NATIONAL CITY CORP
10-K, 1998-01-30
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
1997

Annual Report



















                                        [NATIONAL CITY LOGO]
                                        FOLLOW YOUR OWN LEAD.(TM)
<PAGE>   2
 
                            1997 Annual Report

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CORPORATE PROFILE

<S>                                                                        <C>             
National City Corporation is a $55 billion                                     A corporate-wide employee       
diversified financial services company based in                                    program, Momentum           
Cleveland, Ohio. National City operates banks and                            encompasses everything we do      
other financial service subsidiaries principally                              at National City to enhance      
in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Pennsylvania.                                    our sales and marketing        
National City subsidiaries provide financial                                           culture,                
services that meet a wide range of customer needs,                          which in turn adds value to our    
including commercial and retail banking, trust and                           stockholders. Our employees       
investment services, item processing and mortgage                               have embraced change -         
servicing.                                                                  change that involves listening     
                                                                              closely to the customer and      
On December 1, 1997, National City announced the                               understanding his or her        
signing of a definitive agreement to merge with                              individual needs. Using this      
First of America Bank Corporation, a $21 billion                             information, we can offer the     
bank holding company headquartered in Kalamazoo,                              products and services that       
Michigan. On January 12, 1998, National City                                    help our customers meet        
announced the signing of a definitive agreement to                              their financial goals.         
acquire Fort Wayne National Corporation, a $3                              
billion bank holding company headquartered in Fort
Wayne, Indiana. Both transactions are expected to
close in the second quarter of 1998, subject to
regulatory and stockholder approvals.

National City can be found on the world wide web
at www.national-city.com.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share
                  Amounts)                          1997             1996         Percent Change
<S>                                             <C>              <C>              <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR:
    Net Income                                      $807,433         $736,630            10%
    Preferred Dividend Requirements                       --            4,028            --
    Net Income Applicable to Common Stock            807,433          732,602            10
    Net Income Per Common Share:
         Basic                                          3.73             3.34            12
         Diluted                                        3.66             3.27            12
    Dividends Paid Per Common Share                     1.67             1.47            14
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Return on Average Common Equity                    18.53%           17.69%
    Return on Average Assets                            1.59             1.51
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Average Shares -- Basic                      216,429,836      219,095,248            (1)%
    Average Shares -- Diluted                    220,689,763      225,353,501            (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT YEAR END:
    Assets                                       $54,683,521      $50,855,835             8%
    Loans                                         39,573,125       35,830,068            10
    Securities                                     8,865,063        8,923,482            (1)
    Deposits                                      36,861,136       35,999,747             2
    Stockholders' Equity                           4,281,351        4,432,063            (3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Equity to Assets Ratio                              7.83%            8.71%
    Tier 1 Capital Ratio                                8.12             9.84
    Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio                     12.65            14.79
    Leverage Ratio                                      7.01             8.16
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Book Value Per Common Share                       $20.28           $19.86             2%
    Market Value Per Common Share                      65.75            44.88            47
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Common Shares Outstanding                    211,097,837      223,198,494            (5)%
    Common Stockholders of Record                     34,108           33,801             1
    Full-Time Equivalent Employees                    29,841           26,286            14
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
Note: All prior-period per share data have been restated as necessary to reflect
      Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share.
      See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  TOTAL RETURN - NATIONAL CITY VS. S&P 500
         (cumulative annual rates - assumes reinvestment of dividends)

                              20       15      10       15     1
<S>                         <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
National City Corporation    18.7     25.3    21.6     26.5   51.2
S&P 500                      16.6     17.5    18       20.2   33.6
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
                                                                    ----------------------------------
                                                                    To Our Stockholders..............2
                                                                    ----------------------------------
                                                                    Financial Review.................5
                                                                    ----------------------------------
                                                                    Financial Statements and
                                                                      Notes.........................22
                                                                    ----------------------------------
                                                                    Form 10-K.......................44
                                                                    ----------------------------------
                                                                    Board of Directors/Officers.....48
                                                                    ----------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                                               1
<PAGE>   4

TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:

[PHOTO]

(Standing, left)
ROBERT G. SIEFERS
Vice Chairman and
Chief Financial Officer

(Standing, right)
VINCENT A. DIGIROLAMO
Vice Chairman

(Seated)
DAVID A. DABERKO
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer

                                        
     Nineteen ninety seven was another successful year for National City. Net
income was a record $807.4 million or $3.66 per share, up 11.9% from 1996 - the
sixth consecutive year of double-digit earnings per share growth on an
originally reported basis. Return on equity reached 18.53% on a substantial
capital base, and return on assets was 1.59%, among the best in the industry.
Underlying this superior financial performance was the sound execution of
strategic initiatives in all of the company's major lines of business.

[QUOTEBOX -- Underlying this superior financial performance was the sound
execution of strategic initiatives in all of the company's major lines of
business.]

    In retail banking, our largest line of business, we continued to execute the
strategy set forth over the past several years. The primary objective of this
strategy is to capture the maximum value of each customer relationship by
providing the right mix of products and services, appropriately priced, through
each customer's preferred delivery channels. For instance, in 1997 we introduced
a non-prime indirect auto lending product to reach a segment of the market
traditionally served by finance companies. With a large network of automobile
dealer relationships and sophisticated credit scoring techniques, we can be
competitive in a business which offers terrific growth potential.
    To gain insight into customer preferences, we continue to make substantial
investments in data warehouse technology to more effectively capture and manage
customer information. This capability has already resulted in more effective
cross-selling and has given us tools to better understand and predict customer
needs and preferences.
    We know that customer demand for financial services transcends traditional
time and place limitations. To that end, we initiated a multi-year plan to
reconfigure our branch delivery system -- reducing traditional, full-service
branches while expanding nontraditional alternatives such as in-store locations,
limited-service facilities and off-site ATMs -- which, along with enhanced call
center capability, makes it easier and more convenient for customers to do
business with us.

2




 

 

<PAGE>   5

    In corporate banking, our second largest business, we have worked hard to
retain our position as the number one middle-market lender in our region. Our
markets continue to be economically vibrant as evidenced by low rates of
unemployment and significant growth in small and medium size businesses over the
past several years. Our decentralized system of credit approval permits quick
responsiveness to customer needs, while our product capability is second to
none. For example, we introduced an innovative lending product, Corporate
Select, which utilizes built-in interest rate protection options inside a
conventional loan to help companies manage risk in a seamless, straightforward
manner. Corporate Select offers a competitive advantage in winning and
strengthening customer relationships, since there is no comparable product
currently available in the market. Through initiatives such as these and a
strong team of relationship managers we have been able to maintain or increase
market share in virtually all our markets. We have been particularly successful
in western Pennsylvania, which we entered through the merger with Integra
Financial Corporation in 1996. As we said at the time, one of the most notable
opportunities in that transaction was the chance to increase share in
middle-market corporate banking.

[QUOTEBOX -- For the company as a whole, there is no time to rest on our laurels
from 1997's excellent performance.]

    We also took decisive actions during the year with respect to the
Corporation's fee-based businesses. In April, we launched a significant new
initiative, Wealth Management, targeting the affluent and emerging affluent
segments with a client-focused, customer-friendly approach. Combining retail
brokerage, private banking, financial planning and personal trust under one
umbrella, Wealth Management brings together resources from around the company to
effectively meet the needs of these important and growing customer segments.
    The other fee-based businesses, Institutional Trust, Mortgage Banking, and
National Processing all made substantial progress in 1997. Within Institutional
Trust, fundamental improvements in investment performance and customer service
have driven improved financial results. In Mortgage Banking, investments in new
origination sources have strengthened an already-efficient servicing operation,
and the business is now growing nicely. Finally, at National Processing, our
88%-owned item processing subsidiary, a new management team has taken steps to
improve efficiency and broaden the customer base and business mix. After some
disappointments early in 1997, National Processing enters 1998 with considerable
momentum.
    For the company as a whole, there is no time to rest on our laurels from
1997's excellent performance. We retain a sense of urgency with the knowledge
that National City, like virtually every other regional bank, has derived a
significant percentage of its income over the years from gathering and
maintaining "core" deposits; that is, customer checking, savings and money
market accounts. Due to changing consumer preferences, technology, and
deregulation, the traditional core deposit business is in long-term secular
decline. Our challenge is to manage this decline and to increase the
profitability of the total customer relationship even as core deposit
profitability shrinks. The data warehouse and information management initiatives
mentioned earlier are critical components of the strategy. We are advantaged in
having all of our banking units on the same operating systems, which has also
allowed us to address the "year 2000 problems" ahead of much of the rest of the
competition. Having the right product array is also essential. Equally important
is the fostering of a sales and marketing culture, so that serving customers
truly becomes the focus of everything we do.

                                                                               3
 
                                                                              
<PAGE>   6

    An additional challenge and exciting opportunity we will undertake in 1998
is the proposed merger with First of America Bank Corporation, which was
announced in December 1997, and, subject to shareholder and regulatory
approvals, is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 1998. First of
America, which has $21 billion in assets and is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
dramatically enhances the National City franchise through the addition of over
three million customers in markets across Michigan, central Indiana and key
Illinois cities outside Chicago. Although the one-time charges associated with
the merger will temporarily disrupt National City's earnings per share growth
record in 1998, we expect enhanced earnings growth in 1999 and beyond through
the rollout of National City products and services to First of America's markets
and customer base, and the realization of economies of scale. By integrating
First of America quickly and decisively, following the same business model
employed for the Integra acquisition in 1996, we will maintain momentum and
continue the progress in the other critical initiatives underway throughout the
rest of the company.

[QUOTEBOX -- Management, employees and directors continued to increase their
stock ownership during the year, underscoring and reinforcing our collective
dedication to shareholder interests.]

    We also announced, on January 12, 1998, an agreement to acquire Fort Wayne
National Corporation, a $3 billion in assets banking company which has the
number one and two market share, respectively, in the attractive northern
Indiana markets of Fort Wayne and South Bend. This franchise will significantly
enhance our Indiana banking presence, and will be integrated on a similar
timetable with the First of America merger.
    Some important management changes occurred in 1997. Following the mid-year
retirement of Bill Robertson, who had been president, Bob Siefers was appointed
vice chairman and became a member of the Office of the Chairman in October.
Bob's 26-year career with National City has included a variety of assignments
around the company, most recently as chief financial officer. Bob has been
influential in virtually every major corporate decision at National City over at
least the last 15 years, and this appointment formally recognizes his role in
the management team.
    Finally, National City stock again proved to be a superb investment in 1997,
providing stockholders with a total return (price appreciation plus dividends)
of 51.2%, compared to 33.6% for the market as a whole as measured by the S&P
500. The dividend was increased twice during the year, as has been the case for
each of the last five years, with a further boost, to $.46 per share, effective
for the first quarter of 1998. Management, employees and directors continued to
increase their stock ownership during the year, underscoring and reinforcing our
collective dedication to shareholder interests.



    /s/ David A. Daberko
    David A. Daberko
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    January 21, 1998
 

 

<PAGE>   7
FINANCIAL REVIEW

 
EARNINGS SUMMARY
   National City Corporation ("National City" or "the Corporation") reported
record net income of $807.4 million in 1997, compared with $736.6 million in
1996 and $591.5 million in 1995. Diluted earnings per share increased 11.9% in
1997 to $3.66, compared with $3.27 in 1996 and $2.64 in 1995.
   Return on average common equity was 18.53% in 1997, up from 17.69% in 1996
and 16.18% in 1995 (Chart 2). Return on average assets was 1.59% in 1997 versus
1.51% in 1996 and 1.23% in 1995 (Chart 3).
   The 1997 results reflect growth in noninterest income, controlled operating
expenses and stable net interest income. Excluding securities gains, noninterest
income increased 14.2% to $1,292.4 million primarily as a result of growth in
item processing fees, service charges on deposits, card-related fees and
mortgage banking revenue. Excluding merger and restructuring expenses,
noninterest expense increased 2.2% to $1,944.7 million as a result of increased
business activity and acquisitions.
   For the full year, merger and restructuring expenses totaled $65.9 million.
Of these expenses, $33.3 million represented costs associated with reorganizing
six Ohio banking subsidiaries under a single statewide charter; $19.3 million
represented costs incurred in connection with the pending First of America
merger (see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), and $13.3 million
in severance and reorganization costs at National City's item processing
subsidiary, National Processing, Inc. These charges were offset by securities
gains of $83.5 million, generated primarily from National City's Bank Stock
Fund, an internally managed corporate investment fund.
   The following table reconciles the major changes in diluted earnings per
common share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------
                                          1997      1996
                                           vs        vs
                                          1996      1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE, PRIOR YEAR    $3.27     $2.64
  Increase (decrease) from changes in:
  Net interest income                        --       .51
  Provision for loan losses                 .03      (.15)
  Fees and other income                     .72       .57
  Securities gains                         (.11)      .22
  Noninterest expense                      (.15)     (.27)
  Shares outstanding and taxes             (.10)     (.25)
- ---------------------------------------------------------
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE, CURRENT YEAR  $3.66     $3.27
- ---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   "Tangible" or "cash" earnings per share were $3.78 in 1997 and $3.43 in 1996.
This calculation adjusts net income for the non-cash impact of intangible
amortization expense. "Return on tangible equity," which excludes the non-cash
impact of intangible amortization from net income and intangibles from average
common equity, was 21.2% in 1997 versus 20.4% in 1996.
 
UNIT PROFITABILITY
   The financial performance of National City is monitored by an internal
profitability measurement system which produces line-of-business results and key
performance measures. National City's major business units include retail
banking, corporate banking and fee-based businesses. The reported results
reflect the underlying economics of the businesses. Expenses for centrally-
provided services are allocated based on estimated usage of those services.
Capital has been allocated among the businesses on a risk-adjusted basis. The

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CHART 1: DILUTED NET INCOME AND DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE
(not restated for poolings)

                                     Diluted Net Income           Dividends Paid 
                                         Per Share                  Per Share
<S>                                       <C>                      <C> 
              77                             0.81                     0.29
              78                             0.84                     0.33
              79                             0.91                     0.37
              80                             0.89                     0.41
              81                             0.76                     0.41
              82                             0.84                     0.41
              83                             0.95                     0.41
              84                             1.21                     0.42
              85                             1.52                     0.44
              86                             1.72                      0.5
              87                             1.17                      0.6
              88                             1.92                     0.72
              89                             2.18                     0.84
              90                             1.93                     0.94
              91                              1.8                     0.94
              92                             2.06                     0.94
              93                             2.37                     1.06
              94                             2.64                     1.18
              95                             2.95                      1.3
              96                             3.27                     1.47
              97                             3.66                     1.67
</TABLE>




 
                                                                               5
<PAGE>   8
FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)

 
businesses are match-funded and interest rate risk is centrally managed by the
investment/funding unit within the "Parent and other" line item in the
contribution table below.
   The contribution of National City's major units to consolidated results for
the past two years is summarized in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
                             1997               1996
                        ---------------    ---------------
                                 RETURN             Return
                         NET       ON       Net       on
(Dollars in Millions)   INCOME   EQUITY    Income   Equity
- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Corporate banking       $200.6   22.72%    $178.6   21.09% 
Retail banking           499.2   26.26      478.3   24.92
Fee-based businesses      70.4   15.55       59.9   16.34
Parent and other          37.2      --       19.8      --
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated total      $807.4   18.53%    $736.6   17.69% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   CORPORATE BANKING: Corporate banking includes commercial and middle-market
corporate lending, commercial real estate, asset-based lending, commercial
leasing, loan syndications, cash management and related services. The increase
in corporate banking was due to increased loan volume, lower credit costs, and
higher fee income.
   RETAIL BANKING: Retail banking includes the deposit gathering branch
franchise, and lending to individuals and small businesses. Lending activities
include residential mortgages, indirect and direct consumer installment loans,
auto leases, home equity loans and credit card loans. Retail banking also
includes the results of the Private Client Group which provides private banking,
investment management, fiduciary and tax services to affluent and high net worth
individuals. The increase in retail banking reflected strong fee income and
lower overhead costs.
   FEE-BASED BUSINESSES: The fee-based businesses include item processing,
mortgage banking, institutional trust and brokerage:
- - Item processing is conducted by National City's majority-owned subsidiary,
  National Processing, Inc. ("National Processing") (NYSE: NAP), and includes
  merchant credit card processing, airline ticket processing, check guarantee
  services, and receivables and payables processing services.
- - Mortgage banking includes the origination of mortgages through 108 retail
  mortgage origination offices, member bank branches, and wholesale/broker
  branches, as well as mortgage loan servicing. The servicing portfolio totaled
  $26.1 billion at December 31, 1997 compared to $22.8 billion in 1996.
- - Institutional trust includes employee benefit administration, mutual fund
  management, charitable and endowment services, and custodial services. Trust
  assets under management totaled $44.0 billion at December 31, 1997, up from
  $38.3 billion at December 31, 1996. These assets include National City's
  ARMADA(TM) mutual fund family which had 18 funds and $6.3 billion in assets at
  December 31, 1997. The increase from $5.1 billion last year is due to new
  sales and a strong stock market.
- - Full-service brokerage and investment banking services are conducted by
  National City's wholly-owned subsidiary, NatCity Investments, Inc. NatCity
  employs over 200 brokers and provides a full array of investment banking
  services, including debt and equity underwriting, trading and market making,
  and merger and acquisition advisory services.
 
CHART 2: RETURN ON AVERAGE COMMON EQUITY
(net income after preferred dividends, divided by average common equity)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                       <C>  
              92             13.63
              93             18.75
              94             17.31
              95             16.18
              96             17.96
              97             18.53
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CHART 3: RETURN ON AVERAGE ASSETS
(net income divided by average assets)
<S>                        <C> 
              92              0.99
              93              1.45
              94              1.35
              95              1.23
              96              1.51
              97              1.59
</TABLE>




6
<PAGE>   9
 
   The increase in net income in the fee-based businesses reflects revenue
growth in all units which is further described in the Noninterest Income
discussion beginning on page 8.
   The parent and other category includes general corporate expenses and unusual
income or expense items not allocated to the business units, unallocated
capital, interest expense on corporate debt, net securities gains and the
results of the investment/funding unit. Parent and other net income increased
primarily because of the higher contribution from the investment/funding unit.
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
   On a tax equivalent basis, net interest income was $1,962.2 million in 1997,
compared to $1,963.5 million in 1996, and $1,849.5 million in 1995 (Chart 4).
Flat net interest income in 1997 reflects the increased use of non-deposit
sources to fund loan growth, a change in loan composition as well as narrower
spreads. Loan composition has been affected by National City's strategic
decision to exit the private label credit card business in late 1996 which
resulted in the November 1996 sale of $400 million in private label credit card
outstandings. Although the outstandings sold were small relative to National
City's total loan portfolio, the sale did have an impact on net interest income,
the net interest margin and net loan charge-offs. The table below isolates the
impact of the private label portfolio on the full year of 1996 by presenting pro
forma results excluding the $400 million in outstandings (assumes investment
yield of 7% on reinvested proceeds from the sale):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      1996
                                                    PRO-FORMA
                            1997        1996        EXCLUDING
  (Dollars in Millions)    ACTUAL      ACTUAL     PRIVATE LABEL
<S>                       <C>         <C>         <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income       $1,942.8    $1,942.6      $ 1,895.0
Net interest margin           4.25%       4.44%          4.33%
Loan yield                    8.63%       8.78%          8.63%
Net charge-offs           $  139.0    $  146.5      $   125.5
Net charge-off ratio           .37%        .42%           .36%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   To compare nontaxable asset yields to taxable yields on a similar basis,
amounts are adjusted to pretax equivalents, based on the marginal corporate tax
rate of 35%. The following table reconciles net interest income as shown in the
financial statements to tax equivalent net interest income:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------- 
  (Dollars in Millions)     1997        1996          1995     
<S>                       <C>         <C>         <C>          
- -------------------------------------------------------------- 
Net interest income -                                          
  per financial                                                
  statements              $1,942.8    $1,942.6      $ 1,828.3  
Tax equivalent adjustment     19.4        20.9           21.2  
- -------------------------------------------------------------- 
Net interest income -                                          
  tax equivalent          $1,962.2    $1,963.5      $ 1,849.5  
- -------------------------------------------------------------- 
Average earning assets    $ 46,184    $ 44,227      $  43,844  
- -------------------------------------------------------------- 
Net interest margin           4.25%       4.44%          4.22% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>
 
CHART 4: NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

       Net Interest Margin    Net Interest Margin 

<S>            <C>                   <C>    
92             1714                  4.54   
93             1790                  4.63   
94             1811                  4.5    
95             1849                  4.22   
96             1963                  4.44   
97             1962                  4.25   
</TABLE>

Net interest income was flat in 1997 as earning asset growth was
offset by a decline in the margin.

                                                                               7
                                     


<PAGE>   10
FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)
 
The following table summarizes the contribution of derivatives to net interest
income (amounts in brackets represent reductions of the related interest income
or expense line, as applicable):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------
    (Dollars in Millions)       1997       1996       1995
<S>                            <C>        <C>        <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST ADJUSTMENT TO:
  Loans                        $  9.2     $ 21.9     $(13.1)
  Securities                     (2.5)      (1.0)      (7.7)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
  Earning assets                  6.7       20.9      (20.8)
  Interest-bearing liabilities  (35.5)     (21.8)      (4.6)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
EFFECT ON NET INTEREST INCOME  $ 42.2     $ 42.7     $(16.2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The effects of changing interest rates on corporate performance are more
fully discussed in the Market Risk Management discussion starting on page 16.
   The following table shows changes in interest income, interest expense and
net interest income due to volume and rate variances for major categories of
assets and liabilities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       1997 VS. 1996                 1996 vs. 1995
                 --------------------------   ---------------------------
                 DUE TO CHANGE IN             Due to Change in
(Dollars in      ----------------     NET     -----------------     Net
Millions)        VOLUME    RATE*    CHANGE    Volume     Rate*    Change
<S>              <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN TAX EQUIVALENT INTEREST INCOME --
 Loans           $197.7    $(53.5)  $144.2    $197.1    $ (51.4)  $145.7
 Securities       (16.7)     (6.4)   (23.1)   (102.6)      24.5    (78.1) 
 Short-term
   investments     (2.2)       .3     (1.9)    (12.6)      (3.8)   (16.4) 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL            $178.8    $(59.6)  $119.2    $ 81.9    $ (30.7)  $ 51.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(INCREASE) DECREASE IN INTEREST EXPENSE --
 NOW and money
  market accounts $ (3.8)  $(20.5)  $(24.3)   $(14.1)   $  (9.1)  $(23.2) 
 Savings             9.8      5.3     15.1       8.9        4.8     13.7
 Time deposits      (2.8)     1.2     (1.6)     (4.0)      15.7     11.7
 Borrowed funds   (120.2)    10.5   (109.7)     22.5       38.1     60.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL            $(117.0)  $ (3.5)  $(120.5)  $ 13.3    $  49.5   $ 62.8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN TAX
 EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST INCOME     $ (1.3)                       $114.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
* Changes in interest income and interest expense not arising solely from rate
  or volume variances are included in rate variances.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
 
NONINTEREST INCOME
   An analysis of noninterest income for the last three years follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
 (Dollars in Thousands)     1997         1996         1995
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Item processing revenue  $  393,115   $  364,512   $  327,929
Service charges on
  deposits                  228,986      214,659      196,474
Trust fees                  195,815      177,124      167,224
Card-related fees           137,931      123,306       98,806
Mortgage banking revenue    124,538       81,145       66,821
Service fees - other         59,275       54,209       53,693
Brokerage revenue            49,784       47,546       29,502
Real estate owned income      8,712        7,474        5,188
Other                        94,266       61,310       58,204
- -------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FEES AND OTHER
  INCOME                 $1,292,422   $1,131,285   $1,003,841
- -------------------------------------------------------------
 Securities gains            83,514      108,146       42,365
- -------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME $1,375,936   $1,239,431   $1,046,206
- -------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Total fees and other income increased 14.2% in 1997 to $1,292.4 million from
$1,131.3 million in 1996. All categories increased in 1997, with the highest
growth coming from item processing, card-related fees, service charges on
deposits, trust fees and mortgage banking revenue.
   Item processing revenue generated by National Processing increased 7.8% in
1997 to $393.1 million as a result of acquisitions and increases in corporate
outsourcing fee revenue. In 1997, National Processing acquired NTA, Inc. and
Intracon, Inc., both freight processing companies; MRS Jamaica, a healthcare
form processing company; Data Management Services, a data processing company;
and Financial Alliance, an independent sales organization. These acquisitions
added $26.6 million to 1997 revenues.
   Deposit service charges increased 6.7% in 1997 and 9.3% in 1996 primarily due
to the implementation of a uniform fee structure across the National City
franchise.
   Trust fees increased 10.6% in 1997 and 5.9% in 1996 primarily due to
market-related increases in assets under management.
   Card-related fees increased 11.9% to $137.9 million in 1997. The increase
reflects repricing of cardholder fees across the franchise, and higher ATM
interchange fees. The 24.8% increase in 1996 card-related fees is due to the
full year impact of excess servicing fees realized from the September 1995 $440
million credit card receivable securitization.
   Mortgage banking revenue increased 53.5% to $124.5 million in 1997. The
increase was due to increased mortgage origination volume and higher mortgage
servicing revenue. Loan originations nearly doubled to $7.0 billion in 1997 from
$3.7 billion in 1996. Increased volume was due to the favorable interest rate
environment and the February 1997 acquisition of Bank United's non-Texas
mortgage origination business. Of the mortgages
 
8
<PAGE>   11
 
originated in 1997, $6.1 billion were sold in the secondary market, compared to
$2.6 billion last year. Gains on the sale of mortgages totaled $56.8 million in
1997, $27.6 million in 1996 and $2.8 million in 1995. The gains for 1997 and
1996 include amounts related to the capitalization of originated servicing
rights under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for further discussion regarding mortgage servicing rights.
   In 1997, other income included $13.7 million in gains on the sale of branches
and other assets, and $13.0 million of appreciation resulting from National
City's investment in a private investment partnership. In 1996, other income
included a $6.0 million gain on the sale of the private label credit card
business and $9.2 million of gains on branch sales. In 1995, other income
included a $9.2 million gain on the sale of credit card receivables.
   Net realized securities gains and losses are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------
    (Dollars in Thousands)      1997       1996      1995
<S>                            <C>       <C>        <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gains (losses) --
 debt securities               $(1,358)  $  5,838   $(8,279)
Tax expense (benefit)             (475)     2,043    (2,898)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
  After tax                    $  (883)  $  3,795   $(5,381)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gains -- equity
 securities                    $84,872   $102,308   $50,644
Tax expense                     29,862     27,544    16,399
- -----------------------------------------------------------
  After tax                    $55,010   $ 74,764   $34,245
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Effect on net income           $54,127   $ 78,559   $28,864
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Effect on earnings per share   $   .25   $    .35   $   .13
- -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   As shown in the table, equity securities gains represent the majority of
securities gains over the last three years. The primary source of these gains
has been the Corporation's internally-managed Bank Stock Fund, an equity
portfolio consisting primarily of bank and thrift common stock investments. At
December 31, 1997, the market value of Bank Stock Fund equity investments
totaled $612.2 million, including $407.4 million of unrealized gains.
 
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
   The following table provides details of noninterest expense for the last
three years:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 -------------------------------------------------------------
  (Dollars in Thousands)     1997         1996         1995
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries                  $  788,410   $  736,439   $  693,952
Benefits and other
  personnel                  199,286      187,325      184,663
Equipment                    144,459      135,139      127,612
Net occupancy                132,725      132,143      125,072
Third party services         125,422      139,928      147,595
Credit card fees             136,446      129,304      115,184
Postage and supplies          90,822       96,946       89,905
FDIC assessments               6,175        5,794       65,978
State and local taxes         39,066       38,561       39,027
Marketing and public
  relations                   63,427       84,238       60,668
Transportation                34,738       34,377       31,293
Telephone                     44,227       39,073       36,877
Other real estate owned        8,345        9,551        6,075
Amortization of
  intangibles                 29,194       39,637       41,971
Merger and restructuring      65,902       74,745       24,200
Other                        101,933       93,883      125,852
- --------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                     $2,010,577   $1,977,083   $1,915,924
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Noninterest expense increased 1.7% to $2,010.6 million in 1997, compared to
$1,977.1 million in 1996. The overall increase was primarily due to increased
operating
 

CHART 5: OVERHEAD RATIO

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>              <C>  
92               55.25
93               47.47
94               45.68
95               48.01
96               39.27
97               33.24
</TABLE>

The continued improvement in the overhead ratio is due to maintenance of flat
overhead expenses at the banking level and the realization of cost savings in
past acquisitions. The ratio excludes merger and restructuring expenses.






                                                                               9
 
<PAGE>   12
FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)
 
expenses associated with acquisitions and business activity.
   Merger and restructuring expenses in 1997 included $33.3 million in costs
associated with reorganizing National City's six Ohio banking subsidiaries under
a single statewide charter, $19.3 million of costs incurred in connection with
the pending First of America merger, and $13.3 million in severance and
reorganization costs at National Processing. Merger and restructuring expenses
of $74.7 million in 1996 and $24.2 million in 1995 were incurred as a result of
the Integra Financial Corporation merger.
   Salaries and other personnel increased primarily as a result of acquisitions
in the mortgage banking and item processing subsidiaries.
   Third party service fees have decreased over the past two years due to vendor
reductions resulting from the Integra Financial Corporation merger.
   Marketing and public relations expenses in 1997 decreased $20.8 million from
1996 due to the 1996 pre-funding of National City's Charitable Foundation.
   The overhead performance measures of National City's major business units for
the past two years are summarized in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
                        Full-Time       Overhead  Efficiency
                     Equivalent Staff    Ratio      Ratio
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                <C>        <C>
1997
Corporate and retail
  banking                 15,081          36.73%      51.59%
Fee-based businesses      13,845             --       83.10
Corporate                    915             --          --
- ------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                     29,841          36.60%      61.78%
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Excluding merger and
  restructuring
  expenses                                33.24%      59.76%
- ------------------------------------------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
                        Full-Time       Overhead  Efficiency
                     Equivalent Staff    Ratio      Ratio
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                <C>        <C>
1996
Corporate and retail
  banking                 16,213          39.93%      52.76%
Fee-based businesses       9,148             --       83.25
Corporate                    925             --          --
- ------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                     26,286          43.08%      63.88%
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Excluding merger and
  restructuring
  expenses                                39.27%      61.47%
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Full-time equivalent staff increased in 1997 primarily due to increased
staffing as a result of acquisitions and business activity in the item
processing and mortgage banking subsidiaries.
   The overhead ratio (noninterest expense less fee and other income as a
percentage of tax equivalent net interest income) was 36.6% in 1997, compared
with 43.1% in 1996 and 49.3% in 1995 (Chart 5). Excluding merger and
restructuring expenses, the overhead ratio was 33.2% in 1997, 39.3% in 1996 and
48.0% in 1995.
   The efficiency ratio (noninterest expense as a percentage of fee and other
income plus tax equivalent net interest income) was 61.8% in 1997 versus 63.9%
in 1996 and 67.1% in 1995. Excluding merger and restructuring expenses, the
efficiency ratio was 59.8% in 1997, 61.5% in 1996 and 66.3% in 1995.
   The fee-based businesses generally have lower gross margins than traditional
banking. Therefore, growth in these businesses penalizes the efficiency ratio;
conversely, strong fee income benefits the overhead ratio.
 
EARNING ASSETS
   Average earning assets for 1997 were $46,184 million, compared with $44,227
million in 1996 and $43,844 million in 1995. The increase in 1997 over 1996 is
primarily due
 
CHART 6: AVERAGE LOANS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

           Consumer      Residential     Revolving 
         Installment     Real Estate       Credit
<S>          <C>            <C>             <C> 
92           5909           4237            1766
93           5906           4997            2106
94           6693           5888            2511
95           7617           7039            3058
96           8739           7486            3125
97           9607           7836            3061

<CAPTION>

         Commercial      Commercial 
                         Real Estate
<S>         <C>             <C> 
92          10977           2621
93          10543           3129
94          10782           3281
95          11584           3473
96          12261           3368
97          13617           3116
</TABLE>

National City's loan portfolio mix is approximately 45% corporate and 55%
consumer loans. Although commercial loans outpaced consumer loan growth in 1997,
over the longer term the consumer loan portfolio, which includes installment,
residential real estate and revolving credit loans, has grown at a faster rate.

10
 
<PAGE>   13
 
to a 6.4% increase in average loans, offset by the securities portfolio which
decreased 2.9% to an average balance of $8,439 million.
   LOANS: At year-end 1997, loans were $39.6 billion, representing an increase
of 10.4% from year-end 1996. Average loans are shown in Chart 6. Ending loan
balances are summarized in the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
    (Dollars in
     Millions)         1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
<S>                  <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial           $ 13,216  $10,935  $11,048  $ 9,888  $ 9,764
Nontaxable                248      283      282      344      343
Real estate
  construction            814      775      713      575      686
Commercial lease          633      516      358      297      310
Commercial real
  estate                3,021    3,441    3,332    3,195    3,058
Residential real
  estate                8,314    7,623    7,501    6,218    5,903
Consumer               10,128    9,252    8,149    7,161    6,325
Home equity             2,040    1,783    1,546    1,327    1,176
Credit card             1,159    1,222    1,537    1,696    1,037
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LOANS          $ 39,573  $35,830  $34,466  $30,701  $28,602
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Commercial: The majority of the commercial loan portfolio consists of loans
made to middle-market customers in National City's four-state market area. The
loan mix is diverse, covering a broad range of borrowers characteristic of the
Midwest economy. As a matter of policy, concentrations within a particular
industry or segment are continually monitored and controlled.
   Commercial loans grew at a solid pace throughout 1997 due to increased
business activity in local markets and competitive product offerings. Future
growth should be supplemented by increased emphasis on commercial leasing,
asset-based lending and loan syndications. The commercial portfolio continues to
have small international exposure. International loans totaled $37 million, down
from $63 million in 1996.
   An analysis of the maturity and interest rate sensitivity of commercial and
real estate construction loans at the end of 1997 follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------
    (Dollars in      One Year    One to       Over
     Millions)       or Less   Five Years  Five Years   Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>
Commercial*           $6,430     $6,171      $1,496    $14,097
Real estate
  construction           210        383         221        814
- --------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                 $6,640     $6,554      $1,717    $14,911
- --------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL VARIABLE RATE   $5,830     $5,187      $1,295    $12,312
TOTAL FIXED RATE         810      1,367         422      2,599
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
* Includes commercial, non-taxable and commercial lease.
- --------------------------------------------------------------
 
   Commercial Real Estate: Commercial real estate included $1,990 million of
loans secured by income-producing real estate in 1997, down from $2,451 million
in 1996 and $2,375 million in 1995.
   Activities in commercial real estate are based primarily on relationships
with developers who are active in local markets. More than 85% of outstandings
are in National City's primary markets of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and
Pennsylvania. The portfolio consists predominantly of relatively small-scale
office, retail and apartment buildings.
   Total commercial real estate loans made up 7.6% of the total loan portfolio
at December 31, 1997, compared to 9.6% in 1996. At year-end, there were no
concentrations of real estate loans in any deteriorating economic areas.
   The following table shows a breakdown of commercial mortgage loans at
year-end 1997 by state and by project type:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
                  (Dollars in Millions)
- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                   <C>            <C>
BY STATE:                            BY PROJECT:
    Ohio       $1,672                Retail         $  749
    Pennsylvania  363               Land              141
    Kentucky      299                Apartments        767
    Indiana       267                Office            456
    Florida        43                Industrial        156
    Michigan       25                Other             611
    Other         211
- ----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL          $2,880                TOTAL          $2,880
- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Consumer: During 1997, consumer installment loans increased 9.5% from
year-end 1996. Approximately 70% of the portfolio is comprised of auto-related
installment loans of which more than 65% are indirect and 75% are at fixed
rates. Following the introduction of a new consumer lease product in 1995, the
lease portfolio grew more than $400 million in 1997 to $979 million at December
31, 1997. Student loans comprise the remainder of the portfolio with $1,951
million in balances at December 31, 1997.
   Home Equity: Home equity loans increased 14.4% due to aggressive marketing
and promotion of this product through all marketing channels.
   Credit Card: The decline in credit card outstandings in 1997 reflects the
sale of the remaining $94 million of private label credit card outstandings. The
decline in credit card outstandings in 1996 reflects the sale of the $400
million of private label credit card outstandings in November 1996. The decline
in credit card receivables from 1994 to 1995 reflects the securitization of $440
million of credit card receivables in September 1995. The managed card
portfolio, which includes both on-balance sheet receivables and securitized
balances, totaled $1,530 million at December 31, 1997.
 
                                                                              11
<PAGE>   14
FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued) 


   SECURITIES: On a cost basis, the securities portfolio decreased from $8.7
billion at December 31, 1996 to $8.4 billion at December 31, 1997. The decrease
was primarily due to the maturity and sale of U.S. Treasury and Federal agency
debentures.
   Summary information with respect to the securities portfolio at December 31
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                     1997                  1996        1995
   (Dollars in     AMORTIZED    1997     Amortized   Amortized
    Millions)        COST      YIELD*      Cost        Cost
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>
U.S. TREASURY AND FEDERAL AGENCY DEBENTURES:
  Under 1 year      $    31      7.40%    $   527     $    50
  1 to 5 years          656      5.95       1,382       1,427
  5 to 10 years         554      6.02         321         504
  Over 10 years          --        --          --          95
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                 1,241      6.02       2,230       2,076
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES:
  Under 1 year          388      6.29         122         104
  1 to 5 years        3,277      6.87       2,619       2,826
  5 to 10 years       1,210      6.81       1,635         811
  Over 10 years          15      7.47          14       2,255
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                 4,890      6.81       4,390       5,996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
ASSET-BACKED AND CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES:
  Under 1 year          453      5.79          93           2
  1 to 5 years          812      6.86         591         159
  5 to 10 years         222      6.06         221          75
  Over 10 years          51      6.99          85         581
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                 1,538      6.59         990         817
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
STATES AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS:
  Under 1 year           29     11.99          58          69
  1 to 5 years           63     10.71          91         115
  5 to 10 years          88      9.04          89         122
  Over 10 years          65      9.12          87         130
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                   245      9.84         325         436
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER SECURITIES:
  Under 1 year           --        --         183          25
  1 to 5 years           --        --           2         172
  5 to 10 years          --        --           3          93
  Over 10 years         469        --         573         401
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                   469        --         761         691
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SECURITIES    $ 8,383      6.61%    $ 8,696     $10,016
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
* Yield on debt securities only; equity securities excluded.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
 
   Yields on tax-exempt securities are calculated on a tax equivalent basis
using the marginal Federal income tax rate of 35%. Mortgage-backed securities
are assigned to maturity categories based on their estimated average lives.
Equity securities are included in other securities over 10 years.
   The portfolio yield at December 31, 1997 was 6.61%, compared to 6.57% at
December 31, 1996. The increase in yield is attributable to an increased
portfolio allocation to higher yielding mortgage and asset-backed securities.
   Investments in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) totaled $2.6
billion and $1.6 billion at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. At
December 31, 1997, CMOs with book values of $95 million and market values of $96
million were considered "high risk" under regulatory definitions. These
securities are classified as "high risk" because either their price sensitivity
or average life extension is potentially beyond the limits for CMOs not
classified as "high risk" by regulatory definitions. These securities and all
CMOs are continually monitored and subjected to stress tests for price and
average life sensitivity. The amount of mortgage-backed securities that are
either variable or adjustable rate totaled $1.1 billion at December 31, 1997, or
22% of total mortgage-backed securities.
 
ASSET QUALITY
   Credit quality further improved during 1997. Continuing the trend of the past
several years, nonperforming assets decreased $1.1 million to $166.5 million at
December 31, 1997 versus $167.6 million at December 31, 1996. Net charge-offs as
a percentage of average loans declined to .37% versus .42% in 1996.
   NONPERFORMING ASSETS: A summary of nonaccrual and restructured loans and
other nonperforming assets at December 31 follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Millions)  1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
COMMERCIAL:
 Nonaccrual           $ 80.5   $ 82.7   $108.2   $ 66.1   $102.1
 Restructured             --       --       .1      2.4      4.1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COMMERCIAL        80.5     82.7    108.3     68.5    106.2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
REAL ESTATE RELATED:
 Nonaccrual             64.5     57.2     75.0    104.6    156.7
 Restructured            2.5      3.2      4.1      4.4      6.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL REAL ESTATE
  RELATED               67.0     60.4     79.1    109.0    163.2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NONPERFORMING
  LOANS                147.5    143.1    187.4    177.5    269.4
Other real estate
  owned (OREO)          19.0     24.5     21.4     48.7    114.0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NONPERFORMING
  ASSETS              $166.5   $167.6   $208.8   $226.2   $383.4
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Loans 90 days past
 due accruing
 interest             $110.9   $107.1   $ 64.7   $ 51.3   $ 68.1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
NONPERFORMING LOANS AND OREO AS A PERCENT OF:
  Loans and OREO          .4%      .5%      .6%      .7%     1.3%
  Assets                  .3       .3       .4       .5       .8
  Equity                 3.9      3.8      5.1      6.5     10.1
Loan loss allowance
 to nonperforming
 loans                   473%     493%     377%     398%     254%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
12
<PAGE>   15
 
   All loans considered impaired under SFAS No. 114 are included in
non-performing loans.
   Commercial and residential real estate loans and securities are designated as
nonperforming when payments are 90 or more days past due, when credit terms are
renegotiated below market levels, or when individual analysis of a borrower's
creditworthiness indicates that a credit should be placed on nonaccrual status,
unless the loan is adequately collateralized and is in the process of
collection.
   Consumer loans are reported as "90 days past due accruing interest" once the
90-day criterion has been met, and are charged off in the month in which the
loan becomes 120 days past due. Generally, when loans are classified as
nonperforming or impaired, unpaid accrued interest is written off and future
income may be recorded only as cash payments are received.
   Although loans may be classified as nonperforming, many continue to pay
interest irregularly or at less than original contractual rates. A summary of
actual income booked on nonperforming loans versus their full contractual yields
for each of the past five years follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Dollars in Millions)  1997      1996      1995      1994      1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Income potential based
 on original contract   $17.3     $20.6     $21.3     $22.6     $27.6
Actual income             5.5       9.0      12.1      10.3       8.6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES: The following table presents a reconciliation of
the allowance for loan losses:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------
 (Dollars in Millions)   1997    1996    1995    1994    1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
BALANCE AT BEGINNING
 OF YEAR                $705.9  $705.8  $706.5  $685.3  $622.7
Provision                139.7   146.5   113.5   109.4   143.1
Reserves (sold)
 acquired                 (8.1)     .1    11.5     9.7    50.7
CHARGE-OFFS:
 Commercial               46.3    58.0    52.3    54.9    84.7
 Real estate mortgage     11.3    10.2    27.5    27.3    29.4
 Consumer                105.8    95.9    57.1    47.2    50.0
 Credit card              58.5    67.9    63.1    49.1    44.8
 Home equity               3.9     4.6     2.5     1.7     4.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CHARGE-OFFS        225.8   236.6   202.5   180.2   213.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------
RECOVERIES:
 Commercial               23.7    35.0    25.7    36.1    40.1
 Real estate mortgage      4.9     5.7     9.9     5.2     3.9
 Consumer                 43.9    35.5    27.8    27.9    26.2
 Credit card              12.7    12.7    11.7    12.1     8.5
 Home equity               1.5     1.2     1.7     1.0     3.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RECOVERIES          86.7    90.1    76.8    82.3    82.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Net charge-offs          139.1   146.5   125.7    97.9   131.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT END OF YEAR  $698.4  $705.9  $705.8  $706.5  $685.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of ending
 allowance to ending
 loans                    1.76%   1.97%   2.05%   2.30%   2.40%
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The commercial category includes real estate construction net recoveries of
$1.4 million in 1997, $10.4 million in 1996 and $2.4 million in 1995. The real
estate mortgage category includes commercial real estate net charge-offs of $1.3
million in 1997, $.02 million in 1996 and $15.8 million in 1995.
 
CHART 7: CREDIT QUALITY MEASURES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     Nonperforming Assets  Allowance for Loan Loss  Net Charge-offs as a % of
                                                         Average Loans               

<S>        <C>                   <C>                        <C>    
92         594                   623                        0.75   
93         383                   686                        0.49   
94         226                   707                        0.34   
95         209                   706                        0.38   
96         168                   706                        0.42   
97         167                   698                        0.37   
                                                        
</TABLE>

Nonperforming assets totaled $166.5 million at December 31, 1997, and the
allowance for loan losses represented 1.76% of total loans and 473% of
nonperforming assets. Net charge-offs as a percentage of loans were .37% in
1997, down from .42% in 1996 and .38% in 1995.

                                                                              13
 
<PAGE>   16

FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)         
 
   Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans by portfolio type are shown
in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                         1997    1996    1995    1994    1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Commercial                 .17%    .19%    .23%    .17%    .42%
Real estate mortgage       .06     .04     .17     .24     .31
Consumer                   .64     .69     .38     .29     .40
Credit card               3.99    3.73    3.66    3.32    4.45
Home equity                .13     .20     .05     .05     .08
TOTAL NET CHARGE-OFFS
 TO AVERAGE LOANS          .37%    .42%    .38%    .34%    .49%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans decreased 5 basis points
from 1996, and 1 basis point from 1995. Consumer and credit card loans are
charged off within industry norms, while commercial loans are evaluated
individually.
   The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated based on an
assessment of the losses inherent in the loan portfolio. This assessment results
in an allowance consisting of two components, allocated and unallocated.
   The allocated component of the allowance for loan losses reflects expected
losses resulting from the analysis of individual loans, developed through
specific credit allocations for individual loans and historical loss experience
for each loan category. The specific credit allocations are based on a regular
analysis of all loans and commitments over a fixed dollar amount where the
internal credit rating is at or below a predetermined classification. The
historical loan loss element represents a projection of future credit problems
and is determined statistically using a loss migration analysis that examines
loss experience and the related internal gradings of loans charged off.
   The allocated component of the allowance for loan losses also includes
management's determination of the amounts necessary for concentrations, economic
uncertainties, change in mix of the portfolio and other subjective factors.
Since banking is a cyclical business, National City's allocation methodology
gives consideration to potential losses in the portfolio over a two year period
of time.
   An allocation of the ending allowance for loan losses by major loan type
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Millions)  1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Commercial and
 commercial mortgage  $193.2   $205.2   $261.3   $272.5   $311.8
Consumer and
 residential mortgage  103.0    100.1     93.5     88.2     82.7
Revolving credit        48.6     48.9     40.9     43.3     22.1
Unallocated            353.6    351.7    310.1    302.5    268.7
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                 $698.4   $705.9   $705.8   $706.5   $685.3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The allocations are made for analytical purposes. The total allowance is
available to absorb losses from any segment of the portfolio.
   The following table shows the percentage of loans in each category to total
loans at year-end:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                       1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Commercial and
 commercial mortgage   45.3%    44.5%    45.6%    46.6%    49.5%
Consumer and
 residential mortgage  46.6     47.1     45.5     44.3     43.5
Revolving credit        8.1      8.4      8.9      9.1      7.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                 100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
   Average balances in interest-bearing transaction accounts, which include
savings, negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) and money market accounts, totaled
$12,909 million. Average time deposits totaled $14,819 million in 1997.
   Borrowed funds include all interest-bearing liabilities that are not core
deposits. Average borrowed funds totaled $11,316 million in 1997.
   A maturity distribution of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more at
year-end follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
         (Dollars in Millions)            1997       1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>
DUE IN:
  3 months or less                       $1,225     $1,107
  3 to 6 months                             339        349
  6 to 12 months                            438        450
  Over 1 year                             2,092      1,507
- ----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                                    $4,094     $3,413
- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Details regarding federal funds borrowed and security repurchase agreements
follow:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
      (Dollars in Millions)        1997     1996     1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>      <C>      <C>
Balance at December 31            $4,425   $4,277   $5,300
Maximum outstanding at any
 month-end                         4,970    4,512    5,300
Daily average amount outstanding   4,079    3,959    4,394
Weighted daily average interest
 rate                               5.07%    5.40%    5.43%
Weighted daily interest rate for
 amounts outstanding at December
 31                                 5.52%    5.89%    4.90%
- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
CAPITAL
   Total stockholders' equity was $4,281 million at December 31, 1997,
representing a 3.4% decrease from $4,432 million at December 31, 1996.
   The Corporation has consistently maintained capital ratios at or above the
"well capitalized" standards. For further detail on capital ratios, see Note 11
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
   Total equity was 7.83% of total assets at year-end 1997, compared to 8.71% a
year ago. Tangible equity, which excludes intangible assets and servicing
rights, was 6.75% of tangible assets at December 31, 1997, versus 7.81% at
December 31, 1996.
 
14
<PAGE>   17


   Book value per common share at December 31, 1997 was $20.28, compared to
$19.86 at December 31, 1996 (Chart 8). The 1997 book value included $1.49
related to unrealized market appreciation in the securities available for sale
portfolio, compared to $.66 at year-end 1996.
   Cash dividend payout is continually reviewed by management and the Board of
Directors. For the past three- and five-year periods, the dividend payout has
averaged 46.61% and 45.23%, respectively.
   In December 1997, the Board of Directors declared a first quarter dividend of
$.46 per common share, representing an 8.2% increase from the preceding
quarterly dividend of $.425 per share. The dividend is payable February 1 to
stockholders of record on January 9, 1998. This continues National City's
pattern of increasing the dividend twice per year since 1992.
   National City Corporation's common stock trades on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol NCC. As of December 31, 1997, there were 34,108 common
stockholders of record. The total market capitalization of the Corporation was
approximately $13.9 billion at December 31, 1997.
   Quarterly dividends paid per share and common stock prices follow:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
    NYSE: NCC       First    Second    Third    Fourth     Year
<S>                 <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
1997
  Dividends paid    $  .41   $ .41   $  .425   $  .425    $ 1.67
  High               54.63   55.25     64.88     67.56     67.56
  Low                42.50   44.63     52.25     54.13     42.50
  Close              46.63   52.50     61.56     65.75     65.75
1996
  Dividends paid    $  .36   $ .36   $  .375   $  .375    $ 1.47
  High               35.38   37.75     42.75     47.25     47.25
  Low                30.63   33.25     33.75     41.50     30.63
  Close              35.13   35.13     42.13     44.88     44.88
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT
   Effective liquidity management ensures that the cash flow requirements of
depositors and borrowers, as well as the operating cash needs of the
Corporation, are met.
   Funds are available from a number of sources, including the securities
portfolio, the core deposit base, the ability to acquire large deposits and
issue bank notes in the local and national markets, and the capability to
securitize or package loans for sale.
   The parent company has four major sources of funding to meet its liquidity
requirements: dividends from its subsidiaries, the commercial paper market, a
revolving credit agreement and access to the capital markets.
   The main source for parent company cash requirements has been dividends from
its subsidiaries. At January 1, 1998, $471.1 million was available within the
bank subsidiaries to pay parent company dividends without prior regulatory
approval, versus $378.0 million at January 1, 1997. During 1997, subsidiary
banks declared $422.0 million in dividends to the parent company.
   As discussed in Item 1 of Form 10-K (page 45), subsidiary banks are subject
to regulation and, among other things, may be limited in their ability to pay
dividends or transfer funds to the parent company. Accordingly, consolidated
cash flows as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows on page 26
may not represent cash available to National City Corporation's stockholders.
   Funds raised in the commercial paper market through the Corporation's
subsidiary, National City Credit Corporation, are primarily used to support the
activities of National City Mortgage Co., the Corporation's mortgage banking
subsidiary, as well as other occasional short-term cash needs. Commercial paper
outstandings at
 

CHART 8: BOOK VALUE AND STOCK PRICE HISTORY
(adjusted for stock splits; not restated for poolings)

                Book           High            Low           Year-end
                Value          Stock           Stock           Stock
                               Price           Price           Price
77              5.31            6.67            6.08           6.13
78              5.81            7.19            5.71           5.95
79              6.34            6.82            5.89           6.39
80              6.83            6.41            4.41           5.08
81              7.18            5.56            4.26           4.52
82              7.69            5.41            3.45           4.78
83              8.24            6.89            4.49           6.89
84              8.65            8.61            5.78           8.47
85              8.74           11.28            8.39          10.97
86             10.40           16.46           10.95          15.29
87             10.58           19.13           11.94          14.56
88             10.92           16.82           13.88          16.44
89             12.43           20.75           15.38          19.56
90             13.39           19.94           11.32          15.63
91             14.24           21.13           14.07          18.63
92             14.54           24.82           17.94          24.81
93             16.15           28.06           23.13          24.50
94             16.36           29.00           23.75          25.88
95             18.8            33.75           25.25          33.13
96             19.86           47.25           30.63          44.88
97             20.28           67.563          42.5           65.75

National City's common stock price at December 31, 1997 was $65.75. Over the
past 20 years, the total return on an annualized basis of an investment in
National City common stock, assuming reinvestment of dividends, was 18.7%,
compared to 16.6% for the S&P 500.




                                                                              15


 
<PAGE>   18
FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)

 
December 31, 1997 were $795.9 million, compared to $556.1 million at year-end
1996.
   National City Corporation has a $350 million revolving credit agreement with
a group of unaffiliated banks which serves as a back-up liquidity facility. The
agreement expires February 1, 2001, with a provision to extend the expiration
date under certain circumstances. No borrowings have occurred under this
facility.
   The parent company also has in place a $250 million shelf registration with
the Securities and Exchange Commission permitting ready access to the public
debt and preferred stock markets.
   On June 2, 1997, National City issued $500 million in Reset Asset Capital
Securities which are classified as subordinated debt. The Reset Asset Capital
Securities represent an economical source of funding, with the added benefit of
qualifying as Tier 1 capital following optional redemption on June 1, 1999.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
   The sections that follow, MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT and OTHER, contain certain
forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995). These forward-looking statements may involve significant
risks and uncertainties. Although National City believes that the expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may
differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking
statements.
 
MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
   Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair
value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, exchange rates
and equity prices. National City's market risk is composed primarily of interest
rate risk. The Corporation's Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for
reviewing the interest rate sensitivity position of the Corporation and
establishing policies to monitor and limit exposure to interest rate risk. The
guidelines established by ALCO are reviewed by the Investment Committee of the
Corporation's Board of Directors.
   ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT: The primary goals of asset/liability management
are to maximize net interest income and the net value of the Corporation's
future cash flows within the interest rate risk limits set by ALCO.
   Interest Rate Risk Measurement: Interest rate risk is monitored through the
use of three complementary measures: static gap analysis, earnings simulation
modeling and net present value estimation. While each of the interest rate risk
measurements has limitations, taken together they represent a reasonably
comprehensive view of the magnitude of interest rate risk in the Corporation,
the distribution of risk along the yield curve, the level of risk through time,
and the amount of exposure to changes in certain interest rate relationships.
   Static Gap: Gap analysis measures the amount of repricing risk embedded in
the balance sheet at a point in time. It does so by comparing the differences in
the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities. A gap is defined as the
difference between the principal amount of assets and liabilities, adjusted for
off-balance sheet instruments, which reprice within a specified time period. The
cumulative one-year gap, at year-end, was (8.8%) of total earning assets
adjusted for off-balance sheet investment surrogates. The policy limit for the
one-year gap is plus or minus 15% of adjusted total earning assets.
   Core deposits and loans with noncontractual maturities are included in the
gap repricing distributions based upon historical patterns of balance attrition
and pricing behavior which are reviewed at least annually.
   The gap repricing distributions include principal cash flows from residential
mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities in the timeframes in which they
are expected to be received. Mortgage prepayments are estimated by applying
industry median projections of prepayment speeds to portfolio segments based on
coupon range and loan age.
   Earnings Simulation: The earnings simulation model forecasts one- and
two-year net income under a variety of scenarios that incorporate changes in the
absolute level of interest rates, changes in the shape of the yield curve and
changes in interest rate relationships. Management evaluates the effects on
income of alternative interest rate scenarios against earnings in a stable
interest rate environment. This type of analysis is also most useful in
determining the short-run earnings exposures to changes in customer behavior
involving loan payments and deposit additions and withdrawals.
   The most recent earnings simulation model projects net income would increase
by approximately 1.7% of stable-rate net income if rates fall gradually by two
percentage points over the next year. It projects a decrease of approximately
1.8% if the rates rise gradually by two percentage points, well within the
(5.0%) policy
 
16
<PAGE>   19
 
limit. Management believes this reflects a slight liability-sensitive rate risk
position for the one-year horizon. Within a two-year horizon and assuming an
additional 200 basis point move in rates, the model forecasts that net income
would fall below that earned in a stable rate environment by 2.7% in a falling
rate scenario and fall by 7.2% in a rising rate scenario. Both of these
forecasts are within the two-year policy guideline of (15.0%).
   Net income is projected to fall below the level associated with stable rates
if the yield curve flattens. If short-term rates are assumed to be stable, while
two-year rates fall by 50 basis points and ten-year rates fall by 100 basis
points over the next year, then net income is projected to fall short of that
earned in the stable case by .9%. Alternatively, if short-term rates are assumed
to increase by 200 basis points over the next year, with two-year rates rising
by 150 basis points and ten-year rates increasing by 100 basis points, then net
income is expected to fall by 2.2% relative to stable-rate income.
   Earnings are also affected by changes in spread relationships. For example, a
50 basis point contraction in the relationship between the prime rate and the
Federal funds rate is projected to cause a 2.6% reduction in net income over a
12-month period.
   This dynamic simulation model includes assumptions about how the balance
sheet is likely to evolve through time, in different interest rate environments.
Loan and deposit growth rate assumptions are derived from historical analysis
and management's outlook, as are the assumptions used to project yields and
rates for new loans and deposits. All maturities, calls and prepayments in the
securities portfolio are assumed to be reinvested in two-year assets, as are the
portion of derivatives used as off-balance sheet investment alternatives.
Mortgage loan prepayment assumptions are developed from industry median
estimates of prepayment speeds for portfolios with similar coupon ranges and
seasoning. Noncontractual deposit growth rates and pricing are assumed to follow
historical patterns. The sensitivities of key assumptions are analyzed at least
annually and reviewed by ALCO.
   Net Present Value: The Net Present Value (NPV) of the balance sheet, at a
point in time, is defined as the discounted present value of asset cash flows
and derivative cash flows minus the discounted value of liability cash flows.
Interest rate risk analysis using NPV involves changing the interest rates used
in determining the cash flows and in discounting the cash flows. The resulting
percentage change in NPV is an indication of the longer term repricing risk and
options risk embedded in the balance sheet.
   At year-end, a 150 basis point immediate increase in rates is estimated to
reduce NPV by 3.9%. Additionally, NPV is projected to decrease by 3.5% if rates
fall by 150 basis points. Policy limits restrict this amount to (10.0%) of NPV.
Analysis of the average quarterly change in the Treasury yield curve over the
past ten years indicates that a parallel curve shift of 150 basis points or more
is an event that has less than a .1% chance of occurrence.
   As with gap analysis and earnings simulation modeling, assumptions about the
timing and variability of balance sheet cash flows are critical in NPV analysis.
Particularly important are the assumptions driving mortgage prepayments and the
assumptions about expected attrition of the core deposit portfolios. These
assumptions are applied consistently across the different rate risk measures.
   Summary information about each of the three interest-rate risk measures is
presented below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Year-end     Average     Minimum     Maximum     Year-end        ALCO
                                                    1997        1997        1997        1997         1996       Guidelines
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
Static 1-Year Cumulative Gap                        -8.8%        -6.6%       -3.7%       -8.8%       -4.7%         -15.0%
1-Year Net Income Simulation Projection
 -200 bp Ramp vs. Stable Rate                        1.7%         1.1%        0.5%        1.8%        1.1%          -5.0%
 +200 bp Ramp vs. Stable Rate                       -1.8%        -1.2%       -0.5%       -1.8%       -1.2%          -5.0%
2-Year Net Income Simulation Projection
 -200 bp Ramp vs. Stable Rate                       -2.7%        -2.8%       -0.6%       -4.8%       -4.8%         -15.0%
 +200 bp Ramp vs. Stable Rate                       -7.2%        -6.0%       -3.1%       -9.4%       -3.9%         -15.0%
Static Net Present Value Change
 -150 bp Shock vs. Stable Rate                      -3.5%        -4.2%       -2.8%       -5.8%       -4.3%         -10.0%
 +150 bp Shock vs. Stable Rate                      -3.9%        -4.2%       -3.0%       -5.2%       -4.2%         -10.0%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              17
<PAGE>   20
FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)

 
   Interest Rate Risk Management: A variety of financial instruments are used to
manage interest rate sensitivity. These include the securities in the investment
portfolio, interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and floors, and, to a lesser
extent, exchange-traded futures and options contracts. Frequently called
interest rate derivatives, interest rate swaps, caps and floors have
characteristics similar to securities but possess the advantages of
customization of the risk-reward profile of the instrument, minimization of
balance sheet leverage and improvement of the liquidity position. See Notes 1
and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion on
derivative financial instruments.
   Due to borrowers' preferences for floating-rate loans and depositors'
preferences for fixed-rate deposits, National City's balance sheet tends to move
toward less liability sensitivity with the passage of time. The earnings
simulation model indicates that if all prepayments, calls and maturities of the
securities and derivatives portfolios expected over the next year were to remain
uninvested, then the current liability sensitivity position would be lessened.
The simulation model projects that in a 200 basis point rising interest rate
environment, with no reinvestment, the resulting net income would be .9% less
than that earned in a stable rate environment. Purchases of fixed-rate
securities or interest rate derivative instruments have been made to offset the
natural tendency toward a less liability sensitive interest rate risk position.
   Management expects interest rates to be relatively stable during 1998 and
believes that the current modest level of liability sensitivity is appropriate.
   TRADING RISK MANAGEMENT: The Corporation maintains a trading account
primarily to provide investment products and risk management services to its
customers as well as to take proprietary risk positions. Trading risk is
monitored on a regular basis through the use of the value-at-risk methodology
(VAR). VAR is defined as the potential overnight dollar loss from adverse market
movements, with 97.5% confidence, based on historical prices and market rates.
During 1997, the maximum month-end measured VAR was $.5 million, well within the
limit established by ALCO of $2.6 million. Month-end VAR estimates are reported
monthly to ALCO. Trading income for 1997 totaled $7.9 million.
 
OTHER
   YEAR 2000: National City initiated the process of preparing its computer
systems and applications for the Year 2000 in January 1995. This process
involves modifying or replacing certain hardware and software maintained by the
Corporation as well as communicating with external service providers to ensure
that they are taking the appropriate action to remedy their Year 2000 issues.
Management expects to have substantially all of the system and application
changes completed by the end of 1998 and believes that its level of preparedness
is appropriate.
   National City estimates that the total cumulative cost of the project will be
approximately $40 million, which includes both internal and external personnel
costs related to modifying the systems as well as the cost of purchasing or
leasing certain hardware and software. Purchased hardware and software will be
capitalized in accordance with normal policy. Personnel and all other costs
related to the project are being expensed as incurred.
   The costs of the project and the expected completion dates are based on
management's best estimates.
 
18
<PAGE>   21
STATISTICAL DATA

 
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS AND SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 For the Calendar Year
<S>                   <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in Millions
     Except Per
 Share Amounts and
      Ratios)          1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987
<S>                   <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST INCOME
  Loans               $ 3,205   $ 3,059   $ 2,910   $ 2,386   $ 2,195   $ 2,249   $ 2,651   $ 2,922   $ 2,868   $ 2,444   $ 2,104
  Securities              544       567       648       582       640       720       721       699       619       553       508
  Other interest
   income                  27        29        46        35        33        72       131       122       142       117       114
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total interest
     income             3,776     3,655     3,604     3,003     2,868     3,041     3,503     3,743     3,629     3,114     2,726
INTEREST EXPENSE
  Deposits              1,252     1,216     1,250       911       887     1,153     1,631     1,821     1,748     1,426     1,197
  Other interest
   expense                581       497       526       326       238       228       308       395       400       323       305
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total interest
     expense            1,833     1,713     1,776     1,237     1,125     1,381     1,939     2,216     2,148     1,749     1,502
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INTEREST INCOME     1,943     1,942     1,828     1,766     1,743     1,660     1,564     1,527     1,481     1,365     1,224
PROVISION FOR LOAN
  LOSSES                  140       146       113       110       143       226       323       439       254       231       318
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net interest
   income after
   provision for
   loan losses          1,803     1,796     1,715     1,656     1,600     1,434     1,241     1,088     1,227     1,134       906
FEES AND OTHER
  INCOME                1,292     1,131     1,004       976       911       840       748       700       607       596       500
SECURITIES GAINS           84       108        42        30        42        85        49         6        13        19        22
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total
     noninterest
     income             1,376     1,239     1,046     1,006       953       925       797       706       620       615       522
NONINTEREST EXPENSE     2,011     1,977     1,916     1,803     1,761     1,787     1,643     1,575     1,376     1,270     1,171
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Income before
   income taxes and
   cumulative effect
   of accounting
   changes              1,168     1,058       845       859       792       572       395       219       471       479       257
INCOME TAXES              361       321       254       261       235       164        96        84       108       110        34
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Income before
   cumulative effect
   of accounting
   changes                807       737       591       598       557       408       299       135       363       369       223
  Cumulative effect
   of accounting
   changes, net            --        --        --        --        60        --        --        --        --        --        --
NET INCOME            $   807   $   737   $   591   $   598   $   617   $   408   $   299   $   135   $   363   $   369   $   223
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE MEASURES
Diluted net income
 per common share     $  3.66   $  3.27   $  2.64   $  2.60   $  2.59   $  1.76   $  1.39   $   .65   $  1.74   $  1.77   $  1.06
Average common
 shares -- diluted     220.69    225.35    223.94    229.76    238.25    231.61    214.48    207.70    208.45    208.47    210.29
Dividends paid per
 common share            1.67      1.47      1.30      1.18      1.06       .94       .94       .94       .84       .72       .60
FINANCIAL RATIOS
  Return on average
   common equity        18.53%    17.69%    16.18%    17.31%    18.75%    13.63%    11.02%     5.14%    14.60%    16.19%    10.59%
  Return on average
   assets                1.59      1.51      1.23      1.35      1.46       .99       .73       .34       .99      1.08       .70
  Average equity to
   average assets        8.57      8.61      7.80      8.05      8.11      7.47      6.78      6.76      6.91      6.70      6.76
  Dividends paid to
   net income           45.63     44.95     49.24     45.38     40.93     53.41     67.63    144.62     48.28     40.68     56.60
  Net interest
   margin                4.25      4.44      4.22      4.50      4.63      4.54      4.39      4.50      4.71      4.69      4.68
AT YEAR-END
  Assets              $54,684   $50,856   $50,542   $45,869   $45,165   $42,322   $41,973   $40,627   $39,126   $37,162   $33,984
  Loans                39,573    35,830    34,466    30,701    28,602    25,952    25,495    26,264    25,510    23,717    21,634
  Securities            8,865     8,923    10,345     9,637    11,323    10,898    10,066     8,228     7,618     7,507     6,728
  Deposits             36,861    36,000    35,581    34,555    33,144    33,192    32,887    32,521    30,412    29,363    26,686
  Long-term debt        4,810     2,994     3,025     2,012     1,261     1,010       520       395       397       382       414
  Common equity         4,281     4,432     3,878     3,272     3,597     3,008     2,654     2,505     2,602     2,343     2,129
  Total equity          4,281     4,432     4,064     3,460     3,795     3,245     2,891     2,543     2,639     2,380     2,171
  Common shares
   outstanding         211.10    223.20    211.57    213.21    225.69    224.08    207.96    209.70    211.62    208.00    209.16
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              19
 
<PAGE>   22
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)


 
DAILY AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS/NET INTEREST INCOME/RATES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Daily Average Balance
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                     (Dollars in Millions)                           1997        1996        1995        1994        1993
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
  Earning assets:
   Loans:
    Commercial                                                      $13,618     $12,261     $11,584     $10,782     $10,543
    Real estate mortgage                                             10,952      10,854      10,512       9,169       8,126
    Consumer                                                          9,601       8,739       7,617       6,693       5,906
    Revolving credit                                                  3,060       3,125       3,058       2,511       2,106
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total loans                                                    37,231      34,979      32,771      29,155      26,681
   Securities:
    Taxable                                                           8,155       8,323       9,788       9,544      10,358
    Tax-exempt                                                          284         367         515         633         757
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total securities                                                8,439       8,690      10,303      10,177      11,115
   Federal funds sold                                                    63         135          87          79          90
   Security resale agreements                                           281         285         404         470         274
   Other short-term investments                                         170         138         279         316         480
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total earning assets/                                          46,184      44,227      43,844      40,197      38,640
         Total interest income/rates
  Allowance for loan losses                                            (713)       (708)       (720)       (706)       (651)
  Market value appreciation of securities available for sale            300         165          31          23          --
  Cash and demand balances due from banks                             2,344       2,434       2,385       2,420       2,352
  Properties and equipment                                              637         592         582         553         521
  Customers' acceptance liability                                        72          65          91          69          51
  Accrued income and other assets                                     2,010       1,955       1,867       1,655       1,482
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                        $50,834     $48,730     $48,080     $44,211     $42,395
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Liabilities:
   NOW and money market accounts                                    $ 9,169     $ 9,031     $ 8,507     $ 9,054     $ 9,365
   Savings accounts                                                   3,740       4,118       4,446       4,977       4,562
   Time deposits of individuals                                      13,906      13,856      13,786      11,066      11,125
   Other time deposits                                                  913         645         521         493         564
   Deposits in overseas offices                                       1,053         859       1,365       1,026         263
   Federal funds borrowed                                             1,341       1,011       1,404       1,398       1,501
   Security repurchase agreements                                     2,738       2,948       2,990       2,003       2,336
   Borrowed funds                                                     2,116       1,510       1,916       1,853       1,325
   Long-term debt                                                     4,068       3,166       2,435       1,892       1,332
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest bearing liabilities/                            39,044      37,144      37,370      33,762      32,373
         Total interest expense/rates
   Noninterest bearing deposits                                       6,449       6,398       6,090       6,216       5,971
   Acceptances outstanding                                               72          65          91          69          51
   Accrued expenses and other liabilities                               911         925         780         603         563
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                    46,476      44,532      44,331      40,650      38,958
  Preferred stock                                                        --          56         186         191         200
  Common stock                                                        4,358       4,142       3,563       3,370       3,237
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                            4,358       4,198       3,749       3,561       3,437
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                          $50,834     $48,730     $48,080     $44,211     $42,395
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net interest income
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Interest spread
    Contribution of noninterest bearing sources of funds
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net interest margin
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
Tax equivalent basis computed using a 35% marginal tax rate.
 
Average loan balances include nonperforming loans.
 
20
 
<PAGE>   23
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Interest                                            Daily Average Rate
<S>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
  1997         1996         1995         1994         1993       1997      1996      1995      1994      1993
<S>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,150.7     $1,034.9     $1,000.9     $  841.4     $  777.9      8.45%     8.44%     8.64%     7.80%     7.38%
   885.3        895.6        868.5        712.0        651.1      8.08      8.25      8.26      7.77      8.01
   846.9        764.1        697.0        554.2        532.1      8.82      8.74      9.15      8.28      9.01
   330.9        375.0        357.6        287.9        243.5     10.81     12.00     11.69     11.47     11.56
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3,213.8      3,069.6      2,924.0      2,395.5      2,204.6      8.63      8.78      8.92      8.22      8.26
   526.9        540.4        608.4        558.9        604.9      6.46      6.49      6.22      5.86      5.84
    27.5         37.1         47.2         58.7         72.5      9.68     10.11      9.17      9.27      9.58
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   554.4        577.5        655.6        617.6        677.4      6.57      6.65      6.36      6.07      6.09
     3.6          7.4          5.3          3.4          4.9      5.71      5.48      6.09      4.30      5.44
    15.6         15.4         23.9         20.0          8.8      5.55      5.40      5.92      4.26      3.21
     8.1          6.4         16.4         11.5         19.7      4.76      4.64      5.88      3.64      4.10
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$3,795.5     $3,676.3     $3,625.2     $3,048.0     $2,915.4      8.22%     8.31%     8.27%     7.58%     7.55%
$  276.9     $  252.6     $  229.4     $  199.3     $  210.9      3.02%     2.80%     2.70%     2.20%     2.25%
    92.3        107.4        121.1        130.6        126.7      2.47      2.61      2.72      2.62      2.78
   781.5        779.9        791.6        518.2        522.9      5.62      5.63      5.74      4.68      4.70
    46.8         31.6         28.3         18.6         20.1      5.13      4.90      5.43      3.77      3.56
    54.9         44.6         79.2         44.1          6.9      5.21      5.19      5.80      4.30      2.62
    75.5         65.9         87.2         59.3         47.4      5.63      6.52      6.21      4.24      3.16
   131.2        147.7        151.3        110.7         65.7      4.79      5.01      5.06      5.53      2.81
   116.7         85.8        127.3         44.7         47.7      5.52      5.68      6.64      2.41      3.60
   257.5        197.3        160.3        111.5         77.3      6.33      6.23      6.58      5.89      5.80
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,833.3     $1,712.8     $1,775.7     $1,237.0     $1,125.6      4.70%     4.61%     4.75%     3.66%     3.48%
==============================================================================================================
==============================================================================================================
$1,962.2     $1,963.5     $1,849.5     $1,811.0     $1,789.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  3.52%     3.70%     3.52%     3.92%     4.07%
                                                                   .73       .74       .70       .58       .56
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  4.25%     4.44%     4.22%     4.50%     4.63%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              21
<PAGE>   24
                              REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
 
   The management of National City Corporation has prepared the accompanying
financial statements and is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. The
statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles and necessarily include amounts that are based on management's best
estimates and judgments. Management also prepared the other information in the
annual report and is responsible for its accuracy and consistency with the
financial statements.
   National City Corporation maintains a system of internal control over
financial reporting designed to produce reliable financial statements. The
system contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and compliance is tested and
evaluated through an extensive program of internal audits. Actions are taken to
correct potential deficiencies as they are identified. Any internal control
system has inherent limitations, including the possibility that controls can be
circumvented or overridden. Further, because of changes in conditions, internal
control system effectiveness may vary over time.
   The Audit Committee, consisting entirely of outside directors, meets
regularly with management, internal auditors and independent auditors, and
reviews audit plans and results as well as management's actions taken in
discharging responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting, and internal
controls. Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, and the internal auditors
have direct and confidential access to the Audit Committee at all times to
discuss the results of their examinations.
   National City Corporation assessed its internal control system as of December
31, 1997 in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial
reporting described in "Internal Control -- Integrated Framework" issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this
assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 1997, its system of
internal control met those criteria.
 
Cleveland, Ohio
January 21, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>
/s/ David A. Daberko              /s/ Robert G. Siefers
DAVID A. DABERKO                  ROBERT G. SIEFERS
Chairman and Chief                Vice Chairman and
Executive Officer                 Chief Financial Officer
</TABLE>
 
               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Stockholders
National City Corporation
Cleveland, Ohio
 
   We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of National City
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in 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 National City'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 our audits 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of National City
Corporation 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.
 
Cleveland, Ohio
January 21, 1998       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
22
 
<PAGE>   25
                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 December 31
<S>                                                                                   <C>                   <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                              (Dollars in Thousands)                                        1997                1996
<S>                                                                                   <C>                   <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
    Loans:
      Commercial                                                                            $13,464,069      $11,217,815
      Real estate construction                                                                  782,972          774,991
      Lease financing                                                                           632,949          515,576
      Commercial real estate                                                                  3,020,668        3,440,696
      Residential real estate                                                                 7,214,385        7,288,677
      Mortgage loans held for sale                                                            1,130,899          334,742
      Consumer                                                                               10,127,696        9,251,982
      Credit card                                                                             1,159,777        1,222,129
      Home equity                                                                             2,039,710        1,783,460
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total loans                                                                         39,573,125       35,830,068
         Allowance for loan losses                                                            (698,405)        (705,893)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Net loans                                                                           38,874,720       35,124,175
    Securities available for sale, at market                                                  8,865,063        8,923,482
    Federal funds sold and security resale agreements                                           535,576          493,733
    Trading account assets                                                                       15,060          102,493
    Other short-term investments                                                                 48,914          281,563
    Cash and demand balances due from banks                                                   2,967,181        2,935,282
    Properties and equipment                                                                    660,057          616,426
    Customers' acceptance liability                                                              45,243           66,767
    Accrued income and other assets                                                           2,671,707        2,311,914
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                $54,683,521      $50,855,835
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Liabilities:
      Demand deposits (noninterest bearing)                                                 $ 7,378,009      $ 7,436,403
      NOW and money market accounts                                                           9,443,638        9,162,353
      Savings accounts                                                                        3,469,598        3,896,234
      Time deposits of individuals                                                           13,754,972       13,896,667
      Other time deposits                                                                     1,078,500          721,647
      Deposits in overseas offices                                                            1,736,419          886,443
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total deposits                                                                      36,861,136       35,999,747
      Federal funds borrowed and security repurchase agreements                               4,425,346        4,276,722
      Borrowed funds                                                                          3,096,042        1,994,009
      Long-term debt                                                                          4,810,417        2,994,418
      Acceptances outstanding                                                                    45,243           66,767
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                  1,163,986        1,092,109
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                           $50,402,170      $46,423,772
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Stockholders' Equity:
      Preferred stock                                                                                --               --
      Common stock, par value $4 per share, authorized 700,000,000 shares,
         outstanding 211,097,837 shares in 1997 and 223,198,494 shares in 1996                  844,391          892,794
      Capital surplus                                                                           618,841          622,543
      Retained earnings                                                                       2,818,119        2,916,726
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                    4,281,351        4,432,063
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                  $54,683,521      $50,855,835
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                                                              23
 
<PAGE>   26
                 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          For the Calendar Year
<S>                                                                             <C>             <C>             <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
              (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)                      1997            1996            1995
<S>                                                                             <C>             <C>             <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST INCOME
    Loans                                                                       $3,204,969      $3,059,041      $2,910,070
    Securities:
      Taxable                                                                      524,761         543,006         617,635
      Exempt from Federal income taxes                                              19,187          24,114          30,675
    Federal funds sold and security resale agreements                               19,201          22,831          30,228
    Other short-term investments                                                     8,022           6,343          15,423
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total interest income                                                   3,776,140       3,655,335       3,604,031
INTEREST EXPENSE
    Deposits                                                                     1,252,467       1,216,089       1,249,698
    Federal funds borrowed and security repurchase agreements                      206,711         213,554         238,484
    Borrowed funds                                                                 116,744          85,781         127,250
    Long-term debt                                                                 257,390         197,335         160,254
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total interest expense                                                  1,833,312       1,712,759       1,775,686
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INTEREST INCOME                                                              1,942,828       1,942,576       1,828,345
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES                                                          139,660         146,480         113,482
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Net interest income after provision for loan losses                     1,803,168       1,796,096       1,714,863
NONINTEREST INCOME
    Item processing revenue                                                        393,115         364,512         327,929
    Service charges on deposit accounts                                            228,986         214,659         196,474
    Trust fees                                                                     195,815         177,124         167,224
    Card-related fees                                                              137,931         123,306          98,806
    Mortgage banking revenue                                                       124,538          81,145          66,821
    Brokerage revenue                                                               49,784          47,546          29,502
    Other                                                                          162,253         122,993         117,085
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total fees and other income                                             1,292,422       1,131,285       1,003,841
    Securities gains                                                                83,514         108,146          42,365
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total noninterest income                                                1,375,936       1,239,431       1,046,206
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
    Salaries and other personnel                                                   987,696         923,764         878,615
    Equipment                                                                      144,459         135,139         127,612
    Net occupancy                                                                  132,725         132,143         125,072
    Assessments and taxes                                                           45,241          44,355         105,005
    Merger and restructuring                                                        65,902          74,745          24,200
    Other                                                                          634,554         666,937         655,420
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total noninterest expense                                               2,010,577       1,977,083       1,915,924
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                                                       1,168,527       1,058,444         845,145
Income tax expense                                                                 361,094         321,814         253,685
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                                                                      $  807,433      $  736,630      $  591,460
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK                                           $  807,433      $  732,602      $  576,630
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
    Basic                                                                            $3.73           $3.34           $2.71
    Diluted                                                                           3.66            3.27            2.64
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
    Basic                                                                      216,429,836     219,095,248     212,392,355
    Diluted                                                                    220,689,763     225,353,501     223,936,996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
24
 

<PAGE>   27

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Unallocated
                                                     Preferred    Common    Capital     Retained    Shares Held by
  (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)      Stock      Stock     Surplus     Earnings      ESOP Trust       Total
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>              <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE JANUARY 1, 1995                              $187,540    $852,835   $291,091   $2,137,202      $ (9,018)     $3,459,650
    Net income                                                                            591,460                       591,460
    Common dividends declared, National City, $1.30
      per share                                                                          (191,907)                     (191,907)
    Common dividends declared of pooled company,
      prior to merger                                                                     (64,006)                      (64,006)
    Preferred dividends, $4.00 per depositary share                                       (14,910)                      (14,910)
    Issuance of 2,279,422 common shares under
      corporate stock and dividend reinvestment
      plans                                                         9,116     37,015       (1,246)                       44,885
    Purchase of 8,215,284 common shares and 30,000                        
      depositary shares of preferred stock             (1,500)    (32,860)   (22,479)    (184,414)                     (241,253)
    Issuance of 4,267,760 common shares pursuant to                       
      acquisitions                                                 17,071     93,668                                    110,739
    Conversion of 12,800 depositary shares of                             
      preferred stock to 30,515 common shares            (640)        122        518                                         --
    Shares distributed by ESOP trust and tax
      benefit on dividends                                                                    544         6,277           6,821
    Change in unrealized market value adjustment on
      securities available for sale, net of tax                                           362,367                       362,367
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1995                            $185,400    $846,284   $399,813   $2,635,090      $ (2,741)     $4,063,846
    Net income                                                                            736,630                       736,630
    Common dividends declared, National City, $1.88
      per share                                                                          (363,999)                     (363,999)
    Common dividends declared of pooled company,
      prior to merger                                                                     (36,009)                      (36,009)
    Preferred dividends, $2.00 per depositary share                                        (6,458)                       (6,458)
    Issuance of 2,787,765 common shares under
      corporate stock and dividend reinvestment
      plans                                                        11,151     47,612                                     58,763
    Issuance of common stock by subsidiary                                    25,077                                     25,077
    Conversion of 3,708,000 depositary shares                            
      of preferred stock to 8,839,650 common shares  (185,400)     35,359    150,041                                         --
    Shares distributed by ESOP trust and tax
      benefit on dividends                                                                    189         2,741           2,930
    Change in unrealized market value adjustment on
      securities available for sale, net of tax                                           (48,717)                      (48,717)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1996                            $     --    $892,794   $622,543   $2,916,726      $     --      $4,432,063
    Net income                                                                            807,433                       807,433
    Common dividends declared, $1.72 per share                                           (369,370)                     (369,370)
    Issuance of 3,154,343 common shares under
      corporate stock and dividend reinvestment
      plans                                                        12,617     67,761                                     80,378
    Purchase of 15,255,000 common shares                          (61,020)   (71,463)    (702,585)                     (835,068)
    Change in unrealized market value adjustment on
      securities available for sale, net of tax                                           165,915                       165,915
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1997                            $     --    $844,391   $618,841   $2,818,119      $     --      $4,281,351
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                                                              25
<PAGE>   28
                 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         For the Calendar Year
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          (Dollars in Thousands)                                 1997            1996             1995
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>              <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    Net income                                                                $  807,433      $   736,630      $   591,460
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
     activities:
      Provision for loan losses                                                  139,660          146,480          113,482
      Depreciation and amortization                                              105,319           92,710           87,355
      Amortization of intangibles and servicing rights                            54,985           61,838           65,232
      Amortization of securities discount and premium                              1,092            3,502           18,728
      Securities gains                                                           (83,514)        (108,146)         (42,365)
      Other gains, net                                                           (80,861)         (40,146)         (23,271)
      Net decrease (increase) in trading account assets                           87,433          (78,778)          (6,671)
      Originations and purchases of mortgage loans held for sale              (5,827,672)      (2,610,000)      (2,075,968)
      Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale                      5,064,963        2,421,252        1,878,381
      Deferred income taxes                                                      114,700          (16,801)           2,672
      Increase in interest receivable                                             (4,146)         (40,479)         (89,851)
      (Decrease) increase in interest payable                                    (18,808)           4,837          156,582
      Net change in other assets/liabilities                                    (379,318)        (322,864)        (105,767)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                        (18,734)         250,035          569,999
LENDING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments                            190,806           65,261          (20,553)
    Purchases of securities                                                   (3,952,924)      (3,439,159)      (7,269,362)
    Proceeds from sales of securities                                          3,202,047        3,416,044        5,589,865
    Proceeds from maturities and prepayments of securities                     1,122,804        1,401,079        1,932,384
    Net increase in loans                                                     (3,206,753)      (1,696,785)      (3,043,087)
    Proceeds from sales of loans                                                 136,057          400,558           61,225
    Net increase in properties and equipment                                    (140,841)        (115,630)        (101,676)
    Acquisitions                                                                (108,643)              --          (16,498)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by lending and investing activities                  (2,757,447)          31,368       (2,867,702)
DEPOSIT AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    Net increase (decrease) in Federal funds borrowed and security
     repurchase agreements                                                       148,624       (1,022,844)       1,457,409
    Net increase in borrowed funds                                             1,102,033          431,505          278,464
    Net increase (decrease) in demand, savings, NOW, money market
      accounts, and deposits in overseas offices                                 646,231          436,612       (1,530,940)
    Net increase (decrease) in time deposits                                     215,158          (17,832)       1,668,121
    Repayment of long-term debt                                                 (353,407)        (528,261)         (72,935)
    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net                              2,167,916          497,086        1,123,360
    Dividends paid, net of tax benefit of ESOP shares                           (363,785)        (314,762)        (270,279)
    Issuance of common stock                                                      80,378           58,763           44,885
    Repurchase of common and preferred stock                                    (835,068)              --         (241,253)
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock by subsidiary                              --          114,966               --
    ESOP trust repayment                                                              --            2,741            6,277
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by deposit and financing activities                   2,808,080         (342,026)       2,463,109
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and demand balances due from banks                31,899          (60,623)         165,406
Cash and demand balances due from banks, January 1                             2,935,282        2,995,905        2,830,499
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and demand balances due from banks, December 31                          $2,967,181      $ 2,935,282      $ 2,995,905
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
    Interest paid                                                             $1,852,120      $ 1,707,922      $ 1,619,204
    Income taxes paid                                                            171,814          392,247          238,400
    Common stock issued in purchase acquisitions                                      --               --          110,739
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
26
 
<PAGE>   29
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   National City Corporation ("National City" or "the Corporation") is a
multi-bank holding company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The Corporation's
principal banking subsidiaries are located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and
Pennsylvania. In addition to retail and commercial banking, the Corporation and
its subsidiaries are engaged in trust and investment management, mortgage
banking, investment banking, leasing, item processing, venture capital,
insurance and other financial-related businesses.
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting and reporting policies of National City conform with generally
accepted accounting principles and prevailing industry practices. The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates. A description of the
significant accounting policies is presented below:
   PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION: The consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been
eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with
the current year presentation.
   BUSINESS COMBINATIONS: Business combinations which have been accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting include the results of operations of the
acquired businesses from the date of acquisition. Net assets of the companies
acquired were recorded at their estimated fair value as of the date of
acquisition.
   Other business combinations have been accounted for under the
pooling-of-interests method of accounting which requires the assets, liabilities
and shareholders' equity of the merged entity to be retroactively combined with
the Corporation's respective accounts at recorded value. Prior period financial
statements have been restated to give effect to business combinations accounted
for under this method.
   CASH FLOWS: Cash and cash equivalents are defined as those amounts included
in the balance sheet caption "Cash and demand balances due from banks."
   LOANS: Loans are generally reported at the principal amount outstanding, net
of unearned income. Loans held for sale are valued at the lower of cost or
market, as calculated on an aggregate basis.
   Loan origination fees and certain direct costs are amortized into interest or
other income using a method which approximates the interest method over the
estimated life of the related loan.
   Loans are classified as nonaccrual or restructured based on management's
judgment and requirements established by bank regulatory agencies. Subsequent
receipts on nonaccrual loans, including those considered impaired under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 114, are recorded
as a reduction of principal, and interest income is recorded once principal
recovery is reasonably assured.
   ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES: The allowance for loan losses is that amount
believed adequate to absorb estimated credit losses in the portfolio based on
management's evaluation of various factors including overall growth in the
portfolio, an analysis of individual credits, adverse situations that could
affect a borrower's ability to repay (including the timing of future payments),
prior and current loss experience, and current and anticipated economic
conditions. A provision for loan losses is charged to operations based on
management's periodic evaluation of these and other pertinent factors.
   Certain loans are accounted for under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan, as amended by SFAS No. 118, Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan -- Income Recognition and Disclosures. These standards
require an allowance to be established as a component of the allowance for loan
losses for certain loans when it is probable that all amounts due pursuant to
the contractual terms of the loan will not be collected and the recorded
investment in the loan exceeds the fair value. Fair value is measured using
either the present value of expected future cash flows based on the initial
effective interest rate on the loan, the observable market price of the loan or
the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
   SECURITIES AND TRADING ACCOUNT ASSETS: Trading account assets are held for
resale in anticipation of short-term market movements and are carried at market
value. Gains and losses, both realized and unrealized, are included in other
income.
   Securities are classified as held to maturity when management has the intent
and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Securities held to maturity,
when present, are carried at amortized cost.
   Securities not classified as held to maturity or trading are classified as
available for sale. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value with
unrealized gains and losses reported separately through retained earnings, net
of tax.
   Interest and dividends on securities, including amortization of premiums and
accretion of discounts, is included in interest income. Realized gains and
losses are recorded as net securities gains (losses). The adjusted cost of
specific securities sold is used to compute gains or losses on sales.
   EQUITY-RELATED INVESTMENTS: Equity investments of the Corporation's venture
capital and small business invest-
 
                                                                              27
 
<PAGE>   30
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 
ment subsidiaries are included in other assets. These investments are carried at
fair value with changes in fair value recognized in other noninterest income.
The fair values of publicly traded investments are determined using quoted
market prices adjusted for sales restrictions or market illiquidity. Investments
that are not publicly traded are carried at cost together with any other-than-
temporary valuation adjustments determined appropriate by management. This
adjusted cost basis approximates fair value.
   SECURITIES PURCHASED UNDER AGREEMENTS TO RESELL AND SECURITIES SOLD UNDER
AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE: Securities purchased under agreements to resell and
securities sold under agreements to repurchase are generally treated as
collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at the amount at which
the securities were acquired or sold plus accrued interest. It is the
Corporation's policy to take possession of securities purchased under resale
agreements, which are primarily U.S. Government and Federal agency securities.
The market value of the collateral is monitored and additional collateral
obtained when deemed appropriate. The Corporation also monitors its exposure
with respect to securities borrowed transactions and requests the return of
excess collateral as required.
   INTANGIBLES: The excess of the purchase price over net identifiable tangible
and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination (goodwill) is
included in other assets. Goodwill related to bank acquisitions is amortized
over varying periods not exceeding 25 years. Goodwill related to nonbank
acquisitions is amortized over varying periods not exceeding 40 years, based on
industry practice within the respective nonbank industry. Other identified
intangibles are amortized over periods ranging from 4 to 15 years.
   MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS: Mortgage servicing rights are accounted for under
the provisions of SFAS No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, which became effective
January 1, 1997. SFAS No. 125 superseded SFAS No. 122, Accounting for Mortgage
Servicing Rights, but did not significantly change the methodology used to
account for servicing rights. The Corporation had adopted SFAS No. 122 as of
January 1, 1996 and at that time began capitalizing originated servicing rights.
The adoption did not have a material impact on financial position or results of
operations. Prior to 1996, capitalization was limited to purchased servicing.
The total cost of loans originated or purchased is allocated between loans and
servicing rights based on the relative fair values of each. The servicing rights
capitalized are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated
servicing income. Management stratifies servicing rights based on origination
period and interest rate and evaluates the recoverability in relation to the
impact of actual and anticipated loan portfolio prepayment, foreclosure and
delinquency experience. The Corporation did not have a valuation allowance
associated with the mortgage servicing rights portfolio as of December 31, 1997.
The Corporation hedges its exposure to the prepayment risk associated with the
servicing rights by using off-balance sheet derivative financial instruments.
Further discussion regarding this activity is provided in Note 19.
   DEPRECIABLE ASSETS: Properties and equipment are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Buildings and equipment are
depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the lives of the leases. Maintenance and repairs
are charged to expense as incurred, while improvements which extend the useful
life are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining life.
   Long-lived assets to be held and those to be disposed of and certain
intangibles are evaluated for impairment using the guidance provided by SFAS No.
121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed of. The provisions of this statement establish when an
impairment loss should be recognized and how it should be measured.
   DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
   Interest Rate Risk Management: As part of managing the Corporation's interest
rate risk, a variety of derivative financial instruments are used to hedge
market values and to alter the cash flow characteristics of certain on-balance
sheet instruments. The derivative financial instruments used primarily consist
of interest rate swaps and interest rate caps and floors, and, to a lesser
extent, interest rate futures, forwards and options. The derivative instruments
used to manage interest rate risk are linked with a specific asset or liability
or a group of related assets or liabilities at the inception of the derivative
contract and have a high degree of correlation with the associated balance sheet
item during the hedge period. Net interest income or expense on derivative
contracts used for interest rate risk management is accrued. Realized gains and
losses on contracts, either settled or terminated, are deferred and are recorded
as either an adjustment to the carrying value of the related on-balance sheet
asset or liability or in other assets or other liabilities. Deferred amounts are
amortized into interest income or expense over either the remaining original
life of the derivative instrument or the expected life of the associated asset
or liability. Unrealized gains or losses on these contracts are not recognized
on the balance sheet, except for those contracts linked to available-for-sale
securities, which are carried at fair value with changes in market value, net of
interest accruals, recorded as a component of stockholders' equity, net of tax.
   Mortgage Servicing Rights Risk Management: The market value of the
Corporation's mortgage servicing rights portfolio is adversely affected when
mortgage interest rates decline and mortgage loan prepayments
 
28
 
<PAGE>   31
 
increase. To hedge the market value of the servicing rights portfolio the
Corporation uses interest rate swaps, principal-only swaps and interest rate
caps and floors. Net cash flows related to these contracts are recognized as
adjustments to the carrying value of the mortgage servicing rights and are
amortized over the life of the derivative instrument. This adjusted carrying
value is the basis used for evaluating the recoverability of the servicing
rights as described in the Mortgage Servicing Rights accounting policy.
Unrealized gains and losses are not recognized on the balance sheet but are
considered when evaluating the recoverability of the servicing rights.
   Trading: The Corporation also enters into derivative financial agreements for
trading purposes. These transactions are executed primarily with the
Corporation's customers to facilitate their interest rate and foreign currency
risk management strategies. Derivative instruments used for trading include
interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and floors, and interest rate and
foreign exchange futures, forwards and options. Changes in market value (both
realized and unrealized) are recorded in other income.
   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: The Corporation's stock-based compensation plans
are accounted for under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion
(APB) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related
interpretations. SFAS No. 123, Stock-Based Compensation, issued in 1995, allows
a company to recognize stock-based compensation using a fair-value based method
of accounting if it so elects. The Corporation has elected not to adopt the
recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123.
   INCOME TAXES: Deferred income taxes reflect the temporary tax consequences on
future years of differences between the tax bases and financial statement
amounts of assets and liabilities at each year-end.
   TREASURY STOCK: Acquisitions of treasury stock are recorded on the par value
method, which requires the cash paid to be allocated to common or preferred
stock, surplus and retained earnings.
 
2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
   ACCOUNTING FOR TRANSFERS AND SERVICING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND
EXTINGUISHMENTS OF LIABILITIES: In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board issued SFAS No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial
Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities which provides standards for
distinguishing transfers of financial assets that are sales from transfers that
are secured borrowings. The statement also extends the treatment of mortgage
servicing rights to all servicing assets. The provisions of SFAS No. 125 were
adopted by the Corporation prospectively as of January 1, 1997 for the following
types of transactions: securitizations, recognition of servicing assets and
liabilities, transfers of receivables with recourse, loan participations, and
extinguishments of liabilities.
   Certain provisions of SFAS No. 125, relating to repurchase agreements,
securities lending and other similar transactions, and pledged collateral, were
deferred for one year by SFAS No. 127, and were adopted prospectively as of
January 1, 1998. The adoption of these statements did not have a material impact
on financial position or results of operations.
   REPORTING COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: In June 1997, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. This
statement establishes standards for reporting the components of comprehensive
income and requires that all items that are required to be recognized under
accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be included in a
financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other
financial statements. Comprehensive income includes net income as well as
certain items that are reported directly within a separate component of
stockholders' equity and bypass net income. The provisions of this statement are
effective beginning with 1998 interim reporting. These disclosure requirements
will have no impact on financial position or results of operations.
   DISCLOSURES ABOUT SEGMENTS OF AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION: In June
1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 131, Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. The provisions of this
statement require disclosure of financial and descriptive information about an
enterprise's operating segments in annual and interim financial reports issued
to shareholders. The statement defines an operating segment as a component of an
enterprise that engages in business activities that generate revenue and incur
expense, whose operating results are reviewed by the chief operating decision
maker in the determination of resource allocation and performance, and for which
discrete financial information is available. It also establishes standards for
related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major
customers. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 1997, however, it is not required to be applied for interim reporting in the
initial year of application. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact
of this statement on the disclosures included in its annual and interim period
financial statements.
 
3. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
On December 1, 1997, National City announced the signing of a definitive merger
agreement with First of America Bank Corporation, a $21.1 billion asset bank
holding company headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The merger agreement calls
for an exchange of 1.2 shares of National City common stock for each outstanding
share of First of America common stock.
 
                                                                              29
<PAGE>   32
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 
Based on the number of shares of First of America common stock outstanding as of
December 31, 1997, National City expects to issue approximately 105 million
common shares to effect the merger. The transaction will be accounted for as a
pooling-of-interests and is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 1998,
subject to regulatory and stockholder approvals. In connection with their
approval of this transaction, the boards of directors of both companies have
rescinded prior authorizations to repurchase common shares.
   On January 12, 1998, National City agreed to acquire Fort Wayne National
Corporation, a $3.3 billion asset bank holding company headquartered in Fort
Wayne, Indiana. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of Fort Wayne
National will receive .75 shares of National City common stock for each share of
Fort Wayne National common stock outstanding. Based on the number of shares of
Fort Wayne National common stock outstanding as of December 31, 1997, National
City expects to issue approximately 13 million common shares in connection with
the acquisition. The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase and is
expected to close in the second quarter of 1998, subject to regulatory and
stockholder approvals.
   In January 1997, the Corporation's mortgage banking subsidiary, National City
Mortgage Company, acquired certain assets of the mortgage loan origination
business owned by Bank United, a federal bank and its subsidiaries doing
business principally under the name Commonwealth United Mortgage. The purchase
price of the assets acquired was not material to the Corporation.
   During 1997, the Corporation's item-processing subsidiary, National
Processing, Inc., acquired several processing services companies. The combined
purchase price of these acquisitions totaled $128 million. Goodwill generated as
a result of these purchases totaled $104 million.
   The pro forma effects of the 1997 acquisitions were deemed not material to
historical results of operations or financial condition.
   On May 3, 1996, National City merged with Integra Financial Corporation, a
$14 billion asset bank holding company headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, in a transaction accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. National
City issued 66.6 million shares of common stock to effect the merger.
 
4. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
Total loans outstanding were recorded net of unearned income of $435.9 million
in 1997 and $325.6 million in 1996.
   The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan losses:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  For the Calendar Year
- ------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)        1997        1996        1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>         <C>
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF
  YEAR                      $ 705,893   $ 705,846   $ 706,452
  Reserves (sold) acquired     (8,133)         94      11,643
  Provision                   139,660     146,480     113,482
  Charge-offs                (225,703)   (236,615)   (202,547)
  Recoveries                   86,688      90,088      76,816
- ------------------------------------------------------------
    Net charge-offs          (139,015)   (146,527)   (125,731)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT END OF YEAR      $ 698,405   $ 705,893   $ 705,846
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The financial review section provides detail regarding nonperforming loans.
At December 31, 1997, and December 31, 1996, loans that were considered to be
impaired under SFAS No. 114 totaled $10.4 million and $13.9 million,
respectively. All impaired loans are included in nonperforming assets.
Management does not individually evaluate certain smaller-balance loans for
impairment. These loans are evaluated on an aggregate basis using a
formula-based approach in accordance with the Corporation's policy. The majority
of the loans deemed impaired were evaluated using the fair value of the
collateral as the measurement method. The related allowance allocated to
impaired loans for 1997 and 1996 was $4.2 million and $9.6 million,
respectively. The contractual interest due and actual interest recognized on
impaired loans, as well as on total nonperforming assets, for the twelve months
ended December 31, 1997, was $17.3 million and $5.5 million, compared to $20.6
million and $9.0 million, respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31,
1996.
   At December 31, 1997, nonaccrual and restructured loans were $147.5 million
and other real estate owned was $19.0 million. At December 31, 1996, the
corresponding amounts were $143.1 million and $24.5 million, respectively.
 
5. SECURITIES
The following is a summary of securities available for sale:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                DECEMBER 31, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in       AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED  UNREALIZED    MARKET
Thousands)           COST       GAINS       LOSSES      VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
U.S. Treas. and
  Fed. agency
  debentures      $1,240,779   $  4,040    $ (4,691)  $1,240,128
Mortgage-backed
  securities      4,889,618      68,405     (15,978)   4,942,045
Asset-backed and
  corporate debt
  securities      1,538,165       7,207      (1,894)   1,543,478
States and
  political
  subdivisions      244,909      12,116        (276)     256,749
Other               469,035     413,743        (115)     882,663
- ------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SECURITIES  $8,382,506   $505,511    $(22,954)  $8,865,063
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
30
 
<PAGE>   33
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                December 31, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in       Amortized   Unrealized  Unrealized    Market
Thousands)           Cost       Gains       Losses      Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
U.S. Treas. and
  Fed. agency
  debentures      $2,230,328   $  5,330    $(22,903)  $2,212,755
Mortgage-backed
  securities       4,390,066     32,417     (30,968)   4,391,515
Asset-backed and
  corporate debt
  securities         990,014      6,171      (2,453)     993,732
States and
  political
  subdivisions       324,520     13,351        (915)     336,956
Other                761,169    230,555      (3,200)     988,524
- ------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SECURITIES  $8,696,097   $287,824    $(60,439)  $8,923,482
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   At December 31, 1997, the unrealized appreciation of securities available for
sale included in retained earnings totaled $313.7 million, net of tax, compared
to unrealized appreciation of $147.8 million, net of tax, at December 31, 1996.
   The Corporation's securities portfolio consists mainly of financial
instruments that pay back par value upon maturity. Market value fluctuations
occur over the lives of the instruments due to changes in market interest rates.
Management has concluded that current declines in value are temporary and
accordingly, no valuation adjustments have been included as a charge to income.
   The following table shows the amortized cost and market value (carrying
value) of securities at December 31, 1997 by maturity:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
                                  Available for Sale
                            ------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)      Amortized Cost    Market Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>               <C>
Due in 1 year or less         $   900,230      $  901,063
Due in 1 to 5 years             4,807,651       4,843,179
Due in 5 to 10 years            2,075,185       2,104,593
Due after 10 years                599,440       1,016,228
TOTAL                         $ 8,382,506      $8,865,063
- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Mortgage-backed securities and other securities which have prepayment
provisions are assigned to maturity categories based on estimated average lives.
Equity securities are included in the Due after 10 years category.
   At December 31, 1997, the carrying value of securities pledged to secure
public and trust deposits, trading account liabilities, U.S. Treasury demand
notes and security repurchase agreements totaled $6.2 billion.
   At December 31, 1997, there were no securities of a single issuer, other than
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities, which exceeded 10% of
stockholders' equity.
   The following table represents the segregation of cash flows between
securities available for sale and securities held to maturity:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
                          Available     Held to
(Dollars in Thousands)    for Sale     Maturity       Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>
1997:
  Purchases of
    securities           $ 3,952,924           --  $ 3,952,924
  Proceeds from sales
    of securities          3,202,047           --    3,202,047
  Proceeds from
    maturities and
    prepayments of
    securities             1,122,804           --    1,122,804
1996:
  Purchases of
    securities           $ 3,439,159           --  $ 3,439,159
  Proceeds from sales
    of securities          3,416,044           --    3,416,044
  Proceeds from
    maturities and
    prepayments of
    securities             1,401,079           --    1,401,079
1995:
  Purchases of
    securities           $ 6,058,386  $ 1,210,976  $ 7,269,362
  Proceeds from sales
    of securities          5,589,865           --    5,589,865
  Proceeds from
    maturities and
    prepayments of
    securities               916,138    1,016,246    1,932,384
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   On November 15, 1995, the FASB staff issued a special report, A Guide to
Implementation of Statement 115 on Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt
and Equity Securities. In accordance with provisions in that special report,
management chose to reclassify all securities classified as held to maturity to
available for sale. At December 1, 1995, the date of the transfer, the amortized
cost of those securities was $3.0 billion.
   In 1997, 1996, and 1995, gross gains of $94.1 million, $122.3 million, and
$71.4 million and gross losses of $10.6 million, $14.2 million, and $29.0
million were realized, respectively.
 
6. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair value disclosures of financial instruments are made to comply with the
requirements of SFAS No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial
Instruments. The market value of securities is primarily based upon quoted
market prices. For substantially all other financial instruments, the fair
values are management's estimates of the values at which the instruments could
be exchanged in a transaction between willing parties. Fair values are based on
estimates using present value and other valuation techniques in instances where
quoted market prices are not available. These techniques are significantly
affected by the assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of
future cash flows. As such, the derived fair value estimates cannot be
substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, further, may not be
realizable in an immediate settlement of the instruments.
 
                                                                              31
<PAGE>   34
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 
   SFAS No. 107 also excludes certain items from its disclosure requirements.
These items include non-financial assets, intangibles, and future business
growth, as well as certain liabilities such as pension and other post-retirement
benefits, deferred compensation arrangements, and leases. Accordingly, the
aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of
the Corporation.
   Portions of the unrealized gains and losses inherent in the valuation are a
result of management's program to manage overall interest rate risk and
represent a point in time valuation. It is not management's intention to
immediately dispose of a significant portion of its financial instruments and,
thus, the unrealized gains or losses should not be interpreted as a forecast of
future earnings and cash flows.
   The following table presents the estimates of fair value of financial
instruments at December 31, 1997 and 1996. Bracketed amounts in the carrying
value columns represent either reduction of asset accounts, liabilities, or
commitments representing potential cash outflows. Bracketed amounts in the fair
value columns represent estimated cash outflows required to settle the
obligations at current market rates.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
                               1997                1996
                        ------------------  ------------------
                        CARRYING    FAIR    Carrying    Fair
(Dollars in Millions)    VALUE     VALUE     Value     Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
ASSETS:
  Cash and cash
    equivalents         $ 4,142   $  4,142  $ 4,318   $  4,318
  Loans held for sale     1,131      1,131      335        335
  Loans receivable       38,442     39,020   35,495     35,578
  Allowance for loan
    losses                 (698)        --     (706)        --
  Securities              8,865      8,865    8,923      8,923
  Trading account
    assets                   15         15      102        102
  Other assets              105        105       74         74
- ------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES:
  Demand deposits       $(7,378)  $ (7,378) $(7,436)  $ (7,436)
  Savings and time
    deposits            (29,483)   (29,821) (28,563)   (28,763)
  Short-term borrowings  (7,521)    (7,521)  (6,271)    (6,271)
  Long-term debt         (4,810)    (5,044)  (2,994)    (3,231)
  Other liabilities        (434)      (434)    (475)      (475)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
OFF-BALANCE SHEET INSTRUMENTS:
  Interest rate swaps   $    (2)  $     75  $    (4)  $     15
  Interest rate caps,
    floors, corridors
    and futures              18          4       21         24
  Commitments to
    extend credit           (13)       (13)     (12)       (12)
  Standby letters of
    credit                   (2)        (2)      (2)        (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial instrument:
   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet
for cash and cash equivalents approximate those assets' fair values. For
purposes of this disclosure only, cash equivalents include Federal funds sold,
security resale agreements, Eurodollar time deposits, customers' acceptance
liability, accrued interest receivable, and other short-term investments.
   LOANS RECEIVABLE AND LOANS HELD FOR SALE: For performing variable rate loans
that reprice frequently and loans held for sale, estimated fair values are based
on carrying values. The fair values for all other loans are estimated using a
discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates used to price new,
similar loans to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities, adjusted
for market and credit risks.
   SECURITIES: The market values of securities are based upon quoted market
prices, where available, and on quoted market prices of comparable instruments
when specific quoted prices are not available.
   DEPOSIT LIABILITIES: The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g.,
interest and noninterest checking, passbook savings, and certain types of money
market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amounts payable on demand at
the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). The carrying amounts for
variable-rate money market accounts and certificates of deposit approximate
their fair values at the reporting date. Fair values for fixed rate certificates
of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies
interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of
aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.
   SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS: The carrying amounts of Federal funds purchased,
borrowings under repurchase agreements, commercial paper, and other short-term
borrowings approximate their fair values.
   LONG-TERM DEBT: The fair values of long-term borrowings (other than deposits)
are based on quoted market prices, where available, or are estimated using
discounted cash flow analyses based on the Corporation's current incremental
borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
   OFF-BALANCE SHEET INSTRUMENTS: The amounts shown under carrying value
represent accruals or deferred income (fees) arising from the related
off-balance sheet financial instruments. Fair values for off-balance sheet
instruments (futures, swaps, forwards, options, guarantees, and lending
commitments) are based on quoted market prices (futures); current settlement
values (financial forwards); quoted market prices of comparable instruments;
fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the
remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties' credit standing
(guarantees, loan commitments); or, if there are no relevant comparables, on
pricing models or formulas using current assumptions (interest rate swaps and
options).
 
32
 
<PAGE>   35
 
7. CASH AND DEMAND BALANCES DUE FROM BANKS
The Corporation's subsidiary banks are required to maintain noninterest bearing
reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank. The consolidated average reserve
balance was $239.8 million for 1997.
 
8. PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of properties and equipment follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          December 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)                1997           1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>            <C>
Land                               $   84,019     $   87,060
Buildings and leasehold
  improvements                        552,243        585,838
Equipment                             816,778        701,477
- ------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1,453,040      1,374,375
Less accumulated depreciation
  and amortization                    792,983        757,949
- ------------------------------------------------------------
NET PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT       $  660,057     $  616,426
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The Corporation and certain of its subsidiary banks occupy their respective
headquarters offices under long-term operating leases and, in addition, lease
certain data processing equipment. The aggregate minimum annual rental
commitments under these leases total approximately $59.4 million in 1998, $53.2
million in 1999, $49.3 million in 2000, $45.2 million in 2001, $42.5 million in
2002, and $240.8 million thereafter.
   Total expense recorded under all operating leases in 1997, 1996 and 1995 was
$82.0 million, $79.8 million and $73.3 million, respectively.
 
9. OTHER BORROWINGS
The composition of other borrowings follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         December 31
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)               1997           1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>            <C>
U.S. Treasury demand notes and
  Federal funds borrowed-term     $1,861,090     $1,056,499
Notes payable to Student Loan
  Marketing Association              300,000        300,000
Other                                138,763         79,648
- -----------------------------------------------------------
    Total bank subsidiaries        2,299,853      1,436,147
Commercial paper                     795,895        556,100
Other                                    294          1,762
- -----------------------------------------------------------
    Total parent company and
      other subsidiaries             796,189        557,862
- -----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                             $3,096,042     $1,994,009
- -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   U.S. Treasury demand notes represent secured borrowings from the U.S.
Treasury. These borrowings are collateralized with securities or 1-4 family
residential mortgage loans. The funds are placed with the banks at the
discretion of the U.S. Treasury and may be called at any time.
   The $300 million floating rate note payable to Student Loan Marketing
Association is secured by and provides funding for student loan receivables.
 
10. LONG-TERM DEBT
The composition of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount, if applicable,
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         December 31
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)               1997           1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>            <C>
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes
  due 1997                        $       --     $   74,998
Floating Rate Notes due 1997              --         49,983
9 7/8% Subordinated Notes due
  1999                                64,918         64,872
6.50% Subordinated Notes due
  2000                                99,881         99,820
8.50% Subordinated Notes due
  2002                                99,896         99,881
6 5/8% Subordinated Notes due
  2004                               249,201        249,072
7.20% Subordinated Notes due
  2005                               249,785        249,756
Other                                    939          1,794
- -----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL PARENT COMPANY                 764,620        890,176
6.50% Subordinated Notes due
  2003                               199,600        199,525
7.25% Subordinated Notes due
  2010                               222,944        222,779
6.30% Subordinated Notes due
  2011                               200,000        200,000
7.25% Subordinated Notes due
  2011                               197,278        197,080
Other                                  3,133          2,103
- -----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SUBSIDIARY SUBORDINATED
  NOTES                              822,955        821,487
- -----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT QUALIFYING
  FOR TIER II CAPITAL              1,587,575      1,711,663
Senior Bank Notes                  2,019,229        754,582
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances      703,721        528,173
Reset Asset Capital Securities
  of National City Capital Trust
  I                                  499,892             --
- -----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT         3,222,842      1,282,755
- -----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                             $4,810,417     $2,994,418
- -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   All of the subordinated notes of the parent and bank subsidiaries pay
interest semi-annually and may not be redeemed prior to maturity.
   In June 1997, National City Capital Trust I (the Trust), a Delaware statutory
business trust of which 100% of the common equity is owned by the Corporation,
issued $500 million of Reset Asset Capital Securities (Capital Securities). In
connection with this issuance, the Trust invested the proceeds in 6.75% Junior
Subordinated Debt Securities of the Corporation. The Junior Subordinated Debt
Securities are the sole assets of the Trust and have a stated maturity of June
1, 2029. Distributions on the Capital Securities are payable semiannually at a
rate per annum equal to the interest rate being earned by the Trust on the
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities and are recorded as interest expense by the
Corporation. The Capital Securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in
whole or in part, upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities. The
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities are first redeemable on June 1, 1999. If the
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities are not redeemed on June 1, 1999, the
interest rate per annum will be reset based on current market rates at that
time. The Capital Securities currently do not qualify for Tier I Capital of the
Corporation.
   Long-term advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) are at fixed and
variable rates ranging up to
 
                                                                              33
<PAGE>   36
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 
8.40% and mature at various dates through 2023. Advances from the FHLB are
collateralized by qualifying securities and loans.
   The Senior Bank Notes are at fixed and variable rates and mature at various
dates through 2012. The weighted average interest rate of the notes as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996 was 6.14% and 6.07%, respectively.
   The majority of the Corporation's fixed rate debt has been effectively
converted to variable rate debt through the use of off-balance sheet
derivatives. Information regarding derivative contracts is included in Note 19.
   A credit agreement dated March 14, 1997, with a group of unaffiliated banks,
allows the Corporation to borrow up to $350 million until February 1, 2001, with
a provision to extend the expiration date under certain circumstances. The
Corporation pays an annual facility fee of 10 basis points on the amount of the
line. There were no borrowings outstanding under this agreement at December 31,
1997.
   Long-term debt maturities for the next five years are as follows: $402.1
million in 1998; $229.7 million in 1999; $677.5 million in 2000; $126.8 million
in 2001; and $501.7 million in 2002.
 
11. CAPITAL RATIOS
The following table reflects various measures of capital at year-end:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            1997                   1996
(Dollars in          ------------------     ------------------
Millions)             AMOUNT      RATIO      Amount      Ratio
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>
Total equity(1)      $4,281.4     7.83%     $4,432.1      8.71%
Tangible
  equity(2)           3,651.5     6.75       3,932.7      7.81
Tier 1 capital(3)     3,609.8     8.12       3,976.5      9.84
Total risk-based
  capital(4)          5,622.5    12.65       5,980.6     14.79
Leverage(5)           3,609.8     7.01       3,976.5      8.16
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
    including unrealized market value adjustment of securities available for
    sale.
(2) Stockholders' equity less all intangible assets and servicing rights;
    computed as a ratio to total assets less intangible assets and servicing
    rights.
(3) Stockholders' equity less certain intangibles and the unrealized market
    value adjustment of securities available for sale; computed as a ratio to
    risk-adjusted assets, as defined.
(4) Tier 1 capital plus qualifying loan loss allowance and subordinated debt;
    computed as a ratio to risk-adjusted assets, as defined.
(5) Tier 1 capital; computed as a ratio to average total assets less certain
    intangibles.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
 
   National City's Tier 1, total risk-based capital and leverage ratios are well
above the required minimum levels of 4.00%, 8.00%, and 4.00%, respectively.
   The capital levels at all of National City's subsidiary banks are maintained
at or above the well-capitalized minimums of 6.00%, 10.00% and 5.00% for the
Tier I capital, total risk-based capital and leverage ratios, respectively.
   Intangible asset and mortgage servicing right totals used in the capital
ratio calculations are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          December 31
- ----------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Millions)                 1997           1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>
Goodwill                             $394.9         $307.8
Other intangibles                      18.1           50.4
                                     ------         ------
Total intangibles                    $413.0         $358.2
Mortgage servicing rights            $218.2         $141.2
- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
12. OTHER CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
The Corporation is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of no par value
preferred stock. At December 31, 1995, the Corporation had 741,600 shares of 8%
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding in the form of 3,708,000
depositary shares. The depositary shares had a stated value of $50.00 per share
and each share represented a one-fifth interest in a preferred share. The
preferred shares were convertible at the option of the holder into 2.384 common
shares per depositary share. On March 5, 1996, the Corporation called the
preferred stock for redemption, effective May 1, 1996, at the fixed redemption
price of $52.00 per depositary share. Prior to the redemption date, all of the
outstanding depositary shares were converted into common stock.
   The final 613,429 shares in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) were
allocated to benefit plan participants during 1996. The ESOP, which was part of
the National City Savings and Investment Plan, earned dividends on company
shares of $.4 million and $1.4 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively. Company
contributions of $2.8 million and $6.8 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively,
were used with dividends to service the loan which was fully paid during 1996.
   In August 1996, National Processing, Inc. (NPI), a subsidiary of National
City, issued 7,475,000 shares of common stock in an underwritten public
offering. Subsequent to the issuance, National City continued to own 85.2% of
NPI. In 1997, National City increased its investment in NPI by approximately
2.5% through the purchase of 1.3 million shares of NPI's common stock on the
open market. Amounts related to the minority shareholders' interest in the
equity of NPI are not material to the consolidated financial statements.
 
13. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 128,
Earnings Per Share, which became effective for the Corporation for reporting
periods ending after December 15, 1997. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 128,
primary and fully-diluted earnings per share were replaced with basic and
diluted earnings per share in an effort to simplify the computation of these
measures and align them more closely with
 
34
 
<PAGE>   37
 
the methodology used internationally. Basic earnings per share is arrived at by
dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average
number of common shares outstanding and does not include the impact of any
potentially dilutive common stock equivalents. The diluted earnings per share
calculation method is similar to, but slightly different from, the previously
required fully-diluted earnings per share method and is arrived at by dividing
net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, adjusted for
the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and the conversion impact of
convertible equity securities. Diluted earnings per share for 1997 equates to
what would have been reported as fully-diluted earnings per share. For purposes
of comparability, all prior-period earnings per share data has been restated.
   The calculation of net income per common share follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 For the Calendar Year
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands
Except
Per Share Amounts)          1997         1996         1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>
BASIC:
  Net income                $807,433     $736,630     $591,460
    Less preferred
      dividends                   --        4,028       14,830
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income applicable
    to common stock         $807,433     $732,602     $576,630
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
  Average common shares
    outstanding          216,429,836  219,095,248  212,392,355
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income per common
    share -- basic             $3.73        $3.34        $2.71
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
DILUTED:
  Net income                $807,433     $736,630     $591,460
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
  Average common shares
    outstanding          216,429,836  219,095,248  212,392,355
  Stock option
    adjustment             4,259,927    3,579,078    2,704,769
  Preferred stock
    adjustment                    --    2,679,175    8,839,872
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
  Average common shares
  outstanding -- diluted 220,689,763  225,353,501  223,936,996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income per common
    share -- diluted           $3.66        $3.27        $2.64
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
14. PARENT COMPANY AND REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS
At December 31, 1997, retained earnings of the parent company included $2,360.8
million of equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries.
   Dividends paid by the Corporation's subsidiary banks are subject to various
legal and regulatory restrictions. In 1997, subsidiary banks declared $422.0
million in dividends to the parent company. The subsidiary banks can
initiate dividend payments in 1998, without prior regulatory approval, of $471.1
million, plus an additional amount equal to their net profits for 1998, as
defined by statute, up to the date of any such dividend declaration.
   Under Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, loans from
subsidiary banks to nonbank affiliates, including the parent company, are
required to be collateralized.
   Commercial paper borrowings of a subsidiary ($795.9 million outstanding at
December 31, 1997) are guaranteed by the parent company.
   Condensed parent company financial statements, which include transactions
with subsidiaries, follow:
 
BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         December 31
- ----------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)                1997         1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>          <C>
ASSETS
  Cash and demand balances
    due from banks                 $   84,497   $   14,355
  Loans to and accounts receivable
    from subsidiaries                 732,664    1,014,375
  Securities                        1,010,956      747,644
  Investments in:
    Subsidiary banks                3,385,638    3,149,276
    Nonbank subsidiaries              498,220      442,711
  Goodwill, net of accumulated
    amortization of $37,318 and
    $34,897, respectively              49,292       47,793
  Other assets                         66,110      184,015
- ----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                       $5,827,377   $5,600,169
- ----------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
  EQUITY
  Corporate long-term debt         $1,264,512   $  890,176
  Accrued expenses and other
    liabilities                       281,514      277,930
- ----------------------------------------------------------
    Total liabilities               1,546,026    1,168,106
  Stockholders' equity              4,281,351    4,432,063
- ----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY             $5,827,377   $5,600,169
- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 For the Calendar Year
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)         1997       1996       1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>        <C>        <C>
INCOME
  Dividends from:
    Subsidiary banks         $422,000   $579,500   $329,751
    Nonbank subsidiaries        4,318     10,420     12,676
  Interest on loans to
    subsidiaries               23,153     10,810     11,686
  Interest and dividends
    on securities              22,959     21,997      9,268
  Securities gains             65,929     93,720     19,764
  Other income                 25,031      2,851      1,046
- -----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INCOME                  563,390    719,298    384,191
- -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              35
<PAGE>   38
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   For the Calendar Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)           1997       1996       1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>        <C>        <C>
EXPENSE
  Interest on debt and
    other borrowings             76,851     67,280     68,578
  Goodwill amortization           2,329      2,588      2,360
  Other expense                 110,887    153,487    118,909
- -------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL EXPENSE                   190,067    223,355    189,847
- -------------------------------------------------------------
  Income before taxes and
    equity in undistributed
    income of subsidiaries      373,323    495,943    194,344
  Income tax (benefit)          (46,988)   (81,357)   (79,474)
- -------------------------------------------------------------
  Income before equity in
    undistributed net income
    of subsidiaries             420,311    577,300    273,818
  Equity in undistributed
    net income of subsidiaries  387,122    159,330    317,642
- -------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                     $807,433   $736,630   $591,460
- -------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 For the Calendar Year
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)         1997       1996       1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>        <C>        <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net income                  $807,433   $736,630   $591,460
 Adjustments to reconcile
  net income to net cash
  provided
  by operating activities:
 Equity in undistributed net
  income of subsidiaries     (387,122)  (159,330)  (317,642)
 Amortization of goodwill       2,329      2,588      2,360
 Depreciation of premises
  and equipment                 1,596      5,447      4,339
 Decrease (increase) in
  dividends receivable from
  subsidiaries                223,820   (114,820)   (89,500)
 Securities gains             (65,929)   (93,720)   (19,764)
 Other, net                    44,830   (114,604)   (79,879)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED
  BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES     626,957    262,191     91,374
- -----------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Net change in short-term
  money market investments   (155,861)    29,065    (35,613)
 Purchases of securities     (161,758)  (260,765)  (144,259)
 Sales and maturities of
  securities                  139,251    199,324     93,129
 Net sales of premises and
  equipment                        --     11,513     19,266
 Principal collected on
  loans to subsidiaries       594,820      8,524      7,800
 Loans to subsidiaries       (737,049)   (49,167)   (24,975)
 Investment in subsidiaries     9,948         --    (72,961)
 Return of investment
  from subsidiaries           495,000    198,000    286,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED
  BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES     184,351    136,494    128,387
- -------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
                                   For the Calendar Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)           1997       1996       1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>        <C>        <C>
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Repayment of corporate
  long-term debt               (125,885)  (100,000)      (556)
 Proceeds from issuance
  of long-term debt             500,000         --    249,710
 Increase (decrease) in
  other borrowings                3,194    (43,730)    (7,115)
 Common and preferred
  dividends                    (363,785)  (314,762)  (270,279)
 Issuance of common stock        80,378     58,763     44,885
 Repurchase of stock           (835,068)        --   (241,253)
 Shares distributed by ESOP          --      2,741      6,277
- -------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH (USED)
  BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES      (741,166)  (396,988)  (218,331)
- -------------------------------------------------------------
 Increase in cash and demand
  balances due from banks        70,142      1,697      1,430
 Cash and demand balances
  due from banks, January 1      14,355     12,658     11,228
- -------------------------------------------------------------
 Cash and demand balances
  due from banks, December 31  $ 84,497   $ 14,355   $ 12,658
- -------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION  
 Interest paid                 $ 76,212   $ 64,764   $ 65,106
 Securities transferred to
  (from) subsidiaries                --   (248,234)    89,400
 Shares issued in purchase
  acquisitions and
  additional investment in
  subsidiaries                       --         --    110,739
- -------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
15. STOCK OPTIONS AND AWARDS
National City maintains various incentive and non-qualified stock-based
compensation plans that allow for the granting of restricted shares, stock
options or other stock-based awards to eligible employees and directors.
   STOCK OPTION PLANS: The stock option plans for officers and key employees
authorize the issuance of up to 15,000,000 options to purchase shares of common
stock at the market price of the shares at the date of grant. These options
generally become exercisable to the extent of either 25% or 50% annually
beginning one year from the date of grant and expire not later than ten years
from the date of grant. In addition, stock options may be granted that include
the right to receive additional options not exceeding the number of options
exercised under the original grant if certain criteria are met. The exercise
price of an additional option is equal to the market price of the common stock
on the date the additional option is granted. Additional options vest six months
from the date of grant and have a contractual term equal to the remaining term
of the original option.
   In 1995, the Corporation was authorized to grant up to 3,500,000 options to
purchase common stock to virtually all employees in commemoration of National
City's 150th anniversary. One-third of these options become exercisable in each
of the years 1998, 1999, and 2000.
 
36
 
<PAGE>   39
 
   RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN: The restricted stock plan provides for the issuance of
up to 1,500,000 shares of common stock to officers, key employees and outside
directors. In general, restrictions on outside directors' shares expire after
nine months and restrictions on shares granted to key employees and officers
expire over a four-year period. The Corporation generally recognizes
compensation expense over the restricted period. Compensation expense recognized
in 1997, 1996 and 1995 totaled $3.2 million, $2.0 million and $1.9 million,
respectively, related to shares issued under this plan.
   OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD ACTIVITY: A summary of stock option and
restricted stock award activity follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  -------------------------------------------------------------
                               Shares
                 -----------------------------------
                  Available                            Weighted-
                  for Grant                             Average
                 -----------        Outstanding         Option
                  Awards &     ---------------------   Price Per
                   Options      Awards     Options       Share
  -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>              <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>
January 1, 1995    8,893,415    327,800   10,079,579    $ 22.84
  Authorized       3,500,000
  Cancelled           95,577     (8,950)    (793,767)     29.12
  Acquired                                    88,418
  Exercised                    (139,250)  (1,822,509)     20.40
  Granted         (5,849,640)   111,090    5,738,550      30.10
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,
  1995             6,639,352    290,690   13,290,271      25.86
  Cancelled          125,368    (11,300)    (820,718)     29.35
  Exercised                     (49,532)  (2,999,388)     19.83
  Granted         (3,649,117)   162,977    4,105,003      35.20
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,
  1996             3,115,603    392,835   13,575,168      29.89
  Authorized      16,500,000
  Cancelled          116,615    (23,059)    (139,199)     36.43
  Exercised                     (77,803)  (2,821,205)     23.04
  Granted         (2,895,679)   215,579    3,132,668      56.98
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31,
  1997            16,836,539    507,552   13,747,432    $ 35.05
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   At December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, options exercisable under National City
option plans totaled 6,623,140, 6,975,620, and 6,160,826 shares, respectively,
and had a weighted average option price per share of $26.88, $22.45, and $20.71,
respectively. For options outstanding at December 31, 1997, the option price per
share ranged from $5.31 to $67.00 and the weighted-average remaining contractual
life of the options was 7.2 years.
   PRO FORMA DISCLOSURES: For purposes of providing the pro forma disclosures
required under SFAS No. 123, the fair value of stock options granted in 1995,
1996 and 1997 was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option
pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was originally developed
for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have different
characteristics from the Corporation's employee stock options. The model is also
sensitive to changes in the subjective assumptions which can materially affect
the fair value estimate. As a result, management believes that the Black-Scholes
model may not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of
employee stock options.
   The following weighted-average assumptions were used in the option pricing
model: a risk-free interest rate of 5.69%, 6.04% and 5.64% for 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively; an expected life of the option of 3.9 years, 4.2 years and
5.4 years for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively; an expected dividend yield of
3.50% for 1997 and 3.80% for 1996 and 1995; and a volatility factor of .194 for
1997 and .206 for 1996 and 1995. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of
options granted during 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $9.46, $6.08 and $5.24,
respectively. For purposes of the pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair
value of the options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period.
   Had compensation cost for the Corporation's stock-based compensation plans
been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, net income and earnings per share
would have been as summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
(In Thousands,
Except Per Share Amounts)       1997       1996       1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Pro forma net income          $791,261   $725,726   $588,122
Pro forma earnings per share:
  Basic                          $3.66      $3.29      $2.70
  Diluted                         3.59       3.22       2.63
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Due to the inclusion of only 1995, 1996 and 1997 option grants, the effects
of applying SFAS No. 123 to the years presented above may not be representative
of the pro forma impact in future years.
 
16. PENSION PLANS
National City has a noncontributory, defined benefit retirement plan covering
substantially all employees. Retirement benefits are based upon the employees'
length of service and salary levels. Actuarially determined pension costs are
charged to current operations. The funding policy is to pay at least the minimum
amount required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
 
                                                                              37
<PAGE>   40
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
   The defined benefit pension plan's funded status (at its year-end September
30) follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)                1997         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>
Projected benefit obligation:
  Vested benefits                   $452,958     $422,876
  Nonvested benefits                  21,888       21,121
- ---------------------------------------------------------
  Accumulated benefit obligation     474,846      443,997
  Effect of projected future
    compensation levels               69,928       84,875
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation         544,774      528,872
Plan's assets at fair value,
  primarily stocks and bonds,
  including $33.5 million and
  $22.7 million in the common
  stock of the Corporation for
  1997 and 1996, respectively        697,571      561,133
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Funded status - plan assets in
  excess of projected benefit
  obligation                        $152,797     $ 32,261
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Comprised of:
  Unrecognized net gains (losses)   $148,832     $ 31,626
  Unrecognized net assets being
    recognized over 15 years          16,013       20,787
  Less accrued pension liability
    on balance sheet                  12,048       20,152
- ---------------------------------------------------------
                                    $152,797     $ 32,261
- ---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Assumptions used in the valuation of the defined benefit pension plan at its
year-end (September 30) follow:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------
                                1997       1996       1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>          <C>      <C>
Weighted average discount
  rate                             7.25%    7.50%        7.50%
Average assumed rate of
  compensation increase       2.75-7.50     5.00    4.75-5.00
Long-term rate of return on
  assets                          10.00    10.00        10.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The Corporation adopted an age-graded rate of compensation increase
assumption in 1997. This change did not have a material impact on the projected
benefit obligation.
   Net defined benefit pension plan costs include the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   For the Calendar Year
- --------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)          1997        1996       1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>         <C>        <C>
Service cost - benefits
  earned during year          $  24,333   $ 20,306   $ 19,871
Interest cost on projected
  benefit obligation             40,480     36,033     36,324
Actual return on plan assets   (176,344)   (78,548)   (74,411)
Net amortization and deferral   120,427     30,577     29,732
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic pension cost     $   8,896   $  8,368   $ 11,516
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The Corporation also maintains nonqualified supplemental retirement plans for
certain key employees. All benefits provided under these plans are unfunded and
any payments to plan participants are made by the Corporation. At December 31,
1997 and 1996 approximately $28.5 million and $32.6 million, respectively, were
included in accrued expenses and other liabilities for these plans. For the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, expense related to these plans was
$6.7 million, $17.6 million, and $5.6 million, respectively. The expense for
1996 includes a $11.4 million charge relating to the curtailment of a
supplemental executive retirement plan for former key employees of Integra.
   Substantially all employees with one or more years of service are eligible to
contribute a portion of their pre-tax salary to a defined contribution plan. The
Corporation may make contributions to the plan in varying amounts depending on
the level of employee contributions. For the years ended 1997, 1996 and 1995,
the expense related to this plan was $35.2 million, $10.7 million, and $17.8
million, respectively. Contributions made in the form of Company shares by an
ESOP served to reduce expense in 1996 and prior.
 
17. OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
The Corporation has a benefit plan which offers postretirement medical and life
insurance benefits to all employees who have attained the age of 55 and have at
least 10 years of service (five years of service if age 65 or older). The
medical portion is contributory and the life insurance coverage is
noncontributory to the participants. For any employee who retired on or after
April 1, 1989, the Corporation's medical contribution is fixed, based on years
of service and age at retirement. The accounting for the medical portion
anticipates contributions for retirees prior to April 1, 1989, to continue to
increase as a proportion of the total costs of the plan. The Corporation
reserves the right to terminate or make plan changes at any time.
   The Corporation has no plan assets attributable to the plan and funds the
benefits as the claims arise. Postretirement benefit costs are recognized during
the periods in which employees provide service for such benefits. The following
table presents the Plan's status at
 
38
 
<PAGE>   41
 
December 31, reconciled with amounts recognized in the consolidated balance
sheet:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)                   1997        1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit
  obligation:
  Retirees                             $ 43,586    $ 40,704
  Fully eligible active plan
    participants                         11,108      10,826
  Other active plan participants         16,709      15,573
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated postretirement benefit
  obligation                             71,403      67,103
Unrecognized net (loss)                 (10,651)     (9,585)
Unrecognized transition obligation      (25,286)    (27,210)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Accrued postretirement benefit cost    $ 35,466    $ 30,308
- -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Net periodic postretirement benefit costs include the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
                                    For the Calendar Year
(Dollars in Thousands)             1997      1996      1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>       <C>       <C>
Service cost                      $1,581    $1,270    $  983
Interest cost                      5,169     4,805     4,406
Net amortization and deferral      2,378     2,231     1,822
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic postretirement
  benefit cost                    $9,128    $8,306    $7,211
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Assumptions used in the valuation of the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation at December 31 follow:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
                                   1997     1996     1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>
Weighted average discount rate      7.50%    7.75%    7.75%
Average salary scale                5.00     5.00     5.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The health care trend rate assumption only affects those participants retired
under the plan prior to April 1, 1989. The 1997 health care trend rate is
projected to be 10 percent for participants under 65 and 7 percent for
participants over 65. These rates are assumed to decrease incrementally by .5
percentage point per year until they reach 5 percent and remain at that level
thereafter. The health care trend rate assumption does not have a significant
effect on the medical plan, therefore, a 1 percentage point change in the trend
rate is not material in the determination of the accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation or the ongoing expense.
 
18. INCOME TAXES
The composition of income tax expense (benefit) follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------
                                  For the Calendar Year
  (Dollars in Thousands)       1997        1996        1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Current:
  Federal                    $245,889    $320,696    $234,809
  State                           505      17,919      16,204
- -------------------------------------------------------------
    Total current             246,394     338,615     251,013
Deferred:
  Federal                     108,804     (15,682)      1,733
  State                         5,896      (1,119)        939
- -------------------------------------------------------------
  Total deferred              114,700     (16,801)      2,672
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Tax expense                  $361,094    $321,814    $253,685
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Tax expense applicable to
  securities transactions    $ 29,387    $ 29,587    $ 13,501
- -------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate applicable to
corporations as a result of permanent differences between accounting and taxable
income as shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------
                                       For the Calendar
                                             Year
                                     1997    1996    1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>     <C>     <C>
Statutory rate                       35.0%   35.0%   35.0%
Life insurance                       (1.7)   (2.2)   (3.0)
Tax-exempt income                    (1.2)   (1.5)   (2.3)
Other                                (1.2)    (.9)     .3
- ---------------------------------------------------------
EFFECTIVE TAX RATE                   30.9%   30.4%   30.0%
- ---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
  Significant components of deferred tax liabilities and assets as of December
31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)                 1997         1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>           <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Lease accounting                  $  214,901    $  98,707
  Depreciation                          21,036       23,210
  Mark to market adjustments           164,479       83,452
  Other - net                          115,713       77,925
- -----------------------------------------------------------
  Total deferred tax liabilities       516,129      283,294
Deferred tax assets:
 Provision for losses                  247,910      248,462
 Employee benefits                      27,070       33,308
 Other - net                           105,516       76,553
- -----------------------------------------------------------
  Total deferred tax assets            380,496      358,323
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax (liability) asset  $ (135,633)   $  75,029
- -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              39
<PAGE>   42
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 
19. OFF-BALANCE SHEET FINANCIAL AGREEMENTS
The Corporation uses a variety of off-balance sheet financial instruments such
as interest rate swaps, futures, options, forwards, and cap and floor contracts.
These financial agreements, frequently called interest rate derivatives, enable
the Corporation to efficiently manage its exposure to changes in interest rates.
As with any financial instrument, derivatives have inherent risks. Market risk
includes the risk of gains and losses that result from changes in interest
rates. These gains and losses may be offset by other on- or off-balance sheet
transactions. Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty to a derivative
contract with an unrealized gain fails to perform according to the terms of the
agreement. Credit risk can be measured as the cost of acquiring a new derivative
agreement with cash flows identical to those of a defaulted agreement in the
current interest rate environment. The credit exposure to counterparties is
managed by limiting the aggregate amount of net unrealized gains in agreements
outstanding, monitoring the size and the maturity structure of the derivative
portfolio, applying uniform credit standards maintained for all activities with
credit risk and by collateralizing unrealized gains. The Corporation has
established bilateral collateral agreements with its major off-balance sheet
counterparties that provide for exchanges of marketable securities to
collateralize either party's unrealized gains. On December 31, 1997, these
collateral agreements covered 93% of the notional amount of the derivative
portfolio, and the Corporation was holding net U.S. government and agency
securities with a market value of $41 million from various counterparties to
collateralize unrealized gains. The Corporation has never experienced a credit
loss associated with any interest rate derivative.
   INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT: On December 31, 1997, the total notional
amount of the interest rate swap portfolio used to manage interest rate
sensitivity was $8.4 billion, which is an increase of $383 million from December
31, 1996. The Corporation uses receive fixed interest rate swaps, receive fixed
cancelable interest rate swaps and receive fixed indexed amortizing interest
rate swaps to convert variable rate loans and securities into synthetic fixed
rate instruments and to convert fixed rate funding sources into synthetic
variable rate funding instruments. The Corporation increased its use of
cancelable interest rate swaps during the year to facilitate its interest rate
risk management process and its wholesale funding activities. During 1997, the
Corporation entered into $527 million of receive fixed cancelable interest rate
swaps to hedge the issuance of fixed rate callable funding products and $3.1
billion of receive fixed cancelable interest rate swaps to convert portions of
its variable rate loan portfolios into synthetic fixed rate loans. During 1997,
$486 million of receive fixed interest rate swaps matured or amortized, $1.3
billion of indexed amortizing receive fixed interest rate swaps matured or
amortized and $2.3 billion of indexed amortizing or cancelable interest rate
swaps were terminated prior to maturity. These terminations generated pre-tax
net losses of $.6 million, recognized as an adjustment to the carrying value of
the loan portfolio.
   The Corporation uses pay fixed interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate
loans and securities into synthetic variable rate instruments and to convert
variable rate funding sources into synthetic fixed rate funding instruments.
During 1997, the Corporation entered into $869 million of pay fixed interest
rate swaps, primarily to hedge fixed rate commercial loans and investment
securities. During 1997, $555 million of pay fixed interest rate swaps matured
or amortized and $294 million of pay fixed interest rate swaps were terminated
prior to maturity. These terminations generated pre-tax net losses of $.2
million, recognized as an adjustment to the carrying value of the securities
portfolio.
   The Corporation uses interest rate cap and floor contracts to help protect
its interest margin in periods of extremely high or low interest rates. During
1997, the Corporation purchased $500 million three-month Eurodollar caps with
maturities of 3 years and an average strike rate of 7.5%.
   The Corporation uses interest rate corridors to help protect its net interest
margin in various interest rate environments. These interest rate corridors pay
1.0% of the notional amount per annum over their lives only when the three-month
Eurodollar rate is between the corridor strike rates. There are no payments due
to the Corporation when three-month Eurodollar rates are outside of the corridor
strike rates.
   On December 31, 1997, the Corporation had $8.2 million of net deferred gains
on terminated derivative contracts and had no material derivative contracts
outstanding that were hedging anticipated transactions.
   Summary information with respect to the interest rate derivative portfolio
used for risk management purposes follows:
 
40
 
<PAGE>   43
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            December 31, 1997
                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Weighted Average
                                                                    -----------------------------------------   December 31, 1996
                             Notional     Unrealized   Unrealized   Receive   Pay        Strike        Life     -----------------
(Dollars in Thousands)        Amount        Gains        Losses      Rate     Rate        Rate        (Years)    Notional Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>    <C>              <C>       <C>
INTEREST RATE SWAPS:
  Receive fixed indexed
    amortizing swaps        $ 1,034,493    $    479     $ (4,916)     5.91%   5.77%        --            1.3       $ 3,107,448
  Receive fixed callable
    swaps                     2,842,000      21,296       (3,816)     6.72    5.87         --            1.8           905,000
  Receive fixed swaps         3,241,000      58,076       (3,800)     6.47    5.85         --            3.5         3,047,370
  Pay fixed callable swaps       53,588         551       (1,909)     5.97    6.35         --            8.4                --
  Pay fixed swaps               895,754          52      (11,605)     4.93    6.45         --            5.6           874,145
  Basis swaps                   325,000         447         (543)     5.91    5.88         --            2.5            75,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest rate
        swaps                 8,391,835      80,901      (26,589)                                                    8,008,963
INTEREST RATE CAPS AND FLOORS:
  Three-month Eurodollar
    floors purchased          1,400,000      12,826      (10,821)       --     --         5.71%          2.9         1,400,000
  One-month Eurodollar caps
    purchased                     3,971          --       (1,498)       --     --          9.0          14.2                --
  Three-month Eurodollar
    caps purchased              500,000         352           --        --     --         7.50           2.1           100,000
  Other                                                                                                                182,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest rate
        caps and floors       1,903,971      13,178      (12,319)                                                    1,682,000
INTEREST RATE CORRIDORS 
  PURCHASED:
  1% Payout corridors           500,000          62         (531)       --     --       6.5%-7.5%         .7         1,250,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST RATE FUTURES:
  Futures purchased             212,000          12           --        --     --          --             --                --
  Futures sold                  749,000           1         (288)       --     --          --             --                --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest rate
        futures                 961,000          13         (288)                                                           --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest rate
        swaps, caps,
        floors, corridors &
        futures             $11,756,806    $ 94,154     $(39,727)                                                  $10,940,963
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The variable rates in the interest rate swap contracts are primarily based on
the three-month Eurodollar rate. The average variable rates included in the
table above are those in effect in the specific contracts at December 31, 1997.
   The following table details the expected notional maturities of off-balance
sheet instruments used for interest-rate risk management at December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                       Greater
                                                           Less than        1 to 3         3 to 5        5 to 10       than 10
(Dollars in Thousands)                                       1 Year         Years          Years          Years         Years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Receive fixed swaps                                        $2,848,948     $2,605,545     $  828,000     $  385,000     $450,000
Pay fixed swaps                                                    --        258,644        249,709        409,279       31,710
Basis swaps                                                   100,000         50,000        175,000             --           --
Floors purchased                                              435,000        300,000        300,000        365,000           --
Caps purchased                                                     --        500,000             --             --        3,971
Interest rate corridors                                       500,000             --             --             --           --
Futures purchased                                                  --        212,000             --             --           --
Futures sold                                                  139,000         39,000        223,000        348,000           --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                                                      $4,022,948     $3,965,189     $1,775,709     $1,507,279     $485,681
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   Indexed amortizing interest rate swaps are contracts where the notional
amount amortizes after a predetermined lock-out period. The rate of amortization
is determined by formula and is based upon movements of short-term interest
rates, usually three-month Eurodollar rates. The indexed amortizing interest
rate swap portfolio contains no imbedded options that have multiplicative
impacts affecting valuations or expected notional maturities. The table at the
right shows the estimated impact on valuation, average life, and the expected
notional amortization schedule of the indexed amortizing swap portfolio if 
interest rates immediately increase or decrease 100 basis points from 
December 31, 1997 levels:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited)                                         Expected Notional
                         Net                          Amortization
                     Unrealized     Average     Less than  1 to 2  2 to 5
(Dollars in Millions) Gain/(Loss) Life(Years)    1 Year    Years   Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>             <C>        <C>       <C>     <C>
Interest rates at
  year end              $   (5)        1.3        $ 429     $167    $438
Interest rates +100bp      (20)        1.5          334       13     687
Interest rates -100bp        1         1.0          526      395     114
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              41
<PAGE>   44
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
   MORTGAGE SERVICING RISK MANAGEMENT: The Corporation uses off-balance sheet
derivative contracts to hedge the market value of a portion of its mortgage
servicing portfolio. The market value of the mortgage servicing portfolio is
adversely affected when mortgage interest rates decline and mortgage loan
prepayments increase. To hedge this exposure, the Corporation enters into
receive fixed interest rate swaps, purchased and sold interest rate floors (net
purchased options) and purchased interest rate caps. The Corporation also enters
into interest rate swaps where the Corporation receives the periodic total
return of principal only mortgage-backed securities and pays a variable rate
based on one-month Eurodollar rates.
   Information with respect to the interest rate derivative portfolio used for
hedging mortgage servicing assets is summarized in the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            December 31, 1997
                             --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Weighted Average
                                                                    -----------------------------------------   December 31, 1996
                              Notional    Unrealized   Unrealized   Receive   Pay        Strike        Life     -----------------
(Dollars in Thousands)         Amount       Gains        Losses      Rate     Rate        Rate        (Years)    Notional Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>    <C>              <C>       <C>
INTEREST RATE SWAPS:
  Receive fixed swaps        $  708,000    $  3,677     $ (3,776)     5.97%   5.84%        --           3.0        $   630,000
  Principal only swaps          141,715      14,792         (114)       --    6.15         --           2.4             34,251
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest rate
        swaps                   849,715      18,469       (3,890)                                                      664,251
INTEREST RATE CAPS AND
  FLOORS:
  Ten-year U.S. Treasury
    caps purchased              225,000         402           --        --     --         8.66%         4.0             85,000
  Ten-year U.S. Treasury
    floors purchased          1,015,662       3,362           --        --     --         5.45          2.2          1,015,662
  Ten-year U.S. Treasury
    floors sold                      --          --           --        --     --          --            --            400,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest rate
        caps and floors       1,240,662       3,764           --                                                     1,500,662
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total interest rate
        swaps,
        caps and floors      $2,090,377    $ 22,233     $ (3,890)                                                  $ 2,164,913
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   TRADING ACTIVITIES: The Corporation also enters into off-balance sheet
financial instruments for its trading account. These transactions are executed
primarily with customers to facilitate their interest rate and foreign currency
risk management strategies. The trading portfolio consists of derivative
contracts with the Corporation's customers and offsetting derivative
instruments, futures, forwards, option contracts and cash securities which
effectively reduce the risk of market value fluctuations in the portfolio caused
by changes in market conditions.
   At December 31, 1997, the total notional amount of interest rate derivative
contracts held for trading was $3.2 billion with a net market value of $5.5
million compared to $2.9 billion in notional and a net market value of $3.2
million at December 31, 1996. Trading revenue from derivatives totaled $2.4
million and $3.4 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively. Trading activity in
1995 was not significant.
   All off-balance sheet contracts in the preceding tables are valued using cash
flow projection models either acquired from third parties or developed in-house.
Pricing models used for valuing derivative instruments are regularly validated
by testing through comparison with other third parties. Valuations and notional
maturities presented above are based on yield curves, forward yield curves, and
implied volatilities that were observable in the cash and derivatives markets on
December 31, 1997.
   OTHER OFF-BALANCE SHEET COMMITMENTS: The Corporation also enters into forward
contracts related to its mortgage banking business. At December 31, 1997 and
1996, the Corporation had commitments to sell mortgages and mortgage-backed
securities totaling $1.6 billion and $613 million, respectively. These contracts
mature in less than one year.
   In the normal course of business, the Corporation makes various commitments
to extend credit which are not reflected in the balance sheet. A summary of
these commitments follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          December 31
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Millions)                  1997        1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>
Commitments to extend credit          $12,058     $11,160
Standby letters of credit               1,965       1,781
- ---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   The credit risk associated with loan commitments and standby letters of
credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers
and is subject to normal credit policies. Collateral is obtained based on
management's credit assessment of the customer.
 
42
 
<PAGE>   45
                                 QUARTERLY DATA

 
FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
 
   Net income for the fourth quarter of 1997 was $209.0 million, or $.96 per
diluted common share, up from $191.1 million, or $.85 per diluted common share
for the same period in 1996. The increase in earnings was primarily due to
higher noninterest income, well controlled operating expenses and a lower
provision for loan losses.
   Annualized return on average common equity for the fourth quarter of 1997 was
19.11%, compared to 17.53% for the fourth quarter of 1996. Annualized return on
average assets for the fourth quarter was 1.58% in 1997 versus 1.55% in 1996.
   Net overhead decreased 5.2% from the fourth quarter of 1996 as a result of
higher fee-based business revenues and relatively flat noninterest expense.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations for
the years 1997, 1996 and 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)       First         Second          Third         Fourth         Full Year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
1997
      Interest income                                   $ 900,290      $ 942,902      $ 958,208      $ 974,740      $ 3,776,140
      Interest expense                                    427,244        452,979        466,875        486,214        1,833,312
      Net interest income                                 473,046        489,923        491,333        488,526        1,942,828
      Provision for loan losses                            35,881         36,164         36,370         31,245          139,660
      Securities gains                                     15,964         31,189          2,112         34,249           83,514
      Net overhead                                        162,328        197,010        160,133        198,684          718,155
      Income before income taxes                          290,801        287,938        296,942        292,846        1,168,527
      Net income                                          196,142        198,276        204,009        209,006          807,433
      Basic net income per common share                       .88            .92            .95            .98             3.73
      Diluted net income per common share                     .87            .90            .93            .96             3.66
      Dividends paid per common share                         .41            .41           .425           .425             1.67
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
      Interest income                                   $ 914,284      $ 919,421      $ 910,414      $ 911,216      $ 3,655,335
      Interest expense                                    439,062        429,563        420,475        423,659        1,712,759
      Net interest income                                 475,222        489,858        489,939        487,557        1,942,576
      Provision for loan losses                            32,039         37,353         38,608         38,480          146,480
      Securities gains                                     12,735         68,617           (114)        26,908          108,146
      Net overhead                                        196,749        258,092        181,358        209,599          845,798
      Income before income taxes                          259,169        263,030        269,859        266,386        1,058,444
      Net income                                          176,864        182,832        185,822        191,112          736,630
      Net income applicable to common stock               173,375        182,293        185,822        191,112          732,602
      Basic net income per common share                       .82            .83            .83            .86             3.34
      Diluted net income per common share                     .79            .81            .82            .85             3.27
      Dividends paid per common share                         .36            .36           .375           .375             1.47
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995
      Net income                                        $ 150,925      $ 152,522      $ 158,884      $ 129,129      $   591,460
      Basic net income per common share                       .69            .70            .73            .59             2.71
      Diluted net income per common share                     .67            .69            .71            .57             2.64
      Dividends paid per common share                         .32            .32            .33            .33             1.30
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              43
 
<PAGE>   46
                                   FORM 10-K

 
The Annual Report includes the materials required in Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The integration of the two documents gives
stockholders and other interested parties timely, efficient and comprehensive
information on 1997 results. Portions of the Annual Report are not required by
the Form 10-K report and are not filed as part of the Corporation's Form 10-K.
Only those portions of the Annual Report referenced in the cross-reference index
are incorporated in the Form 10-K. The report has not been approved or
disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor has the Commission
passed upon its accuracy or adequacy.
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                   FORM 10-K
[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
                             of 1934 [Fee Required]
                  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
 
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
                         Act of 1934 [No Fee Required].
 
              For the transition period from  ______ to  ______ .
 
                        Commission File Number 1-10074.
 
                           NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
                                    Delaware
           ---------------------------------------------------------
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                   34-1111088
           ---------------------------------------------------------
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
                    1900 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio
           ---------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                   44114-3484
           ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   (Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code, 216-575-2000
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     Title of each class:
Name of each exchange on which registered:
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
            National City Corporation Common Stock, $4.00 Per Share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)
 
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  ____
 
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.  
 
The aggregate market value of the voting stocks held by nonaffiliates of the
registrant as of December 31, 1997 - $13,642,576,777
 
The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common
stock, as of December 31, 1997.
 
Common Stock, $4.00 Per Share -- 211,097,837
 
Documents Incorporated By Reference:
 
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement (to be dated approximately February
23, 1998) are incorporated by reference into Item 10. Directors and Executive
Officers of the Registrant; Item 11. Executive Compensation; Item 12. Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management; and Item 13. Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, of Part III.
 
44
 
<PAGE>   47
 
FORM 10-K CROSS REFERENCE INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Pages
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                                 <C>
PART I
  Item  1 --   Business
    Description of Business                                 45
    Average Balance Sheets/Interest/Rates                20-21
    Volume and Rate Variance Analysis                        8
    Securities                                              12
    Loans                                                   11
    Risk Elements of Loan Portfolio                      12-14
    Loan Loss Experience                                 12-14
    Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses              12-14
    Deposits                                         14, 20-21
    Financial Ratios                                        19
    Short-Term Borrowings                               14, 33
  Item  2 --   Properties                                   46
  Item  3 --   Legal Proceedings                            46
  Item  4 --   Submission of Matters to a Vote of
                 Security Holders - None
- --------------------------------------------------------------
PART II
  Item  5 --   Market for the Registrant's Common
                 Equity and Related Stockholder
                 Matters                                 14-15
  Item  6 --   Selected Financial Data                      19
  Item  7 --   Management's Discussion and
                 Analysis of Financial Condition
                 and Results of Operations                5-17
  Item  7A --  Quantitative and Qualitative
                 Disclosures About Market Risk       16-17, 28
  Item  8 --   Financial Statements and
                 Supplementary Data                      22-43
  Item  9 --   Changes in and Disagreements with
                 Accountants on Accounting and
                 Financial Disclosure - None
- --------------------------------------------------------------
PART III
  Item 10 --   Directors and Executive Officers of
                 the Registrant - Note (1)
               Executive Officers                           46
               Compliance with Section 16(a) of
                 the Securities Exchange Act -
                 Note (1)
  Item 11 --   Executive Compensation - Note (1)
  Item 12 --   Security Ownership of Certain
                 Beneficial Owners and Management
                 - Note (1)
  Item 13 --   Certain Relationships and Related
                 Transactions - Note (1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
PART IV
  Item 14 --   Exhibits, Financial Statement
                 Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
               Report of Ernst & Young LLP,
                 Independent Auditors                       22
               Financial Statements:
               Consolidated Balance Sheets -
                 December 31, 1997 and 1996                 23
               Consolidated Statements of Income -
                 Calendar Years 1997, 1996 and
                 1995                                       24
               Consolidated Statements of Changes
                 in Stockholders' Equity -
                 Calendar Years 1997, 1996, and
                 1995                                       25
               Consolidated Statements of Cash
                 Flows - Calendar Years 1997, 1996
                 and 1995                                   26
Notes to Financial Statements                            27-42
Signatures                                                  47
</TABLE>
 
Reports on Form 8-K filed in the fourth quarter of 1997: Form 8-K, dated
  November 24, 1997, announced that National City's Board of Directors had
  authorized the purchase of up to 20 million shares of the Corporation's issued
  and outstanding common stock subject to a total purchase limit of $1.4
  billion.
  Form 8-K, dated December 9, 1997, announced that on December 1, 1997 National
  City had issued a press release stating that the Corporation had entered into
  a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger with First of America Bank
  Corporation. The release also stated that the boards of directors of both
  companies had rescinded their respective stock repurchase authorizations.
Exhibits -- The index of exhibits has been filed as separate pages of the 1997
  Form 10-K and is available to stockholders on request from the Secretary of
  the Corporation at the principal executive offices. Copies of exhibits may be
  obtained at a cost of 30 cents per page.
Financial Statement Schedules -- Omitted due to inapplicability or because
  required information is shown in the Financial Statements or the Notes
  thereto.
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Note (1) -- Incorporated by reference from the Corporation's Proxy Statement to
            be dated approximately February 23, 1998.
- --------------------------------------------------------------
 
BUSINESS
At December 31, 1997, National City Corporation ("National City" or "the
Corporation") was the third largest bank holding company headquartered in the
State of Ohio and approximately the 20th largest in the United States on the
basis of total assets. National City owns and operates 8 commercial banks with a
total of 833 banking offices in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Pennsylvania. The
five largest subsidiary banks (and only significant subsidiaries) are National
City Bank of Pennsylvania; National City Bank (Cleveland), National City Bank of
Columbus; National City Bank of Indiana; and National City Bank of Kentucky. The
banks and other subsidiaries and divisions are engaged in a variety of financial
services businesses. In addition to a general commercial banking business,
National City or its subsidiaries are engaged in trust and investment
management, mortgage banking, investment banking, leasing, item processing,
venture capital, insurance, and other financial-related businesses. National
City and its subsidiaries had 29,841 full-time equivalent employees at December
31, 1997.
 
COMPETITION
The banking business is highly competitive. The banking subsidiaries of National
City compete actively with national and state banks, savings and loan
associations, securities dealers, mortgage bankers, finance companies, insurance
companies and other financial service entities.
 
                                                                              45
<PAGE>   48
                             FORM 10-K (continued)

 
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
National City is subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of
1956, as amended (the "Act"). The Act requires the prior approval of the Federal
Reserve Board for a bank holding company to acquire or hold more than a 5%
voting interest in any bank, and restricts interstate banking activities. On
September 29, 1994, the Act was amended by The Interstate Banking and Branch
Efficiency Act of 1994 which authorizes interstate bank acquisitions anywhere in
the country, effective one year after the date of enactment and interstate
branching by acquisition and consolidation, effective June 1, 1997 in those
states that have not opted out by that date.
   The Act restricts National City's nonbanking activities to those which are
determined by the Federal Reserve Board to be closely related to banking and a
proper incident thereto. The Act does not place territorial restrictions on the
activities of nonbank subsidiaries of bank holding companies. National City's
banking subsidiaries are subject to limitations with respect to transactions
with affiliates.
   A substantial portion of National City's cash revenue is derived from
dividends paid by its subsidiary banks. These dividends are subject to various
legal and regulatory restrictions as summarized in Note 14.
   The subsidiary banks are subject to the provisions of the National Bank Act
or the banking laws of their respective states, are under the supervision of,
and are subject to periodic examination by, the Comptroller of the Currency (the
"OCC") or the respective state banking departments, and are subject to the rules
and regulations of the OCC, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
   National City's subsidiary banks are also subject to certain state laws of
each state in which such bank is located. Such state laws may restrict branching
of banks within the state and acquisition or merger involving banks and bank
holding companies located in other states. Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and
Pennsylvania have all adopted nationwide reciprocal interstate banking.
   The Financial Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) provides
that a holding company's controlled insured depository institutions are liable
for any loss incurred by the FDIC in connection with the default of or any
FDIC-assisted transaction involving an affiliated insured bank or savings
association.
   The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (the "FDIC
Improvement Act") covers a wide expanse of banking regulatory issues. The FDIC
Improvement Act deals with the recapitalization of the
Bank Insurance Fund, with deposit insurance reform, including requiring the FDIC
to establish a risk-based premium assessment system, and with a number of other
regulatory and supervisory matters.
   The monetary policies of regulatory authorities, including the Federal
Reserve Board, have a significant effect on the operating results of banks and
bank holding companies. The nature of future monetary policies and the effect of
such policies on the future business and earnings of National City and its
subsidiary banks cannot be predicted.
 
PROPERTIES
National City and its significant subsidiaries occupy their headquarter offices
under long-term leases. The Corporation also owns freestanding operations
centers in Columbus and Cleveland and leases an operations center in Pittsburgh.
Branch office locations are variously owned or leased.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
National City and its subsidiaries are parties (either as plaintiff or
defendant) to a number of lawsuits incidental to their businesses and, in
certain lawsuits, claims or counterclaims have been asserted. Although
litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the ultimate exposure with
respect to many of these matters cannot be ascertained, management does not
believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition or the liquidity of the Corporation.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Executive Officers of National City (as of January 21, 1998) are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Name              Age            Position
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>     <C>
David A. Daberko                52    Chairman and Chief
                                        Executive Officer
Vincent A. DiGirolamo           60    Vice Chairman
Robert G. Siefers               52    Vice Chairman and
                                        Chief Financial Officer
James R. Bell III               41    Executive Vice President
Gary A. Glaser                  53    Executive Vice President
Thomas W. Golonski              55    Executive Vice President
Jon L. Gorney                   47    Executive Vice President
Christopher Graffeo             50    Executive Vice President
Jeffrey D. Kelly                44    Executive Vice President
William E. MacDonald III        51    Executive Vice President
Herbert R. Martens, Jr.         45    Executive Vice President
Robert J. Ondercik              51    Executive Vice President
Harold B. Todd, Jr.             56    Executive Vice President
James P. Gulick                 39    Senior Vice President
                                        and General Auditor
Thomas A. Richlovsky            46    Senior Vice President
                                        and Treasurer
David L. Zoeller                48    Senior Vice President,
                                        General Counsel
                                        and Secretary
</TABLE>
 
46
 
<PAGE>   49
 
   The term of office for executive officers is one year.
   There is no family relationship between any of the executive officers.
   Except as noted below, each of the officers listed on the previous page has
been an executive officer of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries during
the past five years.
   Mr. Martens was promoted to Executive Vice President in 1997. Prior to that
time he was chairman of NatCity Investments, Inc. since 1995 and president and
chief executive officer of Raffensperger, Hughes & Co. from 1993 to 1995 and
president of Reserve Capital Group from 1990 to 1993.
   Mr. Bell was elected president and chief executive officer of National City
Bank of Kentucky in 1996. Prior to that time he was an executive vice president
since 1994 and a senior vice president of National City Bank in Cleveland from
1990 to 1993.
   Mr. Golonski was elected executive vice president in 1996. Prior to that time
he was the president of Integra Bank since 1995, chairman and director of
Altegra Credit Company and Integra Mortgage Company from 1994 to 1995, executive
vice president of Integra Bank from 1994 to 1995, and chairman and chief
executive officer of Integra Bank/North from 1991 to 1993.
   Mr. Graffeo was appointed an executive vice president in 1995. Prior to that
time he was president and chief executive officer of National City Bank,
Northeast since 1992 and an executive vice president of that Bank from 1991 to
1992.
   Mr. Gulick was appointed a senior vice president in 1995. Prior to that time
he was a vice president since 1992 and an audit manager with Coopers & Lybrand
LLP from 1987 to 1992.
   Mr. Kelly was appointed an executive vice president in 1994. Prior to that
time he was a senior vice president since 1990 and a senior vice president of
National City Bank in Cleveland from 1987 to 1990.
   Mr. Ondercik was appointed an executive vice president in 1994. Prior to that
time he was a senior vice president since 1991 and a senior vice president of
National City Bank in Cleveland from 1989 to 1991.
   Mr. Gorney was appointed an executive vice president in 1993. Prior to that
time he was a senior vice president since 1991 and senior vice president of
National City Bank in Cleveland from 1988 to 1991.
 
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, on January 21, 1998.
 
National City Corporation
 
/s/ David A. Daberko
- ---------------------------------------
David A. Daberko
Chairman 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 January 21, 1998.
 
/s/ David A. Daberko
- ---------------------------------------
David A. Daberko
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>
/s/ Vincent A. DiGirolamo        /s/ Robert G. Siefers
- ----------------------------     --------------------------
Vincent A. DiGirolamo            Robert G. Siefers
Vice Chairman                    Vice Chairman
                                 and Chief Financial
                                 Officer
 
/s/ Thomas A. Richlovsky
- ----------------------------
Thomas A. Richlovsky
Senior Vice President
and Treasurer
</TABLE>
 
   The Directors of National City Corporation (listed below) executed a power of
attorney appointing
David L. Zoeller their attorney-in-fact, empowering him to sign this report on
their behalf.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>
Sandra H. Austin                 Bernadine P. Healy, M.D.
Charles H. Bowman                Joseph H. Lemieux
Edward B. Brandon                W. Bruce Lunsford
John G. Breen                    Robert A. Paul
James S. Broadhurst              William R. Robertson
Duane E. Collins                 William F. Roemer
David A. Daberko                 Michael A. Schuler
Daniel E. Evans                  Stephen A. Stitle
Otto N. Frenzel III              Morry Weiss
</TABLE>
 
                     /s/ David L. Zoeller
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                     By David L. Zoeller
                     Attorney-in-fact
 
                                                                              47
<PAGE>   50
 
          BOARD OF DIRECTORS/OFFICERS
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
 
DAVID A. DABERKO (2,3,4)
Chairman & CEO
National City Corporation
 
SANDRA H. AUSTIN (3,7)
President & CEO
Sedona Health Care Group, Inc.
 
CHARLES H. BOWMAN (1,3,6,7)
Head, Petroleum Engineering Department
Texas A&M University
 
EDWARD B. BRANDON (2,3,4)
Retired Chairman
National City Corporation
 
JOHN G. BREEN (3,4,5)
Chairman & CEO
The Sherwin-Williams Company
 
JAMES S. BROADHURST (1,5)
Chairman & CEO
Eat'n Park Restaurants
 
DUANE E. COLLINS (2,5)
President & CEO
Parker Hannifin Corporation
 
DANIEL E. EVANS (1,5)
Chairman & CEO
Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
 
OTTO N. FRENZEL III (3,4)
Retired Chairman
National City Bank of Indiana
 
BERNADINE P. HEALY, M.D. (6,7)
Dean, College of Medicine
The Ohio State University
 
JOSEPH H. LEMIEUX (2,3,5)
Chairman & CEO
Owens-Illinois, Inc.
 
W. BRUCE LUNSFORD (1,3,6)
Chairman, President & CEO
Vencor, Inc.
 
ROBERT A. PAUL (2,3,7)
President & CEO
Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation
 
WILLIAM R. ROBERTSON (6,7)
Managing Partner
Kirtland Capital Partners
 
WILLIAM F. ROEMER (3,4)
Chairman
National City Bank of Pennsylvania
 
MICHAEL A. SCHULER (1,6)
Chairman, President & CEO
Zippo Manufacturing Company
 
STEPHEN A. STITLE (4,6,7)
Chairman
National City Bank of Indiana
 
MORRY WEISS (1,3,4)
Chairman & CEO
American Greetings Corporation
 
HONORARY DIRECTORS
 
CLAUDE M. BLAIR
Retired Chairman
National City Corporation
 
JULIEN L. MCCALL
Retired Chairman
National City Corporation
 
COMMITTEES:
(1) Audit Committee
(2) Dividend Committee
(3) Executive Committee
(4) Nominating Committee
(5) Compensation & Organization Committee
(6) Public Policy Committee
(7) Investment Committee
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICERS
 
Office of the Chairman
 
DAVID A. DABERKO
Chairman & CEO
 
VINCENT A. DIGIROLAMO
Vice Chairman
 
ROBERT G. SIEFERS
Vice Chairman & CFO
 
Executive Vice Presidents
 
JAMES R. BELL III
Kentucky Banking
 
GARY A. GLASER
Ohio Banking
 
THOMAS W. GOLONSKI
Pennsylvania Banking
 
JON L. GORNEY
Information Services & Operations
 
CHRISTOPHER GRAFFEO
Indiana Banking
 
JEFFREY D. KELLY
Investments
 
WILLIAM E. MACDONALD III
Ohio Banking
 
HERBERT R. MARTENS, JR.
Wealth Management
 
ROBERT J. ONDERCIK
Credit Administration
 
HAROLD B. TODD, JR.
Institutional Trust & Investment Services
 
Senior Vice Presidents
 
W. DOUGLAS BANNERMAN
Corporate Banking
 
JEFFREY M. BIGGAR
Private Client Group
 
J. ANDREW DUNHAM
Investments
 
MARY H. GRIFFITH
Marketing Communications
 
JAMES P. GULICK
General Auditor
 
JOSEPH J. HERR
Loan Review
 
JAMES A. HUGHES
Information Services & Operations
 
J. MICHAEL KEARNEY
Strategic Sourcing
 
JANIS E. LYONS
Corporate Accounting
 
GARY P. OBERS
Corporate Services
 
A. JOSEPH PARKER
Retail Business Line Management
 
J. ARMANDO RAMIREZ
Strategic Planning and Mergers & Acquisitions
 
EDWARD B. REILLY
Corporate Business Line Management
 
THOMAS A. RICHLOVSKY
Treasurer
 
WILLIAM H. SCHECTER
Merchant Banking
 
THOMAS H. SCHROTH
Corporate Operations
 
SHELLEY J. SEIFERT
Human Resources
 
THEODORE H. TUNG
Economist
 
ALLEN C. WADDLE
Public Affairs
 
DAVID L. ZOELLER
General Counsel & Secretary
 
48
<PAGE>   51
INVESTOR INFORMATION

COMMON STOCK LISTING
National City Corporation common stock is traded
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
"NCC." The stock is abbreviated in financial
publications as "NtlCity."

National City's item processing subsidiary,
National Processing, Inc., is traded on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NAP." The
stock is abbreviated in financial publications as
"NtlProc."

ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be on
Monday, March 30, 1998 at
10:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

National City Bank of Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers
Gateway Center
600 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
AND STOCK PURCHASE
PLAN
Common stockholders participating in the Plan
receive a three percent discount from market price
when they reinvest their National City dividends
in additional shares. Participants may also make
optional cash purchases of common stock at a three
percent discount from market price and pay no
brokerage commissions. To obtain our Plan
prospectus and authorization card, call
1-800-622-6757.

DIRECT DEPOSIT OF
DIVIDENDS
The direct deposit program, which is offered at no
charge, provides for automatic deposit of
quarterly dividends directly to a checking or
savings account. For information regarding this
program, call 1-800-622-6757.

NAIC
National City is a corporate sponsor of the
National Association of Investors Corporation
(NAIC) and participates in its Low-Cost Investment
Plan. To receive more information on NAIC, call
(248) 583-NAIC.

INTERNET
Information about National City Corporation is
available on the Internet at
www.national-city.com.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEBT RATINGS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Moody's     Standard    Duff       Thomson
                               Investors Service     & Poor's    & Phelps   BankWatch
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
National City Corporation                                                     A/B
     Commercial paper (short-term debt)    P-1         A-1        D-1+        TBW1
     Senior debt                            A1         A          AA-
     Subordinated debt                      A2         A-         A+          A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank Subsidiaries
     Certificates of deposit               Aa3         A+         AA
     Subordinated bank notes                A1         A          AA-         A+

</TABLE>

CORPORATE
HEADQUARTERS
National City Center
1900 East Ninth Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-3484
(216) 575-2000

TRANSFER AGENT
AND REGISTRAR
National City Bank
Corporate Trust Operations
Department 5352
P.O. Box 92301
Cleveland, Ohio 44193-0900
1-800-622-6757

INVESTOR
INFORMATION
Julie I. Sabroff, Vice President
Investor Relations
Department 2145
P.O. Box 5756
Cleveland, Ohio 44101-0756
1-800-622-4204


<PAGE>   52


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>
[NATIONAL CITY LOGO]                                                      --------------
FOLLOW YOUR OWN LEAD (TM)                                                    Bulk Rate
                                                                            U.S. Postage
                                                                               PAID
1900 East Ninth Street                                                     National City
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-3484                                                  Corporation
                                                                          --------------
[PHOTO]
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   53
 
                           NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
                               PART IV, ITEM 14:
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      PAGE NUMBER IN
EXHIBIT                                                                            SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED
NUMBER                              EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION                                    COPY
- -----   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>     <C>                                                                        <C>
 2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 27, 1995 by and between
        National City Corporation and Integra Financial Corporation (filed as
        Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K dated August 30, 1995, and incorporated herein by
        reference).
 2.2    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 12, 1998 by and between
        National City Corporation and Fort Wayne National Corporation (filed as
        Exhibit 2.2).
 2.3    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 30, 1997 by and between
        National City Corporation and First of America Bank Corporation (filed as
        Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K dated December 9, 1997 and incorporated herein by
        reference).
 3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NCC, as amended (filed as Exhibit
        3.1).
 3.2    National City Corporation First Restatement of By-laws adopted April 27,
        1987 (As Amended through October 24, 1994) (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to
        Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement No. 33-56539 dated November
        18, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference).
 4.1    Instruments defining the rights of holders of certain long-term debt of NCC
        and its consolidated subsidiaries are not filed as exhibits because the
        amount of debt under such instruments is less than 10% of the total
        consolidated assets of NCC. NCC undertakes to file these instruments with
        the Commission upon request.
 4.2    Credit Agreement dated as of February 2, 1996, by and between NCC and the
        banks named therein (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Registrants' Proxy Statement
        Form 14A #001-10074 dated February 6, 1996 and incorporated herein by
        reference).
 4.3    Certificate of Stock Designation dated April 18, 1991, designating NCC's 8%
        Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value, and fixing the
        powers, preferences rights, and qualifications, limitations and
        restrictions thereof in addition to those set forth in NCC's Restated
        Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated herein by reference
        to Exhibit 4.4 to NCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
        December 31, 1991).
10.1    National City Corporation Short Term Incentive Compensation Plan for Senior
        Officers As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 1995 (filed as
        Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
        ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2    National City Corporation Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan for Senior
        Officers as Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 1995 (filed as
        Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
        ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3    National City Corporation Annual Corporate Performance Incentive Plan
        Effective January 1, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.21 to Registrant's Annual
        Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 and
        incorporated herein by reference).
10.4    National City Savings and Investment Plan, As Amended and Restated
        Effective July 1, 1992 (filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Registrant's Annual
        Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 and
        incorporated herein by reference).
10.5    The National City Savings and Investment Plan No. 2, As Amended and
        Restated Effective January 1, 1992 (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to Registrant's
        Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 and
        incorporated herein by reference.
10.6    National City Corporation's Amended and Restated 1973 Stock Option Plan, as
        amended (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Registration Statement No. 2-91434) and
        amended 1984 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NCC's Annual
        Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987); both
        incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              49
<PAGE>   54
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      PAGE NUMBER IN
EXHIBIT                                                                            SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED
NUMBER                              EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION                                    COPY
- -----   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>     <C>                                                                        <C>
10.7    National City Corporation 1989 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to
        NCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
        1989, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8    National City Corporation's 1993 Stock Option Plan as Amended and Restated
        (filed as Appendix F to Registration Statement No. 333-01697 and
        incorporated herein by reference).
10.9    National City Corporation 150th Anniversary Stock Option Plan (filed as
        Exhibit 10.9 to Registration Statement No. 33-59487 and incorporated herein
        by reference).
10.10   National City Corporation Plan for Deferred Payment of Directors' Fees, as
        amended (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Registration Statement No. 2-914334 and
        incorporated herein by reference).
10.11   National City Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as
        Amended and Restated effective January 1, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to
        NCC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
        1994, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12   National City Corporation Executive Savings Plan As Amended and Restated
        Effective January 1, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to NCC's Annual Report on
        Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and incorporated
        herein by reference).
10.13   National City Corporation Amended and Second Restated 1991 Restricted Stock
        Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Registration Statement No. 33-49823 and
        incorporated herein by reference).
10.14   First Kentucky National Corporation 1985 Stock Option Plan (filed as
        Exhibit 10.2 to First Kentucky National Corporation's Annual Report on Form
        10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987, and incorporated herein
        by reference).
10.15   First Kentucky National Corporation 1982 Stock Option Plan (filed as
        Exhibit 10.3 to First Kentucky National Corporation's Annual Report on Form
        10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987, and incorporated herein
        by reference).
10.16   Form of grant made under National City Corporation 1991 Restricted Stock
        Plan made in connection with National City Corporation Supplemental
        Executive Retirement Plan as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to NCC's
        Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992, and
        incorporated herein by reference).
10.17   Amended Employment Agreement dated July 21, 1989 by and between Merchants
        National Corporation or a subsidiary and Otto N. Frenzel, III (filed as
        Exhibit 10(21) to Merchants National Corporation Annual Report of Form 10-K
        for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987 and incorporated herein by
        reference).
10.18   Split Dollar Insurance Agreement dated January 4, 1988 between Merchants
        National Corporation and Otto N. Frenzel, III Irrevocable Trust II (filed
        as Exhibit 10(26) to Merchants National Corporation Annual Report on Form
        10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989 and incorporated herein by
        reference).
10.19   Merchants National Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan, as
        amended and restated August 16, 1983 (filed as Exhibit 10(3) to Merchants
        National Corporation Registration Statement as Form S-2 filed June 28,
        1985, incorporated herein by reference).
10.20   Merchants National Corporation Supplemental Pension Plan dated November 20,
        1984; First Amendment to the Supplemental Pension Plans dated January 21,
        1986; Second Amendment to the Supplemental Pension Plans dated July 3,
        1989; and Third Amendment to the Supplemental Pension Plans dated November
        21, 1990 (filed respectively as exhibit 10(n) to Merchants National
        Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
        1984; as Exhibit 10(q) to the Merchants National Corporation Annual Report
        on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1985; as Exhibit 10(49) to
        Merchants National Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
        ended December 31, 1990; and as Exhibit 10(50) to the Merchants National
        Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
        1990; all incorporated herein by reference).
</TABLE>
 
50
<PAGE>   55
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      PAGE NUMBER IN
EXHIBIT                                                                            SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED
NUMBER                              EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION                                    COPY
- -----   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>     <C>                                                                        <C>
10.21   Merchants National Corporation Employee Benefit Trust Agreement, effective
        July 1, 1987 (filed as Exhibit 10(27) to Merchants National Corporation
        Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987,
        incorporated herein by reference).
10.22   Merchants National Corporation Non-qualified Stock Option Plan effective
        January 20, 1987, and the First Amendment to that Merchants National
        Non-qualified Stock Option Plan, effective October 16, 1990 (filed
        respectively as Exhibit 10(23) to Merchants National Corporation Annual
        Report on Form 10-K by the year ended December 31, 1986, and as Exhibit
        10(55) to Merchants National Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
        year ended December 31, 1990, both of which are incorporated herein by
        reference).
10.23   Merchants National Corporation 1987 Non-qualified Stock Option Plan,
        effective November 17, 1987, and the First Amendment to Merchants National
        Corporation 1987 Non-qualified Stock Option Plan, effective October 16,
        1990, (filed respectively as Exhibit 10(30) to Merchants National
        Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K by the year ended December 31, 1987,
        and as Exhibit 10(61) to Merchants National Corporation Annual Report on
        Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990, both of which are
        incorporated herein by reference).
10.24   Merchants National Corporation Directors Non-qualified Stock Option Plan
        and the First Amendment to Merchants National Corporation Directors
        Non-qualified Stock Option Plan effective October 16, 1990 (filed
        respectively as Exhibit 10(44) to Merchants National Corporation Annual
        Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988, and as Exhibit
        10(68) to Merchants National Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
        year ended December 31, 1990, both of which are incorporated herein by
        reference).
10.25   Central Indiana Bancorp Option Plan effective March 15, 1991 (filed as
        Exhibit 10.26 to Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
        ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.26   Central Indiana Bancorp 1993 Option Plan effective October 12, 1993 (filed
        as Exhibit
        10.27 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
        December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.27   Forms of contracts with David A. Daberko, Vincent A. DiGirolamo, William E.
        MacDonald III, Jon L. Gorney, Harold B. Todd, Jr., Robert G. Siefers,
        Robert J. Ondercik, Jeffrey D. Kelly, David L. Zoeller, Thomas A.
        Richlovsky, James P. Gulick, Gary A. Glaser, J. Christopher Graffeo,
        Herbert R. Martens, Jr, Robert E. Showalter, Thomas W. Golonski and James
        R. Bell (filed as Exhibit 10.22 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
        for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by
        reference).
10.28   Split Dollar Insurance Agreement effective January 1, 1994 between National
        City Corporation and those individuals listed in Exhibit 10.27 and other
        key employees (filed as exhibit 10.28 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form
        10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by
        reference).
10.29   National City Corporation Short-Term Incentive Compensation Plan for Senior
        Officers--Corporate Results As Amended and Restated Effective January 1,
        1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.31 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
        the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and incorporated herein by
        reference).
10.30   Consulting Agreement dated as of August 27, 1995 by and between Integra
        Financial Corporation and William F. Roemer, (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to
        Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
        31, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference).
21.1    Subsidiaries (filed as Exhibit 21.1).
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors for NCC (filed as
        Exhibit 23.1).
24.1    Powers of Attorney (filed as Exhibit 24.1).
27.1    Financial Data Schedule (filed as Exhibit 27.1).
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              51

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.2
 
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
 
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
 
                           NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION,
 
                                      AND
 
                        FORT WAYNE NATIONAL CORPORATION
 
                          DATED AS OF JANUARY 12, 1998
<PAGE>   2
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PAGE
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<S> <C>   <C>                                                                               <C>
I. THE MERGER
    1.1   Merger..........................................................................    1
    1.2   Effective Time..................................................................    1
    1.3   Effect of Merger................................................................    2
    1.4   Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws........................................    2
    1.5   Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation.................................    2
    1.6   Additional Actions..............................................................    2
 
II. CONVERSION OF SHARES
    2.1   Conversion of Shares............................................................    2
    2.2   Assumption of Employee and Director Stock Options...............................    3
    2.3   Exchange of Certificates........................................................    3
          (a) Exchange Agent..............................................................    3
          (b) Notice of Exchange..........................................................    4
          (c) Transfer....................................................................    4
          (d) Right to Merger Consideration...............................................    4
          (e) Distribution with Respect to Unexchanged Certificates.......................    5
          (f)  Lost or Destroyed Exchanged Certificates...................................    5
          (g) Voting With Respect to Unexchanged Certificates.............................    5
          (h) No Fractional Shares........................................................    5
    2.4   Closing of the Company's Transfer Books.........................................    5
    2.5   Changes in National City Common Stock...........................................    6
III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NATIONAL CITY
    3.1   Corporate Organization..........................................................    6
    3.2   Authority.......................................................................    6
    3.3   Capitalization..................................................................    6
    3.4   Subsidiaries....................................................................    7
    3.5   Information in Disclosure Documents, Registration Statement, Etc................    7
    3.6   Consents and Approvals; No Violation............................................    7
    3.7   Reports and Financial Statements................................................    8
    3.8   Taxes...........................................................................    8
    3.9   Employee Plans..................................................................    9
    3.10  Material Contracts..............................................................   10
    3.11  Absence of Certain Changes or Events............................................   10
    3.12  Litigation......................................................................   10
    3.13  Compliance with Laws and Orders.................................................   10
    3.14  Agreements with Bank Regulators, Etc............................................   11
    3.15  National City Ownership of Stock................................................   11
    3.16  Tax Treatment...................................................................   11
    3.17  Fees............................................................................   11
    3.18  National City Action............................................................   11
    3.19  Material Interests of Certain Persons...........................................   11
    3.20  Environmental Matters...........................................................   11
 
IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY
    4.1   Corporate Organization..........................................................   13
    4.2   Authority.......................................................................   13
    4.3   Capitalization..................................................................   13
    4.4   Subsidiaries....................................................................   14
    4.5   Information in Disclosure Documents, Registration Statement, Etc................   14
</TABLE>
 
                                        I
<PAGE>   3
 
<TABLE>
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<S> <C>   <C>                                                                               <C>
    4.6   Consent and Approvals; No Violation.............................................   14
    4.7   Reports and Financial Statements................................................   14
    4.8   Taxes...........................................................................   15
    4.9   Employee Plans..................................................................   15
    4.10  Material Contracts..............................................................   16
    4.11  Absence of Certain Changes or Events............................................   17
    4.12  Litigation......................................................................   17
    4.13  Compliance with Laws and Orders.................................................   17
    4.14  Agreements with Bank Regulators, Etc............................................   17
    4.15  Tax Treatment...................................................................   17
    4.16  Fees............................................................................   18
    4.17  Company Action..................................................................   18
    4.18  Vote Required...................................................................   18
    4.19  Material Interests of Certain Persons...........................................   18
    4.20  Environmental Matters...........................................................   18
V. COVENANTS
    5.1   Acquisition Proposals...........................................................   18
    5.2   Interim Operations of Company...................................................   19
          (a) Conduct of Business.........................................................   19
          (b) Articles and By-laws........................................................   19
          (c) Capital Stock...............................................................   19
          (d) Dividends...................................................................   19
          (e) Employee Plans, Compensation, Etc...........................................   20
          (f)  Certain Policies...........................................................   20
    5.3   Interim Operations of National City.............................................   20
    5.4   Employee Matters................................................................   20
          (a) Benefit Agreements..........................................................   20
          (b) Retirement and Benefit Plans................................................   20
          (c) Transition..................................................................   21
          (d) General.....................................................................   21
    5.5   Access and Information..........................................................   21
    5.6   Certain Filings, Consents and Arrangements......................................   21
    5.7   State Takeover Statutes.........................................................   21
    5.8   Indemnification and Insurance...................................................   21
          (a) Indemnification.............................................................   21
          (b) Insurance...................................................................   22
    5.9   Additional Agreements...........................................................   22
    5.10  Publicity.......................................................................   22
    5.11  Registration Statement..........................................................   22
    5.12  Stock Exchange Listings.........................................................   22
    5.13  Proxy...........................................................................   22
    5.14  Shareholders' Meeting...........................................................   23
    5.15  Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment...............................................   23
    5.16  Provision of Shares.............................................................   23
    5.17  Adverse Action..................................................................   23
VI. CLOSING MATTERS
    6.1   The Closing.....................................................................   23
    6.2   Documents and Certificates......................................................   23
</TABLE>
 

                                      II
<PAGE>   4
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PAGE
                                                                                            ----
<S> <C>   <C>                                                                               <C>
VII. CONDITIONS
    7.1   Conditions to Each Party's Obligations to Effect the Merger.....................   24
    7.2   Conditions to Obligation of Company to Effect the Merger........................   25
    7.3   Conditions to Obligation of National City to Effect the Merger..................   25
 
VIII. MISCELLANEOUS
    8.1   Termination.....................................................................   25
    8.2   Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements......................   26
    8.3   Waiver and Amendment............................................................   26
    8.4   Entire Agreement................................................................   27
    8.5   Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.........................................   27
    8.6   Certain Definitions; Headlines..................................................   27
    8.7   Notices.........................................................................   28
    8.8   Counterparts....................................................................   28
    8.9   Parties in Interest; Assignment.................................................   28
    8.10  Expenses........................................................................   29
    8.11  Enforcement of the Agreement....................................................   29
    8.12  Severability....................................................................   29
 
Signatures................................................................................
Index to Definitions......................................................................    i
</TABLE>
 
                                     III
<PAGE>   5
 
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
 
     THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of January 12, 1998
("Agreement"), is made by and between National City Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("National City") and Fort Wayne National Corporation , an Indiana
corporation ("Company").
 
     WHEREAS, National City and Company have each determined that it is in the
best interests of their respective stockholders and shareholders for Company to
merge with and into National City upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement;
 
     WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of National City and Company
have each approved this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and approved the execution and delivery of this Agreement;
 
     WHEREAS, for Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the merger
shall qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section 368 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); and
 
     WHEREAS, as a condition to, and contemporaneously with the execution of
this Agreement, the parties are entering into a stock option agreement, with the
Company as issuer and National City as grantee (the "Option Agreement") in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A (as hereinafter defined); and
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the
representations, warranties and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:
 
                                 I. THE MERGER
 
     1.1 Merger.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the
Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3), Company will be merged with and into
National City and the separate corporate existence of the Company will thereupon
cease (the "Merger") in accordance with the applicable provisions of Title 23 of
the Indiana Code ("IC") and the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL").
 
     National City may at any time change the method of effecting the
combination with the Company (including without limitations the provisions of
this Article I) if and to the extent it deems such change to be desirable,
including without limitation to provide for a merger of the Company into a
wholly-owned subsidiary of National City; provided, however, that no such change
shall (A) alter or change the amount or kind of consideration to be issued to
holders of shares of common stock, without par value, of Company ("Company
Common Stock") and holders of shares of 6% Cumulative Convertible Class B
Preferred Stock, Series 1, without par value, of Company ("Company Series 1
Stock"), in each case as provided for in this Agreement, (B) adversely affect
the tax treatment of the Company's stockholders as a result of receiving the
Merger Consideration (as hereinafter defined) or (C) materially impede or delay
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
     1.2 Effective Time.  As soon as practicable after satisfaction or waiver of
all conditions to the Merger and immediately prior to the Closing which shall
occur at the time set forth in Section 6.1, National City and Company (the
"Constituent Corporations") shall cause a certificate of merger complying with
the requirements of the DGCL (the "Certificate of Merger") and the Certificate
of Designation (as hereinafter defined) to be filed with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware and the Plan of Merger complying with the requirements
of the IC to be filed with Secretary of State of the State of Indiana ("Plan of
Merger"). The Merger will become effective at the time the later of the
following to occur: (a) the filing of the Certificate of Merger and (b) the
filing of the Plan of Merger or such later time as shall be specified in such
filings ("Effective Time").
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   6
 
     1.3 Effect of Merger.  The Merger will have the effects specified in IC and
DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, National City will be
the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as
the "Surviving Corporation") and will continue to be governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware, and the separate corporate existence of National City and all
of its rights, privileges, powers and franchises, public as well as private, and
all its debts, liabilities and duties as a corporation organized under the DGCL,
will continue unaffected by the Merger.
 
     1.4 Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws.  The Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws of National City in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, which shall be in the form set forth in a disclosure letter
executed by National City and dated and delivered by National City to Company as
of the date hereof ("National City Disclosure Letter"), shall be the Certificate
of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation, until amended in
accordance with applicable law.
 
     1.5 Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation.  The directors and
officers of National City immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the
directors and officers, respectively, of the Surviving Corporation, from and
after the Effective Time, until their successors have been duly elected or
appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in
accordance with the terms of the Surviving Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws and the DGCL.
 
     1.6 Additional Actions.  If, at any time after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any further deeds,
assignments or assurances in law or any other acts are necessary or desirable to
(i) vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving
Corporation its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights,
properties or assets of Company, or (ii) otherwise carry out the purposes of
this Agreement, Company and its officers and directors shall be deemed to have
granted to the Surviving Corporation an irrevocable power of attorney to execute
and deliver all such deeds, assignments or assurances in law or any other acts
as are necessary or desirable to (i) vest, perfect or confirm, of record or
otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation its right, title or interest in, to or
under any of the rights, properties or assets of Company or (ii) otherwise carry
out the purposes of this Agreement, Company and its officers and directors shall
be deemed to have granted to the Surviving Corporation an irrevocable power of
attorney to execute and deliver all such deeds, assignments or assurances in law
and to all acts necessary or proper to vest, perfect or confirm title to and
possession of such rights, properties or assets in the Surviving Corporation and
otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, and the officers and
directors of the Surviving Corporation are authorized in the name of Company or
otherwise to take any and all such action.
 
                            II. CONVERSION OF SHARES
 
     2.1 Conversion of Shares.  Subject to Section 2.3, at the Effective Time,
 
          (a) each then-outstanding share of Company Common Stock not owned by
     National City or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of National
     City (except for any such shares of Company Common Stock held in trust
     accounts, managed accounts or in any similar manner as trustee or in a
     fiduciary capacity ("Trust Account Common Shares") or acquired in
     satisfaction of debts previously contracted ("DPC Common Shares")), other
     than those shares of Company Common Stock held in the treasury of the
     Company, will be canceled, retired and converted into 0.75 shares of common
     stock, par value $4.00 per share, of National City ("National City Common
     Stock") ( "Conversion Ratio"). The number of shares of National City Common
     Stock that each share of Company Common Stock will be converted into is
     sometimes referred to herein as the "Common Merger Consideration";
 
          (b) each then-outstanding share of Company Series 1 Stock not owned by
     National City or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of National
     City (except for any such shares of Company Series 1 Stock held in trust
     accounts, managed accounts or in any similar manner as trustee or in a
     fiduciary capacity ("Trust Account Preferred Shares" and, together with
     Trust Account Common Shares, "Trust Account
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   7
 
     Shares") or acquired in satisfaction of debts previously contracted ("DPC
     Preferred Shares" and, together with DPC Common shares, "DPC Shares")),
     other than those shares of Company Series 1 Stock held in the treasury of
     the Company, will be canceled, retired and converted into one share of
     preferred stock, without par value, of National City which will be
     designated National City's 6% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock,
     Series 1 ("National City Preferred Stock") and be initially convertible
     into 1.51455 shares of National City Common Stock and otherwise have the
     designation, preferences and rights set forth in the Form of Certificate of
     Designation, Preferences and Rights of National City 6% Cumulative
     Convertible Preferred Stock, Series 1 attached hereto as Exhibit B (the
     "Certificate of Designation"). The number of shares of National City
     Preferred Stock that each share of Company Series 1 Stock will be converted
     into is sometimes referred to herein as the "Preferred Merger
     Consideration" and, together with the Common Merger Consideration, as the
     "Merger Consideration";
 
          (c) each then-outstanding share of Company Common Stock owned by
     National City or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of National
     City (except for any shares that are Trust Account Shares or DPC Shares)
     will be canceled and retired;
 
          (d) each share of Company Common Stock issued and held in Company's
     treasury will be canceled and retired; and
 
          (e) each share of National City Common Stock issued and outstanding
     immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be an issued and
     outstanding share of common stock, par value $4.00 per share, of the
     Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time.
 
     2.2 Assumption of Employee and Director Stock Options.  Except as expressly
provided in this Section 2.2, all rights under any stock option granted by
Company or its predecessors pursuant to the Fort Wayne National Corporation 1985
Stock Incentive Plan, the Fort Wayne National Corporation 1994 Stock Incentive
Plan and the Fort Wayne National Corporation 1994 Nonemployee Director Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Company Option Plans") that remain outstanding and
unexercised, whether vested or unvested, immediately prior to the Effective Time
("Unexercised Options") shall cease to represent a right to acquire shares of
Company Common Stock and shall be converted into the right to acquire that
number of shares of National City Common Stock equal to (a) the number of shares
of Company Common Stock subject to the Unexercised Option, multiplied by (b) the
Conversion Ratio (rounded to the nearest whole share). The exercise price per
share of National City Common Stock under the new option shall be equal to the
exercise price per share of the Company Common Stock which was purchasable under
each Unexercised Option divided by the Conversion Ratio (rounded to the nearest
whole cent) necessary to assure that the rights and benefits of the optionee
under such option shall not be increased or decreased by reason of this Section
2.2, and, in addition, each option which is an "incentive stock option" as
defined in Section 422 of the Code shall be adjusted as required by section 424
of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder so as not to constitute a
modification, extension or renewal of the option within the meaning of section
424(h) of the Code. On or before the Effective Time, National City shall file,
and maintain the effectiveness of, a registration statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission covering such options and the sale of the National City
Common Stock issued upon exercise of such options. At the Effective Time the
Company Option Plans shall be terminated with respect to the granting of any
additional options or option rights. The duration and other terms and conditions
of the new options shall be the same as the original Company options, except
that reference to Company shall be deemed to be references to National City.
 
     2.3 Exchange of Certificates.
 
          (a) EXCHANGE AGENT.  Prior to the Effective Time, National City shall
     designate National City Bank to act as exchange agent (the "Exchange
     Agent") and Fort Wayne National Bank to act as forwarding agent in
     connection with the Merger pursuant to an exchange agent agreement
     providing for, among other things, the matters set forth in this Section
     2.3. Except as set forth herein, from and after the Effective Time each
     holder of a certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time
     represented outstanding shares of
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   8
 
     Company Common Stock ("Common Certificate") shall be entitled to receive in
     exchange therefor, upon surrender thereof to the Exchange Agent, the Common
     Merger Consideration for each share of Company Common Stock so represented
     by the Certificate surrendered by such holder thereof. The certificates
     representing shares of National City Common Stock which constitute the
     Common Merger Consideration shall be properly issued and countersigned and
     executed and authenticated, as appropriate. Except as set forth herein,
     from and after the Effective Time each holder of a certificate that
     immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of
     Company Series 1 Stock ("Preferred Certificate" and, together with the
     Common Certificates, "Certificates") shall be entitled to receive in
     exchange therefor, upon surrender thereof to the Exchange Agent, the
     Preferred Merger Consideration for each share of Company Series 1 Stock so
     represented by the Certificate surrendered by such holder thereof. The
     certificates representing shares of National City Preferred Stock which
     constitute the Preferred Merger Consideration shall be properly issued and
     countersigned and executed and authenticated, as appropriate.
 
          (b) NOTICE OF EXCHANGE.  Promptly after the Effective Time, National
     City and the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail
     and/or make available to each record holder of a Certificate a notice and
     letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected,
     and risk of loss and title to the Certificate shall pass, only upon proper
     delivery of the Certificate to the Exchange Agent or its forwarding agent)
     advising such holder of the effectiveness of the Merger and the procedures
     to be used in effecting the surrender of the Certificate for exchange
     therefor. Upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate, together
     with such letter of transmittal duly executed and completed in accordance
     with the instructions thereon, and such other documents as may reasonably
     be requested, the Exchange Agent shall promptly deliver to the person
     entitled thereto the appropriate Merger Consideration for each share of
     Company Common Stock or Company Series 1 Stock, as the case may be, so
     represented by the Certificate surrendered by such holder thereof, and such
     Certificate shall forthwith be canceled.
 
          (c) TRANSFER.  If delivery of all or part of the Merger Consideration
     is to be made to a person other than the person in whose name a surrendered
     Certificate is registered, it shall be a condition to such delivery or
     exchange that the Certificate surrendered shall be properly endorsed or
     shall be otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person
     requesting such delivery or exchange shall have paid any transfer and other
     taxes required by reason of such delivery or exchange in a name other than
     that of the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered or shall have
     established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such
     tax either has been paid or is not payable.
 
          (d) RIGHT TO MERGER CONSIDERATION.  Subject to Subsection 2.3(e),
     until surrendered and exchanged in accordance with this Section 2.3, each
     Certificate shall, after the Effective Time, represent solely the right to
     receive the appropriate Merger Consideration, multiplied by the number of
     shares of Company Common Stock or Company Series 1 Stock, as the case may
     be, evidenced by such Certificate, together with any dividends or other
     distributions as provided in Sections 2.3(e) and 2.3(f), and shall have no
     other rights. From and after the Effective Time, National City and
     Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to treat such Certificates that
     have not yet been surrendered for exchange as evidencing the ownership of
     the aggregate Merger Consideration into which the shares of Company Common
     Stock or Company Series 1 Stock, as the case may be, represented by such
     Certificates may be converted, notwithstanding any failure to surrender
     such Certificates. One hundred eighty (180) days following the Effective
     Time, the Exchange Agent shall deliver to the Surviving Corporation any
     shares of National City Common Stock and National City Preferred Stock and
     funds (including any interest received with respect thereto) which National
     City has made available to the Exchange Agent and which have not been
     disbursed to holders of Certificates, and thereafter such holders shall be
     entitled to look to the Surviving Corporation (subject to abandoned
     property, escheat or other similar laws) with respect to the shares of
     National City Common Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) and
     shares of National City Preferred Stock deliverable or payable upon due
     surrender of their Certificates. Neither Exchange Agent nor any party
     hereto shall be liable to any holder of
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   9
 
     shares of Company Common Stock or Company Series 1 Stock, as the case may
     be, for any Merger Consideration (or dividends, distributions or interest
     with respect thereto) delivered to a public official pursuant to any
     applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
 
          (e) DISTRIBUTION WITH RESPECT TO UNEXCHANGED CERTIFICATES.  Whenever a
     dividend or other distribution is declared by National City on the National
     City Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the Effective
     Time, the declaration shall include dividends or other distributions on all
     shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement, provided that no dividends or
     other distributions declared or made with respect to National City Common
     Stock shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with
     respect to the share of National City Common Stock represented thereby
     until the holder of such Certificate shall surrender such Certificate in
     accordance with this Article II. The Surviving Corporation shall pay any
     dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to the
     Effective Time which may have been declared or made by the Company on
     Company Common Stock or on Company Series 1 Stock in accordance with the
     terms of this Agreement on or prior to the Effective Time and which remain
     unpaid at the Effective Time.
 
          (f) LOST OR DESTROYED EXCHANGED CERTIFICATES.  In the event that any
     Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent
     shall deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate,
     upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof in form
     satisfactory to the Exchange Agent, the Merger Consideration, as may be
     required pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that the Exchange
     Agent may, in its sole discretion and as a condition precedent to the
     delivery of the Merger Consideration to which the holder of such
     certificate is entitled as a result of the Merger, require the owner of
     such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate to deliver a bond in such sum as
     it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against
     Company, National City or the Exchange Agent or any other party with
     respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
 
          (g) VOTING WITH RESPECT TO UNEXCHANGED CERTIFICATES.  Holders of
     unsurrendered Certificates will not be entitled to vote at any meeting of
     National City stockholders.
 
          (h) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES.  No certificates or scrip representing
     fractional shares of National City Common Stock shall be issued upon the
     surrender for exchange of a Certificate or Certificates. No dividends or
     distributions of National City shall be payable on or with respect to any
     fractional share and any such fractional share interest will not entitle
     the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of stockholders of National
     City. In lieu of any such fractional shares, holders of Certificates
     otherwise entitled to fractional shares shall be entitled to receive
     promptly from the Exchange Agent a cash payment in an amount equal to the
     fraction of such share of National City Common Stock to which such holder
     would otherwise be entitled multiplied by the Market Price (as hereinafter
     defined).
 
     2.4 Closing of the Company's Transfer Books.  The stock transfer books of
Company shall be closed at the close of business on the business day immediately
preceding the date of the Effective Time. In the event of a transfer of
ownership of Company Common Stock or Company Series 1 Stock which is not
registered in the transfer records of Company, the Merger Consideration to be
distributed pursuant to this Agreement may be delivered to a transferee, if a
Certificate is presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents
required to evidence and effect such transfer and by payment of any applicable
stock transfer taxes. National City and The Exchange Agent shall be entitled to
rely upon the stock transfer books of Company to establish the identity of those
persons entitled to receive the Merger Consideration specified in this Agreement
for their shares of Company Common Stock or Company Series 1 Stock, which books
shall be conclusive with respect to the ownership of such shares. In the event
of a dispute with respect to the ownership of any such shares, the Surviving
Corporation and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deposit any Merger
Consideration represented thereby in escrow with an independent party and
thereafter be relieved with respect to any claims to such Merger Consideration.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   10
 
     2.5 Changes in National City Common Stock.  If between the date of this
Agreement and the Effective Time, the shares of National City Common Stock shall
be changed into a different number of shares by reason of any reclassification,
recapitalization, split-up, combination or exchange of shares, or if a stock
dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within said period, the
Merger Consideration shall be adjusted accordingly.
 
             III.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NATIONAL CITY
 
     National City hereby represents and warrants to Company that:
 
     3.1 Corporate Organization.  National City is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each
jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the nature of the
business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except for such
jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. National City is registered as a bank holding company under the
Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"). National City has the
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. National
City has heretofore delivered to Company true and complete copies of its
Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws.
 
     3.2 Authority.  National City has the requisite corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein have been
duly approved by the Board of Directors of National City and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of National City are necessary to authorize this
Agreement or to consummate the transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by, and constitutes valid and binding
obligations of National City enforceable against National City in accordance
with its terms, except as enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and
except that the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or
injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any
proceedings may be brought.
 
     3.3 Capitalization.  As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of
National City consists of 700,000,000 shares of National City Common Stock and
5,000,000 shares of National City preferred stock. As of the close of business
on January 9, 1998 (i) 211,097,837 shares of National City Common Stock were
validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) no shares
of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. As of the date hereof, except as
set forth in this Section 3.3, pursuant to the exercise of employee stock
options under National City's various stock option plans in effect, National
City's dividend reinvestment plan and stock grants made pursuant to the National
City 1991 Restricted Stock Plan or set forth in the National City Disclosure
Letter, there are no other shares of capital stock of National City authorized,
issued or outstanding and there are no outstanding subscriptions, options,
warrants, rights, convertible securities or any other agreements or commitments
of any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other
securities of National City obligating National City to issue, deliver or sell,
or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock of
National City or obligating National City to grant, extend or enter into any
subscription, option, warrant, right, convertible security or other similar
agreement or commitment. As of the date hereof, except as provided in this
Agreement, there are no voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to
which National City or any National City subsidiary is a party with respect to
the voting of the capital stock of National City. All of the shares of National
City Common Stock and National City Preferred Stock issuable in exchange for the
Company Common Stock and Company Series 1 Stock, respectively, at the Effective
Time in accordance with this Agreement and all of the shares of National City
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Unexercised Options
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   11
 
will be, when so issued, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and will not be subject to preemptive rights.
 
     3.4 Subsidiaries.  The name and state of incorporation of each significant
subsidiary (as defined in Paragraph 8.6(i) hereof) of National City
(collectively, the "Significant Subsidiaries") is set forth in the National City
Disclosure Letter. Each of the Significant Subsidiaries is a bank or a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which
its ownership or lease of property or the nature of the business conducted by it
makes such qualification necessary, except for such jurisdictions in which the
failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the
Significant Subsidiaries has the requisite corporate power and authority to own,
lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its businesses as
they are now being conducted. Except as set forth in the National City
Disclosure Letter, all outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the
Significant Subsidiaries are owned by National City or another of National
City's subsidiaries and are validly issued, fully paid and (except pursuant to
12 USC Section 55 in the case of each national bank subsidiary and applicable
state law in the case of each state bank subsidiary) nonassessable, are not
subject to preemptive rights and are owned free and clear of all liens, claims
and encumbrances. There are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants,
rights, convertible securities or any other agreements or commitments of any
character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other securities
of any Significant Subsidiary obligating any of the Significant Subsidiaries to
issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold additional
shares of its capital stock or obligating any of the Significant Subsidiaries to
grant, extend or enter into any subscription, option, warrant, right,
convertible security or other similar agreement or commitment.
 
     3.5 Information in Disclosure Documents, Registration Statement, Etc.  None
of the information with respect to National City or any of National City's
subsidiaries provided by National City for inclusion in (i) the Registration
Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") by National City on Form S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), for the purpose of registering the shares of
National City Common Stock and National City Preferred Stock to be issued in the
Merger (the "Registration Statement") and (ii) any proxy statement of Company
("Proxy Statement") required to be mailed to Company's shareholders in
connection with the Merger will, in the case of the Proxy Statement or any
amendments or supplements thereto, at the time of the mailing of the Proxy
Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto, and at the time of the
Company Meeting (as hereinafter defined), or, in the case of the Registration
Statement, at the time it becomes effective, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Registration
Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of
the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The
Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
     3.6 Consents and Approvals; No Violation.  Except as set forth in the
National City Disclosure Letter, neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by National City nor the consummation by National City of the
transactions contemplated hereby will (a) conflict with or result in any breach
of any provision of its certificate of incorporation or By-laws of National
City, (b) violate, conflict with, constitute a default (or an event which, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in
the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in the
creation of any lien or other encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets
of National City or any of National City's subsidiaries under, any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust,
license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which National
City or any of National City's subsidiaries is a party or to which they or any
of their respective properties or assets are subject, except for such
violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults,
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   12
 
terminations, accelerations or creations of liens or other encumbrances, which
will not have a Material Adverse Effect or (c) require any consent, approval,
authorization or permit of or from, or filing with or notification to, any
court, governmental authority or other regulatory or administrative agency or
commission, domestic or foreign ("Governmental Entity"), except (i) pursuant to
the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, (ii) filing the Certificate of Merger
and the Certificate of Designation pursuant to the DGCL, (iii) filing the Plan
of Merger, (iv) filings required under the securities or blue sky laws of the
various states, (v) filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), (vi) filings with, and approval by, the
Federal Reserve Board (the "FRB"), (vii) filings with, and approvals by, the
Ohio Superintendent of Banks, the Arizona Director of Insurance and such other
state regulatory agencies as may be required (collectively, the "State
Entities"), (viii) filings and approvals pursuant to any applicable state
takeover law, (ix) filings and approvals under the Small Business Investment Act
of 1958 and the rules and regulations thereunder ("SBIA") or (x) consents,
approvals, authorizations, permits, filings or notifications which, if not
obtained or made will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect.
 
     3.7 Reports and Financial Statements.  Since January 1, 1992, National City
and each of National City's subsidiaries have filed all reports, registrations
and statements, together with any required amendments thereto, that they were
required to file with the Commission under Section 12(b), 12(g), 13(a) or 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, but not limited to Forms
10-K, Forms 10-Q and proxy statements (the "National City Reports"). National
City has previously furnished or will promptly furnish Company with true and
complete copies of each of National City's annual reports on Form 10-K for the
years 1992 through 1996 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for March 31,
1997, June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1997. As of their respective dates, the
National City Reports complied with the requirements of the Commission and did
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstance under which they were made, not misleading. The
audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim financial
statements of National City included in the National City Reports have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on
a consistent basis (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto)
and fairly present the consolidated financial position of National City and
National City's subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the results of their
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended subject, in the case of the
unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end and audit adjustments
and any other adjustments described therein. There exist no material liabilities
of National City and its consolidated subsidiaries, contingent or otherwise of a
type required to be disclosed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
practices, except as disclosed in the National City Reports. National City's
reserve for possible loan losses as shown in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1997 was adequate, within the meaning
of generally accepted accounting principles and safe and sound banking
practices.
 
     3.8 Taxes.  National City will promptly make available to Company, upon
request by Company, true and correct copies of the federal, state and local
income tax returns, and state and local property and sales tax returns and any
other tax returns filed by National City and any of National City's subsidiaries
for each of the fiscal years that remains open, as of the date hereof, for
examination or assessment of tax. National City and each National City
subsidiary have prepared in good faith and duly and timely filed, or caused to
be duly and timely filed, all federal, state, local and foreign income,
estimated tax, withholding tax, franchise, sales and other tax returns or
reports required to be filed by them on or before the date hereof, except to the
extent that all such failures to file, taken together, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. National City and each of its subsidiaries have paid, or have
made adequate provision or set up an adequate accrual or reserve for the payment
of, all taxes, shown or required to be shown to be owing on all such returns or
reports, together with any interest, additions or penalties related to any such
taxes or to any open taxable year or period. Except as set forth in the National
City Disclosure Letter, neither National City nor any of National City's
subsidiaries has consented to extend the statute of limitations with respect to
the assessment of any tax. Except as set forth in
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   13
 
the National City Disclosure Letter, neither National City nor any of National
City's subsidiaries is a party to any action or proceeding, nor to the best of
National City's knowledge is any such action or proceeding threatened, by any
Governmental Entity in connection with the determination, assessment or
collection of any taxes, and no deficiency notices or reports have been received
by National City or any of National City's subsidiaries in respect of any
material deficiencies for any tax, assessment, or government charges.
 
     3.9 Employee Plans.  Except as set forth in the National City Disclosure
Letter, all employee benefit, welfare, bonus, deferred compensation, pension,
profit sharing, stock option, employee stock ownership, consulting, severance,
or fringe benefit plans, formal or informal, written or oral, and all trust
agreements related thereto, relating to any present or former directors,
officers or employees of National City or its subsidiaries ("National City
Employee Plans") have been maintained, operated, and administered in substantial
compliance with their terms and currently comply, and have at all relevant times
complied, in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), the Code,
and any other applicable laws. With respect to each National City Employee Plan
which is a pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA): (a) except for
recent amendment(s) to the plans not materially affecting the qualified status
of the plans (which are disclosed in, and copies of which are attached to, the
National City Disclosure Letter), each pension plan as amended (and any trust
relating thereto) intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the
Code either: (i) has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") to
be so qualified, (ii) is the subject of a pending application for such
determination that was timely filed, or (iii) will be submitted for such a
determination prior to end of the "remedial amendment period" within the meaning
of Section 401(b) of the Code, (b) there is no accumulated funding deficiency
(as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code), whether or not
waived, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards of such sections has been
requested from the IRS, (c) neither National City nor any of its subsidiaries
has provided, or is required to provide, security to any pension plan pursuant
to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code, (d) the fair market value of the assets of
each defined benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA) exceeds the
value of the "benefit liabilities" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(16) of
ERISA under such defined benefit plan as of the end of the most recent plan year
thereof ending prior to the date hereof, calculated on the basis of the
actuarial assumptions used in the most recent actuarial valuation for such
defined benefit plan as of the date hereof, (e) no reportable event described in
Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30 day reporting requirement has not been
waived has occurred, (f) except as disclosed in the National City Disclosure
Letter, no defined benefit plan has been terminated, nor has the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") instituted proceedings to terminate a defined
benefit plan or to appoint a trustee or administrator of a defined benefit plan,
and no circumstances exist that constitute grounds under Section 4042(a)(2) of
ERISA entitling the PBGC to institute any such proceedings and (g) no pension
plan is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA or a
"multiple employer plan" within the meaning of 413(c) of the Code. Neither
National City nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any liability to the PBGC
with respect to any "single-employer plan" within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(15) of ERISA currently or formerly maintained by any entity considered
one employer with it under Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code,
except for premiums all of which have been paid when due. Neither National City
nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any withdrawal liability with respect
to a multiemployer plan under Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA. Except as set
forth in the National City Disclosure Letter, there is no basis for any person
to assert that National City or any of its subsidiaries has an obligation to
institute any Employee Plan or any such other arrangement, agreement or plan.
With respect to any insurance policy that heretofore has or currently does
provide funding for benefits under any National City Employee Plan, (A) there is
no liability on the part of National City or any of its subsidiaries in the
nature of a retroactive or retrospective rate adjustment, loss sharing
arrangement, or other actual or contingent liability, nor would there be any
such liability if such insurance policy was terminated, and (B) no insurance
company issuing such policy is in receivership, conservatorship, liquidation or
similar proceeding and, to the knowledge of National City, no such proceeding
with respect to any such insurer is imminent. Except as set forth in the
National City Disclosure Letter, neither the execution of this Agreement, nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby will
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   14
 
(A) constitute a stated triggering event under any National City Employee Plan
that will result in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise) becoming
due from National City or any of its subsidiaries to any present or former
officer, employee, director, shareholder, consultant or dependent of any of the
foregoing or (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the
amount of compensation due to any present or former officer, employee, director,
shareholder, consultant, or dependent of any of the foregoing. Neither National
City nor any of its subsidiaries has any obligations for retiree health and life
benefits under any National City Employee Plan, except as set forth in the
National City Disclosure Letter. There are no restrictions on the rights of
National City or its subsidiaries to amend or terminate any such National City
Employee Plan without incurring any liability thereunder.
 
     3.10 Material Contracts.  Except as set forth in the National City
Disclosure Letter or disclosed in the National City Reports, neither National
City nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to, or is bound or affected by, or
receives benefits under (a) any employment, severance, termination, consulting
or retirement agreement (collectively, "Benefit Agreements") providing for
aggregate payments to any person in any calendar year in excess of $100,000, (b)
any material agreement, indenture or other instrument relating to the borrowing
of money by National City or any of its subsidiaries or the guarantee by
National City or any of its subsidiaries of any such obligation (other than
trade payables and instruments relating to borrowings or guaranties made in the
ordinary course of business) or (c) any other contract or agreement or amendment
thereto that would be required to be filed as an exhibit to a Form 10-K filed by
National City with the Commission as of the date of this Agreement
(collectively, the "National City Contracts"). Neither National City nor any of
National City's subsidiaries is in default under any of the National City
Contracts, which default is reasonably likely to have, either individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and there has not occurred any event
that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute
such a default. Neither National City nor any of National City's subsidiaries is
a party to, or is bound by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract, or
other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organization, nor
is National City or any of National City's subsidiaries the subject of a
proceeding asserting that it or any such subsidiary has committed an unfair
labor practice or seeking to compel it or such subsidiary to bargain with any
labor organization as to wages and conditions of employment, nor is there any
strike or other labor dispute involving it or any of its subsidiaries pending or
threatened.
 
     3.11 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as set forth in the
National City Disclosure Letter or disclosed in the National City Reports filed
by National City with the Commission prior to the date of this Agreement, since
December 31, 1996, there has not been any change in the financial condition,
results of operations or business of National City and its subsidiaries which
would or in the future will have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     3.12 Litigation.  Except as disclosed in the National City Reports filed by
National City with the Commission prior to the date of this Agreement, there is
no suit, action or proceeding pending, or, to the knowledge of National City,
threatened against or affecting National City or any of National City's
subsidiaries which, if decided adversely to National City, would be reasonably
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor is there any judgment,
decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator,
outstanding against National City or any of National City's subsidiaries having,
or which, insofar as reasonably can be foreseen, in the future would have, a
Material Adverse Effect.
 
     3.13 Compliance with Laws and Orders.  Except as set forth in the National
City Disclosure Letter or disclosed in the National City Reports filed by
National City with the Commission prior to the date of this Agreement, the
businesses of National City and of National City's subsidiaries are not being
conducted in violation of any law, ordinance, regulation, judgment, order,
decree, license or permit of any Governmental Entity (including, without
limitation, in the case of National City's subsidiaries that are banks, all
statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of the banking
business and the exercise of trust powers), except for
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   15
 
violations which individually or in the aggregate do not, and, insofar as
reasonably can be foreseen, in the future will not, have a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as set forth in the National City Disclosure Letter, no
investigation or review by any Governmental Entity with respect to National City
or any of National City's subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of
National City, threatened, nor has any Governmental Entity indicated an
intention to conduct the same in each case other than those the outcome of which
will not have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     3.14 Agreements with Bank Regulators, Etc.  Neither National City nor any
National City subsidiary is a party to any written agreement or memorandum of
understanding with, or a party to any commitment letter, board resolution or
similar undertaking to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or is a
recipient of any extraordinary supervisory letter from, any Governmental Entity
which restricts materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates
to its capital adequacy, its credit or reserve policies or its management, nor
has National City been advised by any Governmental Entity that it is
contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of
issuing or requesting) any such order, decree, agreement, memorandum of
understanding, extraordinary supervisory letter, commitment letter or similar
submission. Neither National City nor any of National City's subsidiaries is
required by Section 32 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("FDIA") to give
prior notice to a Federal banking agency of the proposed addition of an
individual to its board of directors or the employment of an individual as a
senior executive officer. National City knows of no reason why the regulatory
approvals referred to in Subsection 3.6(c) should not be obtained.
 
     3.15 National City Ownership of Stock.  As of the date of this Agreement,
neither National City nor any of its affiliates or associates (i) beneficially
owns, directly or indirectly, or (ii) are parties to any agreement, arrangement
or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of,
Company Common Stock (other than DPC Shares or Trust Account Shares), which in
the aggregate, represent 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock or Company Series 1 Stock.
 
     3.16 Tax Treatment.  As of the date hereof, National City is aware of no
reason why the Merger will fail to qualify as a reorganization under Section
368(a) of the Code.
 
     3.17 Fees.  Neither National City nor any of National City's subsidiaries
has paid or will become obligated to pay any fee or commission to any broker,
finder or intermediary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
 
     3.18 National City Action.  The Board of Directors of National City (at a
meeting duly called, constituted and held) has by the requisite vote of all
directors present (a) determined that the Merger is advisable and in the best
interests of National City and its stockholders and (b) approved this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Board of Directors of
National City has approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the Option Agreement such that the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL and any
other applicable state business combination or anti-takeover provisions of
National City Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws shall not be triggered by
the Merger, execution of this Agreement or the Option Agreement or any
transactions contemplated by such Agreements.
 
     3.19 Material Interests of Certain Persons.  Except as disclosed in
National City's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, no
officer or director of National City, or any "associate" (as such term is
defined in Rule 14a-1 under the 1934 Act) of any such officer or director, has
any material interest in any material contract or property (real or personal),
tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the business of National City
or any of its subsidiaries.
 
     3.20 Environmental Matters.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the indicated meanings:
 
          "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW" means any federal, state or local law, statute,
     ordinance, rule, regulation, code, license, permit, authorization,
     approval, consent, order, determination, judgment, decree, injunction or
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   16
 
     agreement with any governmental entity relating to (1) the health,
     protection, preservation, containment or restoration of the environment
     including, without limitation, air, water vapor, surface water,
     groundwater, drinking water supply, surface soil, subsurface soil,
     wetlands, plant and animal life or any other natural resource,
     conservation, and/or (2) the use, storage, recycling, treatment,
     generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production,
     release or disposal of Hazardous Substances. The term Environmental Law
     includes without limitation (1) the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
     Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et
     seq.; the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C.
     9601(2)(D); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42
     U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq.; the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
     Section 7401, et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended
     by the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251, et seq.; the Toxic
     Substances Control Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq.; the
     Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. Section
     11001, et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 300f, et
     seq.; and all comparable state and local laws, ordinances, rules,
     regulations respecting the interpretation or enforcement of same and (2)
     any common law (including without limitation common law that may impose
     strict liability) that may impose liability for injuries or damages due to
     the release of any Hazardous Substance.
 
          "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE" means (i) any hazardous wastes, toxic chemicals,
     materials, substances or wastes as defined by or for the purposes of any
     Environmental Law; (ii) any "oil", as defined by the Clean Water Act, as
     amended from time to time, and regulations promulgated thereunder
     (including crude oil or any fraction thereof and any petroleum products or
     derivatives thereof); (iii) any substance, the presence of which is
     prohibited, regulated or controlled by any applicable federal, state or
     local laws, regulations, statutes or ordinances now in force or hereafter
     enacted relating to waste disposal or environmental protection with respect
     to the exposure to, or manufacture, possession, presence, use, generation,
     storage, transportation, treatment, release, emission, discharge, disposal,
     abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or handling of any such substance;
     (iv) any asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated
     biphenyls ("PCBs") in the form of electrical equipment, fluorescent light
     fixtures with ballasts, cooling oils or any other form, urea formaldehyde,
     atmospheric radon; (v) any solid, liquid, gaseous or thermal irritant or
     contaminant, such as smoke, vapor, soot, fumes, alkalis, acids, chemicals,
     pesticides, herbicides, sewage, industrial sludge or other similar wastes;
     (vi) industrial, nuclear or medical by-products; (vii) any lead based paint
     or coating and (viii) any underground storage tank(s).
 
          "LOAN PORTFOLIO PROPERTIES, TRUST PROPERTIES AND OTHER PROPERTIES"
     means any real property, interest in real property, improvements,
     appurtenances, rights and personal property attendant thereto, which is
     owned, leased as a landlord or a tenant, licensed as a licensor or
     licensee, managed or operated or upon which is held a mortgage, deed of
     trust, deed to secure debt or other security interest by National City or
     Company, as the case may be, or any of their subsidiaries whether directly,
     as an agent, as trustee or other fiduciary or otherwise.
 
          Except as set forth in the National City Disclosure Letter, (i) to the
     best of National City's knowledge, neither National City nor any of its
     subsidiaries is in violation of or has any liability, absolute or
     contingent, in connection with or under any Environmental Law, except any
     such violations or liabilities which would not reasonably be expected,
     individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii)
     to the best of National City's knowledge, none of the Loan Portfolio
     Properties, Trust Properties and Other Properties of National City or its
     subsidiaries is in violation of or has any liability, absolute or
     contingent, under any Environmental Law, except any such violations or
     liabilities which, individually or in the aggregate would not have a
     Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) to the best of National City's
     knowledge, there are no actions, suits, demands, notices, claims,
     investigations or proceedings pending or threatened relating to any Loan
     Portfolio Properties, Trust Properties and Other Properties including,
     without limitation any notices, demand letters or requests for information
     from any federal or state environmental agency relating to any
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   17
 
     such liability under or violation of Environmental Law, which would impose
     a liability upon National City or its subsidiaries pursuant to any
     Environmental Law, except such as would not, individually or in the
     aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
                 IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY
 
     Company hereby represents and warrants to National City that:
 
     4.1 Corporate Organization.  Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Indiana and
is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction
in which its ownership or lease of property or the nature of the business
conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except for such
jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. Company is registered as a bank holding company under the BHCA.
Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and
operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now
being conducted. Company has heretofore delivered to National City true and
complete copies of its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.
 
     4.2 Authority.  Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and, except for any required approval of
Company's shareholders, to consummate the transactions contemplated by such. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein have been duly approved by the Board of
Directors of Company and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Company
are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions so
contemplated, subject only to approval by the shareholders of Company as
provided in Section 5.15 (a) of this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by, and constitute valid and binding obligations of
Company, enforceable against Company in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and other similar laws affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the availability
of the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject
to the discretion of the court before which any proceedings may be brought.
 
     4.3 Capitalization.  As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of
Company consists of 50,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, 2,000,000 shares
of Company Class A Voting Preferred stock and 2,000,000 shares of Company Class
B Nonvoting stock. As of the close of business on January 9, 1998, 17,103,431
shares of Company Common Stock were validly issued and outstanding, fully paid
and nonassessable and 739,976 shares of Company Series 1 Stock were issued or
outstanding. As of the date of this Agreement except as set forth in this
Section 4.3, pursuant to the Company Option Plans, pursuant to the Option
Agreement or set forth in a disclosure letter executed by Company and dated and
delivered by Company to National City as of the date hereof ("Company Disclosure
Letter"), there are no shares of capital stock of Company authorized, issued or
outstanding and there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants,
rights, convertible securities or any other agreements or commitments of any
character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other securities
of Company obligating Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock of Company or obligating
Company to grant, extend or enter into any subscription, option, warrant, right,
convertible security or other similar agreement or commitment. Except as set
forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no voting trusts or other
agreements or understandings to which Company or any of Company's subsidiaries
is a party with respect to the voting of the capital stock of Company. As of the
date of this Agreement, there were outstanding under the Company Option Plans
options to purchase 951,487 shares of Company Common Stock, which Company stock
options had a weighted average exercise price of $22.78 and for which adequate
shares of Company Common Stock have been reserved for issuance under the Company
Option Plans.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   18
 
     4.4 Subsidiaries.  The Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the name and
state of incorporation of each subsidiary of Company (collectively, "Company
Subsidiaries"). Each of Company Subsidiaries is a bank, a corporation or other
business entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or foreign business entity in
each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the nature of
the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except for such
jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. Each of Company Subsidiaries has the requisite corporate power
and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry
on its businesses as they are now being conducted. Except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Letter, all outstanding shares of capital stock of each
Company Subsidiary is owned by Company or another Company Subsidiary and are
validly issued, fully paid and (except pursuant to 12 USC Section 55 in the case
of each national bank subsidiary and applicable state law in the case of each
state bank subsidiary) nonassessable, are not subject to preemptive rights and
are owned free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances. There are no
outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, convertible securities or
any other agreements or commitments of any character relating to the issued or
unissued capital stock or other securities of any Company Subsidiary obligating
any Company Subsidiary to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold additional shares of its capital stock or obligating any
Company Subsidiary to grant, extend or enter into any subscription, option,
warrant, right, convertible security or other similar agreement or commitment.
 
     4.5 Information in Disclosure Documents, Registration Statement, Etc.  None
of the information with respect to Company or any Company Subsidiary provided by
Company for inclusion in the Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement will,
in the case of the Proxy Statement or any amendments or supplements thereto, at
the time of the mailing of the Proxy Statement and any amendments or supplements
thereto, and at the time of the Company Meeting (as hereinafter defined) or, in
the case of the Registration Statement, at the time it becomes effective,
contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects
with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
 
     4.6 Consent and Approvals; No Violation.  Except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Letter neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by Company nor the consummation by Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby will (a) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of its
articles of incorporation or By-laws of Company, (b) violate, conflict with,
constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both,
would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or
accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any lien or
other encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of Company or any of
Company Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or
other instrument or obligation to which Company or any Company Subsidiary is a
party or to which they or any of their respective properties or assets are
subject, except for such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults,
terminations, accelerations or creations of liens or other encumbrances, which
will not have a Material Adverse Effect or (c) require any consent, approval,
authorization or permit of or from, or filing with or notification to, any
Governmental Entity, except (i) pursuant to the Exchange Act and the Securities
Act, (ii) filing the Certificate of Merger and the Certificate of Designation,
(iii) filing the Plan of Merger, (iv) filings required under the securities or
blue sky laws of the various states, (v) filing under the HSR Act, (vi) filings
with, and approval by, the FRB, (vii) filings with, and approvals by, the State
Entities, (viii) filings and approvals pursuant to any applicable state takeover
law, (ix) filings and approvals under the SBIA or (x) consents, approvals,
authorizations, permits, filings or notifications which, if not obtained or made
will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     4.7 Reports and Financial Statements.  Since January 1, 1992, Company and
each Company Subsidiary have filed all reports, registrations and statements,
together with any required amendments thereto, that they
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   19
 
were required to file with the Commission under Sections 12(b), 12(g), 13(a) or
14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, but not limited to
Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and proxy statements (the "Company Reports"). Company has
previously furnished or will promptly furnish National City with true and
complete copies of each of Company's annual reports on Form 10-K for the years
1992 through 1996 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for March 31, 1997,
June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1997. As of their respective dates, Company
Reports complied with the requirements of the Commission and did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstance under which they were made, not misleading. The audited
consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements of
Company included in the Company Reports have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis (except
as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto) and fairly present the
financial position of Company and Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole as at
the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash
flows for the periods then ended subject, in the case of the unaudited interim
financial statements, to normal year-end and audit adjustments and any other
adjustments described therein. There exist no material liabilities of Company
and its consolidated subsidiaries, contingent or otherwise of a type required to
be disclosed in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices, except
as disclosed in the Company Reports. Company's reserve for possible loan losses
as shown in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
September 30, 1997 was adequate, within the meaning of generally accepted
accounting principles and safe and sound banking practices.
 
     4.8 Taxes.  Company will promptly make available to National City, upon
request by National City, true and correct copies of the federal, state and
local income tax returns, and state and local property and sales tax returns
filed by Company and Company Subsidiaries for each of the fiscal years that
remains open, as of the date hereof, for examination or assessment of tax.
Company and each Company Subsidiary have prepared in good faith and duly and
timely filed, or caused to be duly and timely filed, all federal, state, local
and foreign income, franchise, sales and other tax returns or reports required
to be filed by them on or before the date hereof, except to the extent that all
failures to file, taken together, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
Company and each Company Subsidiary have paid, or have made adequate provision
or set up an adequate accrual or reserve for the payment of, all taxes shown or
required to be shown to be owing on all such returns or reports, together with
any interest, additions or penalties related to any such taxes or to any open
taxable year or period. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter,
neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary has consented to extend the statute
of limitations with respect to the assessment of any tax. Except as set forth in
the Company Disclosure Letter, neither Company nor any of Company Subsidiaries
is a party to any action or proceeding, nor to the best of Company's knowledge
is any such action or proceeding threatened, by any Governmental Entity in
connection with the determination, assessment or collection of any taxes, and no
deficiency notices or reports have been received by Company or any of Company
Subsidiaries in respect of any material deficiencies for any tax, assessment, or
government charge.
 
     4.9 Employee Plans.  Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter,
all employee benefit, welfare, bonus, deferred compensation, pension, profit
sharing, stock option, employee stock ownership, consulting, severance, or
fringe benefit plans, formal or informal, written or oral and all trust
agreements related thereto, relating to any present or former directors,
officers or employees of Company or Company Subsidiaries ("Company Employee
Plans") have been maintained, operated, and administered in substantial
compliance with their terms and currently comply, and have at all relevant times
complied, in all material respects with the applicable requirements of ERISA,
the Code, and any other applicable laws. Except as set forth in the Company
Disclosure Letter, with respect to each Company Employee Plan which is a pension
plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA): (a) except for recent amendment(s)
to the plans not materially affecting the qualified status of the plans (which
are disclosed in the Company Disclosure Letter, and copies of which were
previously made available to National City), each pension plan as amended (and
any trust relating thereto) intended to be a qualified plan
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   20
 
under Section 401(a) of the Code either has been determined by the IRS to be so
qualified or is the subject of a pending application for such determination that
was timely filed, (b) there is no accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in
Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, and no
waiver of the minimum funding standards of such sections has been requested from
the IRS, (c) neither Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has provided,
or is required to provide, security to any pension plan pursuant to Section
401(a)(29) of the Code, (d) the fair market value of the assets of each defined
benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA) exceeds the value of the
"benefit liabilities" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA under
such defined benefit plan as of the end of the most recent plan year thereof
ending prior to the date hereof, calculated on the basis of the actuarial
assumptions used in the most recent actuarial valuation for such defined benefit
plan as of the date hereof, (e) no reportable event described in Section 4043 of
ERISA for which the 30 day reporting requirement has not been waived has
occurred, (f) no defined benefit plan has been terminated, nor has the PBGC
instituted proceedings to terminate a defined benefit plan or to appoint a
trustee or administrator of a defined benefit plan, and no circumstances exist
that constitute grounds under Section 4042(a)(2) of ERISA entitling the PBGC to
institute any such proceedings and (g) no pension plan is a "multiemployer plan"
within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA or a "multiple employer plan"
within the meaning of 413(c) of the Code. Neither Company nor any Company
Subsidiary has incurred any liability to the PBGC with respect to any
"single-employer plan" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA
currently or formerly maintained by any entity considered one employer with it
under Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code, except for premiums all
of which have been paid when due. Neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries
has incurred any withdrawal liability with respect to a multiemployer plan under
Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure
Letter, there is no basis for any person to assert that Company or any of its
subsidiaries has an obligation to institute any Employee Plan or any such other
arrangement, agreement or plan. With respect to any insurance policy that
heretofore has or currently does provide funding for benefits under any Company
Employee Plan, (A) there is no liability on the part of Company or any of its
subsidiaries in the nature of a retroactive or retrospective rate adjustment,
loss sharing arrangement, or other actual or contingent liability, nor would
there be any such liability if such insurance policy was terminated, and (B) no
insurance company issuing such policy is in receivership, conservatorship,
liquidation or similar proceeding and, to the knowledge of Company, no such
proceeding with respect to any such insurer is imminent. Except as set forth in
the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the execution of this Agreement, nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby will (A) constitute a
stated triggering event under any Company Employee Plan that will result in any
payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise) becoming due from Company or any
of its subsidiaries to any present or former officer, employee, director,
shareholder, consultant or dependent of any of the foregoing or (B) accelerate
the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due to
any present or former officer, employee, director, shareholder, consultant, or
dependent of any of the foregoing. Neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary
has any obligations for retiree health and life benefits under any Company
Employee Plan, except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter. Except as
set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no restrictions on the
rights of Company or Company Subsidiaries to amend or terminate any such Company
Employee Plan without incurring any liability thereunder.
 
     4.10 Material Contracts.  Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure
Letter or disclosed in the Company Reports, neither Company nor any Company
Subsidiary is a party to, or is bound or affected by, or receives benefits under
(a) any Benefit Agreements providing for aggregate payments to any person in any
calendar year in excess of $100,000, (b) any material agreement, indenture or
other instrument relating to the borrowing of money by Company or any Company
Subsidiary or the guarantee by Company or any Company Subsidiary of any such
obligation (other than trade payables and instruments relating to transactions
entered into in the ordinary course of business) or (c) any other contract or
agreement or amendment thereto that would be required to be filed as an exhibit
to a Form 10-K filed by Company with the Commission as of the
 
                                        
date of this Agreement (collectively, the "Company Contracts"). Neither Company
nor any Company Subsidiary is in default under any
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   21
 
Company Contract, which default is reasonably likely to have, either
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and there has not
occurred any event that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both
would constitute such a default. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure
Letter, neither Company nor any of Company Subsidiary is a party to, or is bound
by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract, or other agreement or
understanding with a labor union or labor organization, nor is Company or any
Company Subsidiary the subject of a proceeding asserting that is or any Company
Subsidiary has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it or
such subsidiary to bargain with any labor organization as to wages and
conditions of employment, nor is there any strike or other labor dispute
involving it or any Company Subsidiary pending or threatened.
 
     4.11 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as set forth in the
Company Disclosure Letter or disclosed in Company Reports filed by Company with
the Commission prior to the date of this Agreement, since December 31, 1996,
there has not been any change in the financial condition, results of operations
or business of Company and Company Subsidiaries which would or in the future
will have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     4.12 Litigation.  Except as disclosed in Company Reports filed by Company
with the Commission prior to the date of this Agreement, there is no suit,
action or proceeding pending, or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened
against or affecting Company or any Company Subsidiary which, if determined
adversely to Company, would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any
Governmental Entity or arbitrator, outstanding against Company or any Company
Subsidiary having, or which, insofar as reasonably can be foreseen, in the
future would have, a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     4.13 Compliance with Laws and Orders.  Except as set forth in the Company
Disclosure Letter or as disclosed in Company Reports filed by Company with the
Commission prior to the date of this Agreement, the businesses of Company and
Company Subsidiaries are not being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance,
regulation, judgment, order, decree, license or permit of any Governmental
Entity (including, without limitation, in the case of Company Subsidiaries that
are banks, all statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of the
banking business and the exercise of trust powers), except for violations which
individually or in the aggregate do not, and, insofar as reasonably can be
foreseen, in the future will not, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set
forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, no investigation or review by any
Governmental Entity with respect to Company or any Company Subsidiary is pending
or, to the knowledge of Company threatened, nor has any Governmental Entity
indicated an intention to conduct the same in each case other than those the
outcome of which will not have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     4.14 Agreements with Bank Regulators, Etc.  Neither Company nor any Company
Subsidiary is a party to any written agreement or memorandum of understanding
with, or a party to any commitment letter, board resolution or similar
undertaking to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or is a recipient of
any extraordinary supervisory letter from, any Governmental Entity which
restricts materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates to
its capital adequacy, its credit or reserve policies or its management, except
for those the existence of which has been disclosed in the Company Disclosure
Letter, nor has Company been advised by any Governmental Entity that it is
contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of
issuing or requesting) any such order, decree, agreement, memorandum of
understanding, extraordinary supervisory letter, commitment letter or similar
submission, except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter. Neither
Company nor any Company Subsidiary is required by Section 32 of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act to give prior notice to a Federal banking agency of the
proposed addition of an individual to its board of directors or the employment
of an individual as a senior or executive officer. Company knows of no reason
why the regulatory approvals referred to in Subsections 4.6(c) should not be
obtained.
 
     4.15 Tax Treatment.  As of the date hereof, Company is aware of no reason
why the Merger will fail to qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of
the Code.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   22
 
     4.16 Fees.  Except for fees paid and payable to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods,
Inc., neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary has paid or will become
obligated to pay any fee or commission to any broker, finder or intermediary in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
     4.17 Company Action.  The Board of Directors of Company (at a meeting duly
called, constituted and held) has by the requisite vote of all directors present
(a) determined that the Merger is advisable and in the best interests of Company
and its shareholders, (b) approved this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Merger, and (c) has directed that the Merger
be submitted for consideration by the Company's shareholders at the Company
Meeting. The Company has taken all steps necessary to exempt (i) the execution
of this Agreement and the Stock Option, (ii) the Merger and (iii) the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby from any statute of the State of
Indiana that purports to limit or restrict business combinations or the ability
to acquire or to vote shares, and any applicable provision of the Company's
Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws containing change of control or
anti-takeover provisions.
 
     4.18 Vote Required.  The affirmative votes of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote thereon are the only votes of
the holders of any class or series of Company capital stock necessary to approve
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.
 
     4.19 Material Interests of Certain Persons.  Except as disclosed in
Company's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or as set
forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, no officer or director of Company, or
any "associate" (as such term is defined in Rule 14a-1 under the 1934 Act) of
any such officer or director, has any material interest in any material
contracts or property (real or personal), tangible or intangible, used in or
pertaining to the business of Company or any Company Subsidiaries.
 
     4.20 Environmental Matters.  (i) To the best of Company's knowledge,
neither Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of or has any
liability, absolute or contingent, in connection with or under any Environmental
Law, except any such violations or liabilities which would not reasonably be
expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) to the best of Company's knowledge, none of the Loan Portfolio Properties,
Trust Properties and Other Properties of Company or its subsidiaries is in
violation of or has any liability, absolute or contingent, under any
Environmental Law, except any such violations or liabilities which, individually
or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) to the
best of Company's knowledge, there are no actions, suits, demands, notices,
claims, investigations or proceedings pending or threatened relating to any Loan
Portfolio Properties, Trust Properties and Other Properties including, without
limitation any notices, demand letters or requests for information from any
federal or state environmental agency relating to any such liability under or
violation of Environmental Law, which would impose a liability upon Company or
its subsidiaries pursuant to any Environmental Law, except such as would not,
individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
                                  V. COVENANTS
 
     5.1 Acquisition Proposals.  Each of Company and Company Subsidiaries shall
not, directly or indirectly, and shall instruct and otherwise use its best
efforts to cause their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or
advisors or other representatives or consultants not to, directly or indirectly,
(i) solicit or initiate any proposals or offers from any person relating to any
acquisition or purchase of all or a material amount of the assets of, or any
securities of, or any merger, consolidation or business combination with,
Company or any of Company Subsidiaries (such transactions are referred to herein
as "Acquisition Transactions") or (ii) except to the extent that the Board of
Directors of Company is required, in a written opinion of counsel to the Board
of Directors of Company, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties in accordance
with applicable law, to participate in any discussions or negotiation regarding,
or furnish to any other person any information with respect to, an Acquisition
Transaction; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 5.1 shall
restrict or prohibit any disclosure by Company that is required in any document
to be filed with the Commission after the date of this
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   23
 
Agreement or any disclosure that, in the written opinion of counsel to the Board
of Directors of the Company, is otherwise required under applicable law. Company
will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities,
discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect
to any of the foregoing. Company will notify National City immediately if any
such inquiries or proposals are received by, any such information is requested
from, or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated or
continued with Company.
 
     5.2 Interim Operations of Company.  During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective Time, except as specifically contemplated by this
Agreement, set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter or as otherwise approved
expressly in writing by National City (which approval will not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed):
 
          (a) CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  Company shall, and shall cause each of
     Company Subsidiaries to, conduct their respective businesses only in, and
     not take any action except in, the ordinary course of business consistent
     with past practice. Company shall use reasonable efforts to preserve intact
     the business organization of Company and each of Company Subsidiaries, to
     keep available the services of its and their present key officers and
     employees and to preserve the goodwill of those having business
     relationships with Company or Company Subsidiaries. Other than in the
     ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, Company shall
     not (i) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money (it being understood and
     agreed that incurrence of indebtedness in the ordinary course of business
     shall include, without limitation, the creation of deposit liabilities,
     purchases of federal funds, borrowings pursuant to existing lines of
     credit, sales of certificates of deposit and entering into repurchase
     agreements), (ii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an
     accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other
     individual, corporation or other entity, or (iii) make any loan or advance
     other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
     practice;
 
          (b) ARTICLES AND BY-LAWS.  Company shall not and shall not permit any
     Company Subsidiary to make any change or amendment to their respective
     Articles of Incorporation or By-laws (or comparable governing instruments)
     in a manner that would materially and adversely effect either party's
     ability to consummate the Merger or the economic benefits of the Merger to
     either party.
 
          (c) CAPITAL STOCK.  Company shall not, and shall not permit any
     Company Subsidiary to, issue or sell any shares of capital stock or any
     other securities of any of them (other than pursuant to outstanding
     exercisable stock options granted pursuant to the Company Option Plans or
     conversion of any shares of Company Series 1 Stock) or issue any securities
     convertible into or exchangeable for, or options, warrants to purchase,
     scrip, rights to subscribe for, calls or commitments of any character
     whatsoever relating to, or enter into any contract, understanding or
     arrangement with respect to the issuance of, any shares of capital stock or
     any other securities of any of them (other than pursuant to the Company
     Option Plans or the Company's dividend reinvestment plan) or enter into any
     arrangement or contract with respect to the purchase or voting of shares of
     their capital stock, or adjust, split, combine or reclassify any of their
     capital stock or other securities or make any other changes in their
     capital structures. Neither Company nor any Company Subsidiaries shall
     grant any additional stock options.
 
          (d)  DIVIDENDS.  Company shall not and shall not permit any Company
     Subsidiary to, declare, set aside, pay or make any dividend or other
     distribution or payment (whether in cash, stock or property) with respect
     to, or purchase or redeem, any shares of the capital stock of any of them
     other than (a) regular quarterly cash dividends in an amount not to exceed
     $.20 per share of Company Common Stock payable on the regular historical
     payment dates (b) regular dividends on Company Series 1 Stock payable
     consistent with past practice and (c) dividends paid by any Company
     Subsidiary to Company or another Company Subsidiary with respect to its
     capital stock between the date hereof and the Effective Time. It is agreed
     by
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   24
 
     the parties hereto that they will cooperate to assure that, during any
     quarter, there shall not be a duplication of nor omission of payment of
     dividends to shareholders of Company.
 
          (e) EMPLOYEE PLANS, COMPENSATION, ETC.  Except as otherwise provided
     in this Agreement, Company shall not, and shall not permit any Company
     Subsidiary to, adopt or amend (except as required by law or other
     contractual obligations existing on the date hereof) any bonus, profit
     sharing, compensation, severance, termination, stock option, pension,
     retirement, deferred compensation, employment or other employee benefit
     agreements, trusts, plans, funds or other arrangements for the benefit or
     welfare of any director, officer or employee, or (except for normal merit
     increases in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice)
     increase the compensation or fringe benefits of any director, officer or
     employee or pay any benefit not required by any existing plan, agreement or
     arrangement (including, without limitation, the granting of stock options
     or stock appreciation rights) or take any action or grant any benefit not
     required under the terms of any existing agreements, trusts, plans, funds
     or other such arrangements or enter into any contract, agreement,
     commitment or arrangement to do any of the foregoing.
 
          (f) CERTAIN POLICIES.  Company will modify and change its loan,
     litigation, real estate valuation asset, liquidity and investment portfolio
     policies and practices (including loan classifications and level of
     reserves) prior to the Effective Time so as to be consistent on a mutually
     satisfactory basis with those of National City and generally accepted
     accounting principles, at the earlier of (i) such time as National City
     acknowledges that all conditions to its obligations to consummate the
     Merger set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.3 have been waived or satisfied or
     (ii) immediately prior to the Effective Time. Company's representations,
     warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement shall not be deemed to
     be untrue or breached in any respect for any purpose as a consequence of
     any such modifications or changes.
 
     5.3 Interim Operations of National City.  During the period from the date
of this Agreement to the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of
Company, National City will not declare or pay any extraordinary or special
dividend on the National City Common Stock or take any action that would (a)
materially delay or adversely affect the ability of National City to obtain any
approvals of Governmental Authorities required to permit consummation of the
Merger or (b) materially adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations
under this Agreement or to consummate the transaction contemplated hereby.
 
     5.4 Employee Matters.
 
          (a) BENEFIT AGREEMENTS.  Surviving Corporation and National City shall
     honor, maintain and perform on and after the Effective Time, without
     deduction, counterclaims, interruptions or deferment (other than
     withholding under applicable law), all vested benefits of any person under
     the Company Employee Plans.
 
          (b) RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS.  For purposes of all employee
     benefit plans, programs or arrangements maintained or contributed to by
     National City or Surviving Corporation, National City shall credit or shall
     cause Surviving Corporation to credit employees of Company and Company
     Subsidiaries who become employees of National City or Surviving Corporation
     as a result of the Merger ("Company Employees") with all service with
     Company or any Company Subsidiaries for purposes of eligibility and vesting
     as if such service, and compensation from, had been performed for National
     City, and, for purposes of benefit accruals under any severance sick leave
     and other similar employee benefit plans (but not under any qualified
     retirement plan maintained by National City), provided, however, that this
     provision shall not change the treatment under the National City
     Non-Contributory Retirement Plan and Trust of service with National City or
     any of National City's subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date. From and
     after the Effective Time, National City shall, or shall cause Surviving
     Corporation to, cause any and all pre-existing condition limitations under
     any health plans to be waived with respect to Company Employees and their
     eligible dependents to the extent that such conditions were covered by
     Company's health plans. To the extent that any Company Employees and their
     eligible dependents have, before the Effective Time, satisfied in whole or
     in part any annual deductible or paid any out of pocket or co-payment
     expenses under the applicable plan
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   25
 
     of the Company, such individual shall be credited therefor under the
     corresponding plan of National City or Surviving Corporation in which such
     individual participates after the Effective Time.
 
          (c) TRANSITION.  Upon and after the Merger, Company Employees shall
     have benefits that in the aggregate are comparable to the benefits enjoyed
     generally by National City employees working in similar business lines.
 
          (d) GENERAL.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
     this Agreement, Company and National City shall take all actions necessary
     to enact the items set forth on Schedule 5.4 of the Company Disclosure
     Letter, and Schedule 5.4 of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed
     incorporated into this Section 5.4(d)
 
     5.5 Access and Information.  Upon reasonable notice, each of the parties
shall (and shall cause each of the parties' subsidiaries to) afford to the other
parties and their representatives (including, without limitation, directors,
officers and employees of the parties and their affiliates, and counsel,
accountants and other professionals retained) such access during normal business
hours throughout the period prior to the Effective Time to the books, records
(including, without limitation, tax returns and work papers of independent
auditors), properties, personnel and to such other information as any party may
reasonably request; provided, however, that no party shall be required to
provide access to any such information if the providing of such access (i) would
be reasonably likely, in the written opinion of counsel, to result in the loss
or impairment of any privilege generally recognized under law with respect to
such information or (ii) would be precluded by any law, ordinance, regulation,
judgment, order, decree, license or permit of any Governmental Entity. All
information furnished by one party to any of the others in connection with this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be kept confidential by
such other party (and shall be used by it only in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby) except to the extent that such
information (i) already is known to such other party when received from a source
not known by the receiving party to be under an obligation of confidentiality,
(ii) thereafter becomes lawfully obtainable from other sources or (iii) is
required to be disclosed in any non-confidential document filed with the
Commission, the FRB, the Department of Justice or any other agency or any
government. In the event that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall fail to consummate, each party shall promptly cause all copies of
documents or extracts thereof containing information and data as to another
party hereto to be returned to the party which furnished the same or destroyed.
 
     5.6 Certain Filings, Consents and Arrangements.  National City and Company
shall (a) as soon as practicable make any required filings and applications
required to be filed with Governmental Authorities between the date of this
Agreement and the Effective Time, (b) cooperate with one another (i) in promptly
determining whether any other filings are required to be made or consents,
approvals, permits or authorizations are required to be obtained under any other
relevant federal, state or foreign law or regulation and (ii) in promptly making
any such filings, furnishing information required in connection therewith and
seeking timely to obtain any such consents, approvals, permits or authorizations
and (c) deliver to the other parties to this Agreement copies of the publicly
available portions of all such reports promptly after they are filed.
 
     5.7 State Takeover Statutes.  Company shall take all reasonable steps to
(i) exempt Company and the Merger from the requirements of any state takeover
law by action of the Company's Board of Directors or otherwise and (ii), upon
the request of National City, assist in any challenge by National City to the
applicability to the Merger of any state takeover law.
 
     5.8 Indemnification and Insurance.
 
          (a) INDEMNIFICATION.  From and after the Effective Time, National City
     will assume and honor any obligation as provided for and permitted by
     applicable federal and state law Company had immediately prior to the
     Effective Time with respect to the indemnification of each person who is
     now, or has been at any time
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   26
 
     prior to the date hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, a
     director or officer of Company or any Company Subsidiary or was serving at
     the request of Company as a director, officer of any domestic or foreign
     corporation joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise
     (collectively, the "Indemnitees") arising out of Company's Articles of
     Incorporation or By-laws or any indemnification (to the maximum extent
     available thereunder and permitted by applicable law or regulation) against
     any and all losses in connection with or arising out of any claim which is
     based upon, arises out of or in any way relates to any actual or alleged
     act or omission occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, including any
     actions taken to approve and implement this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated hereby, in the Indemnitee's capacity as a director or officer
     (whether elected or appointed), of Company or any Company Subsidiary. This
     Section 5.8 will be construed as an agreement, as to which the Indemnities
     are intended to be third-party beneficiaries.
 
          (b) INSURANCE.  For a period of four years after the Effective Time,
     National City shall use all reasonable efforts to maintain in effect
     current directors' and officers' liability insurance in an aggregate limit
     at least equal to the aggregate limit of Company's insurance that is in
     place on the date of this Agreement, which will insure Company's directors
     and officers for events which occurred prior to the Effective Time but were
     undiscovered at the Effective Time provided, however, that in no event
     shall National City be obligated to expend, in order to maintain or provide
     insurance coverage pursuant to this Subsection 5.8(b), any amount per annum
     in excess of 100% of the amount of the annual premium paid as of the date
     hereof by National City for its current director's and officers' liability
     insurance.
 
     5.9 Additional Agreements.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein
provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its reasonable efforts to
take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all actions and to do promptly, or
cause to be done promptly, all things necessary, proper or advisable under
applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective as promptly as
practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using its
best efforts to obtain all necessary actions or non-actions, extensions,
waivers, consents and approvals from all applicable Governmental Entities,
effecting all necessary registrations, applications and filings (including,
without limitation, filings under any applicable state securities laws) and
obtaining any required contractual consents and regulatory approvals.
 
     5.10 Publicity.  The initial press release announcing this Agreement shall
be a joint press release and thereafter Company and National City shall consult
with each other in issuing any press releases or otherwise making public
statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and in making
any filings with any Governmental Entity or with any national securities
exchange with respect thereto.
 
     5.11 Registration Statement.  National City shall prepare and file the
Registration Statement with the Commission as soon as is reasonably practicable
following receipt of final comments from the Staff of the Commission on the
Proxy Statement (or advice that such Staff will not review such filing) and
shall use all reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared
effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable and to maintain the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement. National City shall also take any
action required to be taken under state blue sky or securities laws in
connection with the issuance of the National City Common Stock and National City
Preferred Stock pursuant to the Merger, and Company shall furnish National City
all information concerning Company and the holders of its capital stock and
shall take any action as National City may reasonably request in connection with
any such action.
 
     5.12 Stock Exchange Listings.  National City shall use its best efforts to
list on the New York Stock Exchange, upon official notice of issuance, the
National City Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger.
 
     5.13 Proxy.  As soon as practicable after the date hereof, Company and
National City shall prepare the Proxy Statement, file it with the Commission,
respond to comments of the Staff of the Commission, clear the Proxy Statement
with the Staff of the Commission and promptly thereafter mail the Proxy
Statement to all holders
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   27
 
of shares of Company Common Stock. National City and Company shall cooperate
with each other in the preparation of the Proxy Statement.
 
     5.14 Shareholders' Meeting.  Company shall take all action necessary, in
accordance with applicable law and its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws, to
convene a special meeting of the holders of Company Common Stock (the "Company
Meeting") as promptly as practicable for the purpose of considering and taking
action upon this Agreement. Unless the Board of Directors of Company shall have
received the written advice of counsel, reasonably acceptable to National City,
to the effect that making such a recommendation would cause the Board of
Directors of Company to violate its fiduciary duty under applicable law and
provided that such advice is not predicated solely upon the price of National
City Common Stock, the Board of Directors of Company shall recommend that the
holders of the Company Common Stock vote in favor of and approve the Merger and
adopt this Agreement at the Company Meeting.
 
     5.15 Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment.  Neither National City nor Company
shall intentionally take or cause to be taken any action, whether before or
after the Effective Time, which would disqualify the Merger as a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code.
 
     5.16 Provision of Shares.  National City shall issue and provide the shares
of National City Common Stock and National City Preferred Stock deliverable upon
the conversion of the Company Common Stock and Series 1 Stock, respectively,
pursuant to this Agreement, and will provide the cash to be paid in lieu of
fractional shares of National City Common Stock as provided in Subsection
2.3(f). The shares of National City Common Stock and National City Preferred
Stock to be issued and exchanged for shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to
this Agreement will, at the Effective Time, be duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and subject to no preemptive rights.
 
     5.17 Adverse Action.  From the date hereof until the Effective Time, except
as expressly contemplated by the Agreement neither party will, without the
written consent of the other party (which consent will not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) knowingly take any action that would, or would be
reasonably likely to result in (a) any of its representations and warranties set
forth in the Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect, (b) any
of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VII not being satisfied or
(c) a material violation of any provision of the Agreement except, in each case,
as may be required by applicable law.
 
                              VI.  CLOSING MATTERS
 
     6.1 The Closing.  Subject to satisfaction or waiver of all conditions
precedent set forth in Article VII of this Agreement, the closing ("Closing")
shall occur at such location mutually agreeable to the parties and on a date
("Closing Date") which is on (1) the third business day after the later of:
 
          (a) the first date on which the Merger may be consummated in
     accordance with the approvals of any Governmental Entities or
 
          (b) the date the required approvals of Company's shareholders have
     been obtained or
 
     (2) such other date to which the parties agree in writing.
 
     If all conditions are determined to be satisfied in all material respects
(or are duly waived) at the Closing, the Closing shall be consummated by the
making of all necessary filings required by all Governmental Entities.
 
     6.2 Documents and Certificates.  National City and Company shall use their
respective best efforts, on or prior to Closing, to execute and deliver all such
instruments, documents or certificates as may be necessary or advisable, on the
advice of counsel, for the consummation at the Closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement to occur as soon as practicable.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   28
 
                                VII.  CONDITIONS
 
     7.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligations to Effect the Merger.  The
respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:
 
          (a) The Merger shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite
     vote of the holders of Company Common Stock.
 
          (b) The National City Common Stock issuable in the Merger shall have
     been authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, upon official
     notice of issuance.
 
          (c) All authorizations, consents, orders or approvals of, and all
     expirations of waiting periods imposed by, any Governmental Entity
     (collectively, "Consents") which are necessary for the consummation of the
     Merger, (other than immaterial Consents, the failure to obtain which would
     not have a Material Adverse Effect) shall have been obtained or shall have
     occurred and shall be in full force and effect at the Effective Time,
     provided, however, that no such authorization, consent, order or approval
     shall be deemed to have been received if it shall include any material
     conditions or requirements which would so adversely impact the economic or
     business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement so as
     to render inadvisable in the reasonable opinion of the Board of Directors
     of National City the consummation of the Merger.
 
          (d) The Registration Statement shall have become effective in
     accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act. No stop order
     suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been
     issued by the Commission and remain in effect.
 
          (e) No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent
     injunction or other order by any federal or state court in the United
     States which prevents the consummation of the Merger shall have been issued
     and remain in effect.
 
          (f) Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz counsel to Company, shall have
     delivered to Company and National City their opinion, dated the day of the
     Effective Time, substantially to the effect that, on the basis of facts,
     representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion which are
     consistent with the state of facts existing at the Effective Time, the
     Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization
     within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and that, accordingly: (i)
     no gain or loss will be recognized by National City or Company as a result
     of the Merger; (ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders
     of Company who exchange their shares of the Company Common Stock or Company
     Series 1 Stock solely for shares of National City Common Stock or National
     City Preferred Stock, respectively pursuant to the Merger (except with
     respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share interest in National
     City Common Stock); (iii) the aggregate tax basis of the shares of National
     City Common Stock and National City Preferred Stock received by
     shareholders who exchange all of their shares of Company Common Stock and
     Company Series 1 Stock solely for shares of National City Common Stock and
     National City Preferred Stock in the Merger will be the same as the
     aggregate tax basis of the shares of Company Common Stock and Company
     Series 1 Stock surrendered in exchange therefor (reduced by any amount
     allocable to a fractional share interest for which cash is received); and
     (iv) the holding period of the shares of National City Common Stock or
     National City Preferred Stock received in the Merger will include the
     period during which the shares of Company Common Stock or Company Series 1
     Stock, respectively surrendered in exchange therefor were held, provided
     such shares of Company Common Stock or Company Series 1 Stock were held as
     capital assets at the Effective Time. In rendering such opinion, counsel
     may require and rely upon representations contained in certificates of
     officers of Company, National City, and others.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   29
 
     7.2 Conditions to Obligation of Company to Effect the Merger.  The
obligation of Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment
or waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of the additional following
conditions:
 
          (a) National City shall have performed in all material respects its
     covenants contained in this Agreement required to be performed at or prior
     to the Effective Time.
 
          (b) The representations and warranties of National City contained in
     this Agreement shall be true and correct when made and the representations
     and warranties set forth in Article 3 shall be true and correct as of the
     Effective Time as if made at and as of such time, except as expressly
     contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, except for representations and
     warranties relating to a time or times other than the Effective Time which
     were or will be true and correct at such time or times and except where the
     failure or failures of such representations and warranties to be so true
     and correct, individually or in the aggregate, does not result or would not
     result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
          (c) National City shall have furnished Company a Certificate dated the
     date of the Closing, signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
     Financial Officer of National City that, to the best of their knowledge and
     belief after due inquiry, the conditions set forth in Subsections 7.2(a)
     and 7.2(b) have been satisfied.
 
     7.3 Conditions to Obligation of National City to Effect the Merger.  The
obligation of National City to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
fulfillment or waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of the additional
following conditions:
 
          (a) Company shall have performed in all material respects its
     covenants contained in this Agreement required to be performed at or prior
     to the Effective Time.
 
          (b) The representations and warranties of Company contained in this
     Agreement shall be true and correct when made and the representations and
     warranties set forth in Article 4 shall be true and correct as of the
     Effective Time as if made on and as of such time, except as expressly
     contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, except for representations and
     warranties relating to a time or times other than the Effective Time which
     were or will be true and correct at such time or times and except where the
     failure or failures of such representations and warranties to be so true
     and correct, individually or in the aggregate, does not result or would not
     result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
          (c) Company shall have furnished National City a Certificate dated the
     date of the Closing signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
     Financial Officer of Company that, to the best of their knowledge and
     belief after due inquiry, the conditions set forth in subsections 7.3(a)
     and 7.3(b) have been satisfied.
 
                              VIII.  MISCELLANEOUS
 
     8.1 Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Effective Time, whether before or after approval by the shareholders of Company:
 
          (a) by mutual consent of the Board of Directors of National City and
     the Board of Directors of Company;
 
          (b) by either National City or Company if the Merger shall not have
     been consummated on or before June 30, 1998 or if this Agreement was not
     approved at the Company Meeting (provided the terminating party is not
     otherwise in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement);
 
          (c) by Company if any of the conditions specified in Sections 7.1 and
     7.2 have not been met or waived by Company at such time as such condition
     can no longer be satisfied;
 
          (d) by National City if any of the conditions specified in Sections
     7.1 and 7.3 have not been met or waived by National City at such time as
     such condition can no longer be satisfied;
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   30
 
          (e) by Company, during the 15-day period commencing on the Fed
     Approval Date, if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
 
             (i) the average of the daily closing prices on the New York Stock
        Exchange of a share of National City Common Stock for the 20 consecutive
        trading days ending at the end of the third trading day immediately
        preceding the Fed Approval is less than $47.40; and
 
             (ii) the number obtained by dividing the average of the daily
        closing prices on the New York Stock Exchange of a share of National
        City Common Stock for the 20 consecutive trading days ending at the end
        of the third trading day immediately preceding the Fed Approval Date by
        the closing price of National City Common Stock on the trading day
        immediately preceding the public announcement of this Agreement is less
        than the number obtained by dividing the Final Index Price (as defined
        below) by the Initial Index Price (as defined below) and subtracting .20
        from the quotient.
 
          For purposes of this Subsection 8.1(e):
 
             The "Index Group" shall mean all those companies listed in the
        National City Disclosure Letter the common stock of which is publicly
        traded and as to which there has not been a publicly announced proposal
        at any time for such company to be acquired. In the event that any such
        company or companies are so removed from the Index Group, the weights
        attributed to the remaining companies shall be adjusted proportionately
        for purposes of determining both the Initial Index Price and the Final
        Index Price;
 
             The "Initial Index Price" shall mean the weighted average (weighted
        in accordance with the factors listed in the National City Disclosure
        Letter) of the closing prices on the trading day immediately preceding
        the public announcement of this Agreement of the common stock of the
        companies comprising the Index Group;
 
             The "Final Price" of any company belonging to the Index Group shall
        mean the average of the daily closing sale prices of a share of the
        common stock of such company, as reported in the consolidated
        transaction reporting system for the market or exchange on which such
        common stock is principally traded, during the period of 20 consecutive
        trading days ending at the end of the third trading day immediately
        preceding the Fed Approval Date; and
 
             The "Final Index Price" shall mean the weighted average (weighted
        in accordance with the factors listed in the National City Disclosure
        Letter) of the Final Prices for all of the companies comprising the
        Index Group.
 
          If National City or any company belonging to the Index Group declares
     a stock dividend or effects a reclassification, recapitalization, split-up,
     combination, exchange or shares or similar transaction between the date of
     this Agreement and the Fed Approval Date, the closing prices for the common
     stock of such company shall be appropriately adjusted for the purposes of
     the definitions above so as to be comparable to the price on the date of
     this Agreement.
 
     8.2 Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements.  The
representations and warranties or covenants in this Agreement will terminate at
the Effective Time or the earlier termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.1, as the case may be; provided, however, that if the Merger is
consummated, Sections 1.6, 2.1 through 2.4, 5.4, 5.5, 5.8, 5.16, 5.17 and 8.2
hereof will survive the Effective Time to the extent contemplated by such
Sections; provided, further, that the last sentence of Section 5.5 and all of
Section 8.10 hereof will in all events survive any termination of this
Agreement.
 
     8.3 Waiver and Amendment.  Subject to applicable provisions of the DGCL and
IC, any provision of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party which
is, or whose stockholders or shareholders are, entitled to the benefits thereof,
and this Agreement may be amended or supplemented at any time, provided that no
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   31
 
amendment will be made after any stockholder or shareholder approval of the
Merger which reduces or changes the form of the Merger Consideration without
further stockholder or shareholder approval. No such waiver, amendment or
supplement will be effective unless in a writing which makes express reference
to this Section 8.3 and is signed by the party or parties sought to be bound
thereby.
 
     8.4 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement together with the Option Agreement
and the Confidentiality Agreement by and between National City and the Company
dated December 30, 1997 contain the entire agreement among National City and
Company with respect to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, and supersedes all prior agreements among the parties with
respect to such matters.
 
     8.5 Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.  This Agreement will be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana
except to the extent laws of the state of Delaware govern the Merger. National
City and Company consent to personal jurisdiction in any action brought in any
federal or state court within the State of Indiana having subject matter
jurisdiction in the matter for purposes of any action arising out of this
Agreement.
 
     8.6 Certain Definitions; Headlines.  (a) For purposes of this Agreement,
the term:
 
          (i) "affiliate", "associate" and "significant subsidiary" shall have
     the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General
     Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date
     hereof.
 
          (ii) "control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under common
     control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly or as trustee
     or executor, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
     management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of stock,
     as trustee or executor, by contract or credit arrangement or otherwise;
 
          (iii) "Fed Approval Date" means the day the FRB issues an order
     approving consummation of the Merger.
 
          (iv) "Market Price" means the average of the per share closing prices
     on the New York Stock Exchange of National City Common Stock for the 20
     consecutive trading days ending at the end of the third trading day
     immediately preceding the Effective Time.
 
          (v) "Material Adverse Effect" means an event, change or occurrence
     which has a material negative impact on the financial condition, businesses
     or results of operations of Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
     or National City and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as the case may
     be, or the ability of Company or National City, as the case may be, to
     consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The effect of any action
     taken by Company solely pursuant to Subsection 5.2(f) shall not be taken
     into consideration in determining whether any Material Adverse Effect has
     occurred.
 
          (vi) "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
     association, trust or unincorporated organization; and
 
          (vii) "subsidiary" of Company, National City or any other person
     means, except where the context otherwise requires, any corporation,
     partnership, trust or similar association of which Company, National City
     or any other person, as the case may be (either alone or through or
     together with any other subsidiary), owns, directly or indirectly, more
     than 50% of the stock or other equity interests, the holders of which are
     generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or
     other governing body of such corporation.
 
     (b) The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are for
convenience and reference only and will not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   32
 
     (c) Unless the context of this Agreement expressly indicates otherwise, (i)
any singular term in this Agreement will include the plural and any plural term
will include the singular and (ii) the term section or schedule will mean a
section or schedule of or to this Agreement.
 
     8.7 Notices.  All notices, consents, requests, demands and other
communications hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly
given or delivered if delivered personally, telexed with receipt acknowledged,
mailed by registered or certified mail return receipt requested, sent by
facsimile with confirmation of receipt, or delivered by a recognized commercial
courier addressed as follows:
 
        If to Company to:
           Fort Wayne National Corporation
           110 W. Berry Street
           Fort Wayne, Indiana 46801
           attn: Chief Executive Officer
           Fax No. (219) 461-6238
 
        With copies to:
           Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
           51 West 52nd Street
           New York, New York 10019
           Attention: Edward Herlihy, Esq.
           Fax No. (212) 403-2000
 
        If to National City to:
           National City Corporation
           P. O. Box 5756
           Cleveland, Ohio 44101-0756
           Attention: Chairman of the Board
           Fax No. (216) 575-3332
 
        With a copy to:
           National City Corporation
           Law Department
           P. O. Box 5756
           Cleveland, Ohio 44101-0756
           Attention: General Counsel
           Fax No. (216) 575-3332
 
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other parties in
writing in accordance with this Section 8.7.
 
     8.8 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute but one agreement.
 
     8.9 Parties in Interest; Assignment.  Except for Section 2.2, (which is
intended to be for the benefit of the holders of Outstanding Options under the
Company Option Plans to the extent contemplated thereby and their beneficiaries,
and may be enforced by such persons) and Sections 5.4 and 5.8 hereof (which are
intended to be for the benefit of directors, officers or employees to the extent
contemplated thereby and their beneficiaries, and may be enforced by such
persons), this Agreement is not intended to nor will it confer upon any other
person (other than the parties hereto) any rights or remedies. Without the prior
written consent of the other parties to this Agreement neither National City nor
Company shall assign any rights or delegate any obligations under this
Agreement. Any such purported assignment or delegation made without prior
consent of the other parties hereto shall be null and void.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   33
 
     8.10 Expenses.  Each party will bear all expenses incurred by it in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except
that printing expenses and Commission filing and registration fees shall be
shared equally between Company and National City.
 
     8.11 Enforcement of the Agreement.  The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties hereto will be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement
and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the
United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any
other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
 
     8.12 Severability.  If any term or other provision of this Agreement is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public
policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement will nevertheless
remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of
the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner adverse to
any party hereto. Upon any such determination that any term or other provision
is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto will
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original
intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end
that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated to the
extent possible.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly authorized
representatives to execute this Agreement as of the date first above written.
 
                                          FORT WAYNE NATIONAL CORPORATION
 
                                          By: /s/ M. James Johnston
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                M. James Johnston
                                                Chairman of the Board and
                                                Chief Executive Officer
 
                                          NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
 
                                          By:  /s/ Vincent A. DiGirolamo
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                Vincent A. DiGirolamo
                                                Vice Chairman
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   34
 
                              INDEX TO DEFINITIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 DEFINITIONS                                     SECTIONS
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------   -----------------
    <S>                                                                      <C>
    Acquisition Transaction                                                  Section 5.1
    affiliate                                                                Section 8.6(i)
    Agreement                                                                Introduction
    Articles of Merger                                                       Section 1.2
    Benefit Agreements                                                       Section 3.10
    BHCA                                                                     Section 3.1
    Certificate                                                              Section 2.3(a)
    Closing                                                                  Section 6.1
    Closing Date                                                             Section 6.1
    Commission                                                               Section 3.5
    Company                                                                  Introduction
    Company Common Stock                                                     Section 2.1(a)
    Company Contracts                                                        Section 4.10
    Company Disclosure Letter                                                Section 4.3
    Company Employees                                                        Section 5.4(b)
    Company Employee Plans                                                   Section 4.9
    Company Meeting                                                          Section 5.15(a)
    Company Option Plans                                                     Section 2.2
    Company Reports                                                          Section 4.7
    Company Subsidiaries                                                     Section 4.4
    Code                                                                     Introduction
    Consents                                                                 Section 7.1(c)
    Constituent Corporations                                                 Section 1.2
    Control                                                                  Section 8.6(ii)
    Conversation Ratio                                                       Section 2.1(a)
    Certificate of Merger                                                    Section 1.2
    DGCL                                                                     Section 1.1
    DPC Common Shares                                                        Section 2.1(a)
    Effective Time                                                           Section 1.2
    Environmental Law                                                        Section 3.21
    ERISA                                                                    Section 3.9
    Exchange Act                                                             Section 3.5
    Exchange Agent                                                           Section 2.3(a)
    FDIA Section 3.14
    Fed Approval Date                                                        Section 8.6(iii)
    Final Index Price                                                        Section 8.1(c)
    Final Price                                                              Section 8.1(e)
    FRB                                                                      Section 3.6
    Governmental Entity                                                      Section 3.6
</TABLE>
 
                                        i
<PAGE>   35
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 DEFINITIONS                                     SECTIONS
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------   -----------------
    <S>                                                                      <C>
    Hazardous Substance                                                      Section 3.21
    HSR Act                                                                  Section 3.6
    IC                                                                       Section 1.1
    Indemnitees                                                              Section 5.8
    Index Group                                                              Section 8.1(e)
    Initial Indies Price                                                     Section 8.1(e)
    IRS                                                                      Section 3.9
    Loan Portfolio Properties and Other Properties Owned                     Section 3.21
    Market Price                                                             Section 2.3(g)
    Material Adverse Effect                                                  Section 3.1
    Merger                                                                   Section 1.1
    Common Merger Consideration                                              Section 2.1(a)
    National City                                                            Introduction
    National City Common Stock                                               Section 2.1(a)
    National City Contracts                                                  Section 3.10
    National City Disclosure Letter                                          Section 1.4
    National City Employee Plans                                             Section 3.9
    National City Meeting                                                    Section 5.15(b)
    National City Preferred Stock                                            Section 3.3
    National City Reports                                                    Section 3.7
    Option Agreement                                                         Introduction
    OTS                                                                      Section 3.6
    PBGC                                                                     Section 3.9
    PCBs                                                                     Section 3.21
    Person                                                                   Section 8.6(vi)
    Plan of Merger                                                           Section 1.2
    Proxy Statement                                                          Section 3.5
    Registration Statement                                                   Section 3.5
    SBIA                                                                     Section 3.6
    Securities Act                                                           Section 3.5
    Significant Subsidiaries                                                 Section 3.4
    State Entities                                                           Section 3.6
    Subsidiary                                                               Section 8.6(i)
    Surviving Corporation                                                    Section 1.3
    Trust Account Common Shares                                              Section 2.1(a)
    Unexercised Options                                                      Section 2.2
</TABLE>
 
                                       ii

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1
 
                          CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
                            ------------------------
 
  National City Corporation (the "Corporation"), a corporation organized and
existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
 
    FIRST, that a meeting of the Directors of the Corporation was duly called
  and held on February 24, 1997, at which meeting of Directors a quorum was
  present and at such meeting the Directors, acting pursuant to Section 242 of
  the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted resolutions
  setting forth a proposed Amendment to the first paragraph of Article Fourth of
  the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, declaring its
  advisability, and directing that such proposed Amendment be considered at the
  annual meeting of stockholders to be held on April 14, 1997.
 
    SECOND, that a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation was duly
  called and held on April 14, 1997, upon notice in accordance with Section 222
  of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, at which meeting of
  stockholders a quorum was present, and at such meeting the stockholders,
  acting pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
  Delaware, duly adopted an Amendment to the first paragraph of the Article
  Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, so that the first
  paragraph of Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
  the Corporation reads in its entirely as follows:
 
        "FOURTH: The Corporation is authorized to issue a total of seven
      hundred five million (705,000,000) shares of all classes of stock. Of
      such total number of authorized shares of stock, seven hundred million
      (700,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value $4.00 per share, and
      five million (5,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock without par value."
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, David A, Daberko, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
the Corporation, acting for and on its behalf, have hereunto subscribed his name
on November 4, 1997.
 
                                             National City Corporation
 
                                             By: /s/ DAVID A. DABERKO
                                             -----------------------------------
                                               David A. Daberko, Chairman and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer
STATE OF OHIO      )   SS
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA )
 
BEFORE ME, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared
David A. Daberko, in his capacity as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
above-named corporation, National City Corporation, who acknowledged that he did
sign the foregoing for and on behalf of that corporation, by authority of its
board of directors, that the same is the act and deed of that corporation and is
the act and deed of himself personally and as such officer, and that the facts
stated therein are true.
 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I set my hand and official seal, this 4th day of November,
1997.
 
                                                    /s/ DAVID PAUL LEWIS
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                        Notary Public
                                               David Paul Lewis, Atty. At Law
                                               NOTARY PUBLIC -- STATE OF OHIO
                                               My Commission Has No Expiration
                                                            Date
                                                      SEC. 147.03 R.C.

<PAGE>   2
 
                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
                            ------------------------
 
  NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"Corporation"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
 
       FIRST, that a meeting of the Directors of the Corporation was duly called
     and held on February 22, 1993, at which meeting of Directors a quorum was
     present, and at such meeting the Directors, acting pursuant to Section 242
     of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted
     resolutions setting forth a proposed Amendment to the first paragraph of
     Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
     Corporation, declaring its advisability, and directing that such proposed
     Amendment be considered at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on
     April 26, 1993.
 
       SECOND, that thereafter a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation
     was duly called and held on April 26, 1993, upon notice in accordance with
     Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, at
     which meeting of stockholders a quorum was present, and at such meeting the
     stockholders, acting pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law
     of the State of Delaware, duly adopted an Amendment to the first paragraph
     of Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, so that the
     first paragraph of Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of
     Incorporation of the Corporation reads in its entirety as follows:
 
        "FOURTH. The Corporation is authorized to issue a total of three
      hundred fifty-five million (355,000,000) shares of all classes of stock.
      Of such total number of authorized shares of stock, three hundred fifty
      million (350,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value $4.00 per
      share, and five million (5,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock without
      par value."
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, William R. Robertson, Deputy Chairman of the Corporation,
and David L. Zoeller, Secretary of the Corporation, acting for and on its
behalf, have hereunto subscribed their names and caused the seal of the
Corporation to be affixed hereto on May 10, 1993.
 
                                             NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
 
                                             By: /s/ WILLIAM R. ROBERTSON
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                 William R. Robertson
                                                 Deputy Chairman
 
[Seal]
 
                                             Attest: /s/ DAVID L. ZOELLER
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     David L. Zoeller
                                                     Secretary
<PAGE>   3
 
                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
                            ------------------------
 
  NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"Corporation"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
 
       FIRST: That a meeting of the Directors of the Corporation was duly called
     and held on February 23, 1987, at which meeting of Directors a quorum was
     present, and at such meeting the Directors, acting pursuant to Section 242
     of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted
     resolutions setting forth a proposed Amendment to the first paragraph of
     Article Fourth, and the addition of a new Article Seventh, of the Restated
     Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation dated March 12, 1973,
     declaring the advisability of such proposed Amendments, and directing that
     such proposed Amendments be considered at the annual meeting of
     stockholders to be held on April 27, 1987.
 
       SECOND: That thereafter a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation
     was duly called and held on April 27, 1987, upon notice in accordance with
     Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, at
     which meeting of stockholders a quorum was present, and at such meeting the
     stockholders, acting pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law
     of the State of Delaware, duly adopted an Amendment to the first paragraph
     of Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated March
     12, 1973, so that the first paragraph of Article Fourth of the Restated
     Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation dated March 12, 1973 reads
     in its entirety as follows:
 
        "FOURTH. The Corporation is authorized to issue a total of one hundred
      fifty-five million (155,000,000) shares of all classes of stock. Of such
      total number of authorized shares of stock, one hundred fifty million
      (150,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value $4.00 per share, and
      five million (5,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock without par value."
 
       THIRD: That at the same meeting the stockholders, acting pursuant to
     Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, duly
     adopted a new Article Seventh to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
     of the Corporation dated March 12, 1973, which new Article reads in its
     entirety as follows:
 
        "SEVENTH: No director or former director of this Corporation shall be
      personally liable to this Corporation or its stockholders for monetary
      damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that this
      provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i)
      for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or
      its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
      involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii)
      under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which deals
      with the paying of a dividend or the approving of a stock repurchase or
      redemption which is illegal under Delaware General Corporation Law, or
      (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
      personal benefit."
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, William R. Robertson, Vice Chairman of the Corporation,
and Theodore W. Jones, Secretary of the Corporation, acting for and on its
behalf, have hereunto subscribed their names and caused the seal of the
Corporation to be affixed hereto on May 7, 1987.
 
                                             NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
 
                                             By: /s/ WILLIAM R. ROBERTSON
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                 William R. Robertson
                                                 Vice Chairman
 
[Seal]
 
                                             Attest: /s/ THEODORE W. JONES
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     Theodore W. Jones
                                                     Secretary
<PAGE>   4
 
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
                                       OF
 
                           NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
 
                            ------------------------
 
  The present name of the Corporation is National City Corporation. The original
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of
State of Delaware on August 17, 1972. The within Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors and
stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Sections
245 and 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
 
  FIRST. The name of the Corporation is National City Corporation.
 
  SECOND. The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is No.
100 West Tenth Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name
of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
 
  THIRD. The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is
to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
 
  FOURTH. The Corporation is authorized to issue a total of fifty-five million
(55,000,000) shares of all classes of stock. Of such total number of authorized
shares of stock, fifty million (50,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value
$4.00 per share, and five million (5,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock without
par value.
 
  Each of the shares of Common Stock, par value $8.00 per share, of the
Corporation hereto authorized and now outstanding hereby is changed and
converted into one share of Common Stock, par value $4.00 per share. The stated
capital of the Corporation shall be the same immediately after such change and
conversion as it was immediately prior thereto.
 
  A statement of the designations of the authorized classes of stock or of any
series thereof, and the powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, or of the authority of the Board of Directors to fix by
resolution or resolutions such designations and other terms, is as follows:
 
     A. Preferred Stock:
 
  Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more
series.
 
  The Board of Directors is hereby authorized, within the limitations and
restrictions stated in this Article Fourth, to fix by resolution or resolutions
the designation of each series of Preferred Stock and the powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, such provisions as may be desired concerning
voting, provided, however, that [in no event shall any holder of any series of
Preferred Stock be entitled to more than one vote for each share of such
Preferred Stock held by him, redemption, dividends, dissolution or the
distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and such other subjects or
matters as may be fixed by resolution or resolutions or exchange, and such other
subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution or resolutions of the Board of
Directors under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.]
 
     B. Common Stock:
 
  Subject to all of the preferences and rights of the Preferred Stock or a
series thereof that may be fixed by a resolution or resolutions of the Board of
Directors, (i) dividends may be paid on the Common Stock as and when declared by
the Board of Directors, out of any funds of the Corporation legally available
for the payment of such dividends, and (ii) each share of Common Stock will be
entitled to one vote on all matters.
 
  FIFTH. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by
statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal
the By-laws of the Corporation.
 
  SIXTH. The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal
any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner now
or hereafter prescribed by law, and all rights and powers conferred herein on
stockholders, directors and officers are subject to this reserved power.
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our respective hands this 7th day of
May, 1984.
 
                                             NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
                                             By: /s/ JULIEN L. MCCALL
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                 Julien L. McCall
                                                 Chairman of the Board
 
                                             Attest: /s/ DAVID W. HART
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     David W. Hart, Secretary
<PAGE>   5
 
                           CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
 
                                       OF
 
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
                                       OF
 
                           NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
 
                            ------------------------
 
  NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
'Corporation'), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY, pursuant to Section 103(f) of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware:
 
       FIRST: That on May 21, 1984, an officer of the Corporation filed with the
     Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on behalf of the Corporation a
     Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 7, 1984, the purpose of
     which was to effect an Amendment to the Restated Certificate of
     Incorporation of the Corporation dated March 12, 1973, which Amendment had
     been duly proposed by the Directors of the Corporation and duly adopted by
     the stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to Section 242 of the General
     Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
 
       SECOND: That the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 7, 1984
     and filed on May 21, 1984 is an inaccurate record of the corporate action
     referred to therein to the extent that it states that it was duly adopted
     in such form by the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Corporation
     in accordance with provisions of Delaware law, when in fact the Board of
     Directors and stockholders of the Corporation had, respectively, duly
     proposed and adopted an Amendment to the Restated Certificate of
     Incorporation dated March 12, 1973. The Board of Directors and stockholders
     of the Corporation did not adopt in such form nor authorize the filing of
     the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 7, 1984. The
     Corporation was authorized to file a Certificate of Amendment of the
     Restated Certificate of Incorporation, setting forth the Amendment and
     certifying that it had been duly adopted. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a
     Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated
     March 12, 1973, which is the corrected form of the instrument that was
     filed on May 21, 1984.
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, William R. Robertson, Executive Vice-President of the
Corporation, and David W. Hart, Secretary of the Corporation, acting for and on
its behalf, have hereunto subscribed their names and caused the seal of the
Corporation to be affixed hereunto on July 17, 1984.
 
                                             NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
                                             By: /s/ WILLIAM R. ROBERTSON
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                 William R. Robertson
                                                 Executive Vice-President
 
                                             Attest: /s/ DAVID W. HART
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     David W. Hart, Secretary
[Seal]
<PAGE>   6
 
                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
 
                                       OF
 
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
                            ------------------------
 
  NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"Corporation"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
 
       FIRST: That a meeting of the Directors of the Corporation was duly called
     and held on February 27, 1984, at which meeting of Directors a quorum was
     present, and at such meeting the Directors, acting pursuant to Section 242
     of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted
     resolutions setting forth a proposed Amendment to the first paragraph of
     Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
     Corporation dated March 12, 1973, declaring its advisability, and directing
     that such proposed Amendment be considered at the annual meeting of
     stockholders to be held on April 23, 1984.
 
       SECOND: That thereafter a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation
     was duly called and held on April 23, 1984, upon notice in accordance with
     Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, at
     which meeting of stockholders a quorum was present, and at such meeting the
     stockholders, acting pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law
     of the State of Delaware, duly adopted an Amendment to the first paragraph
     of Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated March
     12, 1973, so that the first paragraph of Article Fourth of the Restated
     Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation dated March 12, 1973 reads
     in its entirety as follows:
 
      "FOURTH. The Corporation is authorized to issue a total of fifty-five
      million (55,000,000) shares of all classes of stock. Of such total
      number of authorized shares of stock, fifty million (50,000,000) shares
      are Common Stock, par value $4.00 per share, and five million
      (5,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock without par value."
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, William R. Robertson, Executive Vice-President of the
Corporation, and David W. Hart, Secretary of the Corporation, acting for and on
its behalf, have hereunto subscribed their names and caused the seal of the
Corporation to be affixed hereto on May 7, 1984.
 
                                             NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
                                             By: /s/ WILLIAM R. ROBERTSON
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                 William R. Robertson,
                                                 Executive Vice-President
 
                                             Attest: /s/ DAVID W. HART
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     David W. Hart, Secretary
[SEAL]
<PAGE>   7
 
                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
 
                                       OF
 
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
                            ------------------------
 
  NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
'Corporation'), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
 
       FIRST: That a meeting of the Directors of the Corporation was duly called
     and held on February 23, 1987, at which meeting of Directors a quorum was
     present, and at such meeting the Directors, acting pursuant to Section 242
     of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted
     resolutions setting forth a proposed Amendment to the first paragraph of
     Article Fourth, and the addition of a new Article Seventh, of the Restated
     Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation dated March 12, 1973,
     declaring the advisability of such proposed Amendments, and directing that
     such proposed Amendments be considered at the annual meeting of
     stockholders to be held on April 27, 1987.
 
       SECOND: That thereafter a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation
     was duly called and held on April 27, 1987, upon notice in accordance with
     Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, at
     which meeting of stockholders a quorum was present, and at such meeting the
     stockholders, acting pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law
     of the State of Delaware, duly adopted an Amendment to the first paragraph
     of Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated March
     12, 1973, so that the first paragraph of Article Fourth of the Restated
     Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation dated March 12, 1973 reads
     in its entirety as follows:
 
        "FOURTH. The Corporation is authorized to issue a total of one hundred
      fifty-five million (155,000,000) shares of all classes of stock. Of such
      total number of authorized shares of stock, one hundred fifty million
      (150,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value $4.00 per share, and five
      million (5,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock without par value."
 
       THIRD: That at the same meeting the stockholders, acting pursuant to
     Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, duly
     adopted a new Article Seventh to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
     of the Corporation dated March 12, 1973, which new Article reads in its
     entirety as follows:
 
        "SEVENTH: No director or former director of this Corporation shall be
      personally liable to this Corporation or its stockholders for monetary
      damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that this
      provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for
      any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
      stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
      involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii)
      under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which deals
      with the paying of a dividend or the approving of a stock repurchase or
      redemption which is illegal under Delaware General Corporation Law, or
      (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
      personal benefit."
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, William R. Robertson, Vice Chairman of the Corporation,
and Theodore W. Jones, Secretary of the Corporation, acting for and on its
behalf, have hereunto subscribed their names and caused the seal of the
Corporation to be affixed hereto on May 7, 1987.
 
                                             NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
                                             By: /s/ WILLIAM R. ROBERTSON
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                 William R. Robertson
                                                 Vice Chairman
 
                                             Attest: /s/ THEODORE W. JONES
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     Theodore W. Jones,
                                                     Secretary
<PAGE>   8
 
                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
 
                                       OF
 
                     RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
                            ------------------------
 
  NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
'Corporation'), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
 
       FIRST, That a meeting of the Directors of the Corporation was duly called
     and held on February 22, 1993, at which meeting of Directors a quorum was
     present, and at such meeting the Directors, acting pursuant to Section 242
     of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted
     resolutions setting forth a proposed Amendment to the first paragraph of
     Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
     Corporation, declaring its advisability, and directing that such proposed
     Amendment be considered at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on
     April 26, 1993.
 
       SECOND, THAT thereafter a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation
     was duly called and held on April 26, 1993, upon notice in accordance with
     Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, at
     which meeting of stockholders a quorum was present, and at such meeting the
     stockholders, acting pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law
     of the State of Delaware, duly adopted an Amendment to the first paragraph
     of Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, so that the
     first paragraph of Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of
     Incorporation of the Corporation reads in its entirety as follows:
 
        'FOURTH. The Corporation is authorized to issue a total of three hundred
      fifty-five million (355,000,000) shares of all classes of stock. Of such
      total number of authorized shares of stock, three hundred fifty million
      (350,000,000) shares are Common Stock, par value $4.00 per share, and five
      million (5,000,000) shares are Preferred Stock without par value.'
 
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, William R. Robertson, Deputy Chairman of the Corporation,
and David L. Zoeller, Secretary of the Corporation, acting for and on its
behalf, have hereunto subscribed their names and caused the seal of the
Corporation to be affixed hereto on May 10, 1993.
 
                                             NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
                                             By: /s/ WILLIAM R. ROBERTSON
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                 William R. Robertson
                                                 Vice Chairman
 
                                             Attest: /s/ DAVID L. ZOELLER
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     David L. Zoeller, Secretary

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 21.1
 
                                  SUBSIDIARIES
 
  The following table sets forth all of National City Corporation's direct or
indirect subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    STATE OR JURISDICTION
                                                                 % OF VOTING          UNDER THE LAW OF
                                                               SECURITIES OWNED        WHICH ORGANIZED
                                                               ----------------     ---------------------
<S>                                                            <C>                  <C>
SUBSIDIARIES OF NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION:
Advent Guaranty Corporation..................................         100%          Vermont
Advent Life Insurance Company................................         100%          Arizona
Buckeye Service Corp.........................................         100%          Ohio
Circle Equity Leasing Corporation of Michigan................         100%          Michigan
Commercial Servicing, Inc....................................         100%          Indiana
Computer Bank Services, Inc..................................         100%          Kentucky
Gem America Realty and Investment Corporation................         100%          Ohio
Harva, Inc. (Inactive).......................................         100%          Delaware
Integra Holdings Limited (Inactive)..........................         100%          Delaware
Integra Investment Company (Inactive)........................         100%          Delaware
The Madison Bank and Trust Company...........................         100%          Indiana
Merchants Capital Management, Inc............................         100%          Indiana
NatCity Investments, Inc.....................................         100%          Indiana
National Asset Management Corporation........................         100%          Kentucky
National City Bank...........................................         100%          United States
National City Bank of Columbus...............................         100%          United States
National City Bank of Dayton.................................         100%          United States
National City Bank of Indiana................................         100%          United States
National City Bank of Kentucky...............................         100%          United States
National City Bank of Pennsylvania...........................         100%          United States
National City Bank of Southern Indiana.......................         100%          United States
National City Capital Corporation............................         100%          Delaware
National City Commercial Leasing, Inc........................         100%          Ohio
National City Community Development Corporation..............         100%          Ohio
National City Credit Corporation.............................         100%          Ohio
National City Financial Corporation..........................         100%          Ohio
National City Life Insurance Company.........................         100%          Arizona
National City Mortgage Co....................................         100%          Ohio
National Processing, Inc.....................................        87.7%          Ohio
National City Trust Company..................................         100%          United States
National City Venture Corporation............................         100%          Delaware
NC Acquisition, Inc. (Inactive)..............................         100%          Delaware
Second Premises Corporation..................................         100%          Kentucky
Stored Value Systems, Inc....................................          83%          Delaware
UBK Realty, Inc..............................................         100%          Kentucky
Western Reserve Company......................................         100%          Pennsylvania
SUBSIDIARIES OF NATIONAL CITY BANK:
AKREO Service Corp...........................................         100%          Ohio
Capstone Realty, Inc.........................................         100%          Ohio
National City Commercial Finance, Inc........................         100%          Ohio
National City Holdings, Inc. (Inactive)......................         100%          Ohio
National City Investments Corporation........................         100%          Kentucky
Ohio National Corporation Trade Services.....................         100%          Ohio
SUBSIDIARIES OF NATIONAL CITY HOLDINGS, INC.:
National City Insurance Agency of Ohio, Inc. (Inactive)......         100%          Ohio
National City Life Insurance Agency of Ohio, Inc.
  (Inactive).................................................           0(1)        Ohio
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>                  <C>
(1) National City Holdings, Inc. owns only 100% of non-voting securities.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    STATE OR JURISDICTION
                                                                 % OF VOTING          UNDER THE LAW OF
                                                               SECURITIES OWNED        WHICH ORGANIZED
                                                               ----------------     ---------------------
<S>                                                            <C>                  <C>
SUBSIDIARY OF NATIONAL CITY INVESTMENTS CORPORATION:
National City Commodity Corp.................................         100%          Indiana
SUBSIDIARY OF OHIO NATIONAL CORPORATION TRADE SERVICES:
National City Trade Services Limited.........................          99(2)        Hong Kong
SUBSIDIARIES OF NATIONAL CITY BANK OF COLUMBUS:
The Loan Zone, Inc. (Inactive)...............................         100%          Ohio
Scott Street Properties, Inc.................................         100%          Ohio
SUBSIDIARIES OF NATIONAL CITY BANK OF KENTUCKY:
Churchill Insurance Agency, Inc..............................         100%          Kentucky
First National Broadway Corp.................................         100%          Kentucky
FNB Service Corporation......................................         100%          Kentucky
National Capital Properties, Inc.............................         100%          Kentucky
National City Insurance Agency of Kentucky, Inc.
  (Inactive).................................................         100%          Kentucky
National City Leasing Corporation............................         100%          Kentucky
SUBSIDIARY OF NATIONAL PROCESSING, INC.:
National Processing Company..................................         100%          Kentucky
SUBSIDIARIES OF NATIONAL PROCESSING COMPANY:
B. & L. Consultants, Inc.....................................         100%          Massachusetts
Caribbean Data Services, Ltd.................................         100%          Delaware
FA Holdings, Inc.............................................         100%          Delaware
NPC Check Services, Inc......................................         100%          Delaware
NPC Internacional, S.A. de C.V...............................        99.6%          Mexico
NPC Services, Inc............................................         100%          Arizona
NTA, Inc.....................................................         100%          Washington
SUBSIDIARY OF FA HOLDINGS, INC.:
Financial Alliance Processing Services, Inc..................         100%          Delaware
SUBSIDIARY OF NTA, INC.:
Northwest Traffic Associates, Inc............................         100%          Washington
SUBSIDIARY OF GEM AMERICA REALTY & INVESTMENT CORPORATION:
Gem Financial Insurance Agency, Inc. (Inactive)..............         100%          Ohio
SUBSIDIARY OF NATIONAL CITY MORTGAGE CO.:
Muirfield Mortgage Limited Partnership (Partnership).........          51%          Texas
SUBSIDIARIES OF NATIONAL CITY BANK OF INDIANA:
Ash Realty Company, Inc......................................         100%          Indiana
Bank Service Corporation of Indiana..........................      33 1/3%          Indiana
M.N.B. Trustee Company (UK) Limited..........................          50(3)        United Kingdom
NCBI Holdings, Inc...........................................         100%          Indiana
National City Indiana, LLC...................................          99(4)        Indiana
National City Insurance Agency of Indiana, Inc. (Inactive)...         100%          Indiana
SUBSIDIARY OF THE MADISON BANK AND TRUST COMPANY:
National City Insurance Agency, Inc..........................         100%          Indiana
SUBSIDIARIES OF NATIONAL CITY BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA:
Altegra Credit Company.......................................         100%          Delaware
Integra Brokerage Services Company (Inactive)................         100%          Pennsylvania
Integra Business Credit Company..............................         100%          Pennsylvania
Liberty Business Credit Corporation (Inactive)...............         100%          Pennsylvania
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>                  <C>
(2) Additional 1% owned by National City Bank.
(3) Additional 50% owned by National City Bank.
(4) Additional 1% owned by NCBI Holdings, Inc.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    STATE OR JURISDICTION
                                                                 % OF VOTING          UNDER THE LAW OF
                                                               SECURITIES OWNED        WHICH ORGANIZED
                                                               ----------------     ---------------------
<S>                                                            <C>                  <C>
National City Insurance Agency of Pennsylvania, Inc.
  (Inactive).................................................         100%          Pennsylvania
Nottingham Corporation (Inactive)............................         100%          Pennsylvania
Western Properties, Inc......................................         100%          Pennsylvania
SUBSIDIARY OF ALTEGRA CREDIT COMPANY:
New England AFC, Inc. (Inactive).............................         100%          Massachusetts
SUBSIDIARY OF NOTTINGHAM CORPORATION:
EQK Realty Holdings, Inc.....................................         100%          Pennsylvania
LBCC Properties, Inc.........................................         100%          Delaware
LSB Properties, Inc..........................................         100%          Delaware
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
33-39479 on Form S-3, Registration Statement No. 33-39480 on Form S-3,
Registration Statement No. 33-44209 on Form S-3, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1
(on Form S-8) to Registration Statement No. 33-20267 on Form S-4, Registration
Statement No. 33-52271 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-45363 on Form
S-8, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 (on Form S-8) to Registration Statement No.
33-45980 on Form S-4, Post Effective Amendment No. 1 (on Form S-8) to
Registration Statement No. 33-56539, Registration Statement No. 33-58115 on Form
S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-55487 on Form S-8 and Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 (on Form S-8) to Registration Statement No. 333-01697 of our
report dated January 21, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of National City Corporation included in this Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
Cleveland, Ohio
January 27, 1998

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1
 
                           DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF
                           NATIONAL CITY CORPORATION
 
                      REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM 10-K
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
  The undersigned Directors and Officers of National City Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), which anticipate filing a Form 10-K
annual report pursuant to Section 12(g) Securities and Exchange Commission Act
of 1934 for the Corporation's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission hereby constitute and appoint David L.
Zoeller, Carlton E. Langer and Thomas A. Richlovsky, and each of them, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, as attorneys or attorney to sign for
us and in our names, in the capacities indicated below, said Form 10-K, and any
and all amendments and exhibits thereto, or other documents to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pertaining thereto, with full power and
authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever required and
necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as we
could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said
attorneys, and any of them, and any such substitute.
 
  EXECUTED this 22nd day of December, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                         <C>
    /s/ SANDRA H. AUSTIN                        Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Sandra H. Austin
 
    /s/ CHARLES H. BOWMAN                       Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Charles H. Bowman
 
    /s/ EDWARD B. BRANDON                       Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Edward B. Brandon
 
    /s/ JOHN G. BREEN                           Director
    ----------------------------------------
    John G. Breen
 
    /s/ JAMES S. BROADHURST                     Director
    ----------------------------------------
    James S. Broadhurst
 
    /s/ DUANE E. COLLINS                        Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Duane E. Collins
 
    /s/ DAVID A. DABERKO                        Chairman of the Board and Chief
    ----------------------------------------    Executive Officer (Principal Executive
    David A. Daberko                            Officer)
 
    /s/ DANIEL E. EVANS                         Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Daniel E. Evans
 
    /s/ OTTO N. FRENZEL III                     Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Otto N. Frenzel III
 
    /s/ BERNADINE P. HEALY, M.D.                Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Bernadine P. Healy, M.D.
 
    /s/ JOSEPH H. LEMIEUX                       Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Joseph H. Lemieux
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                         <C>
    /s/ W. BRUCE LUNSFORD                       Director
    ----------------------------------------
    W. Bruce Lunsford
 
    /s/ ROBERT A. PAUL                          Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Robert A. Paul
 
    /s/ WILLIAM R. ROBERTSON                    Director
    ----------------------------------------
    William R. Robertson
 
    /s/ WILLIAM F. ROEMER                       Director
    ----------------------------------------
    William F. Roemer
 
    /s/ MICHAEL A. SCHULER                      Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Michael A. Schuler
 
    /s/ STEPHEN A. STITLE                       Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Stephen A. Stitle
 
    /s/ MORRY WEISS                             Director
    ----------------------------------------
    Morry Weiss
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       2,967,181
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                          48,914
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               535,576
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                15,060
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  8,865,063
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                         8,865,063
<LOANS>                                     39,573,125
<ALLOWANCE>                                    698,405
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              54,683,521
<DEPOSITS>                                  36,861,136
<SHORT-TERM>                                 7,521,388
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                          1,209,299
<LONG-TERM>                                  4,810,417
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                       844,391
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,436,960
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              54,683,521
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              3,204,969
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              543,948
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                27,223
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             3,776,140
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                           1,252,467
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,833,312
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                        1,942,828
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  139,660
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              83,514
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              2,010,577
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,168,527
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     807,433
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   807,433
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.66
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.25
<LOANS-NON>                                    145,000
<LOANS-PAST>                                   110,900
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               705,893
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  225,703
<RECOVERIES>                                    86,688
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              698,405
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           414,476
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                158
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                        283,771
        

</TABLE>


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