<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 1998.
REGISTRATION NO. 333-56611
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------------
POST-EFFECTIVE
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
CONSECO, INC. INDIANA 35-1468632
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST V DELAWARE 35-6653357
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VI DELAWARE 35-6653358
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VII DELAWARE 35-6653359
(Exact name of the Registrants (State or other (I.R.S. Employer
as specified in their respective charters) jurisdiction Identification No.)
of incorporation or
organization)
</TABLE>
11825 N. Pennsylvania St.
Carmel, Indiana 46032
(317) 817-6100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of each Registrant's principal executive offices)
---------------------
John J. Sabl, Esq.
Executive Vice President
and General Counsel
Conseco, Inc.
11825 N. Pennsylvania St.
Carmel, Indiana 46032
(317) 817-6163
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service for each Registrant)
---------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the Registration Statement becomes effective, as determined by
market conditions.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
(Continued on next page)
================================================================================
<PAGE>
---------------------
THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, the Prospectus
contained herein constitutes a combined Prospectus that also relates to
$450,000,000 unsold principal amount of the securities previously
registered pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
333-27803).
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
$2,000,000,000
CONSECO, INC.
DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES, COMMON STOCK, STOCK
PURCHASE CONTRACTS, STOCK PURCHASE UNITS AND WARRANTS
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST V
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VI
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VII
PREFERRED SECURITIES FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
BY CONSECO, INC.
------------------------
Conseco, Inc., an Indiana corporation ("Conseco" or the "Company"), may
offer and sell from time to time, in one or more series, (i) its debt
securities, consisting of debentures, notes and/or other evidences of
indebtedness representing unsecured obligations of Conseco (the "Debt
Securities"), (ii) shares of its preferred stock, no par value per share
("Preferred Stock"), which may be represented by depositary shares (the
"Depositary Shares") as described herein, (iii) shares of its common stock, no
par value per share ("Common Stock"), (iv) Stock Purchase Contracts ("Stock
Purchase Contracts") to purchase shares of Common Stock, (v) Stock Purchase
Units, each representing ownership of a Stock Purchase Contract and Preferred
Securities (as defined herein) or debt obligations of third parties, including
U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder's obligation to purchase Common
Stock under the Stock Purchase Contracts ("Stock Purchase Units") and (vi)
warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other
securities or rights ("Warrants").
Conseco Financing Trust V, Conseco Financing Trust VI and Conseco Financing
Trust VII (each, a "Conseco Trust"), statutory business trusts formed under the
laws of the State of Delaware, may offer, from time to time, preferred
securities, representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets
of the respective Conseco Trusts ("Preferred Securities"). The payment of
periodic cash distributions ("Distributions") with respect to Preferred
Securities out of moneys held by each of the Conseco Trusts, and payments on
liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to such Preferred Securities,
will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent described herein (each, a "Trust
Guarantee"). See "Description of Preferred Securities" and "Description of Trust
Guarantees." The Company's obligations under the Trust Guarantees will rank
junior and subordinate in right of payment to all other liabilities of the
Company and pari passu with its obligations under the most senior preferred or
preference stock of the Company. See "Description of Trust Guarantees -- Status
of the Trust Guarantees." Subordinated Debt Securities (as defined herein) may
be issued and sold by the Company in one or more series to a Conseco Trust or a
trustee of such Conseco Trust in connection with the investment of the proceeds
from the offering of Preferred Securities and Common Securities (as defined
herein) of such Conseco Trust. The Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by a
Conseco Trust may be subsequently distributed pro rata to holders of Preferred
Securities and Common Securities in connection with the dissolution of such
Conseco Trust. The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common
Stock, Stock Purchase Contracts, Stock Purchase Units, Warrants and Preferred
Securities are herein collectively referred to as the "Securities."
Certain specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in an accompanying
supplement to this Prospectus (the "Prospectus Supplement"), which will
describe, without limitation and where applicable, the following: (i) in the
case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount,
ranking as senior or subordinated Debt Securities, denomination, maturity,
premium, if any, interest rate (which may be fixed or variable), time and method
of calculating interest, if any, place or places where principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities
<PAGE>
will be payable, the currencies or currency units in which principal of,
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable,
any terms of redemption or conversion, any sinking fund provisions, the purchase
price, any listing on a securities exchange, any right of the Company to defer
payment of interest on the Debt Securities and the maximum length of such
deferral period and other special terms; (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock and
Depositary Shares, the specific designation, stated value and liquidation
preference per share and number of shares offered, the purchase price, dividend
rate (which may be fixed or variable), method of calculating payment of
dividends, place or places where dividends on such Preferred Stock will be
payable, any terms of redemption, dates on which dividends shall be payable and
dates from which dividends shall accrue, any listing on a securities exchange,
voting and other rights, including conversion or exchange rights, if any, and
other special terms, including whether interests in the Preferred Stock will be
represented by Depositary Shares and, if so, the fraction of a share of
Preferred Stock represented by each Depositary Share; (iii) in the case of
Common Stock, the number of shares offered, the initial offering price, market
price and dividend information; (iv) in the case of Stock Purchase Contracts,
the number of shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder, the purchase price of
the Common Stock, the date or dates on which the Common Stock is required to be
purchased by the holders of the Stock Purchase Contracts, any periodic payments
required to be made by the Company to the holders of the Stock Purchase
Contracts or vice versa, and the terms of the offering and sale thereof, (v) in
the case of Stock Purchase Units, the specific terms of the Stock Purchase
Contracts and any Preferred Securities or debt obligations of third parties
securing the holder's obligation to purchase the Common Stock under the Stock
Purchase Contracts, and the terms of the offering and sale thereof; (vi) in the
case of Warrants, the specific designation, the number, purchase price, exercise
price and other terms thereof, any listing of the Warrants or the underlying
Securities on a securities exchange or any other terms in connection with the
offering, sale and exercise of the Warrants, as well as the terms on which and
the Securities for which such Warrants may be exercised; and (vii) in the case
of Preferred Securities, the specific designation, number of securities,
liquidation amount per security, the purchase price, any listing on a securities
exchange, distribution rate (or method of calculation thereof), dates on which
distributions shall be payable and dates from which distributions shall accrue,
any voting rights, terms for any conversion or exchange into other securities,
any redemption, exchange or sinking fund provisions, any other rights,
preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions relating to the Preferred
Securities, the specific terms and provisions of the Guarantee and the terms
upon which the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities shall be used to
purchase a specific series of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company.
The offering price to the public of the Securities will be limited to U.S.
$2,000,000,000 in the aggregate (or its equivalent (based on the applicable
exchange rate at the time of issue), if Securities are offered for consideration
denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units as shall be
designated by the Company). The Debt Securities may be denominated in United
States dollars or, at the option of the Company if so specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, in one or more foreign currencies or currency
units. The Debt Securities may be issued in registered form or bearer form, or
both. If so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Securities of one
or more classes or series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one
or more temporary or permanent global securities.
The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading
symbol "CNC".
The Securities may be sold to or through underwriters, through dealers or
agents or directly to purchasers. See "Plan of Distribution." The names of any
underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Securities in
respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered and any applicable fee,
commission or discount arrangements with them will be set forth in a Prospectus
Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements
for dealers, underwriters and agents.
This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is June 22, 1998.
2
<PAGE>
State insurance holding company laws and regulations applicable to the
Company generally provide that no person may acquire control of the Company, and
thus indirect control of its insurance subsidiaries, unless such person has
provided certain required information to, and such acquisition is approved (or
not disapproved) by, the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities.
Generally, any person acquiring beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the
Common Stock would be presumed to have acquired such control, unless the
appropriate insurance regulatory authorities upon advance application determine
otherwise.
NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, ANY
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED OR DEEMED
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY
OR ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN
THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES, OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THOSE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES, IN ANY
JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE
ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN
THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by Conseco with the Commission can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the following regional offices of the Commission: New York Regional Office, 7
World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and Chicago Regional
Office, Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section
of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon
payment of the prescribed rates. In addition, the Commission maintains a Web
site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Company,
that file electronically with the Commission. Copies of such reports, proxy
statements and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the New
York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The Company and the Conseco Trusts have filed with the Commission a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities offered hereby. This
Prospectus, which constitutes part of the Registration Statement, does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits thereto, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the Commission. Statements contained herein or in any
Prospectus Supplement concerning the provisions of any document do not purport
to be complete and, in each instance, are qualified in all respects by reference
to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
or otherwise filed with the Commission. For further information with respect to
the Company, the Conseco Trusts and the Securities, reference is hereby made to
such Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto and the documents
incorporated herein by reference, which can be examined at the Commission's
principal office, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, or copies of
which can be obtained from the Commission at such office upon payment of the
fees prescribed by the Commission.
No separate financial statements of the Conseco Trusts have been included
or incorporated by reference herein. The Company does not consider that such
financial statements would be material to holders of the
3
<PAGE>
Preferred Securities because (i) all of the voting securities of the Conseco
Trusts will be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, a reporting
company under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Conseco Trusts have and will have no
independent operations but exist for the sole purpose of issuing securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in their assets and investing the
proceeds thereof in Subordinated Debt Securities issued by the Company, and
(iii) the Company's obligations described herein and in any accompanying
Prospectus Supplement, under the Declaration (as defined herein) (including the
obligation to pay expenses of the Conseco Trusts), the Subordinated Indenture
and any supplemental indentures thereto, the Subordinated Debt Securities issued
to the Conseco Trust and the Trust Guarantees taken together, constitute a full
and unconditional guarantee by the Company of payments due on the Preferred
Securities. See "Description of Preferred Securities of the Conseco Trusts" and
"Description of Trust Guarantees."
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents previously filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by this reference:
1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
including Part III thereof which is incorporated by reference from the Company's
proxy statement dated April 10, 1998 for its annual meeting of shareholders (the
"Company's Annual Report");
2. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998;
3. Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 4, 1998, April 6, 1998, June
3, 1998 and June 4, 1998; and
4. The description of the Common Stock in its Registration Statements filed
pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and any amendment or report filed
for the purpose of updating any such description.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the
termination of the offering made hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement and to be part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained herein, or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus or
any Prospectus Supplement. To the extent that any proxy statement is
incorporated by reference herein, such incorporation shall not include any
information contained in such proxy statement that is not, pursuant to the
Commission's rules, deemed to be "filed" with the Commission or subject to the
liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other than
exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into such documents). Any such request should be directed to James W.
Rosensteele, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Conseco, Inc.,
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032 (telephone number: (317)
817-2893).
4
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
The Company is a financial services holding company. The Company develops,
markets and administers supplemental health insurance, annuity, life insurance,
individual and group major medical insurance and other insurance products. Since
1982, the Company has acquired 19 insurance groups. The Company's operating
strategy is to grow the insurance business within its subsidiaries by focusing
its resources on the development and expansion of profitable products and strong
distribution channels. The Company has supplemented such growth by acquiring
companies that have profitable niche products and strong distribution systems.
Once an insurance company has been acquired, the Company's operating strategy
has been to consolidate and streamline management and administrative functions
where appropriate, to realize superior investment returns through active asset
management, to eliminate unprofitable products and distribution channels, and to
expand and develop the profitable distribution channels and products.
The Company was organized in 1979 as an Indiana corporation and commenced
operations in 1982. The Company's executive offices are located at 11825 N.
Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032. Its telephone number is (317)
817-6100.
THE CONSECO TRUSTS
Each of the Conseco Trusts is a statutory business trust formed under
Delaware law pursuant to (i) a declaration of trust (each a "Declaration")
executed by the Company as sponsor for such trust (the "Sponsor"), and the
Conseco Trustees (as defined herein) of such trust and (ii) the filing of a
certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May
23, 1997. Each Conseco Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing
and selling the Preferred Securities and common securities representing common
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Conseco Trust (the "Common
Securities" and, together with the Preferred Securities, the "Trust
Securities"), (ii) using the gross proceeds from the sale of the Trust
Securities to acquire the Subordinated Debt Securities and (iii) engaging in
only those other activities necessary, appropriate, convenient or incidental
thereto. All of the Common Securities will be directly or indirectly owned by
the Company. The Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be
made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities, except that, if an event
of default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, the rights of
the holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and
payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the
rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities. The Company will directly or
indirectly acquire Common Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to
at least 3% of the total capital of each Conseco Trust.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each
Conseco Trust has a term of up to 55 years but may terminate earlier, as
provided in the Declaration. Each Conseco Trust's business and affairs will be
conducted by the trustees (the "Conseco Trustees") appointed by the Company as
the direct or indirect holder of all of the Common Securities. The holder of the
Common Securities will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or
increase or reduce the number of, the Conseco Trustees of each Conseco Trust.
The duties and obligations of the Conseco Trustees shall be governed by the
Declaration of such Conseco Trust. A majority of the Conseco Trustees (the
"Regular Trustees") of each Conseco Trust will be persons who are employees or
officers of or who are affiliated with the Company. One Conseco Trustee of each
Conseco Trust will be a financial institution that is not affiliated with the
Company and has a minimum amount of combined capital and surplus of not less
than $50,000,000, which shall act as property trustee and as indenture trustee
for the purposes of compliance with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), pursuant to the terms set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Institutional Trustee"). In addition,
unless the Institutional Trustee maintains a principal place of business in the
State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, one
Conseco Trustee of each Conseco Trust will be an entity having a principal place
of business in, or a natural person resident of, the State of Delaware (the
"Delaware Trustee"). The Company will pay all fees and expenses related to the
Conseco Trust and the offering of the Trust Securities.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Institutional Trustee for each Conseco Trust shall be State Street Bank and
Trust Company. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Delaware Trustee for each Conseco Trust shall be First Union
Trust Company, National Association, and its address in the State of Delaware is
One Rodney Square, 920 King Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The principal
place of business of each Conseco Trust shall be c/o Conseco, Inc., 11825 N.
Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032; telephone (317) 817-6100.
5
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the
net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Securities offered
hereby are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. The proceeds from
the sale of Preferred Securities by the Conseco Trusts will be invested in the
Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company. Except as may otherwise be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Preferred Securities,
the Company expects to use the net proceeds from the sale of such Subordinated
Debt Securities to the Conseco Trusts for general corporate purposes. Any
specific allocation of the proceeds to a particular purpose that has been made
at the date of any Prospectus Supplement will be described therein.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES, EARNINGS TO FIXED
CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES, PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS ON COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARY TRUSTS
The following table sets forth the Company's ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends and earnings to
fixed charges, preferred stock dividends and distributions on Company-obligated
mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of subsidiary trusts for each of the
five years ended December 31, 1997 and for the three months ended March 31, 1997
and 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
------------------------------------- -------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:
As reported............................ 2.19X 2.26X 1.57X 1.61X 2.04X 1.96X 2.28X
Excluding interest on annuities and
financial product policyholder
account balances(1)(2).............. 8.85X 4.55X 3.80X 4.55X 7.21X 7.36X 6.26X
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred dividends:
As reported......................... 2.04X 1.95X 1.50X 1.50X 1.95X 1.74X 2.25X
Excluding interest on annuities and
financial product policyholder
account balances(1)(2)............ 6.00X 3.14X 3.06X 3.14X 5.77X 4.07X 5.93X
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
preferred dividends and distributions
on Company-obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred securities of
subsidiary trusts:
As reported......................... 2.04X 1.95X 1.50X 1.49X 1.82X 1.65X 2.01X
Excluding interest on annuities and
financial product policyholder
account balances(1)(2)............ 6.00X 3.14X 3.06X 3.06X 4.20X 3.28X 4.05X
- - ---------------
<FN>
(1) These ratios are included to assist the reader in analyzing the impact of
interest on annuities and financial products (which is not generally
required to be paid in cash in the period it is recognized). Such ratios are
not intended to, and do not, represent the following ratios prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"): the ratio
of earnings to fixed charges; the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred dividends; or the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, preferred
dividends and distributions on Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable
preferred securities of subsidiary trusts.
(2) Excludes interest credited to annuity and financial products of $408.5
million, $134.7 million, $585.4 million, $668.6 million and $806.7 million
for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively, and $173.7 million and $188.4 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The Debt Securities offered hereby, consisting of notes, debentures and
other evidences of indebtedness, are to be issued in one or more series
constituting either senior Debt Securities ("Senior Debt Securities") or
subordinated Debt Securities ("Subordinated Debt Securities"). Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be
issued pursuant to indentures described below (as applicable, the "Senior
Indenture" or the "Subordinated Indenture", each, an "Indenture" and, together,
the "Indentures"), in each case between the Company and the trustee identified
therein (the "Trustee"), the forms of which have been filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Except for the
subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture, for which there are no
counterparts in the Senior Indenture, the provisions of the Subordinated
Indenture are substantially identical in substance to the provisions of the
Senior Indenture that bear the same section numbers.
The statements herein relating to the Debt Securities and the following
summaries of certain general provisions of the Indentures do not purport to be
complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference
to, all the provisions of the Indentures (as they may be amended or supplemented
from time to time), including the definitions therein of certain terms
capitalized in this Prospectus. All article and section references appearing
herein are to articles and sections of the applicable Indenture and whenever
particular Sections or defined terms of the Indentures (as they may be amended
or supplemented from time to time) are referred to herein or in a Prospectus
Supplement, such Sections or defined terms are incorporated herein or therein by
reference.
GENERAL
The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company. The
Indentures do not limit the aggregate amount of Debt Securities which may be
issued thereunder, nor do they limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured
or unsecured debt of the Company. The Debt Securities issued under the Senior
Indenture will be unsecured and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured
and unsubordinated obligations of the Company. The Debt Securities issued under
the Subordinated Indenture will be subordinate and junior in right of payment,
to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, to all
Senior Indebtedness of the Company. See "-- Subordination under the Subordinated
Indenture."
Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus Supplement which will
accompany this Prospectus for a description of the specific series of Debt
Securities being offered thereby, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) the title, designation and purchase price, of such Debt Securities,
including whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated
Debt Securities and whether such Debt Securities will be issued under the Senior
Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture or other indenture set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement; (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of such
Debt Securities; (3) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if
any, on such Debt Securities will mature or the method of determining such date
or dates; (4) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which such
Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such
rate or rates; (5) the date or dates from which interest, if any, will accrue or
the method by which such date or dates will be determined; (6) the date or dates
on which interest, if any, will be payable and the record date or dates
therefor; (7) the place or places where principal of, premium, if any, and
interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable; (8) the right, if
any, of the Company to defer payment of interest on Debt Securities and the
maximum length of any such deferral period; (9) the period or periods within
which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including
currency unit or units) in which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such
Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company; (10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase such
Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon the
happening of a specified event and the period or periods within which, the price
or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which, such Debt
Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such
obligations; (11) the denominations in which such Debt Securities are authorized
to be issued; (12) the currency or currency unit for which Debt Securities may
be purchased or in which Debt Securities may be denominated and/or the currency
or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which principal of, premium,
if any, and interest, if
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any, on such Debt Securities will be payable and whether the Company or the
holders of any such Debt Securities may elect to receive payments in respect of
such Debt Securities in a currency or currency unit other than that in which
such Debt Securities are stated to be payable; (13) if other than the principal
amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of such Debt Securities
which will be payable upon declaration of the acceleration of the maturity
thereof or the method by which such portion shall be determined; (14) the person
to whom any interest on any such Debt Security shall be payable if other than
the person in whose name such Debt Security is registered on the applicable
record date; (15) any addition to, or modification or deletion of, any Event of
Default or any covenant of the Company specified in the Indenture with respect
to such Debt Securities; (16) the application, if any, of such means of
defeasance or covenant defeasance as may be specified for such Debt Securities;
(17) whether such Debt Securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more temporary or permanent global securities and, if so, the
identity of the depositary for such global security or securities; (18) any
Federal income tax considerations applicable to holders of the Debt Securities;
and (19) any other special terms pertaining to such Debt Securities. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities
will not be listed on any securities exchange. (Section 3.1.)
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt
Securities will be issued in fully-registered form without coupons. Where Debt
Securities of any series are issued in bearer form, the special restrictions and
considerations, including special offering restrictions and special Federal
income tax considerations, applicable to any such Debt Securities and to payment
on and transfer and exchange of such Debt Securities will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Bearer Debt Securities will be transferable by
delivery. (Section 3.5.)
Debt Securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated
principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of
issuance is below market rates. Certain Federal income tax consequences and
special considerations applicable to any such Debt Securities, or to Debt
Securities issued at par that are treated as having been issued at a discount,
will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
If the purchase price of any of the Debt Securities is payable in one or
more foreign currencies or currency units or if any Debt Securities are
denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Debt Securities is
payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, or by reference to
commodity prices, equity indices or other factors, the restrictions, elections,
certain Federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information
with respect to such issue of Debt Securities and such foreign currency or
currency units or commodity prices, equity indices or other factors will be set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In general, holders of such
series of Debt Securities may receive a principal amount on any principal
payment date, or a payment of premium, if any, on any premium interest payment
date or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than
or less than the amount of principal, premium, if any, or interest otherwise
payable on such dates, depending on the value on such dates of the applicable
currency, commodity, equity index or other factor.
PAYMENT, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments
in respect of the Debt Securities will be made in the designated currency at the
office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose as the Company may
designate from time to time, except that, at the option of the Company, interest
payments, if any, on Debt Securities in registered form may be made (i) by
checks mailed to the holders of Debt Securities entitled thereto at their
registered addresses or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the
person entitled thereto as specified in the Register. (Sections 3.7(a) and 9.2.)
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of
any installment of interest on Debt Securities in registered form will be made
to the person in whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of
business on the regular record date for such interest. (Section 3.7(a).)
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Payment in respect of Debt Securities in bearer form will be made in the
currency and in the manner designated in the Prospectus Supplement, subject to
any applicable laws and regulations, at such paying agencies outside the United
States as the Company may appoint from time to time. The paying agents outside
the United States initially appointed by the Company for a series of Debt
Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any
time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying
agents, except that, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Registered
Securities, the Company will be required to maintain at least one paying agent
in each Place of Payment for such series and, if Debt Securities of a series are
issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will be required to maintain a paying
agent in a Place of Payment outside the United States where Debt Securities of
such series and any coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and
surrendered for payment. (Section 9.2.)
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt
Securities in registered form will be transferable or exchangeable at the agency
of the Company maintained for such purpose as designated by the Company from
time to time. (Sections 3.5 and 9.2.) Debt Securities may be transferred or
exchanged without service charge, other than any tax or other governmental
charge imposed in connection therewith. (Section 3.5.)
GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one
or more fully registered global securities (a "Registered Global Security") that
will be deposited with a depository (the "Depository") or with a nominee for the
Depository identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In such a case,
one or more Registered Global Securities will be issued in a denomination or
aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount
of outstanding Debt Securities of the series to be represented by such
Registered Global Security or Securities. (Section 3.3.) Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive certificated
form, a Registered Global Security may not be registered for transfer or
exchange except as a whole by the Depository for such Registered Global Security
to a nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to such
Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by such Depository or any
such nominee to a successor Depository for such series or a nominee of such
successor Depository and except in the circumstances described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. (Section 3.5.)
The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any
portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a Registered Global
Security will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company expects
that the following provisions will apply to such depository arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Registered Global Security will be
limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants
(as such term is defined below). Upon the issuance of any Registered Global
Security, and the deposit of such Registered Global Security with or on behalf
of the Depository for such Registered Global Security, the Depository will
credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective
principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such Registered Global
Security to the accounts of institutions ("participants") that have accounts
with the Depository or its nominee. The accounts to be credited will be
designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of such
Debt Securities or by the Company, if such Debt Securities are offered and sold
directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests by participants in
such Registered Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of such
beneficial interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the
Depository for such Registered Global Security or by its nominee. Ownership of
beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security by persons that hold
through participants will be shown on, and the transfer of such beneficial
interests within such participants will be effected only through, records
maintained by such participants. The laws of some jurisdictions require that
certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
certificated form. The foregoing limitations and such laws may impair the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security.
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So long as the Depository for a Registered Global Security, or its nominee,
is the registered owner of such Registered Global Security, such Depository or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the Debt Securities represented by such Registered Global Security for all
purposes under the applicable Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement and except as specified below, owners of
beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security will not be entitled to
have Debt Securities of the series represented by such Registered Global
Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of Debt Securities of such series in certificated form and
will not be considered the holders thereof for any purposes under the relevant
Indenture. (Section 3.8.) Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest
in such Registered Global Security must rely on the procedures of the Depository
and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant
through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder
under the relevant Indenture. The Depository may grant proxies and otherwise
authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder is entitled to
give or take under the relevant Indenture. The Company understands that, under
existing industry practices, if the Company requests any action of holders or if
any owner of a beneficial interest in such Registered Global Security desires to
give any notice or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take
under the relevant Indenture, the Depository would authorize the participants to
give such notice or take such action, and such participants would authorize
beneficial owners owning through such participants to give such notice or take
such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners
owning through them.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
payments with respect to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on
Debt Securities represented by a Registered Global Security registered in the
name of a Depository or its nominee will be made to such Depository or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of such Registered Global
Security.
The Company expects that the Depository for any Debt Securities represented
by a Registered Global Security, upon receipt of any payment of principal,
premium or interest, will immediately credit participants' accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal amount of such Registered Global Security as shown on the records
of such Depository. The Company also expects that payments by participants to
owners of beneficial interests in such Registered Global Security held through
such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of
customers registered in "street names," and will be the responsibility of such
participants. None of the Company, the respective Trustees or any agent of the
Company or the respective Trustees shall have any responsibility or liability
for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of
beneficial interests of a Registered Global Security, or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.
(Section 3.8.)
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if the
Depository for any Debt Securities represented by a Registered Global Security
is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depository or ceases to be a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a duly registered
successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company
will issue such Debt Securities in definitive certificated form in exchange for
such Registered Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time and in
its sole discretion determine not to have any of the Debt Securities of a series
represented by one or more Registered Global Securities and, in such event, will
issue Debt Securities of such series in definitive certificated form in exchange
for all of the Registered Global Security or Securities representing such Debt
Securities. (Section 3.5.)
The Debt Securities of a series may also be issued in whole or in part in
the form of one or more bearer global securities (a "Bearer Global Security")
that will be deposited with a depository, or with a nominee for such depository,
identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Any such Bearer Global
Security may be issued in temporary or permanent form. (Section 3.4.) The
specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depository
arrangement, with respect to any portion of a series of Debt Securities to be
represented by one or more Bearer Global Securities will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
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CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE BY THE COMPANY
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or sell
its assets substantially as an entirety, unless: (i) the corporation formed by
such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the corporation which
acquires its assets is organized in the United States; (ii) the corporation
formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or which
acquires the Company's assets substantially as an entirety expressly assumes all
of the obligations of the Company under each Indenture; (iii) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have
happened and be continuing, and (iv) if, as a result of such transaction,
properties or assets of the Company would become subject to an encumbrance which
would not be permitted by the terms of any series of Debt Securities, the
Company or the successor corporation, as the case may be, shall take such steps
as are necessary to secure such Debt Securities equally and ratably with all
indebtedness secured thereunder. Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale,
the successor corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which the
Company is merged or to which such sale is made, shall succeed to, and be
substituted for the Company under each Indenture. (Section 7.1.)
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND CERTAIN RIGHTS ON DEFAULT
Each Indenture provides that, if an Event of Default specified therein
occurs with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and is continuing, the
Trustee for such series or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of
all of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series, by written notice to the
Company (and to the Trustee for such series, if notice is given by such holders
of Debt Securities), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of
that series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such
portion of the principal amount specified in the Prospectus Supplement) and
accrued interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable
(provided, with respect to any Debt Securities issued under the Subordinated
Indenture, that the payment of principal and interest on such Debt Securities
shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in Article 12 of the
Subordinated Indenture). (Section 5.2.)
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Events
of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series are defined in each
Indenture as being: (a) default for 30 days in payment of any interest on any
Debt Security of that series or any coupon appertaining thereto or any
additional amount payable with respect to Debt Securities of such series as
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement when due; (b) default in
payment of principal, or premium, if any, at maturity or on redemption or
otherwise, or in the making of a mandatory sinking fund payment of any Debt
Securities of that series when due; (c) default for 60 days after notice to the
Company by the Trustee for such series, or by the holders of 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, in the
performance of any other agreement in the Debt Securities of that series, in the
Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or board resolution referred to
therein under which the Debt Securities of that series may have been issued; (d)
default resulting in acceleration of other indebtedness of the Company for
borrowed money where the aggregate principal amount so accelerated exceeds $25
million and such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 30 days after
the written notice thereof to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and
the Trustee by the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt
Securities of such series then outstanding, provided that such Event of Default
will be remedied, cured or waived if the default that resulted in the
acceleration of such other indebtedness is remedied, cured or waived; and (e)
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company.
(Section 5.1.) The definition of "Event of Default" in each Indenture
specifically excludes a default under a secured debt under which the obligee has
recourse (exclusive of recourse for ancillary matters such as environmental
indemnities, misapplication of funds, costs of enforcement, etc.) only to the
collateral pledged for repayment, and where the fair market value of such
collateral does not exceed two percent of Total Assets (as defined in the
Indenture) at the time of the default. Events of Default with respect to a
specified series of Debt Securities may be added to the Indenture and, if so
added, will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Sections 3.1
and 5.1(7).)
Each Indenture provides that the Trustee will, within 90 days after the
occurrence of a Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, give
to the holders of the Debt Securities of that series notice of all Defaults
known to it unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided that
except in the case of
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a Default in payment on the Debt Securities of that series, the Trustee may
withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in
good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the
holders of the Debt Securities of that series. (Section 6.6.) "Default" means
any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both, would be, an
Event of Default. (Section 1.1.)
Each Indenture provides that the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected (with each such
series voting as a class) may, subject to certain limited conditions, direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee for such series, or exercising any trust or power conferred on such
Trustee. (Section 5.8.)
Each Indenture includes a covenant that the Company will file annually with
the Trustee a certificate as to the Company's compliance with all conditions and
covenants of such Indenture. (Section 9.5.)
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of
Debt Securities by notice to the Trustee for such series may waive, on behalf of
the holders of all Debt Securities of such series, any past Default or Event of
Default with respect to that series and its consequences except a Default or
Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest, if any, on any Debt Security, and except in respect of an Event of
Default resulting from the breach of a covenant or provision of either Indenture
which, pursuant to the applicable Indenture, cannot be amended or modified
without the consent of the holders of each outstanding Debt Security of such
series affected. (Section 5.7.)
OPTION TO DEFER INTEREST PAYMENTS
If provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company shall have
the right at any time and from time to time during the term of the series of
Debt Securities to defer the payment of interest for such number of consecutive
interest payment periods as may be specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement (each, an "Extension Period"), subject to the terms, conditions and
covenants, if any, specified in such Prospectus Supplement, provided that such
Extension Period may not extend beyond the stated maturity of the Debt
Securities. Certain material United States Federal income tax consequences and
special considerations applicable to any such Debt Securities will be described
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, at the
end of such Extension Period, the Company shall pay all interest then accrued
and unpaid together with interest thereon compounded semiannually at the rate
specified for the Debt Securities to the extent permitted by applicable law
("Compound Interest"); provided, that during any such Extension Period, (a) the
Company shall not declare or pay dividends on, make distributions with respect
to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of capital
stock of the Company in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its
obligations under any employee or agent benefit plans or the satisfaction by the
Company of its obligations pursuant to any contract or security outstanding on
the date of such event requiring the Company to purchase capital stock of the
Company, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock
or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital
stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock, (iii) the
purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock
pursuant to the conversion of exchange provisions of such capital stock or the
security being conversed or exchanged, (iv) dividends or distributions in
capital stock of the Company (or rights to acquire capital stock) or repurchases
or redemptions of capital stock solely from the issuance or exchange of capital
stock or (v) redemptions or repurchases of any rights outstanding under a
shareholder rights plan), (b) the Company shall not make any payment of
interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities issued by the Company that rank junior to the Debt Securities,
and (c) the Company shall not make any guarantee payments with respect to the
foregoing (other than payments pursuant to the Trust Guarantee or the Common
Guarantee (as defined herein)). Prior to the termination of any such Extension
Period, the Company may further defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period; provided, however, that, such Extension Period,
including all such previous and further extensions, may not extend beyond the
maturity of the Debt Securities. Upon the termination of any Extension Period
and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may commence a new
Extension Period, subject to the terms set forth in this section. No
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interest during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof, shall be due and
payable, but the Company may prepay at any time all or any portion of the
interest accrued during an Extension Period. The Company has no present
intention of exercising its right to defer payments of interest by extending the
interest payment period on the Debt Securities. If the Institutional Trustee
shall be the sole holder of the Debt Securities, the Company shall give the
Regular Trustees and the Institutional Trustee notice of its selection of such
Extension Period one Business Day prior to the earlier of (i) the date
distributions on the Preferred Securities are payable or (ii) the date the
Regular Trustees are required to give notice to the New York Stock Exchange (or
other applicable self-regulatory organization) or to holders of the Preferred
Securities of the record or payment date of such distribution. The Regular
Trustees shall give notice of the Company's selection of such Extension Period
to the holders of the Preferred Securities. If the Institutional Trustee shall
not be the sole holder of the Debt Securities, the Company shall give the
holders of the Debt Securities notice of its selection of such Extension Period
ten Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the Interest Payment Date or (ii)
the date upon which the Company is required to give notice to the New York Stock
Exchange (or other applicable self-regulatory organization) or to holders of the
Debt Securities of the record or payment date of such related interest payment.
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each
Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee to enter
into one or more supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of
any of the Debt Securities in order (i) to evidence the succession of another
corporation to the Company and the assumption of the covenants of the Company by
a successor to the Company; (ii) to add to the covenants of the Company or
surrender any right or power of the Company; (iii) to add additional Events of
Default with respect to any series of Debt Securities; (iv) to add or change any
provisions to such extent as necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of
Debt Securities in bearer form; (v) to change or eliminate any provision
affecting only Debt Securities not yet issued; (vi) to secure the Debt
Securities; (vii) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities; (viii) to
evidence and provide for successor Trustees; (ix) if allowed without penalty
under applicable laws and regulations, to permit payment in respect of Debt
Securities in bearer form in the United States; (x) to correct any defect or
supplement any inconsistent provisions or to make any other provisions with
respect to matters or questions arising under such Indenture, provided that such
action does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of Debt Securities
of any series; or (xi) to cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake. The
Subordinated Indenture also permits the Company and the Trustee thereunder to
enter into such supplemental indentures to modify the subordination provisions
contained in the Subordinated Debenture except in a manner adverse to any
outstanding Debt Securities. (Section 8.1.)
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with
the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities affected by such supplemental indenture (with the
Debt Securities of each series voting as a class), to execute supplemental
indentures adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any of the
provisions of such Indenture or any supplemental indenture or modifying the
rights of the holders of Debt Securities of such series, except that, without
the consent of the holder of each Debt Security so affected, no such
supplemental indenture may: (i) change the time for payment of principal or
premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security; (ii) reduce the principal of,
or any installment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Debt
Security, or change the manner in which the amount of any of the foregoing is
determined; (iii) reduce the amount of premium, if any, payable upon the
redemption of any Debt Security; (iv) reduce the amount of principal payable
upon acceleration of the maturity of any Original Issue Discount or Index
Security; (v) change the currency or currency unit in which any Debt Security or
any premium or interest thereon is payable; (vi) impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security;
(vii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Debt
Securities affected thereby the consent of whose holders is required for
modification or amendment of such Indenture or for waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; (viii)
change the obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the
places and for the purposes specified in such Indenture; (ix) modify the
provisions relating to
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the subordination of outstanding Debt Securities of any series in a manner
adverse to the holders thereof; or (x) modify the provisions relating to waiver
of certain defaults or any of the foregoing provisions. (Section 8.2.)
SUBORDINATION UNDER THE SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
The Subordinated Indenture provides that any Subordinated Debt Securities
issued thereunder are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior
Indebtedness to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture. (Section 12.1
of the Subordinated Indenture.) The Subordinated Indenture defines the term
"Senior Indebtedness" as: (i) all indebtedness of the Company, whether
outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created,
incurred or assumed, which is for money borrowed, or evidenced by a note or
similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any business,
properties or assets, including securities; (ii) any indebtedness of others of
the kinds described in the preceding clause (i) for the payment of which the
Company is responsible or liable as guarantor or otherwise; and (iii)
amendments, renewals, extensions and refundings of any such indebtedness. The
Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and entitled to the
benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment,
modification or waiver of any term of the Senior Indebtedness or extension or
renewal of the Senior Indebtedness. Senior Indebtedness does not include (A) any
indebtedness of the Company to any of its subsidiaries, (B) indebtedness
incurred for the purchase of goods or materials or for services obtained in the
ordinary course of business and (C) any indebtedness which by its terms is
expressly made pari passu with or subordinated to the Subordinated Debt
Securities. (Section 12.2 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
If (i) the Company defaults in the payment of any principal, or premium, if
any, or interest on any Senior Indebtedness when the same becomes due and
payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or declaration or
otherwise or (ii) an event of default occurs with respect to any Senior
Indebtedness permitting the holders thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof
and written notice of such event of default (requesting that payments on
Subordinated Debt Securities cease) is given to the Company by the holders of
Senior Indebtedness, then unless and until such default in payment or event of
default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no direct
or indirect payment (in cash, property or securities, by set-off or otherwise)
shall be made or agreed to be made on account of the Subordinated Debt
Securities or interest thereon or in respect of any repayment, redemption,
retirement, purchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt Securities.
(Section 12.4 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
In the event of (i) any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation,
reorganization, readjustment, composition or other similar proceeding relating
to the Company, its creditors or its property, (ii) any proceeding for the
liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up of the Company, voluntary or
involuntary, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings,
(iii) any assignment by the Company for the benefit of creditors or (iv) any
other marshalling of the assets of the Company, all Senior Indebtedness
(including, without limitation, interest accruing after the commencement of any
such proceeding, assignment or marshalling of assets) shall first be paid in
full before any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other
property, shall be made by the Company on account of Subordinated Debt
Securities. In any such event, any payment or distribution, whether in cash,
securities or other property (other than securities of the Company or any other
corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the
payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in the
subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture with respect to the
indebtedness evidenced by Subordinated Debt Securities, to the payment of all
Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding and to any securities issued in
respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment), which
would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable
in respect of Subordinated Debt Securities (including any such payment or
distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any
other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of
Subordinated Debt Securities) shall be paid or delivered directly to the holders
of Senior Indebtedness, or to their representative or trustee, in accordance
with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior
Indebtedness shall have been paid in full.
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(Section 12.3 of the Subordinated Indenture.) No present or future holder of any
Senior Indebtedness shall be prejudiced in the right to enforce subordination of
the indebtedness evidenced by Subordinated Debt Securities by any act or failure
to act on the part of the Company. (Section 12.9 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless
the holders thereof shall have received cash, securities or other property equal
to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness then outstanding. Upon the payment in
full of all Senior Indebtedness, the holders of Subordinated Debt Securities
shall be subrogated to all the rights of any holders of Senior Indebtedness to
receive any further payments or distributions applicable to the Senior
Indebtedness until all Subordinated Debt Securities shall have been paid in
full, and such payments or distributions received by any holder of Subordinated
Debt Securities, by reason of such subrogation, of cash, securities or other
property which otherwise would be paid or distributed to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, shall, as between the Company and its creditors other than the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, on the one hand, and the holders of Subordinated
Debt Securities, on the other, be deemed to be a payment by the Company on
account of Senior Indebtedness, and not on account of Subordinated Debt
Securities. (Section 12.7 of the Subordinated Indenture.)
The Subordinated Indenture provides that the foregoing subordination
provisions, insofar as they relate to any particular issue of Subordinated Debt
Securities, may be changed prior to such issuance. Any such change would be
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such Subordinated
Debt Securities.
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
If indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company may elect
either (i) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with
respect to the Debt Securities of or within any series (except as otherwise
provided in the relevant Indenture) ("defeasance") or (ii) to be released from
its obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to the Debt
Securities of or within any series ("covenant defeasance"), upon the deposit
with the relevant Trustee (or other qualifying trustee), in trust for such
purpose, of money and/or Government Obligations which through the payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to pay the principal of and any premium
or interest on such Debt Securities to Maturity or redemption, as the case may
be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a condition
to defeasance or covenant defeasance, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will
not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result
of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income
tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred.
Such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must
refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change
in applicable Federal income tax law occurring after the date of the relevant
Indenture. (Article 4.) If indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in
addition to obligations of the United States or an agency or instrumentality
thereof, Government Obligations may include obligations of the government or an
agency or instrumentality of the government issuing the currency or currency
unit in which Debt Securities of such series are payable. (Section 3.1.)
In addition, with respect to the Subordinated Indenture, in order to be
discharged no event or condition shall exist that, pursuant to certain
provisions described under "-- Subordination under the Subordinated Indenture"
above, would prevent the Company from making payments of principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on Subordinated Debt Securities at the date of the
irrevocable deposit referred to above. (Section 4.6(j) of the Subordinated
Indenture.)
The Company may exercise its defeasance option with respect to such Debt
Securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If the Company exercises its defeasance option, payment of such Debt Securities
may not be accelerated because of a Default or an Event of Default. (Section
4.4.) If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of such
Debt Securities may not be accelerated by reason of a Default or an Event of
Default with respect to the covenants to which such covenant defeasance
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is applicable. However, if such acceleration were to occur by reason of another
Event of Default, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and
Government Obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal
and interest then due on such Debt Securities, in that the required deposit in
the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than market value,
which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.
THE TRUSTEES
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, LTCB
Trust Company will be the Trustee under the Senior Indenture, and State Street
Bank and Trust Company will be the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture. The
Company may also maintain banking and other commercial relationships with each
of the Trustees and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
At May 21, 1998 the authorized capital stock of the Company was
1,020,000,000 shares, consisting of:
(a) 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, of which 1,889,400 shares of
Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities, 7% PRIDES
("PRIDES"), were outstanding; and
(b) 1,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 187,126,301 shares were
outstanding.
In general, the classes of authorized capital stock are afforded
preferences with respect to dividends and liquidation rights in the order listed
above. The Board of Directors of the Company is empowered, without approval of
the shareholders, to cause the Preferred Stock to be issued in one or more
series, with the numbers of shares of each series and the rights, preferences
and limitations of each series to be determined by it including, without
limitation, the dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and
liquidation preferences, if any, of any wholly unissued series of Preferred
Stock (or of the entire class of Preferred Stock if none of such shares have
been issued), the number of shares constituting each such series and the terms
and conditions of the issue thereof. The descriptions set forth below do not
purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (the
"Articles of Incorporation").
The Prospectus Supplement relating to an offering of Common Stock will
describe terms relevant thereto, including the number of shares offered, the
initial offering price, market price and dividend information.
PREFERRED STOCK
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms of
any Preferred Stock in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (to
the extent applicable to such Preferred Stock): (i) the specific designation,
number of shares, seniority and purchase price; (ii) any liquidation preference
per share; (iii) any date of maturity; (iv) any redemption, repayment or sinking
fund provisions; (v) any dividend rate or rates and the dates on which any such
dividends will be payable (or the method by which such rates or dates will be
determined); (vi) any voting rights; (vii) if other than the currency of the
United States of America, the currency or currencies, including composite
currencies, in which such Preferred Stock is denominated and/or in which
payments will or may be payable; (viii) the method by which amounts in respect
of such Preferred Stock may be calculated and any commodities, currencies or
indices, or value, rate or price, relevant to such calculation; (ix) whether the
Preferred Stock is convertible or exchangeable and, if so, the securities or
rights into which such Preferred Stock is convertible or exchangeable (which may
include other Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Common Stock or other securities
or rights of the Company (including rights to receive payment in cash or
securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified
commodities, currencies or indices) or a combination of the foregoing), and the
terms and conditions upon which such conversions or exchanges will be effected,
including the initial conversion or exchange prices or rates, the conversion or
exchange period and any other related provisions; (x) the place or places where
dividends and other payments on the Preferred Stock will be payable; and (xi)
any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption and other rights,
preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.
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As described under "Description of Depositary Shares", the Company may, at
its option, elect to offer Depositary Shares evidenced by depositary receipts
("Depositary Receipts"), each representing an interest (to be specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of the
Preferred Stock) in a share of the particular series of the Preferred Stock
issued and deposited with a Preferred Stock Depositary (as defined herein).
All shares of Preferred Stock offered hereby, or issuable upon conversion,
exchange or exercise of Securities, will, when issued, be fully paid and
non-assessable.
COMMON STOCK
Dividends. Except as provided below, holders of Common Stock are entitled
to receive dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the
Company, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of assets or
funds of the Company legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per
share basis in all such dividends and other distributions (subject to the rights
of holders of Preferred Stock).
Voting Rights. At every meeting of shareholders, every holder of Common
Stock is entitled to one vote per share. Subject to any voting rights which may
be granted to holders of Preferred Stock any action submitted to shareholders is
approved if the number of votes cast in favor of such action exceeds the number
of votes against, except where other provision is made by law and subject to
applicable quorum requirements.
Liquidation Rights. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of the business of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (any
such event, a "Liquidation"), the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share
equally in the assets available for distribution after payment of all
liabilities and provision for the liquidation preference of any shares of
Preferred Stock then outstanding.
Miscellaneous. The holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights,
cumulative voting rights, subscription rights, or conversion rights and the
Common Stock is not subject to redemption.
The transfer agent and registrar with respect to the Common Stock and the
PRIDES is First Union National Bank.
All shares of Common Stock offered hereby, or issuable upon conversion,
exchange or exercise of Securities, will, when issued, be fully paid and
non-assessable. The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol "CNC".
PRIDES
General. The PRIDES are shares of convertible preferred stock and rank
prior to the Common Stock as to payment of dividends and distribution of assets
upon liquidation. The shares of PRIDES mandatorily convert into shares of Common
Stock on February 1, 2000, (the "Mandatory Conversion Date"), and the Company
has the option to redeem the shares of PRIDES, in whole or in part, at any time
and from time to time on or after February 1, 1999 and prior to the Mandatory
Conversion Date pursuant to the terms described below and payable in shares of
Common Stock. In addition, the shares of PRIDES are convertible into shares of
Common Stock at the option of the holder at any time prior to the Mandatory
Conversion Date as set forth below.
Dividends. Holders of shares of PRIDES are entitled to receive annual
cumulative dividends at a rate per annum of 7% of the stated liquidation
preference (equivalent to $4.279 per each share of PRIDES) payable quarterly in
arrears on each February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Mandatory Conversion. On the Mandatory Conversion Date, unless previously
redeemed or converted, each outstanding share of PRIDES will mandatorily convert
into (i) four shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in certain events,
and (ii) the right to receive cash in an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid
dividends thereon (other than previously declared dividends payable to a holder
of record as of a prior date).
Optional Redemption. Shares of PRIDES are not redeemable prior to February
1, 1999. At any time and from time to time on or after February 1, 1999 and
ending immediately prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Company may
redeem any or all of the outstanding shares of PRIDES. Upon any such
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redemption, each holder will receive, in exchange for each share of PRIDES, the
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Call Price (which is the sum of
(i) $62.195, declining after February 1, 1999 to $61.125 until the Mandatory
Conversation Date and (ii) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (other than
previously declared dividends payable to a holder of record as of a prior date))
divided by the current market price on the applicable date of determination, but
in no event less than 3.42 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment. The
number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered in payment of the applicable
Call Price will be determined on the basis of the current market price of the
Common Stock prior to the announcement of the redemption.
Conversion at the Option of the Holder. At any time prior to the Mandatory
Conversion Date, unless previously redeemed, each share of PRIDES is convertible
at the option of the holder thereof into 3.42 shares of Common Stock (the
"Optional Conversion Rate"), equivalent to the conversion price of $17.8728 per
share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as described herein. The right of
holders to convert shares of PRIDES called for redemption will terminate
immediately prior to the close of business on the redemption date.
Voting Rights. The holders of shares of PRIDES have the right with the
holders of Common Stock to vote in the election of directors and upon each other
matter coming before any meeting of the holders of Common Stock on the basis of
4/5 of one vote for each share of PRIDES. On such matters, the holders of shares
of PRIDES and the holders of Common Stock vote together as one class except as
otherwise provided by law or the Articles of Incorporation. In addition, (i)
whenever dividends on the shares of PRIDES or any other series of Preferred
Stock with like voting rights are in arrears and unpaid for six quarterly
dividend periods, and in certain other circumstances, the holders of the shares
of PRIDES (voting separately as a class with the holders of all other series of
Preferred Stock with like voting rights that are exercisable) will be entitled
to vote, on the basis of one vote for each share of PRIDES, for the election of
two directors of the Company, such directors to be in addition to the number of
directors constituting the Board of Directors immediately prior to the accrual
of such right, and (ii) the holders of the shares of PRIDES may have voting
rights with respect to certain alterations of the Articles of Incorporation and
certain other matters, voting on the same basis or separately as a series.
Liquidation Preference and Ranking. The shares of PRIDES rank prior to the
Common Stock as to payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon
liquidation. The liquidation preference of each share of PRIDES is an amount
equal to the sum of (i) $61.125 per share and (ii) all accrued and unpaid
dividends thereon.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS OF CONSECO
Certain provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the
Company (the "Bylaws") may make it more difficult to effect a change in control
of the Company if the Board of Directors determines that such action would not
be in the best interests of the shareholders. It could be argued, contrary to
the belief of the Board of Directors, that such provisions are not in the best
interests of the shareholders to the extent that they will have the effect of
tending to discourage possible takeover bids, which might be at prices involving
a premium over then recent market quotations for the Common Stock. The most
important of those provisions are described below.
The Articles of Incorporation authorize the establishment of a classified
Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws. The Bylaws, in turn, provide that the
Directors serve staggered three-year terms, with the members of only one class
being elected in any year.
A classified Board of Directors may increase the difficulty of removing
incumbent directors, providing such directors with enhanced ability to retain
their positions. A classified Board of Directors may also make the acquisition
of control of the Company by a third party by means of a proxy contest more
difficult. In addition, the classification may make it more difficult to replace
a majority of directors for business reasons unrelated to a change in control.
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The Articles of Incorporation provide that holders of the Company's voting
stock shall not be entitled to vote on certain business transactions (defined to
include, among other things, certain mergers, consolidations, sales, leases,
transfers or other dispositions of a substantial part of the Company's assets)
with certain related persons (which includes persons beneficially owning more
than 10% of the Company's outstanding voting stock), nor may such business
combination transactions be effected, unless (i) the relevant business
combination shall have been approved by two-thirds of the continuing directors
or (ii) the aggregate amount of the cash and the fair value of any consideration
other than cash to be received by any holder of the Common Stock or Preferred
Stock in the business combination for each such share of Common Stock or
Preferred Stock shall be at least equal to the highest per share price paid by
the related person in order to acquire any shares of Common Stock or Preferred
Stock, as the case may be, beneficially owned by such related person.
As discussed above, Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one
or more series with such rights, preferences, limitations and restrictions as
may be determined by the Board of Directors. The issuance of Preferred Stock
could be used, under certain circumstances, as a method of delaying or
preventing a change of control of the Company and could have a detrimental
effect on the rights of holders of Common Stock, including loss of voting
control.
The provisions of the Articles of Incorporation regarding the classified
Board of Directors and certain business combination transactions may not be
amended without the affirmative approval of holders of not less than 80% of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company.
The Bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF CORPORATE AND INSURANCE LAWS
In addition to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, certain provisions
of Indiana law may delay, deter or prevent a merger, tender offer or other
takeover attempt of the Company.
Under the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the "IBCL"), a director may, in
considering the best interests of a corporation, consider the effects of any
action on shareholders, employees, suppliers and customers of the corporation,
on communities in which offices or other facilities of the corporation are
located, and any other factors the director considers pertinent.
The IBCL provides that no business combination (defined to include certain
mergers, sales of assets, sales of 5% or more of outstanding stock, loans,
recapitalizations or liquidations or dissolutions) involving a corporation and
an interested shareholder (defined to include any holder of 10% or more of such
corporation's voting stock) may be entered into unless (1) it has been approved
by the board of directors of the corporation or (2) (a) five years have expired
since the acquisition of shares of the corporation by the interested
shareholder, (b) all requirements of the corporation's articles of incorporation
relating to business combinations have been satisfied and (c) either (i) a
majority of shareholders of the corporation (excluding the interested
shareholder) approve the business combination or (ii) all shareholders are paid
fair value (as defined in the statute) for their stock. However, such law does
not restrict any offer to purchase all of a corporation's shares.
The IBCL also provides that when a target corporation (such as the
Company), incorporated in Indiana and having its principal place of business,
principal office or substantial assets in Indiana, has a certain threshold of
ownership by Indiana residents, any acquisition which, together with its
previous holdings, gives the acquiror at least 20% of the target's voting stock
triggers a shareholder approval mechanism. If the acquiror files a statutorily
required disclosure statement, the target's management has 50 days within which
to hold a special meeting of shareholders at which all disinterested
shareholders of the target (those not affiliated with the acquiror or any
officer or inside director of the target) consider and vote upon whether the
acquiror shall have voting rights with respect to the shares of the target held
by it. Without shareholder approval, the shares acquired by the acquiror have no
voting rights. If the acquiror fails to file the statutorily required disclosure
statement, the target can redeem the acquiror's shares at a price to be
determined according to
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procedures devised by the target. In order for these provisions of the IBCL not
to apply to a particular Indiana company, the company must affirmatively so
provide in its articles of incorporation or bylaws.
In addition, the insurance laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in
which the Company's insurance subsidiaries do business may impede or delay a
business combination involving the Company.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The description set forth below of certain provisions of the Deposit
Agreement (as defined below) and of the Depositary Shares and Depositary
Receipts summarizes the material terms of the Deposit Agreement and of the
Depositary Shares and Depositary Receipts and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the form of Deposit Agreement and form of Depositary Receipts
relating to each series of the Preferred Stock, as well as the Articles of
Incorporation or any required amendment thereto describing the applicable series
of Preferred Stock.
GENERAL
The Company may, as its option, elect to have shares of Preferred Stock be
represented by Depositary Shares. The shares of any series of the Preferred
Stock underlying the Depositary Shares will be deposited under a separate
deposit agreement (the "Deposit Agreement") to be entered into by the Company
and a bank or trust company selected by the Company (the "Preferred Stock
Depositary"). The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Depositary
Shares will set forth the name and address of the Preferred Stock Depositary.
Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share
will be entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges
of the Preferred Stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting,
redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights).
The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued
pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, each of which will represent the fractional
interest in the number of shares of a particular series of the Preferred Stock
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
The Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other
cash distributions in respect of the series of Preferred Stock represented by
the Depositary Shares to the record holders of Depositary Receipts in
proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of Depositary Shares owned by
such holders. The Depositary, however, will distribute only such amount as can
be distributed without attributing to any Depositary Share a fraction of one
cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of
the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to record holders of
Depositary Receipts then outstanding.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash in respect of the
Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute property
received by it to the record holders of Depositary Receipts in proportion,
insofar as possible, to the number of Depositary Shares owned by such holders,
unless the Preferred Stock Depositary determines (after consultation with the
Company) that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the
Preferred Stock Depositary may, with the approval of the Company, adopt such
method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such
distribution, including a public or private sale, of such property, and
distribution of the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
The amount so distributed to record holders of Depositary Receipts in any
of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by
the Company or the Preferred Stock Depositary on account of taxes.
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE
If any series of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares is
subject to provisions relating to its conversion or exchange, as set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, each record
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holder of Depositary Receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or
exchange the Depositary Shares represented by such Depositary Receipts pursuant
to the terms thereof.
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
If any series of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares is
subject to redemption, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds
received by the Preferred Stock Depositary resulting from the redemption, in
whole or in part, of the Preferred Stock held by the Preferred Stock Depositary.
Whenever the Company redeems Preferred Stock from the Preferred Stock
Depositary, the Preferred Stock Depositary will redeem as of the same redemption
date a proportionate number of Depositary Shares representing the shares of
Preferred Stock that were redeemed. If less than all the Depositary Shares are
to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or
pro rata as may be determined by the Company.
After the date fixed for redemption, the Depositary Shares so called for
redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the
holders of the Depositary Shares will cease, except the right to receive the
redemption price upon such redemption. Any funds deposited by the Company with
the Preferred Stock Depositary for any Depositary Shares which the holders
thereof fail to redeem shall be returned to the Company after a period of two
years from the date such funds are so deposited.
VOTING
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any shares of
Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares are entitled to vote, the
Preferred Stock Depositary will mail the information contained in such notice to
the record holders of the Depositary Receipts. Each record holder of such
Depositary Receipts on the record date (which will be the same date as the
record date for the Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Preferred
Stock Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the
number of shares of Preferred Stock underlying such holder's Depositary Shares.
The Preferred Stock Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote
the number of shares of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares in
accordance with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all
reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the Preferred Stock
Depositary in order to enable the Preferred Stock Depositary to do so. The
Preferred Stock Depositary will abstain from voting any of the Preferred Stock
to the extent it does not receive specific written instructions from holders of
Depositary Receipts representing such Preferred Stock.
RECORD DATE
Whenever (i) any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become
payable, any distribution other than cash shall be made, or any rights,
preferences or privileges shall be offered with respect to the Preferred Stock,
or (ii) the Preferred Stock Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting at
which holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of
Preferred Stock are entitled to notice, or of the mandatory conversion of, or
any election on the part of the Company to call for the redemption of, any
Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock Depositary shall in each such instance fix
a record date (which shall be the same as the record date for the Preferred
Stock) for the determination of the holders of Depositary Receipts (x) that
shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or
privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (y) that shall be entitled
to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to
receive notice of such meeting or of such redemption or conversion, subject to
the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
WITHDRAWAL OF PREFERRED STOCK
Upon surrender of Depositary Receipts at the principal office of the
Preferred Stock Depositary, upon payment of any unpaid amount due the Preferred
Stock Depositary, and subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the owner
of the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery of the number
of whole shares of Preferred Stock and all money and other property, if any,
represented by such Depositary Shares. Partial shares of Preferred Stock will
not be issued. If the Depositary Receipts delivered by the holder
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evidence a number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of Depositary
Shares representing the number of whole shares of Preferred Stock to be
withdrawn, the Preferred Stock Depositary will deliver to such holder at the
same time a new Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary
Shares. Holders of Preferred Stock thus withdrawn will not thereafter be
entitled to deposit such shares under the Deposit Agreement or to receive
Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares therefor.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
The Deposit Agreement will provide that the form of Depositary Receipt and
any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between the Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary. However, any amendment
which imposes or increases any fees, taxes or other charges payable by the
holders of Depositary Receipts (other than taxes and other governmental charges,
fees and other expenses payable by such holders as stated under "Charges of
Preferred Stock Depositary"), or which otherwise prejudices any substantial
existing right of holders of Depositary Receipts, will not take effect as to
outstanding Depositary Receipts until the expiration of 90 days after notice of
such amendment has been mailed to the record holders of outstanding Depositary
Receipts.
Whenever so directed by the Company, the Preferred Stock Depositary will
terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the
record holders of all Depositary Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days
prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Preferred Stock
Depositary may likewise terminate the Deposit Agreement if at any time 45 days
shall have expired after the Preferred Stock Depositary shall have delivered to
the Company a written notice of its election to resign and a successor
depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment. If any
Depositary Receipts remain outstanding after the date of termination, the
Preferred Stock Depositary thereafter will discontinue the transfer of
Depositary Receipts, will suspend the distribution of dividends to the holders
thereof, and will not give any further notices (other than notice of such
termination) or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement except as
provided below and except that the Preferred Stock Depositary will continue (i)
to collect dividends on the Preferred Stock and any other distributions with
respect thereto and (ii) to deliver the Preferred Stock together with such
dividends and distributions and the net proceeds of any sales of rights,
preferences, privileges or other property, without liability for interest
thereon, in exchange for Depositary Receipts surrendered. At any time after the
expiration of two years from the date of termination, the Preferred Stock
Depositary may sell the Preferred Stock then held by it at public or private
sales, at such place or places and upon such terms as it deems proper, and may
thereafter hold the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any money and
other property then held by it, without liability for interest thereon, for the
pro rata benefit of the holders of Depositary Receipts which have not been
surrendered.
CHARGES OF PREFERRED STOCK DEPOSITARY
The Company will pay all charges of the Preferred Stock Depositary
including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the Preferred Stock,
the initial issuance of the Depositary Receipts, the distribution of information
to the holders of Depositary Receipts with respect to matters on which Preferred
Stock is entitled to vote, withdrawals of the Preferred Stock by the holders of
Depositary Receipts or redemption or conversion of the Preferred Stock, except
for taxes (including transfer taxes, if any) and other governmental charges and
such other charges as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at
the expense of holders of Depositary Receipts or persons depositing Preferred
Stock.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Preferred Stock Depositary will make available for inspection by
holders of Depositary Receipts, at its Corporate Office and its New York Office,
all reports and communications from the Company which are delivered to the
Preferred Stock Depositary as the holder of Preferred Stock.
Neither the Preferred Stock Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it
is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in
performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the
Preferred Stock Depositary under the Deposit Agreement are limited to performing
its
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duties thereunder without negligence or bad faith. The obligations of the
Company under the Deposit Agreement are limited to performing its duties
thereunder in good faith. Neither the Company nor the Preferred Stock Depositary
is obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any
Depositary Shares or Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished.
The Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary are entitled to rely upon advice
of or information from counsel, accountants or other persons believed to be
competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
The Preferred Stock Depositary may resign at any time or be removed by the
Company, effective upon the acceptance by its successor of its appointment;
provided, that if a successor Preferred Stock Depositary has not been appointed
or accepted such appointment within 45 days after the Preferred Stock Depositary
has delivered a notice of election to resign to the Company, the Preferred Stock
Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement. See "Amendment and Termination
of the Deposit Agreement" above.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
GENERAL
The Company may issue Warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred
Stock, Common Stock or any combination thereof, and such Warrants may be issued
independently or together with any such Securities and may be attached to or
separate from such Securities. Each series of Warrants will be issued under a
separate warrant agreement (each a "Warrant Agreement") to be entered into
between the Company and a warrant agent ("Warrant Agent"). The Warrant Agent
will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the Warrants of
each such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency
for or with holders or beneficial owners of Warrants. The following sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Warrants offered hereby. Further
terms of the Warrants and the applicable Warrant Agreement will be set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any
Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, including the
following: (i) the title of such Warrants; (ii) the aggregate number of such
Warrants; (iii) the price or prices at which such Warrants will be issued; (iv)
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price
of such Warrants may be payable; (v) the designation and terms of the Securities
(other than Preferred Securities and Common Securities) purchasable upon
exercise of such Warrants; (vi) the price at which and the currency or
currencies, including composite currencies, in which the Securities (other than
Preferred Securities and Common Securities) purchasable upon exercise of such
Warrants may be purchased; (vii) the date on which the right to exercise such
Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; (viii)
whether such Warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form; (ix) if
applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such Warrants which may be
exercised at any one time; (x) if applicable, the designation and terms of the
Securities (other than Preferred Securities and Common Securities) with which
such Warrants are issued and the number of such Warrants issued with each such
Security; (xi) if applicable, the date on and after which such Warrants and the
related Securities (other than Preferred Securities and Common Securities) will
be separately transferable; (xii) information with respect to book-entry
procedures, if any; (xiii) if applicable, a discussion of certain United States
Federal income tax considerations; and (xiv) any other terms of such Warrants,
including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and
exercise of such Warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES OF THE CONSECO TRUSTS
GENERAL
Each Conseco Trust may issue, from time to time, only one series of
Preferred Securities having terms described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto. The Declaration of each Conseco Trust authorizes the Regular
Trustees of such Conseco Trust to issue on behalf of such Conseco Trust one
series of Preferred Securities. Each Declaration will be qualified as an
indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Institutional Trustee, an
independent trustee, will act as indenture trustee for the Preferred Securities
for purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The
Preferred Securities will have such terms,
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including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights and such other
preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions as shall be
established by the Regular Trustees in accordance with the applicable
Declaration or as shall be set forth in the Declaration or made part of the
Declaration by the Trust Indenture Act. Reference is made to any Prospectus
Supplement relating to the Preferred Securities of a Conseco Trust for specific
terms of the Preferred Securities, including, to the extent applicable, (i) the
distinctive designation of such Preferred Securities, (ii) the number of
Preferred Securities issued by such Conseco Trust, (iii) the annual distribution
rate (or method of determining such rate) for Preferred Securities issued by
such Conseco Trust and the date or dates upon which such distributions shall be
payable (provided, however, that distributions on such Preferred Securities
shall, subject to any deferral provisions, and any provisions for payment of
defaulted distributions, be payable on a quarterly basis to holders of such
Preferred Securities as of a record date in each quarter during which such
Preferred Securities are outstanding), (iv) any right of such Conseco Trust to
defer quarterly distributions on the Preferred Securities as a result of an
interest deferral right exercised by the Company on the Subordinated Debt
Securities held by such Conseco Trust; (v) whether distributions on Preferred
Securities shall be cumulative, and, in the case of Preferred Securities having
such cumulative distribution rights, the date or dates or method of determining
the date or dates from which distributions on Preferred Securities shall be
cumulative, (vi) the amount or amounts which shall be paid out of the assets of
such Conseco Trust to the holders of Preferred Securities upon voluntary or
involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such Conseco Trust, (vii)
the obligation or option, if any, of such Conseco Trust to purchase or redeem
Preferred Securities and the price or prices at which, the period or periods
within which and the terms and conditions upon which Preferred Securities shall
be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation or
option with such redemption price to be specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, (viii) the voting rights, if any, of Preferred Securities in
addition to those required by law, including the number of votes per Preferred
Security and any requirement for the approval by the holders of Preferred
Securities as a condition to specified action or amendments to the Declaration,
(ix) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which Subordinated Debt Securities
held by such Conseco Trust may be distributed to holders of Preferred
Securities, and (x) any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges,
limitations or restrictions of Preferred Securities consistent with the
Declaration or with applicable law. All Preferred Securities offered hereby will
be guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth below under "Description of
Trust Guarantees." The Trust Guarantee issued to each Conseco Trust, when taken
together with the Company's back-up undertakings, consisting of its obligations
under each Declaration (including the obligation to pay expenses of each Conseco
Trust), the applicable Indenture and any applicable supplemental indentures
thereto and the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to any Conseco Trust will
provide a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of amounts due on the
Preferred Securities issued by each Conseco Trust. The payment terms of the
Preferred Securities will be the same as the Subordinated Debt Securities issued
to the applicable Conseco Trust by the Company.
Each Declaration authorizes the Regular Trustees to issue on behalf of the
applicable Trust one series of Common Securities having such terms including
distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights or such restrictions as
shall be established by the Regular Trustees in accordance with the Declaration
or as shall otherwise be set forth therein. The terms of the Common Securities
issued by each Conseco Trust will be substantially identical to the terms of the
Preferred Securities issued by such Conseco Trust, and the Common Securities
will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the
Preferred Securities except that, if an event of default under such Declaration
has occurred and is continuing, the rights of the holders of the Common
Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of
the Preferred Securities. The Common Securities will also carry the right to
vote and to appoint, remove or replace any of the Conseco Trustees of such
Conseco Trust. All of the Common Securities of each Conseco Trust will be
directly or indirectly owned by the Company.
The financial statements of any Conseco Trust that issues Preferred
Securities will be reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements
with the Preferred Securities shown as Company-obligated mandatorily-redeemable
preferred securities of a subsidiary trust under minority interest in
consolidated subsidiaries. In a footnote to the Company's audited financial
statements there will be included statements that the applicable Conseco Trust
is wholly-owned by the Company and that the sole asset of such Conseco
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Trust is the Subordinated Debt Securities (indicating the principal amount,
interest rate and maturity date thereof).
DESCRIPTION OF TRUST GUARANTEES
Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Trust Guarantees
that will be executed and delivered by the Company for the benefit of the
holders, from time to time, of Preferred Securities. Each Trust Guarantee will
be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, State Street Bank and Trust
Company will act as independent indenture trustee for Trust Indenture Act
purposes under each Trust Guarantee (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee
Trustee"). The terms of each Trust Guarantee will be those set forth in such
Trust Guarantee and those made part of such Trust Guarantee by the Trust
Indenture Act. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is
subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the
form of Trust Guarantee, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and the Trust
Indenture Act. Each Trust Guarantee will be held by the Preferred Securities
Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities of
the applicable Conseco Trust.
GENERAL
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
pursuant to each Trust Guarantee, the Company will agree, to the extent set
forth therein, to pay in full to the holders of the Preferred Securities, the
Guarantee Payments (as defined below) (except to the extent paid by such Conseco
Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim which such Conseco Trust may have or assert. The following payments
or distributions with respect to the Preferred Securities (the "Guarantee
Payments"), to the extent not paid by such Conseco Trust, will be subject to the
Trust Guarantee (without duplication): (i) any accrued and unpaid distributions
that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities, to the extent such
Conseco Trust shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price,
including all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Price"), to the extent such Conseco Trust has funds available
therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by such
Conseco Trust and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up
or termination of such Conseco Trust (other than in connection with such
distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Preferred
Securities or the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities upon maturity or
redemption of the Subordinated Debt Securities) the lesser of (a) the aggregate
of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on such
Preferred Securities to the date of payment, to the extent such Conseco Trust
has funds available therefor or (b) the amount of assets of such Conseco Trust
remaining for distribution to holders of such Preferred Securities in
liquidation of such Conseco Trust. The Company's obligation to make a Guarantee
Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the
Company to the holders of Preferred Securities or by causing the applicable
Conseco Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
Each Trust Guarantee will not apply to any payment of distributions except
to the extent the applicable Conseco Trust shall have funds available therefor.
If the Company does not make interest or principal payments on the Subordinated
Debt Securities purchased by such Conseco Trust, such Conseco Trust will not pay
distributions on the Preferred Securities issued by such Conseco Trust and will
not have funds available therefore.
The Company has also agreed to guarantee the obligations of each Conseco
Trust with respect to the Common Securities (the "Common Guarantee") issued by
such Conseco Trust to the same extent as the Trust Guarantee, except that, if an
Event of Default under the Subordinated Indenture has occurred and is
continuing, holders of Preferred Securities under the Trust Guarantee shall have
priority over holders of the Common Securities under the Common Guarantee with
respect to distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise.
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CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in each
Trust Guarantee, the Company will covenant that, so long as any Preferred
Securities issued by the applicable Conseco Trust remain outstanding, if there
shall have occurred any event of default under such Trust Guarantee or under the
Declaration of such Conseco Trust, then (a) the Company will not declare or pay
any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase,
acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock
(other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of capital stock of the Company in
connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any
employee or agent benefit plans or the satisfaction by the Company of its
obligations pursuant to any contract or security outstanding on the date of such
event requiring the Company to purchase capital stock of the Company, (ii) as a
result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or
conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another
class or series of the Company's capital stock, (iii) the purchase of fractional
interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or
exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged, (iv) dividends or distributions in capital stock of the Company (or
rights to acquire capital stock) or repurchases or redemptions of capital stock
solely from the issuance or exchange of capital stock or (v) redemptions or
repurchases of any rights outstanding under a shareholder rights plan); (b) the
Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on
or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company which
rank junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities issued to the applicable Conseco
Trust and (c) the Company shall not make any guarantee payments with respect to
the foregoing (other than pursuant to a Trust Guarantee).
MODIFICATION OF THE TRUST GUARANTEES; ASSIGNMENT
Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights
of holders of Preferred Securities (in which case no consent of such holders
will be required), each Trust Guarantee may be amended only with the prior
approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the
outstanding Preferred Securities of such Conseco Trust. The manner of obtaining
any such approval of holders of such Preferred Securities will be set forth in
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. All guarantees and agreements contained in a
Trust Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of
the Preferred Securities of the applicable Conseco Trust then outstanding.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An event of default under a Trust Guarantee will occur upon the failure of
the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder. The
holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities to which
such Trust Guarantee relates have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee in respect of such Trust Guarantee or to direct the
exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Securities Guarantee
Trustee under such Trust Guarantee.
If the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Trust
Guarantee, any record holder of Preferred Securities to which such Trust
Guarantee relates may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company
to enforce the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights under such Trust
Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the applicable
Conseco Trust, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee or any other person or
entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has failed to make a
Guarantee Payment under a Trust Guarantee, a record holder of Preferred
Securities to which such Trust Guarantee relates may directly institute a
proceeding against the Company for enforcement of such Trust Guarantee for such
payment to the record holder of the Preferred Securities to which such Trust
Guarantee relates of the principal of or interest on the applicable Subordinated
Debt Securities on or after the respective due dates specified in the
Subordinated Debt Securities, and the amount of the payment will be based on the
holder's pro rata share of the amount due and owing on all of the Preferred
Securities to which such Trust Guarantee relates. The Company has waived any
right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against the
applicable Conseco Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding
directly
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against the Company. The record holder in the case of the issuance of one or
more global Preferred Securities certificates will be The Depository Trust
Company acting at the direction of the beneficial owners of the Preferred
Securities.
The Company will be required to provide annually to the Preferred
Securities Guarantee Trustee a statement as to the performance by the Company of
certain of its obligations under each outstanding Trust Guarantee and as to any
default in such performance.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
The Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a
default to a Trust Guarantee, undertakes to perform only such duties as are
specifically set forth in such Trust Guarantee and, after default with respect
to such Trust Guarantee, shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent
individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to
such provision, the Preferred Securities Guarantee Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a Trust Guarantee at
the request of any holder of Preferred Securities to which such Trust Guarantee
relates unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses
and liabilities that might be incurred thereby.
TERMINATION
Each Trust Guarantee will terminate as to the Preferred Securities issued
by the applicable Conseco Trust upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all
Preferred Securities of such Conseco Trust, upon distribution of the
Subordinated Debt Securities held by such Conseco Trust to the holders of all of
the Preferred Securities of such Conseco Trust or upon full payment of the
amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration of such Conseco Trust upon
liquidation of such Conseco Trust. Each Trust Guarantee will continue to be
effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder
of Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Conseco Trust must restore
payment of any sums paid under such Preferred Securities or such Trust
Guarantee.
STATUS OF THE TRUST GUARANTEES
The Trust Guarantees will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company
and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other
liabilities of the Company, including the Subordinated Debt Securities, except
those liabilities of the Company made pari passu or subordinate by their terms,
(ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or
hereafter issued by the Company and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered
into by the Company in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any
affiliate of the Company and (iii) senior to the Common Stock. The terms of the
Preferred Securities provide that each holder of Preferred Securities by
acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the
Trust Guarantee relating thereto.
Each Trust Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce its rights under such Trust Guarantee
without instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity).
GOVERNING LAW
The Trust Guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with
the law of the State of New York.
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
The Company may issue Stock Purchase Contracts, including contracts
obligating holders to purchase from the Company, and the Company to sell to the
holders, a specified number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or
Depositary Shares at a future date or dates. The consideration per share of
Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares may be fixed at the time the
Stock Purchase Contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a
specific formula set forth in the Stock Purchase Contracts. The Stock
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Purchase Contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units ("Stock
Purchase Units") consisting of a Stock Purchase Contract and Debt Securities,
Preferred Securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S.
Treasury securities, securing the holders' obligations to purchase the Common
Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares under the Stock Purchase Contracts.
The Stock Purchase Contracts may require the Company to make periodic payments
to the holders of the Stock Purchase Units or vice versa, and such payments may
be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The Stock Purchase Contracts may
require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any Stock
Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units. The description in the Prospectus
Supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference will be made to the
Stock Purchase Contracts, and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and
depositary arrangements, relating to such Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock
Purchase Units.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company and/or any Conseco Trust may sell any of the Securities being
offered hereby in any one or more of the following ways from time to time: (i)
through agents; (ii) to or through underwriters; (iii) through dealers; or (iv)
directly to purchasers.
The Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Securities will set forth the
terms of the offering of the Securities, including the name or names of any
underwriters, dealers or agents; the purchase price of the Securities and the
proceeds to the Company and/or a Conseco Trust from such sale; any underwriting
discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting
underwriters' or agents' compensation; any initial public offering price and any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any
securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed. Any initial public
offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers
may be changed from time to time.
The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market
prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing
market prices or at negotiated prices.
Offers to purchase Securities may be solicited by agents designated by the
Company from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be named, and
any commissions payable by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust to
such agent will be set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless
otherwise indicated in such Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting
on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such
agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the
Securities Act, of the Securities so offered and sold.
If Securities are sold by means of an underwritten offering, the Company
and/or the applicable Conseco Trust will execute an underwriting agreement with
an underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is
reached, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as
well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transaction, including
commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and
dealers, if any, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement which will be
used by the underwriters to make resales of the Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered to the public. If underwriters are utilized in the
sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, the
Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be
resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated
transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by
the underwriter at the time of sale. Securities may be offered to the public
either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or
directly by the managing underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are
utilized in the sale of the Securities, unless otherwise indicated in the
Prospectus Supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the
obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and
that the underwriters with respect to a sale of Securities will be obligated to
purchase all such Securities of a series if any are purchased.
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If a dealer is utilized in the sales of the Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered, the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust
will sell such Securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell
such Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer
at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as
such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the Securities so offered and
sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
Offers to purchase Securities may be solicited directly by the Company
and/or the applicable Conseco Trust and the sale thereof may be made by the
Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust directly to institutional investors
or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the
Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under relevant agreements
to indemnification or contribution by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco
Trust against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.
Agents, underwriters and dealers may be customers of, engage in
transactions with, or perform services for, the Company and its subsidiaries in
the ordinary course of business.
Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in
accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise,
by one or more firms ("remarketing firms"), acting as principals for their own
accounts or as agents for the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust. Any
remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with
its compensation will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as such term is defined in
the Securities Act, in connection with the Securities remarketed thereby.
Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into
with the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust to indemnification or
contribution by the Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust against certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be
customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for Conseco and
its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company and/or
the applicable Conseco Trust may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to
solicit offers by certain types of institutions to purchase Securities from the
Company and/or the applicable Conseco Trust at the public offering prices set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on a specified date
or dates in the future. A commission indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement will be paid to underwriters, dealers and agents soliciting purchases
of Securities pursuant to Contracts accepted by the Company and/or the
applicable Conseco Trust.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this
Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement or any document incorporated by reference
herein relative to markets for the products of the Company or Green Tree
Financial Corporation ("Green Tree") and trends in the Company's or Green Tree's
operations or financial results, as well as other statements including words
such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," and
other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements under the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from those
contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among
other things: (1) general economic conditions and other factors, including
prevailing interest rate levels, short-term interest rate fluctuations, stock
market performance and health care inflation, which may affect the ability of
the Company to sell its products, the ability of Green Tree to make loans and
access capital resources, the market value of the Company's or Green Tree's
investments, the lapse rate and profitability of the Company's policies and the
level of defaults and prepayments of loans made by Green Tree; (2) the Company's
ability to achieve anticipated levels of operational efficiencies at recently
acquired companies, as well as through other cost-saving initiatives; (3)
customer response to new products, distribution channels and marketing
initiatives; (4) mortality, morbidity, usage of
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health care services and other factors which may affect the profitability of the
Company's insurance products; (5) changes in the Federal income tax laws and
regulations which may affect the relative tax advantages of some of the
Company's products; (6) increasing competition in the sale of insurance and
annuities and in the consumer finance business; (7) regulatory changes or
actions, including those relating to regulation of financial services affecting
(among other things) bank sales and underwriting of insurance products,
regulation of the sale, underwriting and pricing of insurance products, and
health care regulation affecting the Company's supplemental health insurance
products; (8) the availability and terms of future acquisitions; and (9) the
risk factors or uncertainties listed from time to time in any Prospectus
Supplement or any document incorporated by reference herein. In addition to the
above, these statements are subject to uncertainties related to the synergies,
charges and expenses associated with the Green Tree Merger.
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the legal
validity of Securities (other than the Preferred Securities) will be passed upon
for the Company by John J. Sabl, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of the Company. Mr. Sabl is a full-time employee of the Company and
owns 75,000 shares and holds options to purchase 450,000 shares of Common Stock.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, certain
matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Preferred Securities
will be passed upon for the Conseco Trusts by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.,
Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel to the Conseco Trusts.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Company as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, as set forth in
their reports thereon incorporated by reference herein, and are incorporated by
reference in reliance upon such reports, given upon the authority of such firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Green Tree at December 31, 1997
and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997,
included in the Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 3, 1998, which is
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants as set forth in their
report thereon incorporated by reference herein, and are incorporated by
reference in reliance upon such report, given upon authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
30
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee......... $ 590,000
New York Stock Exchange listing fee......................... 75,000
Legal fees and expenses..................................... 200,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................ 125,000
Printing and engraving expenses............................. 250,000
Trustee's fees and expenses................................. 50,000
Rating agencies' fees....................................... 600,000
Miscellaneous............................................... 110,000
----------
Total....................................................... $2,000,000
==========
</TABLE>
Except for the SEC registration fee, all of the foregoing are estimates.
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The Indiana Business Corporation Law grants authorization to Indiana
corporations to indemnify officers and directors for their conduct if such
conduct was in good faith and was in the corporation's best interests or, in the
case of directors, was not opposed to such best interests, and permits the
purchase of insurance in this regard. In addition, the shareholders of a
corporation may approve the inclusion of other or additional indemnification
provisions in the articles of incorporation and bylaws.
The Conseco Bylaws provides for the indemnification of any person made a
party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is
a director, officer or employee of Conseco, if (a) such person is wholly
successful with respect to such action, suit or proceeding or (b) if such person
is determined to have acted in good faith, in what he or she reasonably believed
to be the best interests of Conseco or at least not opposed to its best
interests and, in addition, with respect to any criminal claim, is determined to
have had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful or had
no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. Such
indemnification shall be against the reasonable expenses, including attorneys'
fees, incurred by such person in connection with the defense of such action,
suit or proceeding and amounts paid in settlement. If such person was not wholly
successful, the determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be made by
one of the following methods, such method to be selected by the Board of
Directors: (a) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors who are not and have not been parties to the claim; (b)
by the majority vote of a committee duly designated by the Board of Directors,
consisting solely of two or more directors who are not and have not been parties
to the claim; and (c) by special legal counsel.
The above discussion of Conseco's Bylaws and the Indiana Business
Corporation Law is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its
entirety by such Bylaws and the Indiana Business Corporation Law.
The Declaration of Trust for each of Conseco Financing Trust V, Conseco
Financing Trust VI and Conseco Financing Trust VII (the "Trusts") provides that
no Institutional Trustee or any of its Affiliates, Delaware Trustee or any of
its Affiliates, or any officer, director, shareholder, member, partner,
employee, representative, custodian, nominee or agent of the Institutional
Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (each a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person"), and no
Regular Trustee, Affiliate of any Regular Trustee, or any officer, director,
shareholder, member, partner, employee, representative or agent of any Regular
Trustee or any Affiliate thereof, or any employee or agent of any of the Trusts
or any of their Affiliates (each a "Company Indemnified Person") shall be
liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to any of such Trusts
or any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee
or agent of any such Trust or its Affiliates or to any holder of Preferred
Securities for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or
omission performed or omitted by such Fiduciary Indemnified Person or Company
Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of any of such Trusts and in a manner
such Fiduciary Indemnified Person or Company Indemnified Person reasonably
believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Fiduciary
Indemnified Person or Company Indemnified Person by such Declaration or by law,
except
II-1
<PAGE>
that a Fiduciary Indemnified Person or Company Indemnified Person shall be
liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Fiduciary
Indemnified Person's or Company Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.
The Declaration of Trust for each of such Trusts also provides that to the
full extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify any Company
Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of any such Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company
Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted
in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of any such Trust, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person's
conduct was unlawful. Each of the Declaration of Trusts also provides that to
the full extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify any Company
Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to
any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of any
such trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection
with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in
good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of any such trust and except that no such
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to
any such trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of
Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine
upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper. The Declaration of Trust for each such Trust further provides
that expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a Company Indemnified
Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action,
suit or proceeding referred to in the immediately preceding two sentences shall
be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit
or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company
Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined
that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized
in any such Declaration.
The Declaration of Trust for each Trust also provides that the Company
shall indemnify each Fiduciary Indemnified Person against any loss, liability or
expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts under
any such Trust, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal
fees and expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or
duties thereunder.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
-------------- ----------------------
<C> <S>
1.1 Form of Purchase Agreement -- Debt Securities is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (No.
33-53095)
1.2 Form of Purchase Agreement -- Equity is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095)
</TABLE>
II-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
-------------- ----------------------
<C> <S>
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Conseco,
Inc. were filed with the Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to
Conseco's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997, and are incorporated herein by this
reference.
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Conseco, Inc. were filed
with the Commission as Exhibit 3.2 to its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, and are
incorporated herein by this reference.
4.1 Senior Indenture, dated as of November 13, 1997 by and
between Conseco, Inc. and LTCB Trust Company, as Trustee,
pursuant to which the Senior Debt Securities are to be
issued*
4.2 Subordinated Indenture, dated as of November 14, 1996
between Conseco, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as Trustee,
pursuant to which the Subordinated Debentures are to be
issued is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
4.17.1 to Conseco's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
November 19, 1996.
4.3 Form of Deposit Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095)
4.4 Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V*
4.5 Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V*
4.6 Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI*
4.7 Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI*
4.8 Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII*
4.9 Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII*
4.10 Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Amendment No.
2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No.
333-14991)
4.11 Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement by
Conseco, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11
to Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form
S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
4.12 Form of Debt Security
The form or forms of such Debt Securities with respect to
each particular offering will be filed as an exhibit
subsequently included or incorporated by reference herein.
4.13 Form of Preferred Stock
Any amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation
authorizing the creation of any series of Preferred Stock
or Depositary Shares representing such shares of Preferred
Stock and setting forth the rights, preferences and
designations thereof will be filed as an exhibit
subsequently included or incorporated by reference herein.
</TABLE>
II-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
-------------- ----------------------
<C> <S>
4.14 Form of Warrant Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095).
4.15 Form of Preferred Security is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.15 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
4.16 Form of Supplemental Indenture is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.16 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
4.17 Form of % Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to Amendment No.
1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No.
333-14991)
5.1 Opinion of John J. Sabl
5.2 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
12.1 Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges,
Preferred Dividends and Distributions on Company-obligated
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiary
Trusts (previously filed)
23.1 Consent of John J. Sabl (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCooopers LLP with respect to the
financial statements of Conseco, Inc.
23.3 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in
Exhibit 5.2 hereto)
23.4 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP with respect to the
financial statements of Green Tree Financial Corporation
24.1 Powers of Attorney from Stephen C. Hilbert, Rollin M. Dick,
James S. Adams, Ngaire E. Cuneo, David R. Decatur, M. Phil
Hathaway, Donald F. Gongaware, James D. Massey, Dennis E.
Murray, Sr. and John M. Mutz were included on the signature
page of the initial filing of this Registration Statement.
25.1 Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of LTCB Trust
Company, as Trustee under the Senior Indenture (previously
filed)
25.2 Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of State Street Bank and
Trust Company, as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture
(previously filed)
25.3 Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of State Street Bank and
Trust Company, as Trustee under the Declaration of Trust of
Conseco Financing Trust V, the Declaration of Trust of
Conseco Financing Trust VI and the Declaration of Trust of
Conseco Financing Trust VII and of the Preferred Securities
Guarantees for the benefit of the holders of Preferred
Securities of Conseco Financing Trust V, Conseco Financing
Trust VI and Conseco Financing Trust VII
</TABLE>
* Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-27803).
II-4
<PAGE>
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or
the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the Registration
Statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
under the Securities Act if, in the aggregate, the changes in
volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation
of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration
Statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
Statement or any material change to such information in the
Registration Statement; Provided, however, that paragraphs
(a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) If the securities to be registered are to be offered at competitive
bidding, the undersigned Registrants hereby undertake: (1) to use its
best efforts to distribute prior to the opening of bids, to
prospective bidders, underwriters, and dealers, a reasonable number of
copies of a prospectus which at that time meets the requirements of
Section 10(a) of the Act, and relating to the securities offered at
competitive bidding, as contained in the Registration Statement,
together with any supplements thereto, and (2) to file an amendment to
the Registration Statement reflecting the results of bidding, the
terms of the reoffering and related matters to the extent required by
the applicable form, not later than the first use, authorized by the
issuer after the opening of bids, of a prospectus relating to the
securities offered at competitive bidding, unless no further public
offering of such securities by the issuer and no reoffering of such
securities by the purchasers is proposed to be made.
II-5
<PAGE>
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, each of the Registrants has been advised
that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrants in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(e) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake that (1) for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)
or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part
of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared
effective; and (2) for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that
contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(f) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to file, if necessary, an
application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the
Trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 305(b)(2) of such Act.
(g) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to deliver or cause to be
delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus
is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is
incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to
and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial
information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X
are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be
delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the
latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference
in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
II-6
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Conseco, Inc.
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carmel, State of Indiana,
on August 4, 1998.
CONSECO, INC.
By: /s/ Rollin M. Dick
------------------------------------
Rollin M. Dick
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
* Director, Chairman of the Board, August 4, 1998
- - --------------------------------------------- President and Chief Executive
Stephen C. Hilbert Officer (Principal Executive Officer
of Conseco, Inc.)
* Director, Executive Vice President August 4, 1998
- - --------------------------------------------- and Chief Financial Officer
Rollin M. Dick (Principal Financial Officer of
Conseco, Inc.)
* Senior Vice President, Chief August 4, 1998
- - --------------------------------------------- Accounting Officer and Treasurer
James S. Adams (Principal Accounting Officer of
Conseco, Inc.)
* Director August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
Ngaire E. Cuneo
* Director August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
David R. Decatur
* Director August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
M. Phil Hathaway
* Director August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
Donald F. Gongaware
* Director August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
James D. Massey
* Director August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
Dennis E. Murray, Sr.
</TABLE>
II-7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
* Director August 4, 1998
- - ---------------------------------------------
John M. Mutz
* By: /S/ KARL W. KINDIG
----------------------------
Karl W. Kindig,
Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
II-8
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Conseco
Financing Trust V certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carmel, State of Indiana,
on August 4, 1998.
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST V
By:
*
------------------------------------
Stephen C. Hilbert, as Trustee
By:
*
------------------------------------
Rollin M. Dick, as Trustee
* By: /S/ KARL W. KINDIG
----------------------------
Karl W. Kindig,
Attorney-in-Fact
II-9
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Conseco
Financing Trust VI certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carmel, State of Indiana,
on August 4, 1998.
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VI
By:
*
------------------------------------
Stephen C. Hilbert, as Trustee
By:
*
------------------------------------
Rollin M. Dick, as Trustee
* By: /S/ KARL W. KINDIG
----------------------------
Karl W. Kindig,
Attorney-in-Fact
II-10
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Conseco
Financing Trust VII certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carmel, State of Indiana,
on August 4, 1998.
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VII
By:
*
------------------------------------
Stephen C. Hilbert, as Trustee
By:
*
------------------------------------
Rollin M. Dick, as Trustee
* By: /S/ KARL W. KINDIG
----------------------------
Karl W. Kindig,
Attorney-in-Fact
II-11
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ON FORM S-3
CONSECO, INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- - -------------- ----------------------
<C> <S>
1.1 Form of Purchase Agreement -- Debt Securities is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Registrant (No.
33-53095)
1.2 Form of Purchase Agreement -- Equity is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095)
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Conseco, Inc.
were filed with the Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to Conseco's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997, and are incorporated herein by this reference.
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Conseco, Inc. were filed with
were filed with the Commission as Exhibit 3.2 to its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, and
are incorporated herein by this reference.
4.1 Senior Indenture, dated as of November 13, 1997 by and
between Conseco, Inc. and LTCB Trust Company, as Trustee,
pursuant to which the Senior Debt Securities are to be
issued*
4.2 Subordinated Indenture, dated as of November 14, 1996
between Conseco, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as Trustee,
pursuant to which the Subordinated Debentures are to be
issued is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.17.1
to Conseco's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19,
1996.
4.3 Form of Deposit Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095)
4.4 Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V*
4.5 Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V*
4.6 Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI*
4.7 Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI*
4.8 Certificate of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII*
4.9 Declaration of Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII*
4.10 Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Amendment No. 2
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No.
333-14991)
4.11 Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement by Conseco,
Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of
Conseco (No. 333-14991)
</TABLE>
II-12
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- - -------------- ----------------------
<C> <S>
4.12 Form of Debt Security
The form or forms of such Debt Securities with respect to
each particular offering will be filed as an exhibit
subsequently included or incorporated by reference herein.
4.13 Form of Preferred Stock
Any amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation
authorizing the creation of any series of Preferred Stock or
Depositary Shares representing such shares of Preferred
Stock and setting forth the rights, preferences and
designations thereof will be filed as an exhibit
subsequently included or incorporated by reference herein.
4.14 Form of Warrant Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of the Registrant (No. 33-53095).
4.15 Form of Preferred Security is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.15 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
4.16 Form of Supplemental Indenture is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.16 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-14991)
4.19 Form of % Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to Amendment No. 1
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No.
333-14991)
5.1 Opinion of John J. Sabl
5.2 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
12.1 Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges,
Preferred Dividends and Distributions on Company-obligated
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiary
Trusts (previously filed)
23.1 Consent of John J. Sabl (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with respect to the
financial statements of Conseco, Inc.
23.3 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in
Exhibit 5.2 hereto)
23.4 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP with respect to financial
statements of Green Tree Financial Corporation.
25.1 Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of LTCB Trust Company, as
Trustee under the Senior Indenture (previously filed)
25.2 Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of State Street Bank and
Trust Company, as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture
(previously filed)
25.3 Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of State Street Bank and
Trust Company, as Trustee under the Declaration of
Trust of Conseco Financing Trust V, the Declaration of
Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VI and the Declaration of
Trust of Conseco Financing Trust VII and Preferred
Securities Guarantees for the benefit of the holders of
Preferred Securities of Conseco Financing Trust V,
Conseco Financing Trust VI and Conseco Financing Trust VII
</TABLE>
* Incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Conseco (No. 333-27803).
II-13
August 4, 1998 Exhibit 5.1
Board of Directors
Conseco, Inc.
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
Carmel, IN 46032
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-56611)
Gentlemen and Madam:
I am Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Conseco, Inc.
(the "Corporation"). At your request, I have examined or caused to be examined
the above-referenced Registration Statement on Form S-3 (as amended, the
"Registration Statement") of the Corporation with respect to unsecured senior
debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities"), unsecured subordinated debt
securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities"), shares of preferred stock,
without par value (the "Preferred Stock"), shares of common stock, without par
value (the "Common Stock"), stock purchase units, stock purchase contracts and
warrants to purchase Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities,
Preferred Stock or Common Stock or any combination thereof, as shall be
designated by the Corporation at the time of the offering (the "Warrants") in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.
The Registration Statement also relates to the guarantees by the Corporation of
preferred securities of Conseco Financing Trust V, Conseco Financing Trust VI
and Conseco Financing Trust VII, pursuant to guarantee agreements to be entered
into by the Corporation (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreements").
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Senior
Debt Securities will be issued under the Senior Indenture (the "Senior
Indenture") between the Corporation and LTCB Trust Company as Trustee. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Subordinated
Debt Securities will be issued under the Subordinated Indenture (the
"Subordinated Indenture") between the Corporation and State Street Bank and
Trust Company as Trustee.
In rendering this opinion, I, or attorneys under my supervision (together
referred to herein as "we"), have examined the Registration Statement. We have
also examined originals, or copies of originals certified to our satisfaction,
of such agreements, documents, certificates and statements of government
officials and other instruments, and have examined such questions of law and
have satisfied ourselves as to such matters of fact, as we have considered
relevant and necessary as a basis for this opinion. We have assumed the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of
all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons and the conformity
with the original documents of any copies thereof submitted to us for
examination.
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
August 4, 1998
Page 2
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations
hereinafter set forth, I am of the opinion that:
1. When (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any
necessary post- effective amendments), shall have become effective under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and the
Senior Indenture, including any necessary supplemental indenture, shall
have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;
(ii) a prospectus supplement with respect to such series of Senior Debt
Securities shall have been filed with the Commission in compliance with the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a Board
Resolution or Officer's Certificate within the meaning of the Senior
Indenture shall have been duly issued, or supplemental indenture entered
into, in accordance with the Senior Indenture detailing the establishment
of such series of Senior Debt Securities; and (iv) such series of Senior
Debt Securities shall have been duly executed and authenticated and shall
have been duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the
agreed consideration therefor, each such series of Senior Debt Securities
will be legally issued and binding obligations of the Corporation (except
as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by the effect of general
principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).
2. When (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any
necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the
Securities Act and the Subordinated Indenture, including any necessary
supplemental indenture, shall have been duly qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (ii) a prospectus supplement with
respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities shall have been
filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) a Board Resolution or Officers'
Certificate within the meaning of the Subordinated Indenture shall have
been duly issued, or supplemental indenture entered into, in accordance
with the Subordinated Indenture detailing the establishment of such series
of Subordinated Debt Securities; and (iv) such series of Subordinated Debt
Securities shall have been duly executed and authenticated and shall have
been duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed
consideration therefor, each such series of Subordinated Debt Securities
will be legally issued and binding obligations of the Corporation (except
as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by the effect of general
principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
August 4, 1998
Page 3
3. When the Common Stock has been duly issued and the consideration
therefore has been received by the Corporation, the Common Stock will be
legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
4. When (i) the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a duly authorized
committee thereof has duly adopted resolutions specifying the terms and
conditions of the applicable series of Preferred Stock; (ii) the
Corporation has filed with the Indiana Secretary of State articles of
amendment with respect to such series of Preferred Stock; and (iii) such
series of Preferred Stock has been duly issued and the consideration
therefor has been received by the Corporation, such series of Preferred
Stock will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
5. When the terms of the stock purchase contracts have been duly established
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or any duly authorized
committee thereof or authorized officer of the Corporation and when the
stock purchase contracts have been duly executed and delivered and sold in
the form and manner contemplated in the Registration Statement and any
prospectus supplement thereto, such stock purchase contracts (whether
issued separately or as part of a stock purchase unit) will be legally
binding obligations of the Corporation (except as may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent
transfer or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally and by the effect of general principles of equity,
regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
6. When (i) the Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants (the "Warrant
Agreement") has been duly executed and delivered; (ii) the terms of the
Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in
conformity with the Warrant Agreement relating to such Warrants so as not
to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any
agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation and so as to comply
with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental or
regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Corporation; and (iii) the
Warrants have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the
Warrant Agreement relating to such Warrants, and issued and sold in the
form and manner contemplated in the Registration Statement and any
prospectus supplement relating thereto, such Warrants will be legally
issued and binding obligations of the Corporation (except as may be limited
by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and by the effect of general principles of
equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law).
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
August 4, 1998
Page 4
7. When a Preferred Securities Guarantee has been duly executed and
delivered by the Corporation and such preferred guarantee trustee, such
Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute the legal and binding
obligation of the Corporation (except as may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or
other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally
and by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
I do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion to cover, and
accordingly I express no opinion as to, the application of the securities or
blue sky laws of the various states to the sale of the securities to be
registered pursuant to the Registration Statement. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, I express no opinion in connection with the matters
contemplated by the Registration Statement, and no opinion may be implied or
inferred, except as expressly set forth herein.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Indiana and of the United
States of America to the extent applicable. If any of the securities included in
the Registration Statement are governed by the laws of a state other than
Indiana, I have assumed for purposes of this opinion that the laws of such other
state are the same as those of the State of Indiana.
I hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement and to all references to me in the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus included therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ John J. Sabl
- -------------------------------
John J. Sabl
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
August 4, 1998
Conseco Financing Trust V
Conseco Financing Trust VI
Conseco Financing Trust VII
c/o Conseco, Inc.
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Re: Conseco Financing Trust V, Conseco Financing Trust VI,
and Conseco Financing Trust VII
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for Conseco, Inc., an
Indiana corporation (the "Company"), Conseco Financing Trust V, a Delaware
business trust ("Trust V"), Conseco Financing Trust VI, a Delaware business
trust ("Trust VI") and Conseco Financing Trust VII, a Delaware business trust
("Trust VII")(Trust V, Trust VI and Trust VII are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Trusts" and sometimes hereinafter individually referred to
as a "Trust"), in connection with the matters set forth herein. At your request,
this opinion is being furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our
examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or
copies of the following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust of Trust V, dated May 21, 1997, as
filed with the Secretary of State on May 23, 1997;
<PAGE>
Conseco Financing Trust V
Conseco Financing Trust VI
Conseco Financing Trust VII
August 4, 1998
Page 2
(b) The Certificate of Trust of Trust VI, dated May 21, 1997, as
filed with the Secretary of State on May 23, 1997;
(c) The Certificate of Trust of Trust VII, dated May 21, 1997, as
filed with the Secretary of State on May 23, 1997;
(d) The Declaration of Trust of Trust V, dated as of May 21, 1997
between the Company and the trustees of Trust V named therein;
(e) The Declaration of Trust of Trust VI, dated as of May 21, 1997
between the Company and the trustees of Trust VI named therein;
(f) The Declaration of Trust of Trust VII, dated as of May 21, 1997
between the Company and the trustees of Trust VII named therein;
(g) Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
(the "Registration Statement") on Form S-3, including a preliminary prospectus
(the "Prospectus"), relating to the Preferred Securities of the Trusts
representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trusts (each, a "Preferred Security" and collectively, the "Preferred
Securities"), filed by the Company and the Trusts with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 4, 1998;
(h) A form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for each of
the Trusts, to be entered into between the Company, the trustees of the Trust
named therein, and the holders, from time to time, of the undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of such Trust (including the exhibits and Annex I
thereto) (collectively, the "Declarations" and individually, a "Declaration"),
attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and
(i) A Certificate of Good Standing for each of the Trusts, dated
August 4, 1998, obtained from the Secretary of State.
Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
are used as defined in the Declarations.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents
other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (i) above. In
particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the documents listed
in paragraphs (a) through (i) above) that is referred to in or incorporated by
reference into the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists
no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with
the opinions stated herein. We have conducted no independent factual
investigation of our own but
<PAGE>
Conseco Financing Trust V
Conseco Financing Trust VI
Conseco Financing Trust VII
August 4, 1998
Page 3
rather have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the statements and
information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed
herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all
material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i)
the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii)
the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or
forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that each of the
Declarations constitutes the entire agreement among the parties thereto with
respect to the subject matter thereof, including with respect to the creation,
operation and termination of the applicable Trust, and that the Declarations and
the Certificates of Trust are in full force and effect and have not been
amended, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the due
organization or due formation, as the case may be, and valid existence in good
standing of each party to the documents examined by us under the laws of the
jurisdiction governing its organization or formation, (iii) the legal capacity
of natural persons who are parties to the documents examined by us, (iv) that
each of the parties to the documents examined by us has the power and authority
to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents,
(v) the due authorization, execution and delivery by all parties thereto of all
documents examined by us, (vi) the receipt by each Person to whom a Preferred
Security is to be issued by the Trusts (collectively, the "Preferred Security
Holders") of a Preferred Security Certificate for such Preferred Security and
the payment for such Preferred Security, in accordance with the Declarations and
the Registration Statement, and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are issued
and sold to the Preferred Security Holders in accordance with the Declarations
and the Registration Statement. We have not participated in the preparation of
the Registration Statement and assume no responsibility for its contents.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware
(excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not
considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction,
including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions
are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and
orders thereunder which are currently in effect.
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions
of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or
appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and
exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
<PAGE>
Conseco Financing Trust V
Conseco Financing Trust VI
Conseco Financing Trust VII
August 4, 1998
Page 4
1. Each of the Trusts has been duly created and is validly existing
in good standing as a business trust under the Business Trust Act.
2. The Preferred Securities of each Trust will represent valid and,
subject to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and
nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the applicable
Trust.
3. The Preferred Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the
applicable Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability
extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note that the Preferred
Security Holders may be obligated to make payments as set forth in the
Declarations.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby
consent to the use of our name under the heading "Legal Matters" in the
Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. Except as stated above, without
our prior written consent, this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or
relied upon by, any other person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ RICHARD, LAYTON & FINGER
----------------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
of Conseco, Inc. on Form S-3 (File No. 333-56611), of our reports dated March
23, 1998 on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedules of Conseco, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997
and 1996, and for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, included in
the Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the reference to our firm
under the caption "Experts."
/S/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
------------------------------
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana
August 4, 1998
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.4
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors
Green Tree Financial Corporation:
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(No. 333-56611) on Form S-3 of Conseco, Inc. of our report dated January 27,
1998, except as to Note O which is as of February 13, 1998, with respect to the
consolidated balance sheets of Green Tree Financial Corporation and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997, which report appears in the Form 8-K
of Conseco, Inc. dated June 3, 1998 and to the reference to our firm under the
heading "EXPERTS" in the Registration Statement. Our report refers to the
Company's adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement No.
125 "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities," in 1997.
/S/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
---------------------------
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 4, 1998
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 25.3
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
---------
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE
TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility
of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) [x]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Massachusetts 04-1867445
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national bank) Identification No.)
225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Maureen Scannell Bateman, Esq. Executive Vice President and General Counsel
225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(617) 654-3253
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
CONSECO, INC.
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST V
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VI
CONSECO FINANCING TRUST VII
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
Indiana 35-1468632
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Preferred Securities
Preferred Securities Guarantee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of indenture securities)
<PAGE>
GENERAL
Item 1. General Information.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervisory authority to
which it is subject.
Department of Banking and Insurance of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
Washington, D.C., Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
Washington, D.C.
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.
If the Obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
affiliation.
The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee or of its parent,
State Street Corporation.
(See note on page 2.)
Item 3. through Item 15. Not applicable.
Item 16. List of Exhibits.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this statement of
eligibility.
1. A copy of the articles of association of the trustee as now in
effect.
A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee, as now
in effect, is on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Statement
of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed
with the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File
No. 22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
2. A copy of the certificate of authority of the trustee to
commence business, if not contained in the articles of
association.
A copy of a Statement from the Commissioner of Banks of
Massachusetts that no certificate of authority for the
trustee to commence business was necessary or issued is on
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit
2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Statement of Eligibility and
Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with the
Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File No.
22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
3. A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate
trust powers, if such authorization is not contained in the
documents specified in paragraph (1) or (2), above.
A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise
corporate trust powers is on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3 to Amendment No. 1 to the
Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form
T-1) filed with the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe,
Inc. (File No. 22-17940) and is incorporated herein by
reference thereto.
4. A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee, or instruments
corresponding thereto.
<PAGE>
A copy of the by-laws of the trustee, as now in effect, is
on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
Exhibit 4 to the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification
of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with the Registration Statement
of Eastern Edison Company (File No. 33-37823) and is
incorporated herein by reference thereto.
5. A copy of each indenture referred to in Item 4. if the obligor
is in default.
Not applicable.
6. The consents of United States institutional trustees required by
Section 321(b) of the Act.
The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
Act is annexed hereto as Exhibit 6 and made a part hereof.
7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising
or examining authority.
A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
supervising or examining authority is annexed hereto as
Exhibit 7 and made a part hereof.
NOTES
In answering any item of this Statement of Eligibility which relates
to matters peculiarly within the knowledge of the obligor or any underwriter of
the obligor, the trustee has relied upon the information furnished to it by the
obligor and the underwriters, and the trustee disclaims responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
The answer to Item 2. of this statement will be amended, if
necessary, to reflect any facts which differ from those stated and which would
have been required to be stated if known at the date hereof.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, State Street Bank and Trust Company, a corporation duly
organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has
duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Boston and The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 4th of August, 1998.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Susan Keller
------------------------------
Susan Keller
Vice President
2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 6
CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, in connection with the proposed issuance by Conseco,
Inc. of its Subordinated Debt Securities we hereby consent that reports of
examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be
furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
request therefor.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Susan Keller
------------------------------
Susan Keller
Vice President
Dated: August 4, 1998
3
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 7
Consolidated Report of Condition of State Street Bank and Trust Company,
Massachusetts and foreign and domestic subsidiaries, a state banking institution
organized and operating under the banking laws of this commonwealth and a member
of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business December 31, 1997,
published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this
District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act and in accordance
with a call made by the Commissioner of Banks under General Laws, Chapter 172,
Section 22(a).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Thousands of
ASSETS Dollars
-------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin ................................ $ 2,220,829
Interest-bearing balances.......................................................... 10,076,045
Securities.............................................................................. 10,373,821
Federal funds sold and securities purchased
under agreements to resell in domestic offices
of the bank and its Edge subsidiary................................................ 5,124,310
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases, net of unearned income................. 6,270,348
Allowance for loan and lease losses...................... 82,820
Allocated transfer risk reserve.......................... 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowances............................ 6,187,528
Assets held in trading accounts......................................................... 1,241,555
Premises and fixed assets............................................................... 410,029
Other real estate owned................................................................. 100
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries.............................................. 38,831
CustomersAEliability to this bank on acceptances outstanding............................ 44,962
Intangible assets....................................................................... 224,049
Other assets............................................................................ 1,507,650
-----------
Total assets............................................................................ $37,449,709
===========
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices................................................................ $10,115,205
Noninterest-bearing.................................... 7,739,136
Interest-bearing....................................... 2,376,069
In foreign offices and Edge subsidiary............................................. 14,791,134
Noninterest-bearing.................................... 71,889
Interest-bearing....................................... 14,719,245
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of
the bank and of its Edge subsidiary................................................ 7,603,920
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury and Trading Liabilities........................ 194,059
Trading liabilities..................................................................... 1,036,905
Other borrowed money.................................................................... 459,252
Subordinated notes and debentures....................................................... 0
BankAEs liability on acceptances executed and outstanding................................ 44,962
Other liabilities....................................................................... 972,782
-----------
Total liabilities....................................................................... 35,218,219
-----------
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus........................................... 0
Common stock............................................................................ 29,931
Surplus................................................................................. 444,620
Undivided profits and capital reserves/Net unrealized holding gains (losses)............ 1,763,076
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments..................................... (6,137)
-----------
Total equity capital.................................................................... 2,231,490
-----------
Total liabilities and equity capital.................................................... $37,449,709
===========
4
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
I, Rex S. Schuette, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above named
bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Rex S. Schuette
We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.
David A. Spina
Marshall N. Carter
Truman S. Casner