.  These payments by the Company's
subsidiaries may take the form of either dividends or interest payments on
amounts loaned to such subsidiaries by the Company.

     State insurance laws generally restrict the ability of insurance companies
to pay cash dividends or make other payments to their affiliates in excess of
certain prescribed limitations. In the Company's insurance subsidiaries' states
of domicile, regulatory approval is required if an insurance company seeks to
make loans to affiliates in amounts equal to or in excess of three percent of
the insurer's admitted assets or to pay cash dividends in any twelve month
period in excess of the greater of 

                                      63
<PAGE>
 
such company's net gain from operations of the preceding year or ten percent of
its surplus as regards policyholders as of the preceding year end, each as
determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
insurance regulatory authorities. An aggregate of $141.5 million was available
in 1997 for the payment of dividends and other distributions by the Company's
top-tier insurance subsidiaries without regulatory approval, of which amount
$109.9 million was paid. The Company anticipates that $151.9 million will be
available in 1998 for such purposes.

     The Company's requirements are met primarily by cash flow provided from
operations, principally in its insurance subsidiaries.  Premium and investment
income as well as maturities and sales of invested assets provide the primary
sources of cash.  Cash flow from operations was sufficient in 1997.  Cash is
applied to the payment of policy benefits, costs of acquiring new business
(principally commissions) and operating expenses as well as purchases of new
investments.  The Company has established an investment strategy that management
believes will provide for adequate cash flow from operations.

     During 1997, the Company sold commercial mortgage loans acquired through
the Paul Revere Merger with a principal amount of $268.1 million and a book
value of $258.4 million.  The purpose of this transaction was to increase the
liquidity and improve the asset quality and asset/liability management of the
investment portfolio.

     As a result of the release of capital generated by the run-off of the GIC
portfolio, the sale of the commercial mortgage loans, and other corporate
actions, the Company has increased its available capital to support the growth
of its businesses, including assisting in the financing of the acquisitions of
Paul Revere and GENEX.  Management continues to analyze potential opportunities
to utilize the capital to further enhance stockholder value, including exploring
options that would support the Company's growth initiatives.

                                      64
<PAGE>
 
Investments
- -----------

     Investment activities are an integral part of the Company's business, and
profitability is significantly affected by investment results.  Invested assets
are segmented into portfolios which support the various product lines.
Generally, the investment strategy for the portfolios is to match the effective
asset durations with related expected liability durations and to maximize
investment returns, subject to constraints of quality, liquidity,
diversification, and regulatory considerations.  This discussion should be read
in connection with Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table provides the distribution of invested assets for the years
indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31                                                   1997        1996        1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Investment-Grade Fixed Maturity Securities                    82.2%       77.0%       79.3%
Below-Investment-Grade Fixed Maturity Securities               6.6         6.7         6.2
Equity Securities                                              0.1         0.1          --
Mortgage Loans                                                 0.1          --         0.7
Real Estate                                                    0.4         1.1         1.4
Policy Loans                                                  10.2        13.1        10.7
Other                                                          0.4         2.0         1.7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total                                                   100.0%      100.0%      100.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     The following table provides certain investment information and results for
the years indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31                             1997             1996             1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        (in millions of dollars)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>             <C>               <C>
Average Cash and Invested Assets                 $17,808.2       $14,056.3         $14,914.4
Net Investment Income                            $ 1,354.7       $ 1,090.1         $ 1,221.3
Average Yield *                                        7.6%            7.8%              8.2%
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)           $    15.1       $    (8.6)        $   (31.7)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*Average yield is determined by dividing net investment income by the average
cash and invested assets for the year. Excluding net unrealized gains and losses
on securities, the yield is 8.0%, 8.1%, and 8.3% for 1997, 1996, and 1995,
respectively. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     For the past three years, the Company's exposure to non-current investments
has improved significantly from prior years.  

                                      65
<PAGE>
 
These non-current investments are primarily foreclosed real estate and mortgage
loans which became more than thirty days past due in their principal and
interest payments. Non-current investments totaled $6.7 million at December 31,
1997, or 0.03 percent of invested assets, as compared to $7.3 million at
December 31, 1996, or 0.05 percent of invested assets, and $31.9 million at
December 31, 1995, or 0.22 percent of invested assets.

     During 1997, the Company sold eight foreclosed properties with a book value
of $26.1 million.  During 1996, the Company sold four foreclosed properties with
a book value of $11.8 million.  During 1995, the Company sold twelve foreclosed
properties with a book value of $39.6 million.

     The Company's investment in mortgage-backed securities totaled $3.1 billion
on an amortized cost basis at December 31, 1997, and $2.4 billion at December
31, 1996.  At December 31, 1997, the mortgage-backed securities for the combined
companies had an average life of 9.2 years and effective duration of 6.7 years
as compared to an average life of 8.3 years and effective duration of 6.0 years
at December 31, 1996.  The mortgage-backed securities are valued on a monthly
basis using valuations supplied by the brokerage firms that are dealers in these
securities.  The primary risk involved in investing in mortgage-backed
securities is the uncertainty of the timing of cash flows from the underlying
loans due to prepayment of principal.  The Company uses models which incorporate
economic variables and possible future interest rate scenarios to predict future
prepayment rates.  The Company has not invested in mortgage-backed derivatives,
such as interest-only, principal-only or residuals, where market values can be
highly volatile relative to changes in interest rates.

     Below-investment-grade bonds are inherently more risky than investment-
grade bonds since the risk of default by the issuer, by definition and as
exhibited by bond rating, is higher.  Also, the secondary market for certain
below-investment-grade issues can be highly illiquid.  Management does 

                                      66
<PAGE>
 
not anticipate any liquidity problem caused by the investments in below-
investment-grade securities, nor does it expect these investments to adversely
affect its ability to hold its other investments to maturity.

     The Company's exposure to below-investment-grade fixed maturity securities
at December 31, 1997, was $1,297.1 million, representing 6.6 percent of invested
assets, below the Company's internal limit of 10.0 percent of invested assets
for this type of investment. The Company's exposure to below-investment-grade
fixed maturities totaled $891.1 million at December 31, 1996, representing 6.7
percent of invested assets.

     Changes in interest rates and individuals' behavior affect the amount and
timing of asset and liability cash flows.  Management continually models and
tests all asset and liability portfolios to improve interest rate risk
management and net yields.  Testing the asset and liability portfolios under
various interest rate and economic scenarios allows management to choose the
most appropriate investment strategy as well as to prepare for the most
disadvantageous outcomes.  This analysis is the precursor to the Company's
activities in derivative financial instruments (see Note 4 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements).

Year 2000
- ---------

     In 1996, the Company completed the planning phase of a project to modify
its computer information systems enabling proper processing of date data
relating to the year 2000 and beyond. The Company is now in the process of
executing its plan and expects all systems to be compliant by the end of 1998.
The total incremental cost of the project is estimated to be between $6.7
million and $8.3 million. The Company is expensing all costs associated with
these system changes.

                                      67
<PAGE>
 
PROVIDENT COMPANIES,  INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions of dollars, except share data)                        1997          1996          1995          1994          1993
- -------------------------------------------                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------ 

<S>                                                            <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA                                   
Premium Income                                                 $    2,053.7  $   1,175.7   $   1,251.9   $   1,382.6   $   1,400.2
Net Investment Income                                               1,354.7      1,090.1       1,221.3       1,238.6       1,318.7
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)                                 15.1         (8.6)        (31.7)        (30.1)         43.6
Other Income                                                          129.7         34.7         113.8         171.1         175.5
                                                               ------------  -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
     Total Revenue                                                  3,553.2      2,291.9       2,555.3       2,762.2       2,938.0
Benefits and Changes in Reserves                                    2,358.1      1,661.2       1,904.6       1,981.2       2,502.8
Operating Expenses                                                    814.8        404.5         474.7         580.1         575.3
                                                               ------------  -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Income (Loss) Before Federal Income Taxes                             380.3        226.2         176.0         200.9        (140.1)
Federal Income Taxes (Credit)                                         133.0         80.6          60.4          65.6         (58.9)
                                                               ------------  -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Net Income (Loss)                                              $      247.3  $     145.6   $     115.6   $     135.3   $     (81.2)
                                                               ============  ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
                                                               
Earnings Per Common Share                                      $       1.88  $      1.46   $      1.13   $      1.35   $     (1.02)
                                                               ============  ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
Earnings Per Common Share - Assuming Dilution                  $       1.84  $      1.44   $      1.13   $      1.35   $     (1.02)
                                                               ============  ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000s)                 124,505.4     91,044.8      90,762.7      90,622.1      90,401.8
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - 
 Assuming Dilution (000s)                                         127,253.2     92,154.5      90,931.8      90,729.9      90,401.8
Assets                                                         $   23,177.6  $  14,992.5   $  16,301.3   $  17,149.9   $  16,891.9
Long-term Debt Including Capital Lease Obligations             $      725.0  $     200.0   $     200.0   $     202.5   $     247.6
Stockholders' Equity                                           $    3,279.3  $   1,738.6   $   1,652.3   $   1,169.1   $   1,401.6
Stockholders' Equity Per Common Share                          $      23.11  $     17.34   $     16.48   $     11.17   $     13.76
Stockholders' Equity Per Common Share Excluding  
 Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Securities(1)              $      18.49  $     16.34   $     15.33   $     14.46   $     13.76
Dividends Per Common Share                                     $        .38  $       .36   $       .36   $       .52   $       .52
</TABLE>

(1) Adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, 
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," effective 
January 1, 1994.

                                      68
<PAGE>
 
 
               Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors



Board of Directors and Shareholders
Provident Companies, Inc.



We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition
of Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and
the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                               Ernst & Young LLP

Chattanooga, Tennessee
February 3, 1998
except for Note 18, as to which
the date is March 16, 1998


                                      69
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   December 31
                                                                                            1997                  1996
                                                                                             (in millions of dollars)
                                                                                        -----------------------------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>                   <C>
Assets
 
Investments
 Fixed Maturity Securities
  Available-for-Sale - at fair value (amortized cost:  $15,491.4; $10,384.3)                $17,035.1             $10,880.1
  Held-to-Maturity - at amortized cost (fair value:  $336.6;  $263.1)                           306.8                 264.5
 Equity Securities - at fair value (cost:  $11.1; $7.2)                                          10.0                   4.9
 Mortgage Loans                                                                                  17.8                     -
 Real Estate                                                                                     87.1                 151.1
 Policy Loans                                                                                 1,983.9               1,749.0
 Other Long-term Investments                                                                     22.6                  15.5
 Short-term Investments                                                                          57.5                 252.3
                                                                                            ---------             ---------
Total Investments                                                                            19,520.8              13,317.4
 
Other Assets
 Cash and Bank Deposits                                                                          37.7                  19.3
 Accounts Receivable                                                                             92.5                  40.1
 Premiums Receivable                                                                             73.9                  72.3
 Reinsurance Receivable                                                                         987.2                 468.3
 Accrued Investment Income                                                                      363.2                 268.3
 Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs                                                              362.9                 421.8
 Value of Business Acquired                                                                     560.8                   5.9
 Goodwill                                                                                       732.3                     -
 Property and Equipment - at cost less accumulated depreciation                                 109.2                  59.0
 Miscellaneous                                                                                   26.2                  19.6
 Separate Account Assets                                                                        310.9                 300.5
                                                                                            ---------             ---------
 

Total Assets                                                                                $23,177.6             $14,992.5
                                                                                            =========             =========
</TABLE>
 
                                      70
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   December 31
                                                                                            1997                  1996
                                                                                             (in millions of dollars)
                                                                                        -----------------------------------
 
<S>                                                                                         <C>                   <C>
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 Policy and Contract Benefits                                                               $   531.2             $   411.7
 Reserves for Future Policy and Contract Benefits                                            13,001.1               8,051.3
 Unearned Premiums                                                                              192.7                  58.8
 Experience Rating Refunds                                                                      133.1                 164.0
 Policyholders' Funds                                                                         4,194.9               3,717.1
 Federal Income Tax Liability
      Current                                                                                    40.3                  34.6
      Deferred                                                                                  149.8                  14.5
 Short-term Debt                                                                                150.7                     -
 Long-term Debt                                                                                 725.0                 200.0
 Other Liabilities                                                                              468.6                 301.4
 Separate Account Liabilities                                                                   310.9                 300.5
                                                                                            ---------             ---------
 
Total Liabilities                                                                            19,898.3              13,253.9
                                                                                            ---------             ---------
 
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities--Note 16
 
Stockholders' Equity--Note 10
 Preferred Stock                                                                                156.2                 156.2
 Common Stock
    Authorized:  150,000,000 shares
    Issued:  135,160,109 and 91,255,258 shares                                                  135.2                  45.6
 Additional Paid-in Capital                                                                     750.6                  11.4
 Net Unrealized Gain on Securities                                                              624.3                  90.9
 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment                                                        (20.7)                 (5.2)
 Retained Earnings                                                                            1,635.2               1,439.7
   Treasury Stock - at cost:
        40,200 shares                                                                            (1.5)                    -
                                                                                            ---------             ---------
 
Total Stockholders' Equity                                                                    3,279.3               1,738.6
                                                                                            ---------             ---------
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                                                  $23,177.6             $14,992.5
                                                                                            =========             =========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

                                      71
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Year Ended December 31
                                                                              1997             1996              1995
                                                                         (in millions of dollars, except share data)
                                                                    ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>              <C>               <C>
Revenue
 Premium Income                                                              $2,053.7         $1,175.7          $1,251.9
 Net Investment Income                                                        1,354.7          1,090.1           1,221.3
 Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)                                          15.1             (8.6)            (31.7)
 Other Income                                                                   129.7             34.7             113.8
                                                                             --------         --------          --------
Total Revenue                                                                 3,553.2          2,291.9           2,555.3
                                                                             --------         --------          --------
Benefits and Expenses
 Policy and Contract Benefits                                                 1,687.8          1,216.5           1,419.7
 Change in Reserves for Future Policy and
   Contract Benefits and Policyholders' Funds                                   670.3            444.7             484.9
 Amortization
      Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs                                          74.4             64.0              71.0
      Value of Business Acquired                                                 31.2              0.5               4.9
      Goodwill                                                                   12.6                -                 -
 Salaries                                                                       191.1             77.3              99.8
 Commissions                                                                    220.9            124.0             131.9
 Other Operating Expenses                                                       284.6            138.7             167.1
                                                                             --------         --------          --------
Total Benefits and Expenses                                                   3,172.9          2,065.7           2,379.3
                                                                             --------         --------          --------
 
Income Before Federal Income Taxes                                              380.3            226.2             176.0
 
Federal Income Taxes                                                            133.0             80.6              60.4
                                                                             --------         --------          --------
 
Net Income                                                                   $  247.3         $  145.6          $  115.6
                                                                             ========         ========          ========
 
Earnings Per Common Share                                                    $   1.88         $   1.46          $   1.13
                                                                             ========         ========          ========
 
Earnings Per Common Share - Assuming Dilution                                $   1.84         $   1.44          $   1.13
                                                                             ========         ========          ========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      72
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Year Ended December 31
                                                                              1997               1996                1995
                                                                                     (in millions of dollars)
                                                                      -----------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                                                         <C>                <C>                <C>
Preferred Stock
 Balance at Beginning and End of Year                                       $  156.2           $  156.2            $  156.2
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
Common Stock
 Balance at Beginning of Year                                                   45.6               45.4                45.4
 Issued During Year                                                             22.1                0.2                   -
 Two-for-One Stock Split                                                        67.5                  -                   -
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
 Balance at End of Year                                                        135.2               45.6                45.4
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
Additional Paid-in Capital
 Balance at Beginning of Year                                                   11.4                5.8                 4.8
 Contributions During Year                                                     806.7                5.6                 1.0
 Two-for-One Stock Split                                                       (67.5)                 -                   -
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
 Balance at End of Year                                                        750.6               11.4                 5.8
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities
 Balance at Beginning of Year                                                   90.9              101.9              (302.3)
 Change During Year                                                            533.4              (11.0)              404.2
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
 Balance at End of Year                                                        624.3               90.9               101.9
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
 Balance at Beginning of Year                                                   (5.2)              (4.8)               (5.4)
 Change During Year                                                            (15.5)              (0.4)                0.6
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
 Balance at End of Year                                                        (20.7)              (5.2)               (4.8)
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
Retained Earnings
 Balance at Beginning of Year                                                1,439.7            1,347.8             1,270.4
 Net Income                                                                    247.3              145.6               115.6
 Dividends to Stockholders
   (Paid Per Common Share:  $0.38; $0.36; $0.36)                               (51.8)             (53.7)              (38.2)
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
 Balance at End of Year                                                      1,635.2            1,439.7             1,347.8
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
Treasury Stock
 Balance at Beginning of Year                                                      -                  -                   -
 Purchased During Year                                                          (1.5)                 -                   -
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
 Balance at End of Year                                                         (1.5)                 -                   -
                                                                            --------           --------            --------
 
Total Stockholders' Equity                                                  $3,279.3           $1,738.6            $1,652.3
                                                                            ========           ========            ========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements


                                      73
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Year Ended December 31
                                                                              1997               1996               1995
                                                                                      (in millions of dollars)
                                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                                                    <C>                 <C>                <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 Net Income                                                                    $   247.3          $   145.6          $   115.6
 Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income
   to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
  Policy Acquisition Costs Capitalized                                            (143.5)             (71.4)             (88.1)
  Amortization of Policy Acquisition Costs                                          74.4               64.0               71.0
  Amortization of Value of Business Acquired and Goodwill                           43.8                0.5                4.9
  Depreciation                                                                      20.7               10.6               19.4
  Net Realized Investment (Gains) Losses                                           (15.1)               8.6               31.7
  Premiums Receivable                                                                6.4                3.2              (13.2)
  Reinsurance Receivable                                                            44.4              (33.0)               2.0
  Accrued Investment Income                                                        (10.7)               9.1                4.1
  Insurance Reserves and Liabilities                                               595.8              546.8              581.8
  Federal Income Taxes                                                              23.5              (11.9)             (11.4)
  Other                                                                            (60.0)             (11.5)             (42.9)
                                                                               ---------          ---------          ---------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                          827.0              660.6              674.9
                                                                               ---------          ---------          ---------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 Proceeds from Sales of Investments
  Available-for-Sale Securities                                                  1,872.6            1,592.6            1,359.9
  Other Investments                                                                 92.9              141.8            1,172.5
 Proceeds from Maturities of Investments
  Available-for-Sale Securities                                                  1,170.5            1,115.7              880.8
  Held-to-Maturity Securities                                                        1.1              100.5                0.7
  Other Investments                                                                295.9               13.0              248.7
 Purchase of Investments
  Available-for-Sale Securities                                                 (2,904.3)          (1,630.7)          (1,680.1)
  Held-to-Maturity Securities                                                      (23.4)             (48.6)            (183.9)
  Other Investments                                                               (180.5)            (177.5)            (236.6)
 Net (Purchases) Sales of Short-term Investments                                   393.1              (21.5)              58.7
 Acquisition of Business                                                          (860.3)                 -                  -
 Disposition of Business                                                               -                  -              (48.9)
 Other                                                                             (19.2)             (75.5)             (67.0)
                                                                               ---------          ---------          ---------
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Investing Activities                               $  (161.6)         $ 1,009.8          $ 1,504.8
                                                                               ---------          ---------          ---------
</TABLE>

                                      74
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Year Ended December 31
                                                                              1997               1996               1995
                                                                                      (in millions of dollars)
                                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                                                       <C>                 <C>                <C>
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 Deposits to Policyholder Accounts                                        $   528.7            $   392.5            $   530.6
 Maturities and Benefit Payments from
   Policyholder Accounts                                                   (2,081.9)            (2,023.8)            (2,663.5)
 Net Short-term Debt Borrowings (Repayments)                                  150.7                 (1.4)               (13.0)
 Net Long-term Borrowings                                                     425.9                    -                    -
 Issuance of Common Stock                                                     389.8                  5.8                  1.0
 Dividends Paid to Stockholders                                               (60.0)               (45.5)               (45.3)
 Other                                                                          0.5                (3.5)                   -
                                                                          ---------            ---------            ---------
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities                                        (646.3)            (1,675.9)            (2,190.2)
                                                                          ---------            ---------            ---------
 
Effect of Foreign Exchange Rate Changes on Cash                                (0.7)                   -                    -
                                                                          ---------            ---------            ---------
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Bank Deposits                              18.4                 (5.5)               (10.5)
 
Cash and Bank Deposits at Beginning of Year                                    19.3                 24.8                 35.3
                                                                          ---------            ---------            ---------
 
Cash and Bank Deposits at End of Year                                     $    37.7            $    19.3            $    24.8
                                                                          =========            =========            =========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                      75
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 1--Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation:  The accompanying financial statements have been prepared
on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles.  Such accounting
principles differ from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
state regulatory authorities (see Note 17).  The consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of Provident Companies, Inc.  and its wholly-
owned subsidiaries (the Company).  Material intercompany transactions have been
eliminated.

Operations:  The Company does business in the fifty states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and ten provinces and two territories of Canada.  The
Company operates principally in the life and health insurance business.
Individual life products and individual disability income products are reported
in the Individual Life and Disability segment and are marketed primarily through
personal producing general agents, brokerage offices, and corporate marketing
arrangements.  The Employee Benefits segment contains products that are sold to
or through corporate customers and certain affinity groups, including permanent
and term life insurance, disability, cancer, accident and sickness, and
accidental death and dismemberment protection.  The Other Operations segment
reports corporate results, primarily investment earnings not specifically
allocated to a line of business, and also includes results from products no
longer actively marketed, including guaranteed investment contracts (GICs),
group single premium annuities, medical stop-loss, and corporate-owned life
insurance.  This segment also includes the results of the group medical business
which was sold effective April 30, 1995 and the individual and tax-sheltered
annuities business expected to be sold in the second quarter of 1998 (see Notes
15 and 16).

Use of Estimates:  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes.   Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future
as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and
disclosed herein.

Investments:  Investments are reported in the consolidated statements of
financial condition as follows:

Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturity Securities are reported at fair value.

Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturity Securities are generally reported at amortized
cost.

Equity Securities are reported at fair value.

Mortgage Loans are carried at the fair value of collateral.

Real Estate that the Company expects to hold and use is carried at cost less
accumulated depreciation which is calculated using principally the straight-line
method.  Real estate to be disposed of is carried at the lower of cost less
accumulated depreciation or fair value less cost to sell.

Policy Loans are presented at unpaid balances.

Other Long-term Investments are carried at cost plus the Company's equity in
undistributed net earnings since acquisition.

Short-term Investments are carried at cost.

                                      76
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 1--Significant Accounting Policies - Continued

Fixed maturity securities include bonds and redeemable preferred stocks.  Equity
securities include common stocks and nonredeemable preferred stocks.  Fixed
maturity and equity securities not bought and held for the purpose of selling in
the near term but for which the Company does not have the positive intent and
ability to hold to maturity are classified as available-for-sale.  Fixed
maturity securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold
to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity.  The Company determines the
appropriate classification of fixed maturity securities at the time of purchase.


Realized investment gains and losses, which are reported as a component of
revenue in the consolidated statements of income, are based upon specific
identification of the investments sold and do not include amounts allocable to
separate accounts.  At the time a decline in the value of an investment is
determined to be other than temporary, a loss is recorded which is included in
realized investment gains and losses.

Derivative Financial Instruments:

Interest Rate Swap Agreements are agreements in which two parties agree to
exchange, at specified intervals, interest payment streams calculated on an
agreed-upon notional principal amount with at least one stream based on a
specified variable rate.  The underlying notional principal is not exchanged
between the parties.  The Company has certain forward interest rate swap
agreements where the exchange of interest payments does not begin until a
specified future date.  The Company intends to settle the forward interest rate
swap agreements prior to the commencement of the exchange of interest payment
streams.

The fair values of interest rate swap agreements which hedge available-for-sale
securities are reported in the consolidated statements of financial condition as
a component of fixed maturity securities.  The fair values of interest rate swap
agreements which hedge liabilities are not reported in the consolidated
statements of financial condition.  Amounts to be paid or received pursuant to
interest rate swap agreements are accrued and recognized in the consolidated
statements of income as an adjustment to net investment income for asset hedges
or as an adjustment to policy and contract benefits for liability hedges.

The Company accounts for all of its interest rate swap agreements as hedges.
Accordingly, any gains or losses realized on closed or terminated interest rate
swap agreements are deferred and amortized to net investment income for asset
hedges or policy and contract benefits for liability hedges over the expected
remaining life of the hedged item.  If the hedged item matures or terminates
earlier than anticipated, the remaining unamortized gain or loss is amortized to
net investment income or policy and contract benefits in the current period.
Gains or losses realized on interest rate swap agreements which are terminated
when the hedged assets are sold or which are terminated because the hedged
anticipated transaction is no longer likely to occur are reported in the
consolidated statements of income as a component of net realized investment
gains and losses.  The Company regularly monitors the effectiveness of its
hedging programs.  In the event a hedge becomes ineffective, it is marked-to-
market, resulting in a charge or credit to net investment income or policy and
contract benefits.

                                      77
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 1--Significant Accounting Policies - Continued

Futures and Forwards contracts are commitments to either purchase or sell a
financial instrument at a specific future date for a specified price.  The
Company invests only in futures and forwards contracts which have U.S. Treasury
securities as the underlying investments.  Changes in the market value of
contracts are generally settled on a daily basis.  The notional amounts of
futures and forwards contracts represent the extent of the Company's involvement
but not the future cash requirements, as the Company intends to close out open
positions prior to settlement.  All of the Company's futures and forwards
contracts are accounted for as hedges.

The fair values of futures and forwards which hedge available-for-sale
securities are reported in the consolidated statements of financial condition as
a component of fixed maturity securities.  The fair values of open futures and
forwards which hedge liabilities are reported in the consolidated statements of
financial condition as a component of other liabilities.  Gains or losses
realized on the termination of futures and forwards contracts are accounted for
in the same manner as interest rate swap agreements.

Options contracts give the owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy or
sell a financial instrument at an agreed-upon price on or before a specific
date.  The purchasing counterparty pays a premium to the selling counterparty
for this right.  The notional amounts of contracts represent the Company's
involvement but not the future cash requirements, as the Company intends to
close out contracts prior to the expiration date when the market price of the
underlying financial instrument exceeds the option price or allow contracts to
expire if the option price exceeds the market price.  All of the Company's
options contracts are accounted for as hedges.  The book and fair values of
options contracts are reported in the statements of financial condition in a
manner similar to the underlying hedged item.  Gains or losses on the
termination of options contracts are accounted for in the same manner as
interest rate swap agreements.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs:  Certain costs of acquiring new business
which vary with and are primarily related to the production of new business have
been deferred.  Such costs include commissions, other agency compensation,
certain selection and policy issue expenses, and certain field expenses.
Deferred policy acquisition costs are subject to recoverability testing at the
time of policy issue and loss recognition testing subsequent to the year of
issue.

Deferred policy acquisition costs related to traditional individual life and
individual disability income are amortized over the premium paying period of the
related policies in proportion to the ratio of the present value of annual
expected premium income to the present value of total expected premium income.
Adjustments are made each year to recognize actual persistency experience as
compared to assumed experience.

Deferred policy acquisition costs related to interest-sensitive individual life
and individual annuity policies are amortized over the lives of the policies in
relation to the present value of estimated gross profits from surrender charges
and mortality, investment, and expense margins.  Adjustments are made each year
to reflect actual experience for assumptions which deviate significantly
compared to assumed experience.

                                      78
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Note 1--Significant Accounting Policies - Continued

The amortization periods do not exceed 25 years for traditional and interest-
sensitive individual life policies, 20 years for individual disability income
policies, and 15 years for individual annuity policies.  Loss recognition is
performed when, in the judgment of management, adverse deviations from original
assumptions have occurred and may be likely to continue such that
recoverability of deferred policy acquisition costs on a line of business is
questionable.  Insurance contracts are grouped on a basis consistent with the
Company's manner of acquiring, servicing, and measuring profitability of the
contracts.  If loss recognition testing indicates that deferred policy
acquisition costs are not recoverable, the deficiency is charged to expense.
Once a loss recognition adjustment is required, loss recognition testing is
generally performed on an annual basis using then current assumptions until the
line of business becomes immaterial or results improve significantly.  The
assumptions used in loss recognition testing represent management's best
estimates of future experience.

Value of Business Acquired:  Value of business acquired represents the present
value of future profits recorded in connection with the acquisition of a block
of insurance policies.  The asset is amortized based upon expected future
premium income for traditional insurance policies and estimated future gross
profits for interest-sensitive insurance policies, with the accrual of interest
added to the unamortized balance at interest rates ranging from 5.55% to 7.60%.
The Company periodically reviews the carrying amount of value of business
acquired using the same methods used to evaluate deferred policy acquisition
costs.

Goodwill:  Goodwill is the excess of the amount paid to acquire a business over
the fair value of the net assets acquired.  Goodwill is amortized on a straight-
line basis over a period not to exceed 40 years.  The carrying amount of
goodwill is regularly reviewed for indicators of impairment in value.

Property and Equipment:  Property and equipment is depreciated on the straight-
line method over its estimated useful life.  The accumulated depreciation for
property and equipment was $115.7 million and $84.4 million as of December 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively.

Revenue Recognition:  For traditional life and accident and health products, the
amounts collected from policyholders are recognized as premium income over the
premium paying period and are reported net of experience rating refunds and
unearned premiums.  For interest-sensitive products, the amounts collected from
policyholders are considered deposits, and only the deductions during the period
for cost of insurance, policy administration, and surrenders are included in
revenue.  Policyholders' funds represent funds deposited by contract holders and
are not included in revenue.

Policy and Contract Benefits:  Policy and contract benefits, principally related
to accident and health insurance policies, are based on reported losses and
estimates of incurred but not reported losses for traditional life and accident
and health products.  For interest-sensitive products, benefits are the amounts
paid and expected to be paid on insured claims in excess of the policyholders'
policy fund balances.

Reserves for Future Policy and Contract Benefits:  Active life reserves for
future policy and contract benefits on traditional life and accident and health
products have been provided on the net level premium method.  The reserves are
calculated based upon assumptions as to interest, withdrawal, morbidity, and
mortality that were appropriate at the date of issue.  Withdrawal assumptions
are based on actual Company experience.  Morbidity and mortality assumptions are
based upon industry standards adjusted as appropriate to reflect actual Company
experience.  The assumptions vary by plan, year of issue, and policy duration
and include a provision for adverse deviation.

Disabled lives reserves for future policy and contract benefits on disability
income policies are calculated based upon assumptions as to interest and claim
termination rates that are currently appropriate.  Termination rate assumptions
are based upon industry standards adjusted as appropriate to reflect actual
Company experience.  The assumptions vary by year of claim incurral.

                                      79
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 1--Significant Accounting Policies - Continued

Reserves for future policy and contract benefits on group single premium
annuities have been provided on a net single premium method.  The reserves are
calculated based upon assumptions as to interest, mortality, and retirement that
were appropriate at the date of issue.  Mortality assumptions are based upon
industry standards adjusted as appropriate to reflect actual Company experience.
The assumptions vary by year of issue and include a provision for adverse
deviation.

The interest rate assumptions used to calculate reserves for future policy and
contract benefits are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      December 31
                                                                         1997                             1996
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>                              <C>
Active Life Reserves - Current Year Issues
 Traditional Life                                                  7.25% to 10.00%                  7.25% to 10.00%
 Individual Disability Income                                       7.00% to 7.75%                   7.00% to 7.75%
Disabled Lives Reserves - Current Year Claims
 Individual Disability Income                                       7.75% to 8.00%                            8.00%
 Group Disability Income                                            6.50% to 8.00%                       7.00%
Disabled Lives Reserves - Prior Year Claims
 Individual Disability Income                                       7.75% to 8.00%                            8.00%
 Group Disability Income                                            3.90% to 8.90%                   6.00% to 7.00%
</TABLE>

Interest assumptions for active life reserves are generally graded downward over
a period of years.  Reserves for future policy and contract benefits on
interest-sensitive products are principally policyholder account values
determined on the retrospective deposit method.

Policyholders' Funds:  Policyholders' funds represent customer deposits plus
interest credited at contract rates.  The Company controls its interest rate
risk by investing in quality assets which have an aggregate duration that
closely matches the expected duration of the liabilities.  For GICs, which are
no longer marketed, the Company uses a cash flow matching investment strategy.

Synthetic GICs:  The Company discontinued accepting new synthetic GIC deposits
in 1996 and in 1997 sold this block of business through an assumptive
reinsurance agreement.  All remaining contracts were transferred in January
1998.  Prior to this time, the Company issued synthetic GICs to trustees of
employee benefit plans pursuant to the terms of which the trustees owned and
retained the assets related to these contracts.  Such assets were not included
in the Company's consolidated statements of financial condition.  Accumulated
funds from the sale of synthetic GICs were $97.8 million and $2,176.6 million at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

Federal Income Taxes:  Deferred taxes have been recorded for significant
temporary differences between financial statement income and taxable income.

                                      80
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 1--Significant Accounting Policies - Continued

Separate Accounts:  The separate account amounts shown in the accompanying
financial statements represent contributions by contract holders to variable-
benefits and fixed-benefits pension plans.  The contract purchase payments and
the assets of the separate accounts are segregated from other Company funds for
both investment and administrative purposes.  Contract purchase payments
received under variable annuity contracts are subject to deductions for sales
and administrative fees.  Also, the sponsoring company of the separate accounts
receives management fees which are based on the net asset values of the separate
accounts.

Translation of Foreign Currency:  Revenues and expenses of the Company's
Canadian operations are translated at average exchange rates.  Assets and
liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange on the balance sheet date.
The translation gain or loss is generally reported in stockholders' equity, net
of deferred tax credits of $5.0 million and $2.8 million at December 31, 1997
and 1996, respectively.

Changes in Accounting Principles:

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 125 (SFAS 125), "Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities"
In 1997, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 125 which provide accounting
and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and
extinguishments of liabilities.  Those standards are based on consistent
application of a financial-components approach that focuses on control.   SFAS
125 also establishes new rules for determining whether a transfer of financial
assets constitutes a sale and, if so, the determination of any resulting gain or
loss.  The adoption of SFAS 125 did not have a material effect on the Company's
financial position or results of operations.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (SFAS 128), "Earnings Per
Share"
In 1997, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 128 which establish
computation and reporting standards for earnings per share.  SFAS 128 simplifies
the standards for computing earnings per share and makes them comparable to
international earnings per share standards.  SFAS 128 requires dual presentation
on the face of the income statement of earnings per share and earnings per share
assuming dilution and requires a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator
of the earnings per share computation to the numerator and denominator of the
earnings per share assuming dilution computation (see Note 10).  Earnings per
share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
and does not consider any potential dilution.  Earnings per share assuming
dilution reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other
contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or
resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the
entity.  Historical earnings per common share amounts have been restated in
accordance with the provisions of SFAS 128.

                                      81
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 1--Significant Accounting Policies - Continued

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 (SFAS 121), "Accounting for
the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of"
In 1996, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 121 which require that long-
lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be held and used by an
entity be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets and identifiable
intangibles that an entity expects to hold and use should be based on the fair
value of the asset.  SFAS 121 also requires that long-lived assets and certain
intangibles to be disposed of generally be reported at the lower of the carrying
amount or fair value less cost to sell.

The primary assets of the Company which are subject to SFAS 121 are investment
real estate, property and equipment, and goodwill.  The effect of the adoption
of SFAS 121 on the Company's financial position and results of operations was
immaterial.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (SFAS 123), "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation"
SFAS 123 defines a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based
employee compensation plans.  Under this method, compensation cost is measured
at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the
service period, which is usually the vesting period.  SFAS 123 also allows an
entity to continue to measure compensation cost using the intrinsic value based
method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
(Opinion 25), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees."  Under this method,
compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock
at grant date or other measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to
acquire the stock.  SFAS 123 requires entities electing to continue accounting
for stock-based employee compensation plans under Opinion 25 to make pro forma
disclosures of net income and earnings per share as if the fair value based
method of accounting defined under SFAS 123 had been applied.  The Company
adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS 123 in 1996 (see Note 11), but elected
to continue to measure compensation cost for stock-based compensation under the
expense recognition provisions of Opinion 25.  The adoption of SFAS 123,
therefore, did not have an effect on the Company's financial position or results
of operations.

Accounting Pronouncements Outstanding:

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 (SFAS 130),"Reporting
Comprehensive Income"
In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS 130 which
establishes standards for reporting and presentation of comprehensive income and
its components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in a full set of
financial statements.  Comprehensive income is the change in equity of an entity
during a period from transactions and other events except those resulting from
investments by and distributions to stockholders.  SFAS 130 requires all items
recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income to
be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence
as other financial statements.  Application of SFAS 130 will not impact amounts
reported for net income.  The Company plans to adopt SFAS 130 in 1998.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 (SFAS 131),"Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information"
In 1997, the FASB issued SFAS 131 which establishes standards for reporting
information for segments of a business enterprise including, but not limited to,
profit or loss, assets, products and services, geographic areas of operation,
and major customers.  The Company plans to adopt SFAS 131 in 1998.

                                      82
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 2--Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments are
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   December 31 
                                                                             (in millions of dollars)
                                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     1997                                 1996
                                                         Carrying             Fair             Carrying            Fair
                                                          Amount              Value             Amount            Value
                                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>                 <C>              <C>                <C>
Assets
Fixed Maturity Securities
  Available-for-Sale                                        $16,901.3          $16,901.3          $10,859.9         $10,859.9
  Derivatives Hedging Available-for-Sale                        133.8              133.8               20.2              20.2
  Held-to-Maturity                                              306.8              336.6              264.5             263.1
Equity Securities                                                10.0               10.0                4.9               4.9
Mortgage Loans                                                   17.8               17.8                  -                 -
Policy Loans                                                  1,983.9            2,376.1            1,749.0           2,080.5
Short-term Investments                                           57.5               57.5              252.3             252.3
Cash and Bank Deposits                                           37.7               37.7               19.3              19.3
 
Liabilities
Policyholders' Funds
  GICs                                                        1,603.6            1,618.5            3,204.3           3,230.9
  Deferred Annuity Products                                   2,321.0            2,281.0              281.4             266.0
  Supplementary Contracts without
     Life Contingencies                                          86.7               86.7               61.1              61.1
Short-term Debt                                                 150.7              150.7                  -                 -
Long-term Debt                                                  725.0              725.0              200.0             200.0
Derivatives Hedging Liabilities                                  (7.4)              (7.7)                 -               3.0
</TABLE>

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the
fair values of its financial instruments:

Fixed Maturity Securities:  Fair values for fixed maturity securities are based
on quoted market prices, where available.  For fixed maturity securities not
actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from
independent pricing services or, in the case of private placements, are
estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
applicable to the yield, credit quality, and maturity of the investments.  See
Note 3 for the amortized cost and fair values of securities by security type and
by maturity date.

Equity Securities:  Fair values for equity securities are based on quoted market
prices.

Mortgage Loans:  Fair values for mortgage loans are based on estimated sales
prices at the balance sheet date.

Policy Loans:  Fair values for policy loans are estimated using discounted cash
flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered.

                                      83
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 2--Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Continued

Short-term Investments and Cash and Bank Deposits:  Carrying amounts for short-
term investments and cash and bank deposits approximate fair value.

Policyholders' Funds:  Fair values of the Company's liability for GICs are
estimated using discounted cash flow calculations, based on current market
interest rates available for similar contracts with maturities consistent with
those remaining for the contracts being valued.  Fair values of the Company's
liability for deferred annuity products are estimated using the cash surrender
values of the annuity contracts.  The carrying amounts for supplementary
contracts without life contingencies approximate fair value.

Fair values for the Company's insurance contracts other than investment
contracts are not required to be disclosed.  However, the fair values of
liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the
Company's overall management of interest rate risk, which minimizes exposure to
changing interest rates through the matching of investment maturities with
amounts due under insurance contracts.

Short-term and Long-term Debt:  The carrying amounts for short-term and long-
term debt approximate fair value.

Derivatives:  Fair values of the Company's derivative financial instruments are
based on market quotes, pricing models, or formulas using current interest rates
and assumptions and represent the net amount of cash the Company would have
received or paid if the contracts had been settled or closed on December 31.

                                      84
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 3--Investments

Securities

The amortized cost and fair values of securities by security type are as
follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  December 31, 1997
                                                                               (in millions of dollars)
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Gross           Gross
                                                               Amortized       Unrealized      Unrealized        Fair
                                                                 Cost            Gains           Losses          Value
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>              <C>             <C>           <C>
Available-for-Sale Securities
 United States Government and
   Government Agencies and Authorities                          $   336.6        $   62.9           $   -      $   399.5
 States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions                  13.6             1.2               -           14.8
 Foreign Governments                                                526.3           109.9               -          636.2
 Public Utilities                                                 2,586.4           284.9             3.6        2,867.7
 Mortgage-backed Securities                                       2,841.8           136.2             6.4        2,971.6
 All Other Corporate Bonds                                        9,052.4           963.0            16.8        9,998.6
 Redeemable Preferred Stocks                                        134.3            14.7             2.3          146.7
                                                                ---------        --------           -----      ---------
  Total Fixed Maturity Securities                                15,491.4         1,572.8            29.1       17,035.1
 Equity Securities                                                   11.1             0.2             1.3           10.0
                                                                ---------        --------           -----      ---------
                                                                $15,502.5        $1,573.0           $30.4      $17,045.1
                                                                =========        ========           =====      =========

Held-to-Maturity Securities
 United States Government and
   Government Agencies and Authorities                          $    13.1        $    2.6           $   -      $    15.7
 States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions                   2.9             0.2               -            3.1
 Mortgage-backed Securities                                         276.9            23.7               -          300.6
 All Other Corporate Bonds                                           13.9             3.3               -           17.2
                                                                ---------        --------           -----      ---------
                                                                $   306.8        $   29.8           $   -      $   336.6
                                                                =========        ========           =====      =========
</TABLE>
                                      85
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 3--Investments - Continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  December 31, 1996
                                                                               (in millions of dollars)
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Gross           Gross
                                                               Amortized       Unrealized      Unrealized        Fair
                                                                 Cost            Gains           Losses          Value
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>              <C>             <C>           <C>
Available-for-Sale Securities
  United States Government and
    Government Agencies and Authorities                         $     6.4          $  0.8           $   -      $     7.2
  Foreign Governments                                               156.5            19.9               -          176.4
  Public Utilities                                                2,421.5           206.4             7.4        2,620.5
  Mortgage-backed Securities                                      2,156.9            28.4            33.3        2,152.0
  All Other Corporate Bonds                                       5,595.6           306.2            26.8        5,875.0
  Redeemable Preferred Stocks                                        47.4             2.1             0.5           49.0
                                                                ---------          ------           -----      ---------
   Total  Fixed Maturity Securities                              10,384.3           563.8            68.0       10,880.1
  Equity Securities                                                   7.2               -             2.3            4.9
                                                                ---------          ------           -----      ---------
                                                                $10,391.5          $563.8           $70.3      $10,885.0
                                                                =========          ======           =====      =========
 
Held-to-Maturity Securities
  United States Government and
    Government Agencies and Authorities                         $    13.5          $  1.5           $   -      $    15.0
  States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions                  3.2             0.2               -            3.4
  Mortgage-backed Securities                                        234.9             3.3             8.1          230.1
  All Other Corporate Bonds                                          12.9             1.7               -           14.6
                                                                ---------          ------           -----      ---------
                                                                $   264.5          $  6.7           $ 8.1      $   263.1
                                                                =========          ======           =====      =========
</TABLE>
                                      86
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 3--Investments - Continued

The amortized cost and fair values of fixed maturity securities by maturity date
are shown below.  The maturity dates have not been adjusted for possible calls
or prepayments.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             December 31, 1997
                                                                          (in millions of dollars)
                                                                 ----------------------------------------
                                                                       Amortized              Fair
                                                                          Cost               Value
                                                                 ----------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>                 <C>
Available-for-Sale Securities                                    
 1 year or less                                                        $   437.5           $   515.3
 Over 1 year through 5 years                                             1,341.0             1,528.7
 Over 5 years through 10 years                                           2,973.4             3,150.5
 Over 10 years                                                           7,897.7             8,869.0
                                                                       ---------           ---------
                                                                        12,649.6            14,063.5
 Mortgage-backed Securities                                              2,841.8             2,971.6
                                                                       ---------           ---------
                                                                       $15,491.4           $17,035.1
                                                                       =========           =========
                                                                 
Held-to-Maturity Securities                                      
 1 year or less                                                        $     0.5           $     0.5
 Over 1 year through 5 years                                                 2.2                 2.4
 Over 5 years through 10 years                                               0.3                 0.3
 Over 10 years                                                              26.9                32.8
                                                                       ---------           ---------
                                                                            29.9                36.0
 Mortgage-backed Securities                                                276.9               300.6
                                                                       ---------           ---------
                                                                       $   306.8           $   336.6
                                                                       =========           =========
</TABLE>

The adjustments associated with reporting securities at fair value and the
changes that would have been necessary if the unrealized investment gains and
losses related to the securities had been realized are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               December 31
                                                                          1997                1996
                                                                        (in millions of dollars)
                                                                 -----------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>                   <C>
Assets                                                         
   Fixed Maturity Securities                                           $1,543.7              $ 495.8
   Equity Securities                                                       (1.1)                (2.3)
   Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs                                     (362.8)              (240.9)
   Value of Business Acquired                                             (59.6)                   -
Liabilities                                                    
   Reserve for Future Policy and Contract Benefits                        161.2                112.8
   Deferred Federal Income Taxes                                          334.7                 48.9
Stockholders' Equity                                           
   Net Unrealized Gain on Securities                                      624.3                 90.9
</TABLE>

                                      87
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 3--Investments - Continued

At December 31, 1997, the total investment in below-investment-grade fixed
maturity securities (securities rated below Baa3 by Moody's Investors Service
or an equivalent internal rating) was $1,297.1 million or 6.6 percent of
invested assets.  The amortized cost of these securities was $1,232.4 million.

Mortgage Loans

Changes in the mortgage loan loss reserve are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1997                1996                 1995
                                                                                        (in millions of dollars)
                                                                            -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                           <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Balance at January 1                                                           $ 1.0              $ 12.0               $ 49.0
   Additions Charged to Realized Investment Losses                                 -                   -                  3.0
   Release Due to Sale or Direct Write-Down of Loans                               -               (11.0)               (40.0)
                                                                               -----              ------               ------
Balance at December 31                                                         $ 1.0              $  1.0               $ 12.0
                                                                               =====              ======               ======
</TABLE>

In 1997, the Company sold mortgage loans with a principal amount of $268.1
million and a book value of $258.4 million.  The sale of the mortgage loans,
which were acquired through an acquisition of business (see Note 14), resulted
in a before-tax realized investment gain of $10.9 million.

In 1996, the Company sold mortgage loans with a principal amount of $81.6
million and a book value of $75.9 million which resulted in a before-tax
realized investment loss of $5.7 million.

In October 1995, the Company sold commercial mortgage loans with a principal
amount and a book value of $962.4 million through a securitization
collateralized by 366 loans.  In May 1995, the Company sold restructured
mortgage loans with a principal amount of $147.5 million and a book value of
$122.6 million.  The transactions resulted in before-tax realized investment
gains (losses) of $8.9 million and $(23.1) million, respectively.

Real Estate

Accumulated depreciation on real estate was $23.3 million and $28.5 million as
of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

                                      88
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 3--Investments - Continued

Net Investment Income

Sources for net investment income are as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year Ended December 31
                                                                1997               1996               1995
                                                                        (in millions of dollars)
                                                         --------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>                <C>                <C>
Fixed Maturity Securities                                    $1,120.7           $  900.2           $  961.4
Equity Securities                                                 0.4                0.4                0.4
Mortgage Loans                                                   10.5                2.6              100.7
Real Estate                                                      17.4               25.8               29.6
Policy Loans                                                    192.0              182.8              163.9
Other Long-term Investments                                      24.5                3.9                4.3
Short-term Investments                                           13.6                7.4                6.9
                                                             --------           --------           --------
  Gross Investment Income                                     1,379.1            1,123.1            1,267.2
Investment Expenses                                              24.4               33.0               45.9
                                                             --------           --------           --------
  Net Investment Income                                      $1,354.7           $1,090.1           $1,221.3
                                                             ========           ========           ========
</TABLE>


Realized Investment Gains and Losses

Realized investment gains (losses) are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Year Ended December 31
                                                                       1997               1996               1995
                                                                               (in millions of dollars)
                                                                --------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>               <C>                <C>
                                                         
Fixed Maturity Securities                                           $18.1             $ 37.1             $ 14.9
Equity Securities                                                    (0.1)              (1.3)               0.2
Mortgage Loans and Real Estate                                        1.0               (3.7)             (26.9)
Other Invested Assets                                                (0.7)               0.1                  -
Derivatives                                                          (3.2)             (40.8)             (19.9)
                                                                    -----             ------             ------
                                                                    $15.1             $ (8.6)            $(31.7)
                                                                    =====             ======             ======
</TABLE>

Net realized investment gains and losses include writedowns and changes in the
reserve for losses on mortgage loans and foreclosed real estate of $1.4 million,
$(5.0) million, and $(29.0) million for 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.

                                      89
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
 
Note 3--Investments - Continued

Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities and the related
gross gains and losses realized on those sales are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Year Ended December 31
                                                                    1997              1996              1995
                                                                            (in millions of dollars)
                                                            ------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>               <C>               <C>
Proceeds from Sales                                        
  Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturity Securities                   $1,871.7          $1,592.0          $1,353.1
  Equity Securities                                                   0.9               0.6               6.8
Gross Gains                                                
  Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturity Securities                       63.7              50.1              35.3
  Equity Securities                                                     -                 -               1.3
Gross Losses                                               
  Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturity Securities                       45.6              13.0              20.4
  Equity Securities                                                   0.1               1.3               1.1
</TABLE>

Note 4--Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses interest rate swaps, exchange-traded interest rate futures
contracts, and options to hedge interest rate risks and to match assets with its
insurance liabilities.  Interest rate forward contracts are also used to some
extent in the hedging process.

Derivative Risks

The basic types of risks associated with derivatives are market risk (that the
value of the derivative will be adversely impacted by changes in the market,
primarily the change in interest rates) and credit risk (that the counterparty
will not perform according to the terms of the contract).  The market risk of
the derivatives should generally offset the market risk associated with the
hedged financial instrument or liability.

To help limit the credit exposure of the derivatives, the Company has entered
into master netting agreements with its counterparties whereby contracts in a
gain position can be offset against contracts in a loss position.  The Company
also typically enters into bilateral, cross-collateralization agreements with
its counterparties to help limit the credit exposure of the derivatives.  These
agreements require the counterparty in a loss position to submit acceptable
collateral with the other counterparty in the event the net loss position meets
or exceeds an agreed upon amount.  The Company's current credit exposure on
derivatives, which is limited to the value of those contracts in a net gain
position, was $50.9 million at December 31, 1997.

                                      90
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 4--Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

Hedging Activity

The table below summarizes by notional amounts the activity for each category of
derivatives.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Interest Rate Swaps
                                        -----------------------------       
                                             Receive        Receive
                                            Variable/       Fixed/
                                            Pay Fixed    Pay Variable     Forwards         Futures         Options         Total
                                                                           (in millions of dollars)
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                         <C>          <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994                   $800.0       $  726.0         $    -        $  205.0        $      -       $1,731.0
   Additions                                    300.0          495.0              -           947.5           820.0        2,562.5
   Terminations                                 200.0          359.8              -         1,137.5           820.0        2,517.3
                                               ------       --------         ------        --------        --------       --------
Balance at December 31, 1995                    900.0          861.2              -            15.0               -        1,776.2
   Additions                                        -          400.0              -           477.0               -          877.0
   Terminations                                 600.0          463.6              -           482.0               -        1,545.6
                                               ------       --------         ------        --------        --------       --------
Balance at December 31, 1996                    300.0          797.6              -            10.0               -        1,107.6
   Acquisition of Business--Note 14                 -            9.4          390.0               -               -          399.4
   Additions                                        -          420.0              -         1,257.3         2,034.5        3,711.8
   Terminations                                 300.0          114.6          250.0           823.8         1,625.0        3,113.4
                                               ------       --------         ------        --------        --------       --------
Balance at December 31, 1997                   $    -       $1,112.4         $140.0        $  443.5        $  409.5       $2,105.4
                                               ======       ========         ======        ========        ========       ========
</TABLE>

Additions and terminations reported above for futures and options include roll
activity, which is the closing out of an old contract and initiation of a new
one when the futures contract is about to mature but the need for it still
exists.

The following table summarizes the timing of anticipated settlements of interest
rate swaps outstanding at December 31, 1997, and the related weighted average
interest receive rate or pay rate assuming current market conditions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                          1998     1999     2000     2001     2002    Total
                                                        (in millions of dollars)
                                       --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Receive Fixed/Pay Variable       
Notional Value                           $13.0   $420.0   $249.4   $280.0   $150.0   $1,112.4
Weighted Average Receive Rate             5.00%    7.30%    7.76%    7.70%    7.54%      7.51%
Weighted Average Pay Rate                 5.72     5.79     5.86     5.81     5.81       5.81
</TABLE>

                                      91
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 4--Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

Derivative activity falls under seven hedging programs as follows:

Program 1

The Company routinely uses forwards and futures to protect margins by reducing
the risk of changes in interest rates between the time of asset purchase and the
associated sale of an asset or sale of new business.  The majority of the 1995
activity ($500.0 million) was a hedge of the reinvestment of the proceeds from
the securitization of the Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio (see Note
3).

Gains or losses on termination of these forwards and futures are deferred and
reported as an adjustment of the carrying amount of the hedged asset or
liability and amortized into earnings over the lives of the hedged items.  The
net deferred gain associated with this activity was $30.2 million and $29.3
million at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

The deferred gain from this program was amortized into income in the
consolidated statements of income as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Year Ended December 31
                                                    1997                1996                1995
                                                            (in millions of dollars)
                                                 ------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Net Investment Income                               $ 1.0               $ 1.0               $ 0.2
Policy and Contract Benefits                          1.0                 1.2                 3.8
                                                    -----               -----               -----
                                                    $ 2.0               $ 2.2               $ 4.0
                                                    =====               =====               =====
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1997, the Company had no open futures contracts under this
program.


Program 2

In 1994 and 1993, the Company created $101.0 million of synthetic fixed rate
assets consisting of variable rate mortgage-backed securities combined with
index amortizing swaps (receive fixed/pay variable).  These synthetic fixed rate
assets back fixed rate GICs.  During this time, the Company also created $625.0
million of synthetic variable rate GICs consisting of fixed rate GICs combined
with index amortizing swaps (receive fixed/pay variable), which were then backed
by variable rate mortgage-backed securities.  The notional amount of index
amortizing swaps associated with this program was $113.0 million and $197.6
million at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  The notional amount of
these swaps reduces based on an amortization schedule indexed to a constant
maturity treasury rate.  Under market conditions at December 31, 1997, the
remaining swaps are expected to amortize fully over the next two years.

                                      92
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Note 4--Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

Income (expense) from settlements of payment streams on these interest rate swap
agreements as reported in the consolidated statements of income was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year Ended December 31
                                                      1997               1996                1995
                                                               (in millions of dollars)
                                                 ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                <C>                <C>
Net Investment Income                                  $   -              $   -              $ 0.9
Policy and Contract Benefits                             0.2                0.3               (4.7)
                                                       -----              -----              -----
                                                       $ 0.2              $ 0.3              $(3.8)
                                                       =====              =====              =====
</TABLE>

Program 3

In December 1994, the Company announced that it would discontinue the sale of
traditional GICs.  At that time, the Company decided to convert from a duration
matching investment approach to a cash flow matching investment approach for its
GIC business.  The Company hedged the risk that a rise in interest rates would
reduce the price on future sales of assets which would be necessary to fund
maturing liabilities by entering into $1.1 billion notional amount of forward
interest rate swaps (receive variable/pay fixed) and $205.0 million notional
amount of short interest rate futures contracts.  The majority of this hedge was
initiated in 1994, with the last $300.0 million of swaps initiated in 1995.

The $205.0 million futures position was terminated in 1995 as planned when
$208.7 million of fixed maturity securities were sold to fund maturing GICs.
The Company realized a $0.1 million before-tax investment gain on the futures
and a $5.6 million before-tax investment loss on the fixed maturity securities,
a net result which was consistent with the original hedge expectations.  The
first $200.0 million swap position was terminated in 1995; however, fixed
maturity securities sales did not occur as originally anticipated because the
Company had adequate cash flow from other sources to fund the maturing GICs.
The primary source of this other cash flow was the securitization of the
commercial mortgage loan portfolio which had not been anticipated at the time
this hedge was initiated (see Note 3).  The Company realized a $20.0 million
before-tax investment loss on the termination of this swap position in 1995.

During 1996, the Company terminated $600.0 million of these forward swaps as
scheduled, realizing a $36.1 million before-tax investment loss.  In addition,
the Company used offsetting futures contracts to partially remove the hedge as
fixed maturities were sold prior to the termination date of the interest rate
swaps.  The Company realized a $5.3 million before-tax investment loss on the
termination of these futures contracts.  The Company sold $423.0 million of
fixed maturity securities associated with this hedge, realizing a $19.6 million
before-tax investment gain.

During 1997, the Company terminated the remaining $300.0 million of these
forward swaps as scheduled, realizing a $4.1 million before-tax investment loss.
In addition, the Company used offsetting futures contracts to partially remove
the hedge as fixed maturity securities were sold prior to the termination date
of the interest rate swaps.  The Company realized a $0.1 million before-tax
investment gain on the termination of these futures contracts.  The Company sold
$302.0 million of fixed maturity securities associated with this hedge,
realizing a $4.3 million before-tax investment gain.

Program 4

In 1995, the Company purchased $820.0 million in put options on treasury
securities to hedge the risk that a rise in interest rates would reduce the
price realized on the securitization of the commercial mortgage loan portfolio.
The options expired without value, and the $7.6 million price of the option was
reported as an adjustment to the net realized investment gain from the mortgage
loan sale.

                                      93
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries



Note 4--Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

Program 5

The Company has executed a series of cash flow hedges in the individual
disability income portfolio and the group single premium annuities portfolio.
The purpose of these hedges is to lock in the reinvestment rates on future cash
flows and protect the Company from the potential adverse impact of declining
interest rates on the associated policy reserves.  The Company uses futures
contracts to partially offset hedges on fixed maturity securities purchased
prior to the termination date of interest rate swaps and forwards.  The Company
also uses futures contracts to replace terminated forwards and interest rate
swaps in order to maintain hedges until the fixed maturity securities are
purchased.  The following table summarizes the hedging activity under this
program:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Notional         Before-Tax
                                                                                 Amount           Realized
                                                                              Outstanding        Investment        Deferred
                                             Additions      Terminations     at December 31      Gain (Loss)         Gain
                                                                        (in millions of dollars)
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>               <C>                <C>                <C>
Individual Disability Income
 
1995
Interest Rate Swaps                              $  495.0        $      -            $  495.0           $   -            $   -
                                                 ========        ========            ========           =====            =====
 
1996
Interest Rate Swaps                              $  200.0        $  225.0            $  470.0           $ 0.6            $ 3.6
Futures                                             144.5           134.5                10.0               -              3.6
                                                 --------        --------            --------           -----            -----
        Total                                    $  344.5        $  359.5            $  480.0           $ 0.6            $ 7.2
                                                 ========        ========            ========           =====            =====
 
1997
Interest Rate Swaps                              $  420.0        $   30.0            $  860.0           $   -            $ 1.7
Forwards                                            390.0           250.0               140.0               -             23.2
Futures                                             247.5           214.0                43.5               -              2.4
Options - U.S. Treasury Interest Rate               550.0           195.0               355.0             0.1              0.1
Options - Interest Rate Swaps                       850.0           850.0                   -             0.7              3.3
                                                 --------        --------            --------           -----            -----
        Total                                    $2,457.5        $1,539.0            $1,398.5           $ 0.8            $30.7
                                                 ========        ========            ========           =====            =====
 
Group Single Premium Annuities
 
1996
Interest Rate Swaps                              $  200.0        $   70.0            $  130.0           $(0.1)           $   -
                                                 ========        ========            ========           =====            =====
 
1997
Interest Rate Swaps                              $      -        $      -            $  130.0           $   -            $   -
Options - Interest Rate Swaps                       300.0           300.0                   -               -              0.5
                                                 --------        --------            --------           -----            -----
        Total                                    $  300.0        $  300.0            $  130.0           $   -            $ 0.5
                                                 ========        ========            ========           =====            =====
</TABLE>

                                      94
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries



Note 4--Derivative Financial Instruments - Continued

In 1997 and 1996, the Company amortized into net investment income $0.6 million
and $0.1 million, respectively, of the deferred gains from this program.  At
December 31, 1997, the Company had an unrealized gain of $133.8 million on the
open interest rate swaps, forwards, and futures.  These derivatives are
scheduled to be terminated in the years 1998 through 2002 as assets are
purchased with the future anticipated cash flows.

Program 6

In 1997, the Company began selling indexed annuity products whereby a portion of
the crediting rate on the annuity is based on the performance of the S&P 500
stock index.  In order to hedge this fluctuating credit rate, the Company
purchased options with the S&P 500 stock index as the underlying item.  These
options will be settled with a net cash payment to the Company at the expiration
date if the S&P 500 index moves above the option contract's strike price;
otherwise, no cash payment will take place at expiration.  At December 31, 1997,
the outstanding notional amount of these options was $4.5 million, and the fair
value and carrying amount were $1.6 million.

Program 7

In 1997, the Company opened $400.0 million of interest rate futures contracts
and wrote $50.0 million of options on interest rate futures in order to hedge
the borrowing rate on the anticipated refinancing of long-term debt (see Note
18). The Company realized a $2.9 million before-tax investment loss when $250.0
million of the interest rate futures contracts were terminated and rolled into
1998. The loss on the interest rate futures contracts and the $0.7 million
option premium received were deferred and will be amortized as an adjustment to
interest expense on long-term debt.

                                      95
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 5--Value of Business Acquired

A reconciliation of value of business acquired for the year ended 1997 is as
follows (in millions of dollars):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                                              <C>
Balance at January 1                                               $  5.9
   Acquisition of Business--Note 14                                 645.7
   Interest Accrued                                                  33.1
   Amortization                                                     (64.3)
   Adjustment for Unrealized Investment Gains                       (59.6)
                                                                   ------
Balance at December 31                                             $560.8
                                                                   ======
</TABLE>

The carrying amounts of value of business acquired in 1996 and 1995 were
immaterial.

The estimated net amortization of value of business acquired for each of the
next five years is as follows (in millions of dollars):


<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>
1998                              $40.7
1999                               39.4
2000                               38.3
2001                               36.9
2002                               35.6
</TABLE>

                                      96
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 6--Liability for  Unpaid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses

Changes in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses were as
follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1997                 1996                 1995
                                                         (in millions of dollars)
                                                ---------------------------------------------------
                                                
<S>                                              <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Balance at January 1                             $3,047.5             $2,824.7             $2,472.9
 Less Reinsurance Recoverables                      372.1                343.2                237.6
                                                 --------             --------             --------
                                                
Net Balance at January 1                          2,675.4              2,481.5              2,235.3
                                                
Acquisition of Business--Note 14                  2,295.4                    -                    -
                                                
Incurred Related to:                            
 Current Year                                     1,537.3                910.6                960.0
 Prior Years                                    
   Interest                                         285.0                173.3                155.0
   Incurred                                         (30.5)               (65.5)               (31.1)
                                                 --------             --------             --------
                                                
Total Incurred                                    1,791.8              1,018.4              1,083.9
                                                 --------             --------             --------
                                                
Paid Related to:                                
 Current Year                                       337.2                322.4                359.0
 Prior Years                                      1,011.3                502.1                478.7
                                                 --------             --------             --------
                                                
Total Paid                                        1,348.5                824.5                837.7
                                                 --------             --------             --------
                                                
Net Balance at December 31                        5,414.1              2,675.4              2,481.5
 Plus Reinsurance Recoverables                      857.7                372.1                343.2
                                                 --------             --------             --------
                                                
Balance at December 31                           $6,271.8             $3,047.5             $2,824.7
                                                 ========             ========             ========
</TABLE>

The majority of the net balances are related to disabled lives claims with long-
tail payouts on which interest earned on assets backing liabilities is an
integral part of pricing and reserving.  Interest accrued on prior year
reserves has been calculated on the opening reserve balance less one-half year's
cash payments at the average rate at which the Company's reserves were
discounted during 1997, 1996, and 1995. 

                                      97
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 7--Federal Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the income tax attributable to continuing operations
computed at U.S. federal statutory tax rates to the income tax expense as
included in the consolidated statements of income follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Year Ended December 31
                                                        1997                1996                1995
                                                   ----------------------------------------------------
                                        
<S>                                                     <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate                       35.0%               35.0%               35.0%
Tax-preferred Investment Income                         (0.6)               (1.1)               (2.1)
Net Prior Years Tax Refunds                                -                (0.1)               (0.8)
Other Items, Net                                         0.6                 1.8                 2.2
                                                        ----                ----                ----
Effective Tax Rate                                      35.0%               35.6%               34.3%
                                                        ====                ====                ====
</TABLE>

                                      98
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 7--Federal Income Taxes - Continued

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial statement
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  Significant components
of the Company's deferred federal income tax liability are as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         December 31
                                                                  1997                  1996
                                                                   (in millions of dollars)
                                                               --------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>                   <C>
Deferred Tax Liability                                         
 Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs                                 $ 68.0                $133.6
 Bond Market Discount                                                 4.3                  11.2
 Net Unrealized Investment Gains                                    334.7                  48.9
 Value of Business Acquired                                         217.6                   2.3
 Property and Equipment                                              10.5                   9.8
 Other                                                               34.5                  13.4
                                                                   ------                ------
 Total Deferred Tax Liability                                       669.6                 219.2
                                                                   ------                ------
                                                               
Deferred Tax Asset                                             
 Reserves                                                           367.4                 105.5
 Realized Investment Gains and Losses                                53.1                  44.7
 Postretirement Benefits                                             26.8                  20.9
 Other Employee Benefits                                             29.3                  24.4
 Other                                                               43.2                   9.2
                                                                   ------                ------
 Total Deferred Tax Asset                                           519.8                 204.7
                                                                   ------                ------
                                                               
Net Deferred Tax Liability                                         $149.8                $ 14.5
                                                                   ======                ======
</TABLE>


The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of
the deferred tax asset that management believes will not be realized.  In the
opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the Company will realize
the benefit of the deferred tax asset and, therefore, no such valuation
allowance has been established.

                                      99
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                          
Note 7--Federal Income Taxes - Continued

Under the Life Insurance Company Tax Act of 1959, life companies were required
to maintain a policyholders' surplus account containing the accumulated portion
of current income which had not been subjected to income tax in the year earned.
The Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 requires that no future amounts be added after
1983 to the policyholders' surplus account.  Further, any future distributions
from the account would become subject to federal income taxes at the general
corporate federal income tax rate then in effect.  The amount of the
policyholders' surplus account at December 31, 1997, is approximately
$202.0 million.  Future distributions from the policyholders' surplus account
are deemed to occur if a statutorily prescribed maximum for the account is less
than the value of the account or if dividend distributions exceed the total
amount accumulated as currently taxable income in the year earned.  If the
entire policyholders' surplus account were deemed distributed in 1998, this
would result in a tax of approximately $70.7 million.  No current or deferred
federal income taxes have been provided on these amounts because management
considers the conditions under which such taxes would be paid to be remote.

During 1997, the Company held an appellate conference with the Internal
Revenue Service for tax years 1986 through 1992 and is awaiting a response to
its comprehensive settlement proposal covering all issues for such years.  The
Internal Revenue Service continued its examination of the Company's federal
income tax returns for tax years 1993 through 1995.  Management believes this
appellate conference and examination will have no material adverse impact on the
Company's financial statements.

In 1996, the Company received a refund that had been accrued in 1995 relating to
the final settlement of litigation for tax years 1980 through 1983.  The refund
of taxes was $1.5 million and interest on the refund was $4.2 million.  The
Company also received a refund that had been accrued in 1994 relating to a final
settlement of the remaining issues in dispute for the 1984 and 1985 tax years.
The refund of taxes was $3.1 million and related interest was $5.9 million.
During 1996, the Internal Revenue Service concluded its examination of the
Company's federal income tax returns for tax years 1990 through 1992 and issued
a Revenue Agent's Report proposing a tax deficiency of $26.0 million for these
years.  Although this proposed deficiency has been appealed, the Company made an
additional payment for these years of $13.0 million tax and $5.2 million
interest to preclude the accrual of interest at punitive rates on any portion of
the proposed deficiency that the Company could possibly lose.  Net income for
1996 was increased by $0.9 million as a result of these tax refunds and
payments.

In 1995, the Company received a refund that was previously accrued in 1994
relating to a final settlement of the remaining issues in litigation for the
1966 through 1979 tax years.  The refund of taxes was $1.1 million and interest
on the refund was $4.8 million.  The Company also accrued refunds of federal
income tax of $1.5 million and related interest of $3.5 million attributable to
a final settlement of the remaining issues in litigation for tax years 1980
through 1983.  Overall, including interest received, net income in 1995 was
increased by $4.0 million as a result of the receipt and accrual of these
refunds.


Federal income taxes paid during 1997, 1996, and 1995 were $122.7 million, $92.5
million, and $71.8 million, respectively.

                                      100
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 8--Debt

Short-term debt at December 31, 1997, was $150.7 million and consisted of
reverse repurchase agreements with a weighted average interest rate of 6.38
percent.  At December 31, 1996, there was no short-term debt outstanding.

During 1996, the Company entered into an $800.0 million five-year revolving
credit facility with various domestic and international banks.  The purpose of
this arrangement was to provide partial financing for the purchase of The Paul
Revere Corporation and GENEX Services, Inc. (see Note 14), to refinance the
existing bank term notes of $200.0 million, and for general corporate uses.
Interest is variable based upon a London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a
margin.  At December 31, 1997, the outstanding borrowing under the revolving
credit facility was $725.0 million (see Note 18).

During 1996, the Company repaid the $200.0 million bank term notes which were
due on or before December 1, 1996.

Interest paid on short-term and long-term debt during 1997, 1996, and 1995 was
$41.4 million, $17.1 million, and $22.4 million, respectively.  Interest expense
during 1997, 1996, and 1995 was $42.5 million, $17.8 million, and $22.3 million,
respectively.

Note 9--Retirement Benefits

Pension Plans

The Company provides noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for eligible
employees.  The benefits are based on years of service and the employee's
highest consecutive five years of compensation.  The Company's funding policy is
to contribute amounts to the plans sufficient to meet the minimum funding
requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
plus such additional amounts as the Company may determine to be appropriate.
Plan assets are invested in two separate accounts of a subsidiary of the
Company, one of which invests in listed equity securities and the other in
corporate obligations and U.S. bonds, and in an unrelated trust consisting of
bonds and equity securities.

                                      101
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 9--Retirement Benefits - Continued

The pension plans' funded status and the amount recognized in the Company's
consolidated statements of financial condition are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   December 31
                                                                                            1997                   1996
                                                                                            (in millions of dollars)
                                                                                 --------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>                    <C>
 
Actuarial present value of benefit obligation - vested                                      $252.2                $160.8
                                                                                            ======                ======
 
Accumulated benefit obligation                                                              $255.2                $161.6
                                                                                            ======                ======

Projected benefit obligation                                                                $308.2                $189.8
Plan assets at fair value                                                                    380.8                 220.2
                                                                                            ------                ------
Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation                                         72.6                  30.4
Unrecognized net actuarial gains                                                             (72.1)                (29.9)
Unrecognized prior service cost                                                                2.7                   2.4
Unrecognized net transition obligation                                                         0.6                   0.6
                                                                                            ------                ------
Accrued pension asset                                                                       $  3.8                $  3.5
                                                                                            ======                ======
Weighted average discount rate used in determining the
  projected benefit obligation                                                                7.25%                 7.25%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase                                                4.65%                 4.50%
</TABLE>

Net periodic pension cost (benefit) included the following components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Year Ended December 31
                                                                               1997               1996                1995
                                                                                       (in millions of dollars)
                                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                           <C>                <C>                 <C>
Service cost                                                                  $  9.1              $  4.0              $  5.7
Interest cost                                                                   20.5                12.6                12.6
Actual return on plan assets                                                   (83.1)              (28.1)              (43.1)
Net amortization and deferral                                                   53.0                 7.5                26.5
Curtailment cost                                                                   -                   -                 1.0
                                                                              ------              ------              ------
                                                                              $ (0.5)             $ (4.0)             $  2.7
                                                                              ======              ======              ======
 
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                                8.65%               8.50%               7.75%
</TABLE>

                                      102
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries



Note 9--Retirement Benefits - Continued

Postretirement Plans

The Company sponsors two types of defined benefit postretirement plans other
than pensions for full-time employees who have ten years of credited service
with the Company and have reached age 55.  One plan provides medical and dental
benefits, and the other provides life insurance benefits.  The postretirement
health care plan is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted
periodically, and contains other cost-sharing features such as deductibles and
coinsurance.  It is the Company's expressed intent to increase the health care
plan's retiree contribution rate as the cost of health care increases.  The life
insurance plan is noncontributory and is partially funded through life insurance
contracts issued by the Company. The health care plan is unfunded.

The following tables show the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, the
amount recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of financial
condition, and the net periodic postretirement benefit cost.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  December 31
                                                                           1997                   1996
                                                                              (in millions of dollars)
                                                                           -------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                   <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:                             
 Retirees                                                                  $50.8                 $43.2
 Fully eligible active plan participants                                     3.0                   1.7
 Other active plan participants                                             14.2                  14.3
                                                                           -----                 -----
                                                                            68.0                  59.2
Plan assets at fair value                                                    9.0                   8.5
                                                                           -----                 -----
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation in excess of plan assets      59.0                  50.7
Unrecognized net gain                                                       11.0                   7.6
                                                                           -----                 -----
Accrued postretirement benefit liability                                   $70.0                 $58.3
                                                                           =====                 =====
                                                                           
Weighted average discount rate used in determining the                     
  accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                             7.25%                 7.25%
</TABLE>

                                      103
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 9--Retirement Benefits - Continued

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost included the following components:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Year Ended December 31
                                                                                  1997                1996                1995
                                                                                             (in millions of dollars)
                                                                             ------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Service cost                                                                     $ 1.5               $ 1.5               $ 1.9
Interest cost                                                                      4.4                 4.0                 4.6
Actual return on plan assets                                                      (0.5)               (0.5)               (0.5)
Net amortization and deferral                                                     (3.2)               (3.0)               (3.4)
                                                                                 -----               -----               -----
                                                                                 $ 2.2               $ 2.0               $ 2.6
                                                                                 =====               =====               =====
 
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                                  8.50%               8.50%               8.50%
</TABLE>

The postretirement benefit costs for 1997, 1996, and 1995 assume a weighted
average annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care
benefits of 8 percent, 9 percent, and 12 percent, respectively, decreasing
gradually to 5 percent for 2004 and thereafter.  The health care cost trend rate
assumption has a significant effect on the amounts reported.  Increasing the
assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point in each year would
increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31,
1997, by $4.5 million and the aggregate of net periodic postretirement benefit
cost for 1997 by $0.5 million.

Curtailment Gains

During 1995, the Company recognized curtailment gains of $16.6 million and $7.7
million in its pension and postretirement plans, respectively.   The gains
resulted from the sale of the group medical business (see Note 15) and the
consequent termination of participation in the Company's benefit plans of
certain employees.  The gains were included in the determination of the total
gain recognized on the sale.

                                      104
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 10--Stockholders' Equity and Earnings Per Share

Preferred Stock

In 1993, the Company issued 1,041,667 shares of 8.10% cumulative preferred
stock, liquidation preference $150 per share evidenced by depositary receipts
for 6,250,002 depositary shares each representing a one-sixth interest of a
preferred share, of which 6,249,202 were issued and outstanding as of December
31, 1997 and 1996 (see Note 18).

Common Stock

On July 30, 1997, the Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one stock split
effected in the form of a stock dividend distributed on September 30, 1997, to
stockholders of record on August 28, 1997.  The common stock par value of $1 per
share remained unchanged.  Historical share and per share amounts in the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been restated to
reflect the stock split.

In 1996, the Company's shareholders approved an amendment to the Company's
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase from 65,000,000 to
150,000,000 the number of shares of common stock which the Company is authorized
to issue.

Earnings Per Common Share

The computations of earnings per common share and earnings per common share
assuming dilution are as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Year Ended December 31
                                                                           1997                1996                1995
                                                                       (in millions of dollars, except share data)
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Numerator:
   Net Income                                                         $      247.3         $     145.6         $     115.6
   Preferred Stock Dividends                                                  12.7                12.7                12.7
                                                                      ------------         -----------         -----------
   Income Available to Common Stockholders                            $      234.6         $     132.9         $     102.9
                                                                      ============         ===========         ===========
 
Denominator (000s):
   Weighted Average Common Shares                                       124,505.4             91,044.8            90,762.7
   Dilution for Assumed Exercise of Stock Options                         2,747.8              1,109.7               169.1
                                                                      ------------         -----------         -----------
   Weighted Average Common Shares - Assuming Dilution                   127,253.2             92,154.5            90,931.8
                                                                      ============         ===========         ===========
 
Earnings Per Common Share                                             $       1.88         $      1.46         $      1.13
                                                                      ============         ===========         ===========
 
Earnings Per Common Share - Assuming Dilution                         $       1.84         $      1.44         $      1.13
                                                                      ============         ===========         ===========
</TABLE>


                                      105
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 11--Incentive Compensation and Stock Purchase Plans

Incentive Compensation

The Company has in effect a two-part management incentive compensation plan, the
first part of which is cash-based and is designed to encourage achievement of
specific annual goals in which key employees participate.  The compensation cost
recognized in the consolidated statements of income for this part of the plan is
$6.4 million, $3.6 million, and $2.9 million for 1997, 1996, and 1995,
respectively.  The second part of this plan is a stock option plan.  The Company
applies Opinion 25 and related interpretations in accounting for the stock
option plan.  For stock options subject to stock price performance, the
compensation cost recognized in the consolidated statements of income was $2.0
million and $2.4 million for 1996 and 1995, respectively.  All price performance
requirements were met by December 31, 1996, for these stock options.

Under the 1994 stock plan, the Company may grant options of up to 10,000,000
shares of common stock.  The exercise price of each option equals the market
price of the Company's stock on the date of grant.  The options cannot be
exercised until at least one year after the date of grant and have a maximum
term of ten years after the date of grant.

Options granted prior to 1994 were granted under the 1989 stock option plan.
Under that plan, the Company could grant options of up to 1,400,000 shares of
common stock over the five year term of the plan which ended effective December
31, 1993.  The exercise price of each option equaled the market price of the
Company's stock on the date of grant.  The options outstanding under this plan
are currently exercisable and have a maximum term of ten years after the date of
grant.

                                      106
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 11--Incentive Compensation and Stock Purchase Plans - Continued

Summaries of the Company's stock options are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1997                       1996                       1995
                                   -------------------------  -------------------------  -------------------------
                                   Shares   Weighted Average  Shares   Weighted Average  Shares   Weighted Average
                                    (000s)   Exercise Price    (000s)   Exercise Price    (000s)   Exercise Price
                                    -----   ----------------   -----   ----------------   -----   ----------------
<S>                                <C>      <C>               <C>      <C>               <C>      <C>
Outstanding at January 1            4,239      $13.38          3,297       $12.41         1,771       $13.67
   Granted                          3,454       24.50          1,347        15.57         2,006        11.35
   Exercised                         (562)      14.49           (322)       12.08           (98)       10.36
   Forfeited                         (193)      24.36            (62)       15.40          (206)       13.02
   Expired                              -           -            (21)       14.65          (176)       13.45
                                    -----                      -----                      -----        
Outstanding at December 31          6,938       18.52          4,239        13.38         3,297        12.41
                                    =====                      =====                      =====
 
<CAPTION>
                                                           December 31
                                     1997                       1996                      1995
                                                      (shares in thousands)
                                 --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>                        <C>                        <C>                
Exercisable                         3,728                      2,954                        953
Exercisable based on                
  additional service                3,210                      1,285                      1,950
Exercisable based on                    
  stock price performance               0                          0                        394
                                    -----                      -----                      -----
Outstanding                         6,938                      4,239                      3,297
                                    =====                      =====                      =====
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 December 31, 1997
                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Options Outstanding                                     Options Exercisable
                   ---------------------------------------------------------------         -----------------------------------
                                          Weighted Average
    Range of               Shares            Remaining         Weighted Average            Shares          Weighted Average
 Exercise Prices           (000s)         Contractual Life       Exercise Price            (000s)           Exercise Price
 ---------------            -----         -----------------    ------------------           -----           ----------------
<S>                        <C>            <C>                  <C>                         <C>              <C>
$  9.00 to 13.99           1,960               3.8 years             $11.40                  1,960                $11.40
  14.00 to 18.99           1,724               5.1                    15.30                  1,724                 15.30
  19.00 to 23.99           2,587               9.0                    23.72                      4                 20.58
  24.00 to 28.99             635               9.1                    27.38                     21                 26.37
  29.00 to 35.99              32               7.4                    32.34                     19                 33.03
                           -----                                                             -----                 
  9.00 to 35.99            6,938               6.6                    18.52                  3,728                 13.41
                           =====                                                             =====         
</TABLE>

In 1997, the Company granted 267,040 shares of nonvested stock to certain key
employees with a weighted average grant date fair value of $28.12 per common
share.  The compensation cost recognized in the consolidated statements of
income for the year ended December 31, 1997 was $1.2 million.

                                      107
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries



Note 11--Incentive Compensation and Stock Purchase Plans - Continued

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In 1995, the Company established an employee stock purchase plan to promote and
maintain widespread employee stock ownership.  The plan became effective in the
fourth quarter of 1995 and conforms to Internal Revenue Code Section 423.  Under
the plan, the Company is authorized to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of common
stock to its employees, nearly all of whom are eligible to participate.  Under
the terms of the plan, eligible employees may purchase common stock of the
Company at the end of each three-month financial quarter.  The purchase price of
the stock is 85 percent of the lower of its beginning of the quarter or end of
the quarter market price.  The maximum amount of stock a participating employee
may purchase under the plan in any one calendar year is limited to $25,000 in
fair market value of the stock as determined at the beginning of each purchase
period.  The Company sold 108,799, 68,622, and 63,870 shares to employees with a
weighted average exercise price of $24.63, $14.68, and $11.53 per share in 1997,
1996, and 1995, respectively.  The Company applies Opinion 25 and related
interpretations in accounting for the stock purchase plan.  Accordingly, no
compensation cost has been recognized.

Compensation Cost Under the Fair Value Approach (SFAS 123)

Compensation cost for the Company's management incentive compensation plan and
employee stock purchase plan under the fair value approach was estimated as of
the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Year Ended December 31
                                                                               1997                 1996                 1995
                                                                           --------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                                                        <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Volatility                                                                     18.0%                18.2%                19.1%
 
Risk-free rate of return                                                        6.5%                 5.7%                 7.6%
 
Dividend payout rate per share                                                $0.36                $0.36                $0.36
 
Time of exercise
   Management Incentive Compensation Plan
      Executives                                                            7 years              7 years              5 years
      Non-executives                                                        6 years              6 years              4 years
   Employee Stock Purchase Plan                                            3 months             3 months             3 months
 
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year
   Management Incentive Compensation Plan                                     $7.36                $3.68                $2.46
   Employee Stock Purchase Plan                                               $5.62                $3.38                $2.63
</TABLE>

                                      108
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 11--Incentive Compensation and Stock Purchase Plans - Continued

Had compensation cost for the two plans been determined in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS 123, the Company's pro forma net income and earnings
per common share would have been as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Year Ended December 31
                                                                               1997               1996               1995
                                                                             (in millions of dollars, except share data)
                                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                <C>                <C>
Net Income                                                                    $241.6             $143.6             $114.2
Earnings Per Common Share                                                       1.84               1.44               1.12
Earnings Per Common Share - Assuming Dilution                                   1.81               1.42               1.12
</TABLE>


Note 12--Reinsurance

The Company routinely assumes and cedes reinsurance with other insurance
companies.  The primary purpose of ceded reinsurance is to limit losses from
large exposures; however, if the reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations,
the originating issuer of the insurance coverage retains the liability.  Premium
income, policy and contract benefits, and change in reserves for future policy
and contract benefits and policyholders' funds are presented in the consolidated
statements of income net of reinsurance ceded.

In May 1995, the Company entered into an indemnity and assumption reinsurance
agreement with Healthsource Insurance Company in connection with the sale of the
group medical business (see Note 15).  Under the terms of the reinsurance
agreement, the Company ceded to Healthsource Insurance Company premium income
and associated obligations and liabilities arising with respect to medical
indemnity and dental and vision insurance issued by the Company in certain
states where Healthsource Insurance Company was not licensed and approved to
transact this type of business.  Total premium income and policy and contract
benefits ceded under this reinsurance agreement were $182.9 million and $153.8
million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1997, $224.6 million and
$188.5 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1996, and $170.6
million and $137.5 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1995.
In 1997, the reinsurance agreement was assigned by Healthsource Insurance
Company, with the consent of the Company, to Connecticut General Life Insurance
Company.  It is anticipated that this business will be assumed by Connecticut
General Life Insurance Company beginning April 1998.

The total amounts deducted for reinsurance ceded are as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Year Ended December 31
                                                                               1997               1996               1995
                                                                                         (in millions of dollars)
                                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>               <C>                  <C>
Premium Income                                                                $270.4           $305.5               $249.2
Policy and Contract Benefits                                                   282.7            265.5                202.7
Change in Reserves for Future Policy and                                               
  Contract Benefits and Policyholders' Funds                                     3.6             26.4                 44.7
</TABLE>

                                      109
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 12--Reinsurance - Continued

Reinsurance ceded and assumed consists of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Year Ended December 31
                                                                      1997                 1996                 1995
                                                                                  (in millions of dollars)
                                                                  ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Reclassified
                                                                                    ------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Ceded
 Life Insurance in Force (Amount of Insurance)                        $6,184.7             $4,347.9             $4,258.5
 
 Premium Income
  Individual Life and Disability                                          40.6                 48.2                 47.8
  Employee Benefits                                                       39.8                 16.1                 14.8
  Other Operations                                                       190.0                241.2                186.6
 
Assumed
 Life Insurance in Force (Amount of Insurance)                        $  416.2             $  437.0             $  460.2
 
 Premium Income
  Individual Life and Disability                                         167.2                 35.3                 36.9
  Employee Benefits                                                        1.0                  0.5                  0.4
  Other Operations                                                         6.2                 15.7                 15.0
</TABLE>


Segment information for 1996 and 1995 has been reclassified to conform to
current year reporting.

                                      110
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 13--Segment Information

Selected data by segment is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Year Ended December 31
                                                                          1997                 1996              1995
                                                                                  (in millions of dollars)
                                                                  ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Reclassified
                                                                                    ------------------------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>               <C>               <C>
Revenue (Excluding Net Realized Investment
  Gains and Losses)
  Individual Life and Disability                                          $ 1,902.3         $ 1,025.0         $   999.1
  Employee Benefits                                                           883.7             555.5             520.3
  Other Operations                                                            752.1             720.0           1,067.6
                                                                          ---------         ---------         ---------
    Total                                                                 $ 3,538.1         $ 2,300.5         $ 2,587.0
                                                                          =========         =========         =========
 
Income Before Net Realized Investment
  Gains and Losses and Federal Income Taxes
  Individual Life and Disability                                          $   232.3         $   115.4         $    34.0
  Employee Benefits                                                            63.3              46.1              32.2
  Other Operations                                                             69.6              73.3             141.5
                                                                          ---------         ---------         ---------
    Total                                                                 $   365.2         $   234.8         $   207.7
                                                                          =========         =========         =========
 
Revenue (Including Net Realized Investment
  Gains and Losses)
  Individual Life and Disability                                          $ 1,910.2         $ 1,033.0         $ 1,003.2
  Employee Benefits                                                           887.3             555.5             524.2
  Other Operations                                                            755.7             703.4           1,027.9
                                                                          ---------         ---------         ---------
    Total                                                                 $ 3,553.2         $ 2,291.9         $ 2,555.3
                                                                          =========         =========         =========
Income Before Federal Income Taxes
  Individual Life and Disability                                          $   240.2         $   123.4         $    38.1
  Employee Benefits                                                            66.9              46.1              36.1
  Other Operations                                                             73.2              56.7             101.8
                                                                          ---------         ---------         ---------
    Total                                                                 $   380.3         $   226.2         $   176.0
                                                                          =========         =========         =========
Assets
  Individual Life and Disability                                          $11,051.1         $ 5,735.0         $ 5,443.9
  Employee Benefits                                                         2,145.2           1,490.0           1,407.8
  Other Operations                                                          9,981.3           7,767.5           9,449.6
                                                                          ---------         ---------         ---------
    Total                                                                 $23,177.6         $14,992.5         $16,301.3
                                                                          =========         =========         =========
</TABLE>

Total revenue (excluding net realized investment gains and losses) includes
premium income, net investment income, and other income.  Total revenue
(including net realized investment gains and losses) includes premium income,
net investment income, net realized investment gains and losses, and other
income.  Assets have been allocated to the segments based upon identifiable
liabilities and allocated stockholders' equity.  Segment information for 1996
and 1995 has been reclassified to conform to current year reporting.  The
reclassification, which reflects the Company's current marketing and operational
structure, did not change total Revenue, total Income Before Federal Income
Taxes, or total Assets.

                                      111
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Note 14--Acquisition of Business

GENEX Services, Inc.

On February 28, 1997, the Company acquired GENEX Services, Inc. and GENEX
Services of Canada, Inc. (GENEX) at a price of $70.0 million. GENEX is a
provider of case management, vocational rehabilitation, and related services to
corporations, third party administrators, and insurance companies. These
services are utilized in the management of disability and worker's compensation
cases. The acquisition, financed through borrowings on the Company's revolving
credit facility, was accounted for by the purchase method. The fair values of
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were $17.9 million and $8.9 million,
respectively. The purchase price has been allocated to goodwill and will be
amortized on a straight-line basis over a 25 year period. The consolidated
financial statements include the operating results of GENEX from March 1, 1997.

The Paul Revere Corporation

On March 27, 1997, the Company acquired The Paul Revere Corporation (Paul
Revere), a provider of life and disability insurance products, at a price of
approximately $1.2 billion.  The transaction was financed through common equity
issued to Zurich Insurance Company, a Swiss insurer, and its affiliates in the
amount of $300.0 million (19,047,620 shares of common stock), common equity of
$437.5 million (23,340,000 shares of common stock) and cash of $2.5 million
issued to Paul Revere shareholders, internally generated funds of $145.0
million, and borrowings on the Company's revolving credit facility of $305.0
million.  The acquisition was accounted for by the purchase method.  The fair
values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were $6,680.0 million and
$6,675.4 million, respectively.  The purchase price has been allocated
principally to the value of business acquired with the remainder being allocated
to goodwill.  The value of business acquired will be amortized with interest
based on premium income for the traditional individual life and disability
income products and on the estimates of future gross profits for interest-
sensitive individual life and individual annuity products.  Goodwill will be
amortized on a straight-line basis over a 40 year period.  The consolidated
financial statements include the operating results of Paul Revere from April 
1, 1997.

Pro Forma Results

The following pro forma results of operations for the years ended December 31,
1997 and 1996, give effect to the acquisitions and the related financing
arrangements, including the acquisition of debt and issuance of common stock
equity.  The pro forma results of operations, prepared from historical financial
results of operations of the Company, Paul Revere, and GENEX with such
adjustments as are necessary to present the results of operations as if the
acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of each year presented, are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Year Ended December 31
                                                          1997                        1996
                                                     (in millions of dollars, except share data)
                                                     -------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                         <C>
Revenue Excluding Net Realized Investment
  Gains and Losses                                      $3,958.1                    $3,930.2
Revenue Including Net Realized Investment
  Gains and Losses                                       4,009.6                     3,970.2
Income (Loss) Before Net Realized Investment
  Gains and Losses and Federal Income Taxes                377.2                       (81.3)
Income (Loss) Before Federal Income Taxes                  428.7                       (41.3)
Net Income (Loss)                                          276.3                       (37.1)
Earnings Per Common Share                                   1.96                       (0.37)
</TABLE>

                                      112
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

     
     
Note 14--Acquisition of Business - Continued
     
In 1996, Paul Revere strengthened reserves in its individual disability segment
by $380.0 million before income taxes which resulted in a decrease in net income
of $244.3 million ($1.83 per common share).  The reserve strengthening resulted
from a comprehensive study, completed in October 1996, of the adequacy of the
individual disability reserves under generally accepted accounting principles.

Note 15--Sale of a Portion of a Line of Business

In December 1994, the Company entered into an Asset and Stock Purchase Agreement
with Healthsource, Inc. (Healthsource) whereby Healthsource agreed to acquire
certain assets and assume certain liabilities of the Company's group medical
business.  The sale was completed on May 31, 1995, effective April 30, 1995.
The Company received $131.0 million in cash and $100.0 million of a new issue of
Healthsource 6.25% preferred stock which was redeemed at par in the first
quarter of 1996.  Pursuant to the Asset and Stock Purchase Agreement, assets
were transferred to Healthsource which had a carrying value of approximately
$297.5 million.  Liabilities assumed by Healthsource in connection with the
transferred business totaled $221.5 million.  Total revenue and income before
federal income taxes for the group medical business were $146.2 million and $3.3
million, respectively, for the four month period ended April 30, 1995.  The gain
on sale of the Company's group medical business increased 1995 operating
earnings by $21.8 million ($0.24 per common share) before taxes and $14.2
million ($0.16 per common share) after taxes.


Note 16--Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

Commitments

In December 1997, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with American
General Corporation (American General) under which various affiliates of
American General will acquire the Company's individual and tax-sheltered annuity
business for approximately $58.0 million in cash.  In addition, American General
is acquiring a number of miscellaneous group pension lines of business which are
no longer actively marketed.  The sale does not include the Company's Canadian
annuity business, traditional GICs, or group single premium annuities.  The
transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 1998. The Company 
expects to record a gain when the transaction is closed.

Contingent Liabilities

Two alleged class action lawsuits have been filed in Superior Court in
Worcester, Massachusetts against the Company.  One of the alleged lawsuits
purports to represent all career agents of Paul Revere whose employment
relationships ended on June 30, 1997, and who were offered contracts to sell
insurance policies as independent producers, and the other purports to represent
independent brokers who sold certain Paul Revere individual disability income
policies with benefit riders.  Motions have been filed by the Company to dismiss
most of the counts in the complaints, which allege various breach of contract
and statutory claims.  To date no class has been certified in either lawsuit.
The Company has strong defenses to both lawsuits and will vigorously defend its
position and resist certification of the classes.  In addition, the same
plaintiff's attorney who has filed the purported class action lawsuits has filed
41 individual lawsuits on behalf of current and former Paul Revere sales
managers alleging various breach of contract claims.  The Company has strong
defenses and will vigorously defend its position in these cases as well.
Although the alleged class action lawsuits and the 41 individual lawsuits are in
the early stages, management does not currently expect these suits to materially
affect the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

Various lawsuits against the Company have arisen in the normal course of
business.  Contingent liabilities that might arise from litigation are not
deemed likely to materially affect the financial position or results of
operations of the Company.

                                      113
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries



Note 17--Statutory Financial Information

Statutory Net Income, Capital and Surplus, and Dividends

The Company's insurance subsidiaries' statutory net income, as reported in
conformity with statutory accounting practices prescribed by state regulatory
authorities, for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, was $76.1
million, $104.9 million, and $67.1 million, respectively. Statutory capital and
surplus at December 31, 1997 and 1996, was $1,128.2 million
and $674.2 million, respectively.

Regulatory restrictions limit the amount of dividends available for distribution
to the Company from its insurance subsidiaries, without prior approval by
regulatory authorities, to the greater of ten percent of an insurer's statutory
surplus as regards policyholders as of the preceding year end or the statutory
net gain from operations, excluding realized investment gains and losses, of the
preceding year.  The payment of dividends is further limited to the amount of
statutory unassigned surplus.  Based on these restrictions, it is anticipated
that $151.9 million will be available for the payment of dividends to the
Company from its top-tier insurance subsidiaries during 1998.


Permitted Statutory Accounting Practices

The Company's insurance subsidiaries prepare their statutory-basis financial
statements in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the applicable
state regulatory authorities.  Prescribed statutory accounting practices include
state laws, regulations, and general administrative rules, as well as a variety
of publications of the NAIC.  Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass
all accounting practices that are not prescribed; such practices may differ from
state to state, may differ from company to company within a state, and may
change in the future.  At December 31, 1997, the Company had not applied any
permitted accounting practices that differed from prescribed statutory
accounting practices that had a material impact on the financial position or
results of operations of the insurance subsidiaries.

The NAIC currently is in the process of recodifying statutory accounting
practices, the result of which is expected to standardize prescribed statutory
accounting practices.  Accordingly, that project, which is expected to be
completed in 1998, will likely change, to some extent, prescribed statutory
accounting practices and may result in changes to the accounting practices that
the Company's insurance subsidiaries use to prepare their statutory financial
statements.

Deposits

At December 31, 1997, the Company's insurance subsidiaries had on deposit with
regulatory authorities securities with a book value of $902.3 million held for
the protection of policyholders.

Note 18--Subsequent Events

On February 24, 1998, the Company repaid the $725.0 million outstanding
borrowing on its revolving credit facility and redeemed its cumulative preferred
stock outstanding of $156.2 million at $150 per share equivalent to $25 per
depositary share. The debt repayment and preferred stock redemption were funded
through short-term borrowings.

                                      114
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- Continued

Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries



Note 18--Subsequent Events - Continued

In May 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective a shelf
registration statement pursuant to which the Company may issue up to $900.0
million in debt and/or equity securities. On March 16, 1998, the Company
completed a public offering of $200.0 million of 7.25% senior notes due March
15, 2028. On March 16, 1998, Provident Financing Trust I, a subsidiary trust of
the Company, issued $300.0 million of 7.405% capital securities in a public
offering. These capital securities, which mature on March 15, 2038, are fully
and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, have a liquidation value of
$1,000 per capital security, and have a mandatory redemption feature under
certain circumstances. The Company issued 7.405% junior subordinated deferrable
interest debentures which mature on March 15, 2038, to the subsidiary trust in
connection with the capital securities offering.

The Company has $400.0 million available for debt and/or equity securities under
its shelf registration statement following the issuance of the senior notes and
capital securities.

Note 19--Supplemental Data on Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations for 1997
and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        1997
                                                           --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 4th              3rd              2nd              1st
                                                                       (in millions of dollars, except share data)
                                                           --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Premium Income                                                  $582.2           $594.0           $590.0           $287.5
Net Investment Income                                            364.6            362.9            364.7            262.5
Net Realized Investment Gains                                      2.0              6.9              1.5              4.7
Total Revenue                                                    991.0            997.1            993.8            571.3
Income Before Federal Income Taxes                               117.3            109.5             90.7             62.8
Net Income                                                        75.8             71.0             59.7             40.8
Earnings Per Common Share                                          .54              .50              .42              .40
Earnings Per Common Share - Assuming Dilution                      .53              .49              .41              .39
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        1996
                                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 4th              3rd               2nd              1st
                                                                       (in millions of dollars, except share data)
                                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>
Premium Income                                                  $292.4           $287.4            $291.3            $304.6
Net Investment Income                                            268.0            269.5             274.1             278.5
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)                             1.4             (4.1)             (5.3)             (0.6)
Total Revenue                                                    568.5            562.7             569.0             591.7
Income Before Federal Income Taxes                                67.8             51.8              53.2              53.4
Net Income                                                        43.9             33.2              34.1              34.4
Earnings Per Common Share                                          .45              .33               .34               .34
Earnings Per Common Share - Assuming Dilution                      .44              .33               .34               .34
</TABLE>

                                      115

<PAGE>
 
Exhibit (21)



                          Subsidiaries of the Company


                                  (attached)






                                      116
<PAGE>
 
                          Subsidiaries of the Company
                                        

             Name                                         State of Domicile
             ----                                         -----------------

Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company                Tennessee    
                                                                          
Provident Life and Casualty Insurance Company                Tennessee    
                                                                          
Provident National Assurance Company                         Tennessee    
                                                                          
The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company                       Massachusetts
                                                                          
The Paul Revere Variable Annuity Insurance Company           Massachusetts
                                                             
GENEX Services, Inc.                                         Pennsylvania 


                                      117


<PAGE>
 
Exhibit 23

                        Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries of our report dated February 3,
1998 (except for Note 18, as to which the date is March 16, 1998), included in
the 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders of Provident Companies, Inc. and
Subsidiaries.

Our audits also included the financial statement schedules of Provident
Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries listed in Item 14(a).  These schedules are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion based on our audits.  In our opinion, the financial statement schedules
referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements
taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set
forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 No. 33-47551, Form S-8 No. 33-88108 and Form S-8 No. 33-62231)
pertaining to the Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company MoneyMaker, A
Long-Term 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, the Provident Life and Accident
Insurance Company Stock Option Plan of 1994 and the Provident Life and Accident
Insurance Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 1995 and in the Registration
Statements (Form S-3 No. 333-17849 and Form S-3 No. 333-25009) of our report
dated February 3, 1998 (except for Note 18, as to which the date is March 18,
1998), with respect to the consolidated financial statements incorporated herein
by reference, and our report included in the preceding paragraph with respect to
the financial statement schedules included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of
Provident Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries.

                                         ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chattanooga, Tennessee
March 26, 1998

                                      118


<PAGE>
 
                       POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ William L. Armstrong
                              ----------------------------
                              William L. Armstrong



                                      119
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ William H. Bolinder
                              -------------------------
                              William H. Bolinder



                                      120
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ Steven M. Gluckstern
                              ------------------------
                              Steven M. Gluckstern


                                      121
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for her and in her name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ Charlotte M. Heffner
                              ------------------------
                              Charlotte M. Heffner


                                      122
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ Hugh B. Jacks
                              -----------------------
                              Hugh B. Jacks


                                      123
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ William B. Johnson
                              ------------------------
                              William B. Johnson


                                      124
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr.
                              ---------------------------
                              Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr.


                                      125
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ A. S. (Pat) MacMillan
                              --------------------------
                              A. S. (Pat) MacMillan


                                      126
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ C. William Pollard
                              -----------------------
                              C. William Pollard


                                      127
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/  Scott L. Probasco, Jr.
                              ---------------------------
                              Scott L. Probasco, Jr.


                                      128
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as
of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ Steven S Reinemund
                              ----------------------
                              Steven S Reinemund


                                      129
<PAGE>
 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY OF DIRECTOR OF
                           PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC.


    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned director of Provident
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which proposes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1997, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Harold Chandler or Susan N. Roth,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution to do any and all acts and things and execute,
for him and in his name, place and stead, said form and any and all amendments
thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agent, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney
as of March 26, 1998.



                              /s/ Burton E. Sorensen
                              -----------------------
                              Burton E. Sorensen


                                      130

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PROVIDENT COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        17,035,100
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          306,800
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            336,600
<EQUITIES>                                      10,000
<MORTGAGE>                                      17,800
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   87,100
<TOTAL-INVEST>                              19,520,800
<CASH>                                          37,700
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             987,200
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         362,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              23,177,600
<POLICY-LOSSES>                             13,001,100
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            192,700
<POLICY-OTHER>                                 531,200
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        4,328,000
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                875,700
                                0
                                    156,200
<COMMON>                                       135,200
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,987,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                23,177,600
                                   2,053,700
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          1,354,700
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              15,100
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 129,700
<BENEFITS>                                   2,358,100
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     74,400
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           740,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                380,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                   133,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            247,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   247,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.84
<RESERVE-OPEN>                               4,970,800
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                          1,537,300
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              254,500
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                             337,200
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                             1,011,300
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                              5,414,100
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>"RESERVE OPEN" OF 4,970,800 INCLUDES 2,295,400 ASSUMED DUE TO THE 
ACQUISITION OF THE PAUL REVERE CORPORATION.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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