CNB BANCSHARES INC
S-3, 1998-06-03
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>
 
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 3, 1998
 
                                                    REGISTRATION NO. 333-
                                                 REGISTRATION NO. 333-      -01
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ---------------
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ---------------
         CNB BANCSHARES, INC.                    CNB CAPITAL TRUST I
     (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS          (EXACT NAME OF CO-REGISTRANT AS
      SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)               SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                                                      DELAWARE
                                           (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
               INDIANA                     INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
    INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                   APPLIED FOR
                                        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
              35-1568731
 (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
         20 N.W. THIRD STREET, EVANSVILLE, INDIANA 47739 812-456-3400
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
         REGISTRANT'S AND CO-REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
                                ---------------
                                JOHN R. SPRUILL
             EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                             20 N.W. THIRD STREET
                           EVANSVILLE, INDIANA 47739
                                 812-456-3400
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                                ---------------
                                WITH COPIES TO:
         THOMAS C. ERB, ESQ.                     LEE MEYERSON, ESQ.
     LEWIS, RICE & FINGERSH, L.C.            SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT
    500 NORTH BROADWAY, SUITE 2000              425 LEXINGTON AVENUE
      ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63102               NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017
             314-444-7600                           212-455-2000
                                ---------------
 
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
  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, check the following box. [_]
 
  If the registrant elects to deliver its latest annual report to security
holders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item
11(a)(1) of this Form, check the following box. [_]
 
  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. [_]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           PROPOSED
                                            MAXIMUM        PROPOSED
 TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF       AMOUNT       OFFERING         MAXIMUM           AMOUNT OF
    SECURITIES TO BE          TO BE          PRICE         AGGREGATE        REGISTRATION
       REGISTERED           REGISTERED     PER UNIT     OFFERING PRICE           FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>            <C>           <C>                 <C>
Shared Preference
 Redeemable Securities
 of CNB Capital Trust
 I(/1/)................   6,900,000(/1/)    $25.00      $172,500,000(/1/)  $50,887.50(/2/)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Convertible Subordinated
 Debentures of CNB
 Bancshares, Inc.(/3/).     (/3/)(/4/)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guarantee of CNB
 Bancshares, Inc., with
 respect to Convertible
 Capital
 Securities(/4/).......       (/4/)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common stock, stated
 $1.00 value per share,
 of CNB Bancshares,
 Inc...................       (/5/)
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes 900,000 Shared Preference Redeemable Securities ("Capital
    Securities") which may be sold by CNB Capital Trust I to cover over-
    allotments.
(2) The registration fee is calculated in accordance with Rules 457(i) and (n)
    under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(3) The Convertible Subordinated Debentures to be issued by CNB Bancshares,
    Inc. will be purchased by CNB Capital Trust I with the proceeds of the
    sale of the Capital Securities. Such securities may later be distributed
    for no additional consideration to the holders of the Capital Securities
    of CNB Capital Trust I upon its dissolution and the distribution of its
    assets.
(4) This Registration Statement is deemed to cover the Convertible
    Subordinated Debentures of CNB Bancshares, Inc., the rights of holders of
    Convertible Subordinated Debentures of CNB Bancshares, Inc. under the
    Indenture, and the rights of holders of the Capital Securities under the
    Trust Agreement and the Guarantee entered into by CNB Bancshares, Inc. No
    separate consideration will be received for the Guarantee.
(5) Such indeterminate number of shares of common stock, stated value $1.00
    per share, of CNB Bancshares, Inc. (the "Common Stock") as may be issuable
    upon conversion of the Capital Securities registered hereunder. Shares of
    Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Capital Securities will be
    issued without the payment of additional consideration. This Registration
    Statement also covers such shares as may be issuable upon such conversion
    pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments.
                                ---------------
 
  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 THE 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 SAID SECTION
8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PROSPECTUS                             Subject to Completion, Dated June 3, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                          6,000,000 Capital Securities
 
                              CNB CAPITAL TRUST I
               % Shared Preference Redeemable Securities ("SPuRS"sm)
 
[LOGO]           (Liquidation Amount $25 per Capital Security)
                    guaranteed, as described herein by, and
                       convertible into common stock of,
 
                              CNB BANCSHARES, INC.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The    % Shared Preference Redeemable Securities (the "SPuRS" or "Capital
Securities") offered hereby represent preferred undivided beneficial ownership
interests in the assets of CNB Capital Trust I, a statutory business trust
created under the laws of the State of Delaware ("Issuer"). CNB Bancshares,
Inc., an Indiana corporation (the "Company"), will be the owner of all the
beneficial ownership interests represented by the common securities of the
Issuer (the "Common Securities" and, together with the SPuRS, the "Trust
Securities").
                                                        (continued on next page)
 
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10 HEREOF FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE CAPITAL SECURITIES.
 
THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK AND ARE NOT
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY.
 
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.
 
                              Price
                        toPublic(1)
                  UnderwritingCommission(2)
                                            Proceeds
                                         toIssuer(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Security             $25.00     (3)   $25.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(4)               $150,000,000     (3)
                                        $150,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Plus accrued distributions, if any, from            , 1998, to date of
    delivery.
(2) The Issuer and the Company have each agreed to indemnify the Underwriters
    against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act
    of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the SPuRS will be
    invested in the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, the Company has agreed
    to pay the Underwriters as compensation for their arranging the investment
    therein of such proceeds $       per SPuRS, or $       in the aggregate
    ($       if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). See
    "Underwriting." The Company also has agreed to pay the expenses of the
    offering estimated to be $      .
(4) The Issuer has granted the Underwriters an option exercisable within 30
    days from the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to [900,000]
    additional SPuRS on the same terms and conditions set forth above to cover
    over-allotments, if any. If all such additional SPuRS are purchased, the
    total Price to Public and Proceeds to Issuer will be $      .
 
The SPuRS are offered hereby subject to prior sale when, as and if accepted by
the underwriters named herein. It is expected that the SPuRS will be ready for
delivery in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust
Company in New York, New York, on or about           , 1998, against payment
therefor in immediately available funds.
 
SBC WARBURG DILLON READ                                         CIBC OPPENHEIMER
INC.
 
STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY INCORPORATED
        HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.
                NATCITY INVESTMENTS, INC.
                        KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.
                                 WEDGEWOOD PARTNERS, INC.
 
                The date of this Prospectus is            , 1998
<PAGE>
 
(cover page continued)
 
  The Bank of New York is the Property Trustee of the Issuer. The Issuer
exists for the sole purpose of issuing the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities and investing the proceeds thereof in     % Convertible
Subordinated Debentures (the "Convertible Subordinated Debentures") to be
issued by the Company. The Convertible Subordinated Debentures will mature on
     , 2028 (the "Stated Maturity"). The Capital Securities will have a
preference under certain circumstances with respect to cash distributions and
amounts payable on liquidation or redemption over the Common Securities. See
"Description of Trust Securities--Subordination of Common Securities."
 
  Each Capital Security is convertible on or after            , 1998 [60 days
after the date of issue], at the option of the holder thereof into shares of
common stock, stated value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the
Company, at an initial conversion ratio of        shares of Common Stock for
each Capital Security (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $      per
share of Common Stock), subject to adjustment under certain circumstances
(such conversion ratio, as it may be adjusted from time to time as described
herein, the "Conversion Ratio"). The Common Stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbol "BNK". On              , 1998,
the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape
was $      . Application has been made to have the Capital Securities listed
for trading on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, under the
symbol "BNK PrA".
 
  Holders of the Capital Securities will be entitled to receive cumulative
cash distributions accruing from the date of original issuance and payable
quarterly in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of
each year, commencing September 30, 1998, at the annual rate of    % of the
liquidation amount (the "Liquidation Amount") of $25 per Capital Security
("Distributions"). Subject to certain exceptions, as described herein, the
Company has the right to defer payment of interest on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures at any time or from time to time for a period not
exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods with respect to each deferral
period (each, an "Extension Period"), provided that no Extension Period may
extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of all
interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the rate
of    % per annum, compounded quarterly, to the extent permitted by applicable
law), the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period subject to the
requirements set forth herein. If interest payments on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures are so deferred, Distributions on the Capital
Securities also will be deferred and the Company will not be permitted,
subject to certain exceptions described herein, to declare or pay any cash
distributions with respect to the Company's capital stock or debt securities
that rank pari passu with or junior to the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures. During an Extension Period, interest on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures will continue to accrue (and the amount of
Distributions to which holders of the Capital Securities are entitled will
accumulate), at the rate of    % per annum, compounded quarterly from the
relevant payment date for such interest, and holders of Capital Securities
will be required to accrue interest income for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. See "Description of Convertible Subordinated Debentures--Right to
Defer Interest Payments" and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--
Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period and Original Issue Discount."
 
  The Convertible Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and subordinated to
all Senior Debt (as defined herein) of the Company. Substantially all of the
Company's existing indebtedness constitutes Senior Debt. At May 31, 1998, the
aggregate amount of Senior Debt outstanding was $48.0 million. Because the
Company is a holding company, the right of the Company to participate in any
distribution of the assets of any subsidiary, including any bank subsidiary,
upon such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise (and thus
the ability of holders of the Trust Securities, or the holders of the Common
Stock which may be acquired upon conversion of the Capital Securities, to
benefit indirectly from such distribution) is subject to the prior claims of
creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent that the Company may itself
be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures (and therefore the Capital Securities) will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the
Company's subsidiaries, and holders thereof should only look to the assets of
the Company for payments on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. See
"Description of Convertible Subordinated Debentures--Subordination."
                                                       (continued on next page)
<PAGE>
 
(cover page continued)
 
  The Company has, through the Guarantee, the Trust Agreement, the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture (each as defined herein), taken
together, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed all obligations of
the Issuer under the Capital Securities. See "Relationship Among the Capital
Securities, the Convertible Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee--Full and
Unconditional Guarantee." The Guarantee of the Company (the "Guarantee")
guarantees the payment of Distributions and payments on liquidation of the
Issuer or redemption of the Capital Securities, but only in each case to the
extent of funds held by the Issuer, as described herein. See "Description of
Guarantee." If the Company does not make interest payments on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures held by the Issuer, the Issuer will have insufficient
funds to pay Distributions on the Capital Securities. The Guarantee does not
cover payment of Distributions when the Issuer has insufficient funds to pay
such Distributions. In such event, a holder of Capital Securities may institute
a legal proceeding directly against the Company pursuant to the terms of the
Indenture to enforce payment of amounts equal to such Distributions to such
holder. See "Description of Convertible Subordinated Debentures--Enforcement of
Certain Rights by Holders of Capital Securities." The obligations of the
Company under the Guarantee are subordinate and junior in right of payment to
all Senior Debt of the Company.
 
  The Capital Securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in
part, upon repayment of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures at their Stated
Maturity or earlier redemption. Subject to the Company having received prior
approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Federal
Reserve") to do so if then required under applicable capital guidelines or
policies, the Convertible Subordinated Debentures are redeemable prior to their
Stated Maturity at the option of the Company (i) on or after      , 2001, in
whole at any time or in part from time to time, or (ii) at any time in certain
circumstances as described under "Description of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures--Conditional Right to Redeem upon a Tax Event or Capital Treatment
Event," in whole (but not in part), within 90 days following the occurrence of
a Tax Event or Capital Treatment Event (as such terms are defined herein). See
"Description of Capital Securities--Redemption" and "Description of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures--Redemption."
 
  Application has been made to have the Capital Securities approved for listing
on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. If Convertible
Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the holders of Capital Securities in
exchange therefor upon the liquidation of the Issuer, the Company will use its
best efforts to list the Subordinated Debentures on the NYSE or such other
stock exchanges or automated quotation systems, if any, on which the Capital
Securities are then listed or traded.
 
  The Company, as the holder of the outstanding Common Securities of the
Issuer, will have the right at any time to terminate the Issuer, subject to the
Company having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve to do so if then
required under applicable capital guidelines or policies. See "Description of
Capital Securities--Liquidation of Issuer and Distribution of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures to Holders." In the event of the termination of the
Issuer, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as
required by applicable law, the holders of the Capital Securities will be
entitled to receive a Liquidation Amount of $25 per Capital Security plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment, which may
be in the form of a distribution of such amount in Convertible Subordinated
Debentures in exchange therefor, subject to certain exceptions. See
"Description of Capital Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination."
 
  The Capital Securities will be represented by one or more global certificates
registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee.
Beneficial interests in the Capital Securities will be shown on, and transfers
thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its
participants. Except as described herein, Capital Securities in certificated
form will not be issued in exchange for the global certificates. See
"Description of Capital Securities--Registration of Capital Securities."
 
                               ----------------
 
  CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES AND THE COMMON STOCK. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY INCLUDE OVERALLOTMENT,
STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS, THE PURCHASE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES TO COVER SHORT
POSITIONS AND THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF SUCH
ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING." SUCH STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS, IF COMMENCED,
MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
<PAGE>
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents, previously filed by the Company with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), are
incorporated herein by reference:
 
    (a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
  31,1997;
 
    (b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
  March 31, 1998 (as amended by the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A
  filed with the Commission on May 28, 1998);
 
    (c) The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the
  Commission on May 1, 1998 (as amended by the Company's Current Report on
  Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on June 3, 1998), and June 3, 1998;
  and
 
    (d) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
  Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated April 1, 1996, filed
  pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or
  reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
 
  On April 17, 1998, the Company acquired Pinnacle Financial Services, Inc., a
Michigan corporation ("Pinnacle") (File No. 0-17937). Pinnacle's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 is incorporated herein by
reference.
 
  All reports filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Capital
Securities offered hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained 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.
 
  THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF ANY SUCH PERSON, A
COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE (OTHER
THAN EXHIBIT TO SUCH DOCUMENTS WHICH ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN OUCH DOCUMENTS). WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH COPIES SHOULD BE
DIRECTED TO KATHRYN P. WILLIAMS, CNB BANCSHARES, INC., 20 N.W. THIRD STREET,
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA 47739. TELEPHONE REQUESTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO 812-456-3400.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration
Statement") filed by the Company and the Issuer with the Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the
Capital Securities, the Convertible Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee.
This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in such
Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission, although it does include a
summary of the material terms of the Trust Agreement, the Indenture and the
Guarantee. Reference is made to such Registration Statement and to the
exhibits relating thereto for further information with respect to the Company,
the Issuer, the Capital Securities, the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
and the Guarantee. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions
of any document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise
filed with the Commission or incorporated by reference herein are not
necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of
such document so filed for a more complete description of the matter involved.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
and, in accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the
Commission. The Issuer is not currently subject to the information reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act and, although the Issuer will become subject
to such requirements upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, it
is not expected that the Issuer will be filing separate reports under the
Exchange Act. The Company's reports and other information can be inspected and
copied at the following public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission: 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; 7 World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048; and the Citicorp Center, 500
West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such
material may also be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates. The Commission maintains an Internet web site that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
issuers who file electronically with the Commission. The address of that site
is http://www.sec.gov. Such reports, proxy statements and information also can
be inspected at the office of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
 
  No separate financial statements of the Issuer have been included herein.
The Company and the Issuer do not consider that such financial statements
would be material to holders of Capital Securities because (i) all of the
voting securities of the Issuer will be owned by the Company, a reporting
company under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Issuer has no independent operations
but exists solely for the sole purpose of issuing securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer and investing the
proceeds thereof in Convertible Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company,
and (iii) the obligations of the Company described herein to provide certain
indemnities in respect of and be responsible for certain costs, expenses,
debts and liabilities of the Issuer under the Indenture and pursuant to the
Trust Agreement, the Guarantee issued by Company with respect to the Capital
Securities, the Convertible Subordinated Debentures purchased by the Issuer
and the related Indenture, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional
guarantee of payments due on the Capital Securities. See "Description of
Convertible Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of Guarantee."
 
                          FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
  Certain of the statements contained in this Prospectus and in documents
incorporated herein by reference that are not historical facts, including,
without limitation, statements of future expectations, projections of results
of operations and financial condition, statements of future economic
performance and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, are subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from
those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. In addition to the
specific matters referred to herein, including, without limitation, those
noted under the caption "Risk Factors," important factors which may cause
actual results to differ from those contemplated in such forward-looking
statements include: (i) the results of the Company's efforts to implement its
business strategy, (ii) expected cost savings that may be associated with
future and recently completed or announced acquisitions, including Pinnacle
and National Bancorp, cannot be fully realized and/or revenues following such
acquisitions are lower than expected and/or expenses following such
acquisitions are higher than expected, (iii) greater than expected deposit
attrition or customer loss following the acquisition of Pinnacle, (iv) costs
or difficulties related to the integration of the businesses of the Company
and Pinnacle are greater than expected, (v) changes in the interest rate
environment reduce margins, (vi) legislation or regulatory requirements or
changes adversely affecting the businesses in which the Company is engaged,
(vii) adverse changes in business conditions and inflation, (viii) general
economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, which are less favorable
than expected and that result in, among other things, a deterioration in
credit quality, (ix) competitive pressures among financial institutions
increasing significantly, (x) changes in the securities markets, (xi) actions
of the Company's competitors and the Company's ability to respond to such
actions, (xii) the cost of the Company's capital, which may depend in part on
the Company's portfolio quality, ratings, prospects and outlook, (xiii)
changes in governmental regulation, tax rates and similar matters, (xiv) "year
2000" computer and data processing issues, and (xv) other risks detailed in
the Company's other filings with the Commission.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  CNB Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, has banking
offices in four states. The map below highlights the states and counties in
which the Company has banking offices.
 
 
 
 
                                 [Insert Map]
 
 
 
 
  The distribution of the Company's banking offices, deposits and assets as of
March 31, 1998 is as follows ($ in millions):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         BANKING
                                                         OFFICES ASSETS DEPOSITS
                                                         ------- ------ --------
      <S>                                                <C>     <C>    <C>
      Indiana...........................................    94   $4,524  $3,294
      Illinois..........................................    12      687     497
      Kentucky..........................................    19      727     440
      Michigan..........................................    14      630     430
                                                           ---   ------  ------
                                                           139   $6,568  $4,661
                                                           ===   ======  ======
</TABLE>
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information appearing elsewhere (or incorporated by reference) in this
Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, (i) the information in this Prospectus
assumes that the Underwriters' over-allotment option will not be exercised,
(ii) all financial information in this Prospectus has been restated to give
retroactive effect to the Company's acquisition of Pinnacle on April 17, 1998
(the "Pinnacle Acquisition"), and (iii) the term "Company," as used under
"Prospectus Summary--CNB Bancshares, Inc." and "The Company," refers
collectively to CNB Bancshares, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries,
unless the context requires otherwise. Prospective investors should carefully
consider the information set forth under the heading "Risk Factors."
 
                              CNB BANCSHARES, INC.
 
  CNB Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company"), headquartered in Evansville, Indiana,
is the largest bank holding company based in Indiana. The Company operates with
a super community bank philosophy --decentralizing day-to-day customer services
such as pricing and lending decisions, while centralizing data processing
systems, product development and back office support functions. Through its 139
banking offices, 29 consumer finance offices, and 190 ATMs, the Company
provides a wide range of commercial banking, retail banking, trust, insurance
and investment services to customers in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky
and Tennessee. At March 31, 1998 (on a pro forma basis giving effect to the
Pinnacle Acquisition), the Company had assets of $6.6 billion, deposits of $4.7
billion, loans of $3.9 billion and shareholders' equity of $525 million.
 
  The Company has grown significantly through 32 acquisitions of banks and non-
banks since 1986. The Company consummated its largest acquisition to date on
April 17, 1998, when it acquired Pinnacle, a $2.1 billion bank holding company
headquartered in St. Joseph, Michigan. Pinnacle operated 14 offices in
southwestern Michigan and 30 offices in northwestern Indiana. For additional
information regarding the Pinnacle Acquisition, see "Risk Factors--Pinnacle
Acquisition."
 
  The Company's principal executive offices are located at 20 N.W. Third
Street, Evansville, Indiana 47739, and its telephone number is 812-456-3400.
For additional information regarding the Company, see "The Company."
 
                              CNB CAPITAL TRUST I
 
  CNB Capital Trust I (the "Issuer") is a statutory business trust created
under Delaware law pursuant to (i) the trust agreement, executed by the
Company, as Depositor, The Bank of New York (Delaware) as Delaware Trustee, and
the Administrative Trustees named therein, and (ii) the filing of a certificate
of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on June 1, 1998. The initial
trust agreement will be amended and restated in its entirety (as so amended and
restated, the "Trust Agreement") substantially in the form filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The Trust
Agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Issuer exists for the
exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Capital Securities and Common
Securities, (ii) using the proceeds from the sale of Capital Securities and
Common Securities to acquire Convertible Subordinated Debentures issued by the
Company, and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or
incidental thereto (such as registering the transfer of the Trust Securities).
Accordingly, the Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of
the Issuer, and payments under the Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be
the sole revenue of the Issuer. Upon issuance of the Trust Securities, the
purchasers thereof will own all of the Trust Securities. All of the Common
Securities will be owned by the Company. The principal executive office of the
Issuer is c/o CNB Bancshares, Inc., 20 N.W. Third Street, Evansville, Indiana
47739, and its telephone number is 812-456-3400. For additional information
regarding the Issuer, see "The Issuer."
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
Securities Offered........  6,000,000 Capital Securities having a Liquida-
                             tion Amount of $25 per Capital Security. The
                             Capital Securities represent beneficial owner-
                             ship interests in the Issuer, which will con-
                             sist solely of the Convertible Subordinated
                             Debentures and payments thereunder.
 
Distributions.............  The Distributions payable on each Capital Secu-
                             rity will be fixed at a rate per annum of
                                 % of the Liquidation Amount of $25 per
                             Capital Security, will be cumulative, will ac-
                             crue from          , 1998, the date of origi-
                             nal issuance of the Capital Securities, and
                             will be payable quarterly in arrears, on March
                             31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of
                             each year, commencing September 30, 1998. The
                             first Distribution payable on September 30,
                             1998, will be in the amount of $        per
                             Capital Security and thereafter quarterly Dis-
                             tributions will be in the amount of $
                             per Capital Security. See "Description of Cap-
                             ital Securities--Distributions--Payment of
                             Distributions."
 
Right to Defer Interest...  The Company has the right, at any time, so long
                             as no Debenture Event of Default (as defined
                             herein) has occurred and is continuing, to de-
                             fer payments of interest on the Convertible
                             Subordinated Debentures for a period not ex-
                             ceeding 20 consecutive quarters; provided,
                             that no Extension Period may extend beyond the
                             Stated Maturity of the Convertible Subordi-
                             nated Debentures. As a consequence of the ex-
                             tension by the Company of the interest payment
                             period, quarterly Distributions on the Capital
                             Securities will be deferred (though such Dis-
                             tributions will continue to accrue with inter-
                             est thereon compounded quarterly, since inter-
                             est will continue to accrue and compound on
                             the Convertible Subordinated Debentures) dur-
                             ing any such Extension Period. During an Ex-
                             tension Period, the Company will, among other
                             things, be prohibited, subject to certain ex-
                             ceptions described herein, from declaring or
                             paying any cash distributions with respect to
                             its capital stock or debt securities that rank
                             pari passu with or junior to the Convertible
                             Subordinated Debentures. 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 foregoing
                             requirements. See "Description of Capital Se-
                             curities--Distributions--Extension Period" and
                             "Description of Convertible Subordinated De-
                             bentures--Right to Defer Interest Payments."
                             Should an Extension Period occur, holders of
                             Capital Securities will be required to include
                             deferred interest income in their gross income
                             for United States federal income tax purposes
                             in advance of receipt of the cash distribu-
                             tions with respect to such deferred interest
                             payments. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Con-
                             sequences--Potential Extension of Interest
                             Payment Period and Original Issue Discount."
 
Conversion into Common      Each Capital Security is convertible on or af-
 Stock....................   ter             , 1998 [60 days after the date
                             of issue], at the option of the holder into
                             shares of Common Stock, at the initial Conver-
                             sion Ratio of
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                             shares of Common Stock for each Capital Secu-
                             rity (equivalent to an initial conversion
                             price of $        per share of Common Stock),
                             subject to adjustment under certain circum-
                             stances. The last reported sales price of the
                             Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Tape on
                                         , 1998, was $        per share. In
                             connection with any conversion of a Capital
                             Security, the Conversion Agent (as defined
                             herein) will exchange such Capital Security
                             for the appropriate principal amount of Con-
                             vertible Subordinated Debentures held by the
                             Issuer and immediately convert such Convert-
                             ible Subordinated Debentures into shares of
                             Common Stock. No fractional shares of Common
                             Stock will be issued as a result of conver-
                             sion, but in lieu thereof such fractional in-
                             terest will be paid by the Company in cash. In
                             addition, no additional shares of Common Stock
                             will be issued upon conversion of the Convert-
                             ible Subordinated Debentures to account for
                             any accrued and unpaid Distributions on the
                             Capital Securities at the time of conversion.
                             See "Description of Capital Securities--Con-
                             version Rights."
 
Convertible Subordinated    The Trust will invest the proceeds from the is-
 Debentures...............   suance of the Capital Securities and the Com-
                             mon Securities in an equivalent amount of Con-
                             vertible Subordinated Debentures of the Compa-
                             ny. The Convertible Subordinated Debentures
                             will mature on             , 2028. The Con-
                             vertible Subordinated Debentures will rank
                             subordinate and junior in right of payment to
                             all Senior Debt of the Company. In addition,
                             the Company's obligations under the Convert-
                             ible Subordinated Debentures will be structur-
                             ally subordinated to all existing and future
                             liabilities and obligations of its subsidiar-
                             ies. See "Risk Factors--Ranking of Subordi-
                             nated Obligations Under Guarantee and Convert-
                             ible Subordinated Debentures," and "Descrip-
                             tion of Convertible Subordinated Debentures--
                             Subordination."
 
Redemption................  The Capital Securities are subject to mandatory
                             redemption, in whole or in part, upon repay-
                             ment of the Convertible Subordinated Deben-
                             tures at maturity or their earlier redemption.
                             Subject to Federal Reserve approval, if then
                             required under applicable capital guidelines
                             or policies of the Federal Reserve, the Con-
                             vertible Subordinated Debentures are redeem-
                             able prior to maturity at the option of the
                             Company (i) on or after             , 2001, in
                             whole at any time or in part from time to
                             time, or (ii) at any time, in whole (but not
                             in part), within 90 days following the occur-
                             rence of a Tax Event, or a Capital Treatment
                             Event, in each case at the redemption price
                             equal to 100% of the principal amount of the
                             Convertible Debenture, together with any ac-
                             crued but unpaid interest to the date fixed
                             for redemption. See "Description of Capital
                             Securities--Redemptions" and "Description of
                             Convertible Subordinated Debentures--Redemp-
                             tion."
 
Distribution of               The Company, as the holder of the outstanding
 Convertible Subordinated   Common Securities of the Issuer, has the right
 Debentures...............   at any time to terminate the Issuer and cause
                             the Convertible Subordinated Debentures to be
                             distributed to holders of Capital Securities
                             in liquidation of the Issuer, subject to the
                             Com-
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                             pany having received prior approval of the
                             Federal Reserve to do so if then required un-
                             der applicable capital guidelines or policies
                             of the Federal Reserve. See "Description of
                             Capital Securities--Redemption--Liquidation of
                             Issuer and Distribution of Convertible Subor-
                             dinated Debentures."
 
Guarantee.................  The Company has guaranteed the payment of Dis-
                             tributions and payments on liquidation or re-
                             demption of the Capital Securities, but only
                             in each case to the extent of funds held by
                             the Issuer, as described herein. The Company
                             has, through the Guarantee, the Trust Agree-
                             ment, the Convertible Subordinated Debentures,
                             and the Indenture taken together, fully, ir-
                             revocably and unconditionally guaranteed all
                             of the obligations of the Issuer under the
                             Capital Securities. The obligations of the
                             Company under the Guarantee and the Capital
                             Securities are subordinate and junior in right
                             of payment to all Senior Debt of the Company.
                             If the Company does not make principal or in-
                             terest payments on the Convertible Subordi-
                             nated Debentures, the Issuer will not have
                             sufficient funds to make Distributions on the
                             Capital Securities; in which event, the Guar-
                             antee will not apply to such Distributions un-
                             til the Issuer has sufficient funds available
                             therefor. See "Description of Guarantee."
 
Limited Voting Rights.....  The holders of the Capital Securities will have
                             no voting rights except in limited circum-
                             stances. See "Description of Capital Securi-
                             ties--Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agree-
                             ment."
 
Use of Proceeds...........  The proceeds from the sale of the Capital Secu-
                             rities offered hereby will be used by the Is-
                             suer to purchase the Convertible Subordinated
                             Debentures issued by the Company. The Company
                             intends to use the net proceeds from the sale
                             of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures for
                             general corporate purposes including, without
                             limitation, the repayment of debt, the funding
                             of investments in or extensions of credit to
                             its subsidiaries, the financing of acquisi-
                             tions and the repurchase of its Common Stock.
                             Pending their application for any or all of
                             such purposes, the net proceeds will be in-
                             vested primarily in investment grade financial
                             instruments. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Capi-
                             talization."
 
Trading Symbol............  Application has been made to have the Capital
                             Securities listed for trading on the NYSE un-
                             der the symbol "BNK PrA", subject to official
                             notice of issuance.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                SUMMARY SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
  The summary supplemental consolidated financial data presented below have
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, have
been restated to reflect the Pinnacle Acquisition which was accounted for under
the pooling of interests method of accounting, and should be read in
conjunction with the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on June 3, 1998. Generally accepted accounting principles prescribe
giving effect to a consummated business combination, such as the Pinnacle
Acquisition, accounted for by the pooling of interests method in financial
statements that do not include the date of consummation. This summary
supplemental consolidated financial data does not extend through the date of
consummation of the Pinnacle Acquisition; however, it will become the
historical summary consolidated financial data of the Company after the
consolidated financial statements covering the date of consummation of the
business combination are issued. The unaudited summary supplemental
consolidated financial data presented below for, and as of, the three-month
periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 reflect, in the opinion of management,
all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation. Interim results for
the three months ended March 31, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of results
which may be expected for future periods, including the year ending December
31, 1998. See "Available Information," "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference," "Risk Factors--Pinnacle Acquisition" and "The Company--Recent
Developments."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                               MARCH 31,                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         ------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------
                            1998          1997      1997(5)     1996(6)       1995        1994        1993
                         ----------    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                      <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Income statement data:
 Interest income........ $  123,157    $  120,147  $  500,694  $  451,728  $  387,880  $  314,414  $  305,748
 Interest expense.......     65,792        63,562     267,112     234,496     198,448     146,342     147,194
 Net interest income....     57,365        56,585     233,582     217,232     189,432     168,072     158,554
 Provision for loan
  losses................      3,316         3,563      24,886      13,283       8,349       7,538       5,679
 Non-interest income....     22,155        17,126      79,091      68,686      56,437      56,126      53,251
 Non-interest expense...     47,619        43,745     198,224     191,940     157,108     146,942     135,854
 Net income.............     19,582        17,548      59,874      53,682      52,847      45,954      47,043
Per share data:
 Net income
   Basic................ $      .58    $      .53  $     1.80  $     1.61  $     1.70  $     1.48  $     1.54
   Diluted..............        .58           .52        1.78        1.59        1.67        1.45        1.51
 Dividends declared(1)..        .23           .21         .86         .78         .53         .68         .64
 Book value.............      15.64(4)      14.55       15.39       15.26       15.32       14.26       13.14
Balance sheet data at
 period end:
 Assets................. $6,568,285(4) $6,395,754  $6,595,718  $6,351,785  $5,576,314  $4,806,175  $4,413,795
 Earning assets.........  6,101,945     5,992,409   6,144,991   5,928,180   5,177,427   4,479,696   4,034,543
 Loans..................  3,941,716     3,731,399   3,988,016   3,690,944   3,227,232   3,081,314   2,674,577
 Deposits...............  4,660,897     4,552,296   4,614,555   4,593,441   4,255,135   3,631,957   3,560,483
 FHLB advances and
  long-term debt........    654,000       597,090     722,393     545,968     202,939     252,384     236,119
 Shareholders' equity...    524,635(4)    484,860     515,463     495,673     475,789     401,630     396,091
Financial ratios:
 Return on average
  assets(2).............       1.20%         1.13%        .93%        .91%       1.05%       1.02%       1.09%
 Return on average
  equity(2).............      15.32         14.41       12.02       11.16       12.31       11.37       12.68
 Net interest
  margin(2).............       3.89          3.95        3.94        4.03        4.09        4.07        4.04
 Equity to assets.......       7.99(4)       7.58        7.82        7.80        8.53        8.36        8.97
 Tier 1 risk-based
  capital...............      11.77(4)      11.93       11.49       11.92       11.93       11.87       12.63
 Net charge-offs to
  average loans(2)......        .34           .37         .42         .36         .27         .15         .20
 Allowance for loan
  losses to loans.......       1.40          1.25        1.38        1.25        1.34        1.33        1.32
 Non-performing loans
  to loans..............        .76           .84         .70         .91        1.00         .65         .80
 Allowance for loan
  losses to non-
  performing loans......        184           149         197         137         134         205         164
 Risk assets to loan-
  related assets(3).....       1.12          1.23        1.10        1.36        1.38        1.11        1.35
</TABLE>
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
- --------
(1) Not restated for pooling transactions. In the years prior to 1995, CNB
    declared a dividend in one quarter and paid it in the next quarter. During
    1995, CNB changed this policy and began declaring and paying dividends in
    the same quarter. The fourth quarter dividend for 1995 was declared and
    paid in January 1996.
(2) Annualized in the case of interim financial data.
(3) Risk assets include non-performing loans, loans past due 90 days and still
    accruing interest and foreclosed properties. Loan-related assets include
    loans and foreclosed properties.
(4) Results for 1998 do not reflect the one-time charges of $41.3 million
    ($30.0 million after taxes) that will be recorded by the Company during the
    second quarter of 1998 in connection with the Pinnacle Acquisition
    consummated on April 17, 1998. Including the effect of the charges, book
    value per share would have been $14.75, assets would have been $6,550,585,
    shareholders' equity would have been $494,635, equity to assets ratio would
    have been 7.55% and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio would have been 11.07%.
(5) Net income for 1997 was negatively impacted by restructuring charges of
    $8.4 million, net of taxes, and conforming loan loss methodology charges of
    $6.0 million, net of taxes, in connection with Pinnacle's August 1997
    acquisitions of Indiana Federal Corporation and CB Bancorp reducing basic
    and diluted income per share by $.43.
(6) Net income for 1996 included a one-time assessment, required of all
    financial institutions with deposits insured by the Savings Association
    Insurance Fund ("SAIF"), which reduced net income by $6.6 million and basic
    and diluted earnings per share by $.20.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Prospective purchasers of the Capital Securities should carefully consider,
together with the information set forth under "Forward-Looking Statements" and
the other information contained herein and incorporated by reference herein,
the following risk factors in evaluating the Company and the Issuer. In
addition, because holders of Capital Securities may receive Convertible
Subordinated Debentures in exchange therefor upon liquidation of the Issuer,
and because the Capital Securities also are convertible into shares of Common
Stock of the Company as described herein, prospective purchasers of Capital
Securities also are making an investment decision with regard to the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures and the Common Stock and should carefully
review all the information herein or incorporated by reference herein
regarding the Convertible Subordinated Debentures and the Common Stock.
 
PINNACLE ACQUISITION
 
  The Company acquired Pinnacle on April 17, 1998, increasing the Company's
total assets by approximately 50%. During the second quarter of 1998, the
Company will record one-time charges of $41.3 million ($30.0 million after
taxes), which include $8.3 million for technology-related costs, $9.7 million
for severance and personnel costs, $6.7 million for professional fees, $11.2
million in conforming accounting policies of Pinnacle to those of the Company,
and $5.4 million in other costs. During the two year period prior to its
agreement to merge with the Company, Pinnacle increased its assets from $449
million to $2.1 billion as a result of three significant acquisitions. On
August 1, 1997, Pinnacle completed its most recent mergers with Indiana
Federal Corporation ("IFC"), headquartered in Valparaiso, Indiana, and CB
Bancorp ("CB"), headquartered in Michigan City, Indiana. In connection with
these two mergers, which increased its assets by approximately 95%, Pinnacle
experienced significant problems with the conversion of the data processing
systems and related reconcilement issues, the integration of operations, and
the departure of certain employees. These problems created customer service
issues, including the misposting of customer transactions, resulting in lower
than expected revenues and greater than expected expenses since the conversion
in the fourth quarter of 1997. The Company continues to work on clearing the
reconciling items and does not expect the resolution of such items to have a
material impact on the Company's future financial results.
 
  The Company expects to achieve cost savings through the Pinnacle
Acquisition, principally from the consolidation of data processing and back
office operations and a reduction of corporate overhead and also expects to
improve net interest income through a restructuring of the investment
portfolio and borrowed funds position and to increase non-interest income
through reduction in the waiver of fees, the sale of expanded product lines
and increased sales efforts. There can, however, be no assurance that such
cost savings and improvements will be achieved in the amounts or within the
time frames currently expected. The failure to achieve such cost savings and
improvements could adversely affect the market price for the Company's Common
Stock.
 
GROWTH THROUGH ACQUISITIONS
 
  The Company has grown significantly through 32 acquisitions of banks and
non-banks since 1986. The future growth of the Company will be dependent in
part upon the ability of the Company to acquire businesses at favorable
prices, terms and conditions, and to properly manage and integrate their
operations. The Company's ability to expand successfully through acquisitions
depends upon many factors, including the successful identification and
acquisition of financial institutions and other related businesses and
management's ability to effectively integrate the acquired businesses. Future
acquisitions by the Company may involve the issuance of Common Stock which
would have the effect of diluting the ownership interests of the existing
shareholders of the Company.
 
  Acquisitions entail risks that business judgments will prove inaccurate with
respect to anticipated market growth, projected revenue enhancements, and
expected operating expense savings. Acquisitions also entail the risks of the
diversion of management's attention and the conversion of the operations and
the assimilation of
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
personnel of the acquired companies, each of which could adversely affect the
Company's operating results. In addition, the success of any acquisition will
depend in part upon the Company's ability to effectively integrate the
acquired company into the Company's operations and implement its business
style and philosophy.
 
  There can be no assurance that future acquisition opportunities, if any, can
be consummated on favorable terms, that the Company will be successful in
acquiring or integrating any businesses, or that any such acquisitions,
including Pinnacle, will enhance the earnings of the Company.
 
RANKING OF SUBORDINATED OBLIGATIONS UNDER GUARANTEE AND CONVERTIBLE
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
  The obligations of the Company under the Guarantee issued by the Company for
the benefit of the holders of Trust Securities and under the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and rank subordinate and junior in right
of payment to all Senior Debt of the Company, whether now existing or
hereafter incurred. At May 31, 1998, the aggregate outstanding Senior Debt of
the Company was $48.0 million. Because the Company is a holding company, the
right of the Company to participate in any distribution of the assets of any
subsidiary, including any bank subsidiary, upon such subsidiary's liquidation
or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of holders of the Trust
Securities, or the holders of the Common Stock which may be acquired upon
conversion of the Capital Securities, to benefit indirectly from such
distribution) is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary
(including depositors in the case of the bank subsidiaries), except to the
extent that the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of that
subsidiary. There are various legal limitations on the extent to which certain
of the Company's subsidiaries may extend credit, pay dividends or management
fees or otherwise supply funds to, or engage in transactions with, the Company
or certain of its other subsidiaries. The Convertible Subordinated Debentures
and the Guarantee, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to all existing
and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries and holders of
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, Capital Securities and beneficiaries of
the Guarantee should look only to the assets of the Company for payments on
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures or under the Guarantee, as the case
may be. Neither the Indenture, the Guarantee nor the Trust Agreement places
any limitation on the amount of secured or unsecured debt, including Senior
Debt that may be incurred by the Company or its subsidiaries. See "Description
of Guarantee--Status of Guarantee" and "Description of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures--Subordination."
 
  The ability of the Issuer to pay amounts due on the Capital Securities is
dependent solely upon the Company making payments on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures as and when required.
 
HOLDING COMPANY SUPPORT OF SUBSIDIARY BANKS
 
  Under Federal Reserve policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of
financial strength to, and to commit resources to support, each of its
subsidiary banks. Such support may be required at times when, absent such
Federal Reserve policy, the Company may not be inclined to provide it. In
addition, any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary
banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other
indebtedness of such subsidiary banks. In the event of a bank holding
company's bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal
bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be
assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.
 
RIGHT TO DEFER INTEREST PAYMENTS, TAX CONSEQUENCES, MARKET PRICE CONSEQUENCES
 
  The Company has the right under the Indenture, so long as no Debenture Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, to defer the payment of interest on
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures at any time or from time to time for a
period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters with respect to each Extension
Period; provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated
Maturity of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. As a consequence of any
such deferral, quarterly Distributions on the Capital Securities by the Issuer
will be deferred (and the amount of Distributions to which holders of the
Capital Securities are entitled will accumulate additional Distributions
thereon at the rate of    % per annum, compounded quarterly from the relevant
payment date for such Distributions) during any such Extension Period. During
any such Extension Period, the Company
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
may not and may not permit any subsidiary of the Company to, (i) declare or
pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any capital stock of the Company, (ii)
make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay,
repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu
with or junior in interest to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, or
(iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company
of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee
ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures (other than (a) dividends or distributions in Capital stock of the
Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the
implementation of a shareholders' rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase
of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) purchases of Common Stock or rights
related to the rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its
directors, officers or employees related to the issuance of common stock or
rights under a dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan, or related to
the issuance of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for Common Stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction that was
entered into prior to the commencement of such Extension Period, and (d)
payments under the Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any such Extension
Period, the Company may further defer the payment of interest; provided that
no Extension Period may exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the
Stated Maturity of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Upon the
termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all interest then
accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the annual rate of   %
compounded quarterly from the interest payment date for such interest, to the
extent permitted by applicable law), the Company may elect to begin a new
Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. Subject to the foregoing,
there is no limitation on the number of times that the Company may elect to
begin an Extension Period. See "Description of Capital Securities--
Distributions--Extension Period" and "Description of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures--Right to Defer Interest Payments."
 
  Should an Extension Period occur, a holder of Capital Securities will be
required to accrue and recognize income (in the form of original issue
discount) in respect of its pro rata share of the stated interest accruing on
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures held by the Issuer for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. In this instance, a holder of Capital Securities must
include its pro rata share of the stated interest on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes
on a daily economic accrual basis, regardless of such holder's regular method
of tax accounting and in advance of the receipt of the cash attributable to
such income, and will not receive the cash related to such income from the
Issuer if the holder disposes of the Capital Securities prior to the record
date for the payment of the related Distributions. See "Certain Federal Income
Tax Consequences--Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period and Original
Issue Discount" and "--Disposition of Capital Securities."
 
  The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to defer
payments of interest and it believes that, as a result of its inability to pay
any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, its Common Stock during an Extension
Period and the additional restrictions imposed upon it as described above, the
likelihood of its exercising its right to defer payments of interest is
remote. Should the Company elect, however, to exercise such right in the
future, the market price of the Capital Securities is likely to be adversely
affected. A holder that disposes of its Capital Securities during an Extension
Period, therefore, might not receive the same return on its investment as a
holder that continues to hold its Capital Securities. As a result of the
existence of the Company's right to defer interest payments, the market price
of the Capital Securities may be more volatile than the market prices of other
securities on which original issue discount accrues that are not subject to
such optional deferrals.
 
REDEMPTION UPON TAX EVENT OR CAPITAL TREATMENT EVENT
 
  The Company has the right to redeem the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
in whole (but not in part) within 90 days following the occurrence and
continuance of a Tax Event or a Capital Treatment Event (whether occurring
before or after , 2001), and, therefore, cause a mandatory redemption of the
Trust Securities. The exercise of such right is subject to the Company having
received prior approval of the Federal Reserve to do so if then required under
applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
  A "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Issuer of an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment
to, or change (including any announced proposed change) in, the laws (or any
regulations thereunder) of the U.S. or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative
pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or
regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which proposed change,
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the
Capital Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Issuer is, or will be within 90 days of the
date of such opinion, subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, (ii)
interest payable by the Company on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures is
not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by
the Company, in whole or in part, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or
(iii) the Issuer is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the opinion,
subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other
governmental charges. With respect to Convertible Subordinated Debentures
which are no longer held by the Issuer or another issuer, "Tax Event" means
the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change
(including any announced proposed change) in, the laws (or any regulations
thereunder) of the U.S. or any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative
pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or
regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which proposed change,
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures under the Indenture, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that interest payable by the Company on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion
will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes (each of the circumstances referred to in clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) of the preceding sentence and the circumstances referred to in
this sentence being referred to herein as an "Adverse Tax Consequence").
 
  A "Capital Treatment Event" means the reasonable determination by the
Company that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any
proposed change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the U.S. or
any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as a result of any official
or administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which proposed change, pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or
after the date of issuance of the Capital Securities under the Trust
Agreement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not
be entitled to treat an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities as "Tier 1 Capital" (or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes
of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect
and applicable to the Company.
 
  The Company intends to deduct the interest accruing on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures. Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, enacted on
August 5, 1997, issuers of certain convertible debt instruments are not
entitled to deduct interest thereon. For example, interest is not deductible
if the debt instrument is convertible into equity of the issuer (or a related
party) at the option of the holder and there is a substantial certainty that
the holder will exercise the conversion option. Similarly, interest is not
deductible if the debt instrument is part of an arrangement which is
reasonably expected to result in a conversion at the option of the issuer (or
a related party). The Company intends to take the position that this
legislation should not apply to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), however, has not yet issued any guidance
regarding its interpretation of the new legislation. There can be no assurance
that the IRS will not take the position that interest on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures is not deductible. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that an audit or future interpretation by the IRS of the new
legislation will not result in a Tax Event and an early redemption of the
Capital Securities before, or after,             , 2001.
 
  In addition, in recent years, there have been several proposals to adopt
legislation which, if enacted and made applicable to the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, would preclude the Company from deducting interest
thereon. The most recent proposal was made by the Clinton Administration on
March 19, 1997. Such proposals were not adopted by Congress, but there can be
no assurance that similar proposals will not be adopted in the future and made
applicable to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Accordingly, there can
be no
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
assurance that any such legislation will not result in a Tax Event which would
permit the Company to cause a redemption of the Capital Securities before, or
after,          , 2001.
 
  Recently, the IRS asserted that the interest payable on a security with
terms that are similar to the terms of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
(but which are not convertible and which have a longer maturity than the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures) was not deductible for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. The taxpayer in that case has filed a petition in the
U.S. Tax Court challenging the IRS's position on this matter. If this matter
is in fact litigated and the Tax Court were to sustain the IRS's position on
this matter, such judicial decision could result in a Tax Event which could
result in an early mandatory redemption of the Capital Securities.
 
RIGHTS UNDER GUARANTEE
 
  The Guarantee guarantees to the holders of the Trust Securities the
following payments, to the extent not paid by the Issuer: (i) any accumulated
and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on the Trust Securities, to the
extent that the Issuer has funds on hand available therefor at such time, (ii)
the redemption price with respect to any Trust Securities called for
redemption, to the extent that the Issuer has funds on hand available therefor
at such time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding
up or liquidation of the Issuer (unless the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are distributed to holders of the Trust Securities), the lesser of
(a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount and all accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the date of payment, to the extent that the Issuer has funds
on hand available therefor at such time, and (b) the amount of assets of the
Issuer remaining available for distribution to holders of the Trust Securities
after payment of creditors of the Issuer as required by applicable law. The
Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The
Guarantee is subordinate as described under "--Ranking of Subordinated
Obligations Under the Guarantee and the Convertible Subordinated Debentures."
 
  The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of
the Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in
respect of the Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee. Any holder of the
Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first instituting a
legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other person
or entity. If the Company were to default on its obligation to pay amounts
payable under the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, the Issuer would lack
funds for the payment of Distributions or amounts payable on redemption of the
Capital Securities or otherwise, and, in such event, holders of the Capital
Securities would not be able to rely upon the Guarantee for payment of such
amounts. In the event that an Debenture Event of Default occurred and is
continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay
interest on or principal of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures on the
applicable payment date, then a holder of Capital Securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against the Company pursuant to the terms of the
Indenture for enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of or
interest on such Convertible Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount
equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities of such
holder (a "Direct Action"). In connection with such Direct Action, the Company
will have a right of set-off under the Indenture to the extent of any payment
made by the Company to such holder of Capital Securities in the Direct Action.
Except as described herein, holders of Capital Securities will not be able to
exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures or assert directly any other rights in respect of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The exercise by the Company of its right,
as described herein, to defer the payment of interest on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures does not constitute an Debenture Event of Default. See
"Description of Convertible Subordinated Debentures--Enforcement of Certain
Rights by Holders of Capital Securities," "--Debenture Events of Default" and
"Description of Guarantee." The Trust Agreement provides that each holder of
Capital Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to the provisions of the
Guarantee and the Indenture.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
NO VOTING RIGHTS EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES
 
  Holders of Capital Securities generally will have limited voting rights
relating only to the modification of the Capital Securities and the Guarantee
and the exercise of the Issuer's rights as holder of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures. Holders of Capital Securities will not be entitled to vote to
appoint, remove or replace the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any
Administrative Trustee, as such voting rights are vested exclusively in the
holder of the Common Securities except, with respect to the Property Trustee
and the Delaware Trustee, upon the occurrence of certain events described
herein. The Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Company may
amend the Trust Agreement without the consent of holders of Capital Securities
to ensure that the Issuer will not be classified for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as an association or publicly traded partnership subject to taxation
as a corporation unless such action materially and adversely affects the
interests of such holders. See "Description of Capital Securities--Removal of
Issuer Trustees" and "--Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement."
 
EXCHANGE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES FOR CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
  The Company, as the holder of the outstanding Common Securities of the
Issuer, will have the right at any time to terminate the Issuer and, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as required by
applicable law, cause the Convertible Subordinated Debentures to be
distributed to the holders of the Capital Securities in exchange therefor upon
liquidation of the Issuer. The exercise of such right is subject to the
Company having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then required
under applicable capital guidelines or policies. See "Description of Capital
Securities--Redemption--Liquidation of Issuer and Distribution of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures."
 
  Under current U.S. federal income tax law and interpretations and assuming,
as expected, that the Issuer is classified as a grantor trust for such
purposes, a distribution of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures upon a
liquidation of the Issuer should not be a taxable event to holders of the
Capital Securities. If, however, a Tax Event were to occur which would cause
the Issuer to be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to income
received or accrued on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, a distribution
of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures by the Issuer could be a taxable
event to the Issuer and the holders of the Capital Securities. See "Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences--Receipt of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of Issuer."
 
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET PRICES
 
  There can be no assurance as to the market prices for Capital Securities or,
if a termination of the Issuer were to occur, for the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures distributed to the holders of the Capital Securities in exchange
for the Capital Securities. Accordingly, the Capital Securities that an
investor may purchase, whether pursuant to the offer made hereby or in the
secondary market, or the Convertible Subordinated Debentures that a holder of
Capital Securities may receive on liquidation of the Issuer, may trade at a
discount to the price that the investor paid to purchase the Capital
Securities offered hereby. Because holders of Capital Securities may receive
Convertible Subordinated Debentures in liquidation of the Issuer and because
Distributions are otherwise limited to payments on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, and because the Capital Securities are convertible
into Common Stock as described herein, prospective purchasers of Capital
Securities are also making an investment decision with regard to the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures and the Common Stock and should carefully
review all the information regarding the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
and the Common Stock contained herein. See "Description of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of Capital Stock--Common Stock." As
a result of the existence of the Company's right to defer interest payments,
the market price of the Capital Securities (which represent beneficial
ownership interests in the Issuer) may be more volatile than the market prices
of other securities that are not subject to such optional deferrals. See
"Description of Convertible Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of
Capital Stock--Common Stock."
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
  If the Convertible Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the holders of
Capital Securities upon the liquidation of the Issuer, the Company will use
its best efforts to list the Convertible Subordinated Debentures for trading
on the NYSE or such stock exchanges or other organizations, if any, on which
the Capital Securities are then listed or quoted. The Common Stock is listed
on the NYSE under the symbol "BNK."
 
TRADING PRICE, ABSENCE OF PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  The Capital Securities may trade at prices that do not fully reflect the
value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the underlying
Convertible Subordinated Debentures. A holder of Capital Securities using the
accrual method of tax accounting (and a cash method holder, during and after
an Extension Period or if the Convertible Subordinated Debentures are deemed
to have been issued with original issue discount) that disposes of its Capital
Securities between record dates for payments of Distributions (and
consequently does not receive a Distribution from the Issuer for the period
prior to such disposition) will nevertheless be required to include accrued
but unpaid interest on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures through the
date of disposition in income as ordinary income and to add such amount to its
adjusted tax basis in its pro rata share of the underlying Convertible
Subordinated Debentures deemed disposed of. Such holder will recognize a
capital loss to the extent that the selling price (which may not fully reflect
the value of accrued but unpaid interest) is less than its adjusted tax basis
(which will include all accrued but unpaid interest). Subject to certain
limited exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Disposition of Capital Securities."
 
  There is no current public market for the Capital Securities. Although
application has been made to have the Capital Securities listed for trading on
the NYSE, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market
for the Capital Securities. The public offering price, Distribution rate and
Conversion Ratio for the Capital Securities have been determined through
negotiations between the Company and the Underwriters. Prices for the Capital
Securities will be determined in the marketplace and may be influenced by many
factors, including prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the market for
the Capital Securities, the market price of the Common Stock, investor
perceptions of the Company and general industry and economic conditions.
 
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
 
  Most computer programs were originally designed to recognize calendar years
by only their last two digits. Consequently, these programs cannot
differentiate the year 2000 and beyond from the year 1900. This programming
issue will affect many data processing systems including those used by the
Company and its commercial customers. Management has formed a committee which
meets weekly to analyze the business and operational issues associated with
the year 2000 and to plan for and monitor the status of corrective measures.
The Company has outsourced most data processing activities and those vendors
are responsible for modifying their programs to be compliant with year 2000
processing. The committee has found that where outside vendors are not
responsible, most programs and equipment are fully depreciated and no write-
off costs will be necessary. Certifications from remaining vendors as to their
year 2000 compliance are expected by mid-1998 and all systems are expected to
be upgraded by December 31, 1998. Based on the foregoing, the Company does not
expect to spend any significant amounts with outside contractors related to
the year 2000. Commercial customers have been contacted and efforts made to
ensure their readiness for year 2000 also. At this time, management does not
anticipate any material impact to the Company's operations, cash flows or
financial condition as a result of these year 2000 issues.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The Issuer will use the gross proceeds received from the sale of the Capital
Securities to purchase Convertible Subordinated Debentures from the Company.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures for general corporate purposes including, without
limitation the repayment of debt (as described below), the funding of
investments in or extensions of credit to its subsidiaries, the financing of
acquisitions and the repurchase of its Common Stock. The Company intends to
use approximately $45 million of the net proceeds to reduce to zero the amount
outstanding under the revolving loan portion of its Revolving Credit and Term
Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement"), dated March 31, 1995, as amended, with
SunTrust Bank, Nashville, N.A. The Company's obligations under the Loan
Agreement are unsecured and the interest rate under the revolving loan portion
of the Loan Agreement is the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus .50%
(6.16% as of May 31, 1998). At May 31, 1998, $45 million was outstanding under
the revolving loan portion of the Loan Agreement and $3 million was
outstanding under the term loan portion of the Loan Agreement. Amounts
outstanding under the term loan portion of the Loan Agreement are not
currently expected to be repaid with any of the net proceeds. The revolving
loan portion of the Loan Agreement permits borrowings up to $50 million and
the Company may borrow additional amounts thereunder in the future. The
revolving portion of the Loan Agreement matures on June 30, 1999. Pending
their application for any or all of such purposes, the net proceeds will be
invested primarily in investment grade financial instruments. See
"Capitalization."
 
               CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
  The following table sets forth for the respective periods indicated the
ratios of the Company's consolidated earnings to fixed charges (as restated to
give effect to the Pinnacle Acquisition). For purposes of computing the ratio,
earnings represent net income from continuing operations plus total taxes
based on income and fixed charges. Fixed charges, excluding interest on
deposits, include interest expense (other than on deposits), and the
proportion deemed representative of the interest factor of rent expense, net
of income from subleases, and capitalized interest. Fixed charges, including
interest on deposits, include all interest expense and the proportion deemed
representative of the interest factor of rent expense, net of income from
subleases, and capitalized interest.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              THREE
                                             MONTHS
                                              ENDED
                                            MARCH 31, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            --------- ------------------------
                                            1998 1997 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
                                            ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
   <S>                                      <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:
     Excluding Interest on Deposits........ 2.54 2.59 2.18 2.51 2.87 3.76 4.36
     Including Interest on Deposits........ 1.43 1.42 1.34 1.34 1.41 1.48 1.48
</TABLE>
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                   PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS
 
  The Common Stock is listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol "BNK."
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices and cash
dividends declared per share of Common Stock for the periods indicated. Prior
to April, 1996, the Common Stock was quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market's
National Market under the symbol "CNBE."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PRICE RANGE
                                                         ------------- DIVIDENDS
                                                          HIGH   LOW   DECLARED
                                                         ------ ------ ---------
      <S>                                                <C>    <C>    <C>
      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
        First quarter................................... $26.76 $25.17   $.19
        Second quarter..................................  26.30  25.40    .19
        Third quarter...................................  28.09  24.72    .19
        Fourth quarter..................................  39.77  27.98    .21
      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
        First quarter................................... $38.21 $34.76   $.21
        Second quarter..................................  42.74  37.62    .21
        Third quarter...................................  43.19  38.33    .21
        Fourth quarter..................................  48.63  39.69    .23
      YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998
        First quarter................................... $49.38 $41.38   $.23
        Second quarter (through                 ).......                  .23
</TABLE>
 
  As of           , 1998, there were approximately         holders of record
of the Common Stock. The last reported sales price of the Common Stock on the
NYSE Composite Tape on           , 1998 was $      per share.
 
  The holders of the Common Stock will be entitled to receive any cash
dividends as may be declared by the Company's Board of Directors. The
declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of the Common Stock
will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend
upon the Company's earnings and financial condition, capital requirements of
its subsidiaries, regulatory condition and considerations and such other
factors as the Company's Board of Directors may deem relevant. See
"Description of Capital Stock--Common Stock."
 
  As a holding company, the Company is ultimately dependent upon its
subsidiaries to provide funding for its operating expenses, debt service and
dividends. Various banking laws applicable to the Company's subsidiaries limit
the payment of dividends, management fees and other distributions by such
subsidiaries to the Company and may therefore limit the ability of the Company
to make dividend payments.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated capitalization of
the Company at March 31, 1998, on a pro forma basis giving effect to the one-
time charges related to the Pinnacle Acquisition to be recorded in the second
quarter of 1998, and on an as adjusted basis giving effect to the issuance of
the Trust Securities hereby offered by the Issuer and the receipt by the
Company of the proceeds from the corresponding sale of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures to the Issuer (the "Offering"), as if the Offering had
been consummated on March 31, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  MARCH 31, 1998
                                        -----------------------------------
                                                                     AS
                                          ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(1)  ADJUSTED
                                        ----------  ------------ ----------
                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                  <C>         <C>          <C>
   LONG-TERM DEBT:
     Parent company.................... $   48,000   $   48,000  $    3,000(2)
     Subsidiaries......................    606,000      606,000     606,000
                                        ----------   ----------  ----------
       TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT............    654,000      654,000     609,000
   GUARANTEED PREFERRED BENEFICIAL
    INTERESTS IN THE COMPANY'S
    CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED
    DEBENTURES.........................        --           --      150,000
   SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
     Preferred stock, no par value per
      share, 2,000,000 shares
      authorized, no shares issued.....        --           --          --
     Common stock, stated value $1.00
      per share; 100,000,000 shares
      authorized, 33,540,415 shares
      issued(3)........................     33,540       33,540      33,540
     Capital surplus...................    363,204      363,204     363,204
     Retained earnings.................    122,244       92,244      92,244
     Accumulated other comprehensive
      income...........................      5,647        5,647       5,647
                                        ----------   ----------  ----------
       TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY...... $  524,635   $  494,635  $  494,635
                                        ==========   ==========  ==========
       TOTAL CAPITALIZATION............ $1,178,635   $1,148,635  $1,253,635
                                        ==========   ==========  ==========
   CAPITAL RATIOS:
     Shareholders' equity to total
      assets...........................       7.99%        7.55%       7.43%
     Leverage ratio(4).................       7.31         6.87        9.05
     Risk-based:(4)
       Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted
        assets.........................      11.77        11.07       14.74
       Total capital to risk-weighted
        assets.........................      13.14        12.45       16.11
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Gives effect to the one-time charges of $41.3 million ($30.0 million after
    taxes) that will be recorded during the second quarter of 1998. See "Risk-
    Factors--Pinnacle Acquisition" and "The Company--Recent Developments."
(2) Gives effect to the reduction of indebtedness under the revolving loan
    portion of the Loan Agreement. See "Use of Proceeds" for a description of
    the Loan Agreement.
(3) The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation was amended at its Annual
    Meeting of Shareholders on April 21, 1998, to increase the number of
    authorized shares of Common Stock from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000.
(4) Federal Reserve guidelines for calculation of Tier 1 capital limit the
    amount of cumulative preferred stock which can be included in Tier 1
    capital to 25% of total Tier 1 capital. The aggregate amount of the
    Capital Securities offered hereby will initially be included in Tier 1
    capital for the Company. The as adjusted capital ratios are computed
    including the estimated proceeds from the sale of the Capital Securities.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company, headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, is the largest bank
holding company based in Indiana. Through its 139 banking offices, 29 consumer
finance offices, and 190 ATMs, the Company provides a wide range of commercial
banking, retail banking, trust, insurance and investment services to customers
in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. At March 31, 1998 (on
a pro forma basis giving effect to the Pinnacle Acquisition), the Company had
assets of $6.6 billion, deposits of $4.7 billion, loans of $3.9 billion and
shareholders' equity of $525 million.
 
  The Company has grown significantly through 32 acquisitions of banks and
non-banks since 1986. The Company consummated its largest acquisition to date
on April 17, 1998, when it acquired Pinnacle, a $2.1 billion bank holding
company headquartered in St. Joseph, Michigan. Pinnacle operated 14 offices in
southwestern Michigan and 30 offices in northwestern Indiana. For additional
information regarding the Pinnacle Acquisition, see "Risk Factors--Pinnacle
Acquisition." On February 13, 1998, the Company executed a definitive
agreement to acquire, for shares of Common Stock, National Bancorp, the
holding company for TCB Bank which operates five banking offices in two
counties just east of Evansville, Indiana. At March 31, 1998, National Bancorp
had assets of $189 million and shareholders' equity of $18 million. The
acquisition is subject to, among other things, approval by National Bancorp's
shareholders, and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 1998.
 
  The Company operates with a super community bank philosophy--decentralizing
day-to-day customer services such as pricing and lending decisions, while
centralizing data processing systems, product development and back office
support functions. The Company's operations in each market are managed by a
president under the guidance of a regional board of directors. By keeping the
decision-making process close to the customer, the Company believes it has a
competitive advantage over super regional companies, while providing the
necessary scale to manage expenses. The Company's size gives it a considerable
advantage over community banks through a much more diverse product offering
and greater access to resources, especially technology. The Company has
operations in six of the ten largest Indiana counties. Based upon the most
recently available FDIC deposit data, 78% of its deposits come from markets
where the Company ranks first, second or third in deposit market share.
 
  The Company's principal goal is consistent growth of core earnings. To
achieve its goal, the Company focuses on revenue growth and expense
management.
 
  Revenue growth is driven by (i) developing quality loans with small
businesses and consumers, (ii) selectively acquiring banks and non-bank
businesses, (iii) selling internally developed or third-party fee-based
products, and (iv) motivating associates with incentive compensation.
 
  . The Company focuses on loan growth in the small business and consumer
    markets. Management believes that its strong community-oriented
    relationships provide a competitive advantage over super regional banks.
    Without giving effect to the Pinnacle Acquisition, commercial, commercial
    real estate and consumer loans have experienced double-digit growth on an
    annualized basis each quarter since January 1, 1996.
 
  . The Company has pursued a strategy of actively acquiring banks and
    thrifts which are principally responsible for assets increasing from $1.9
    billion at December 31, 1992, to $6.6 billion at March 31, 1998. To
    complement its bank and thrift acquisitions, the Company has completed
    non-banking acquisitions such as Wedgewood Partners, Inc., ("Wedgewood")
    a full service broker-dealer and asset management firm, Citizens
    Insurance of Evansville, the largest independent insurance agency in
    Evansville, and Small, Parker & Blossom, a third party employee benefit
    plan administrator.
 
  . In order to grow its fee based businesses, the Company focuses on
    investment products sales, insurance sales and employee benefit plan
    administration. Products are developed both in-house and selected from
    third-party providers.
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
  . In 1997 all associates of the Company were granted stock options to
    reward their contributions to the Company and align their interests with
    the interests of the shareholders. Associates also are rewarded with
    incentive bonuses for increasing earnings per share. In addition, an
    extensive retail incentive program rewards associates for successful
    referrals of new customers and cross-selling of the Company's products.
 
  Expense management is driven by (i) back office operating efficiencies, (ii)
utilizing outsourcing where appropriate, and (iii) realizing cost savings from
acquisitions.
 
  . The Company has three regional check processing and deposit operation
    functions in Indiana and Illinois. Otherwise, essentially all other back
    office support groups are located in Evansville. This approach to back
    office operations facilitates efficiencies. At the same time, the
    Company's banking units remain focused on customer service, selling and
    credit quality.
 
  . Outsourcing non-core activities has played a key role in expense control
    by allowing experts to focus on operational issues of the Company. The
    Company has entered into a facilities management arrangement with an
    experienced third-party provider of data processing services and, in
    1997, entered into a revenue sharing arrangement with a major credit card
    servicer to which the Company sold its credit card portfolio.
 
  . The Company has actively acquired banks, thrifts and non-bank businesses
    to facilitate growth. Cost savings are generally realized from
    acquisitions when they are converted to the Company's data processing,
    back office, marketing, and product development systems. There can be,
    however, no assurance that the Company will achieve cost savings in an
    acquisition as they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties
    and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
    achievements to differ materially from those originally contemplated by
    the Company.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
  The following is an overview of the Company's results of operations for the
first quarter of 1998 and the year ended December 31, 1997 on a pro forma
basis after giving effect to the Pinnacle Acquisition which was consummated on
April 17, 1998, and accounted for as a pooling of interests.
 
 Overview
 
  First quarter 1998 diluted net income per share of $.58 was 12% higher than
the first quarter of 1997. Net income for the quarter was $19.6 million
compared to $18.6 million and $17.5 million for the fourth and first quarters
of 1997, respectively. Annualized returns on average assets and average
shareholders' equity for the quarter ended March 31, 1998, were 1.20% and
15.32%, respectively, compared with 1.13% and 14.41% for the same period of
1997.
 
  Diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 1997, was
$1.78, an increase of 12% over the $1.59 earned in 1996. Net income for 1997
was negatively impacted by restructuring charges and conforming loan loss
methodologies from Pinnacle's August 1997 acquisitions of IFC and CB. The
restructuring charges and conforming loan loss methodologies reduced net
income by $8.4 million and $6.0 million, respectively, and diluted net income
per share by $.25 and $.18, respectively. Net income for 1996 included a one-
time assessment, required of all financial institutions with deposits insured
by the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF), which reduced net income and
diluted net income per share by $6.6 million and $.20, respectively. Excluding
these nonrecurring items, diluted net income per share for 1997 of $2.21
increased 23% from $1.79 in 1996.
 
  The Company's earnings in 1997 resulted in returns on average assets and
shareholders' equity of .93% and 12.02%, respectively, compared with a return
on average assets of .91% and return on average shareholders' equity of 11.16%
in 1996. Exclusive of the restructuring charges, conforming adjustments, and
SAIF assessment, returns on average assets and shareholders' equity were 1.15%
and 14.94%, respectively, in 1997 compared to 1.03% and 12.55% in 1996,
respectively.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
 Loans and Net Interest Income
 
  Average loans, excluding residential mortgages, of $2.7 billion grew 13.2%
in the first quarter of 1998 from the same period in 1997. Including
residential mortgages, average loans increased 5.2% from the first quarter of
1997 and declined slightly from the fourth quarter of 1997. The Company
intends to continue growing the commercial and consumer loan sectors of its
loan portfolio, while selling its residential mortgage production. This
strategy, combined with normal prepayments, resulted in residential mortgages
declining $87.3 million between December 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998.
 
  Net interest income for the first quarter of 1998 was $780 thousand greater
than the first quarter of 1997 due to increased earning assets offset by a
lower net interest margin. The margin was 3.89% for the first quarter of 1998
compared to 3.95% for the first quarter of 1997. The flat yield curve,
combined with increased competition and pre-payments, resulted in yields on
loans and securities falling and reducing the yield on interest earning assets
and the net interest margin.
 
  Average loans for 1997 grew $406 million from 1996, principally from
increased commercial and commercial real estate lending and mortgage loans
purchased under agreements to resell. The net interest margin was 3.94% for
1997 versus 4.03% for the previous year. The strong loan growth came at
marginally lower rates causing average loan yields to fall. The net interest
margin also declined in 1997 due to the sale of the Company's credit card
portfolio and additional investment in corporate-owned life insurance, the
income on which is recorded as non-interest.
 
 Asset Quality and Provision for Loan Losses
 
  The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 1998, was $55.2 million, or 1.40%
of loans, compared to $55.2 million and 1.38% at year-end 1997. Non-performing
loans consist of loans classified as troubled debt restructurings and loans on
non-accrual status. The Company's non-performing loans as of March 31, 1998
totaled $29.9 million, an increase of $1.9 million from December 31, 1997. The
allowance for loan losses represented 1.84 times non-performing loans on March
31, 1998. Risk assets, which include non-performing loans, foreclosed
properties and loans past due 90 days or more and accruing, were $44.3 million
at March 31, 1998 or 1.12% of loan-related assets. The provision for loan
losses was $3.3 million for the first quarter of 1998, representing .34% of
average loans on an annualized basis. Net charge-offs were .34% of average
loans for the quarter, slightly better than the .37% for the first quarter of
1997.
 
  The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 1997, was $55.2 million or
1.38% of loans compared to $46.2 million and 1.25% the prior year-end. Non-
performing loans at December 31, 1997, totaled $28.0 million, a decrease of
$5.6 million from December 31, 1996. The allowance for loan losses was 1.97
times non-performing loans at December 31, 1997, compared to 1.37 times at
year-end 1996. Risk assets declined $6.3 million to $44.1 million at year-end.
The provision for loan losses totaled $24.9 million in 1997, an increase of
$11.6 million over the prior year, principally as a result of additional
provisions to conform the loan loss methodologies of IFC and CB to that of
Pinnacle. Net charge-offs for 1997 increased to .42% of average loans from
 .36% in 1996, also as a result of conforming loan loss methodologies.
 
 Non-Interest Income
 
  Non-interest income in the first quarter of 1998 was $22.2 million,
increasing $5.0 million or 29% from the same period in 1997, of which $459
thousand related to the January 1, 1998 acquisition of Wedgewood, a full
service broker/dealer and asset manager. Service charges on deposits increased
22% compared to the first quarter of 1997 as a result of an increased number
of deposit accounts and chargeable services, higher activity fees and new fee
sources, combined with improved efforts to collect a greater percentage of
assessable fees. Mortgage banking revenue increased due to strong demand for
new and refinanced residential mortgages and increased loan sales. Other
income increased $1.2 million as compared to the first quarter of 1997,
principally due to the Company's increased investment in a corporate-owned
life insurance program.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
  Non-interest income represented 24.8% of net fully tax equivalent revenues
in 1997 as compared to 23.6% in 1996. Service charges on deposit accounts
increased 16% in 1997 compared to 1996 as a result of an increased number of
deposit accounts and chargeable services, higher activity fees and new fee
sources combined with improved efforts to collect a greater percentage of
assessable fees.
 
  Trust and plan administration fees increased $2.1 million to $9.8 million in
1997. The May 31, 1996, acquisition of Small Parker & Blossom, a third party
administrator of employee benefit plans, accounted for $1.3 million of this
increase. Trust fee income, which is based primarily on the market value of
assets under management or custody, also increased over 1996.
 
  Mortgage banking revenue decreased $1.3 million in 1997 due primarily to
gains recorded in 1996 from the securitization of large pools of residential
mortgage loans offset by increased mortgage origination activities. Other
income increased $6.5 million in 1997 compared to 1996. The Company recorded a
gain of $646 thousand from the sale of its credit card portfolio. The
remaining increase was principally due to increased revenues of $1.8 million
from a corporate-owned life insurance program, $481 thousand from the
expiration of interest rate option contracts, $412 thousand from net
securities trading account gains and $472 thousand from non-customer ATM
access fees.
 
 Non-Interest Expense
 
  Non-interest expense increased 9%, or $3.9 million, in the first quarter
1998 compared to the first quarter 1997, generally due to increased business
activity and the Wedgewood acquisition. The Wedgewood acquisition accounted
for $545 thousand of the expense increase. Salaries and employee benefits
increased $1.1 million to $24.1 million in the first quarter from the same
period in 1997.
 
  Non-interest expense increased $6.3 million, or 3.3%, in 1997 compared with
1996. This increase was principally due to increased compensation of $10.2
million, data processing of $2.1 million, professional fees of $2.8 million,
and other expenses of $3.0 million, which were offset by a reduction in the
FDIC premiums of $2.4 million and the one-time SAIF assessment in 1996 of
$11.0 million. Included with 1997 expenses were $11.5 million of restructuring
charges recorded by Pinnacle in connection with its mergers with IFC and CB,
which increased compensation by $4.6 million, data processing by $2.2 million,
professional fees by $2.0 million and other expenses by $2.7 million.
Exclusive of the restructuring charges in 1997 and the SAIF assessment in
1996, non-interest expense increased 3.2% in 1997 compared with 1996.
Incentive compensation accounted for a significant portion of the remaining
increase in compensation expense as the Company continues to emphasize
performance-based awards tied to net income per share and product sales.
Occupancy expense and equipment related expenses increased $1.6 million due to
expanded business activities and equipment upgrades required to facilitate the
growth from acquisitions.
 
 Merger Related Charges
 
  In connection with the Pinnacle Acquisition, the Company will record during
the second quarter of 1998, one-time merger related charges of $41.3 million.
The charges include $8.3 million in technology-related costs (including
contract terminations and software and equipment write-offs), $9.7 million in
severance pay and other personnel related expenses, $6.7 million for
professional fees, $11.2 million in conforming accounting policies of Pinnacle
to those of the Company, and $5.4 million in other costs. The after-tax effect
of these charges is $30.0 million or $.89 per share. These charges are greater
than the Company originally anticipated, principally due to greater
adjustments to conform the accounting policies followed by Pinnacle to the
Company's more conservative policies for revenue and expense recognition under
generally accepted accounting principles, greater severance pay under
employment contracts and a higher level of attrition, and other costs,
including write-downs of equity investments.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE ISSUER
 
  The Issuer is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law pursuant
to (i) the trust agreement, executed by the Company, as Depositor, The Bank of
New York, as Property Trustee, The Bank of New York (Delaware) as Delaware
Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein, and (ii) the filing of
a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on June 1, 1998.
The initial trust agreement will be amended and restated in its entirety (as
so amended and restated, the "Trust Agreement") substantially in the form
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
forms a part. The Trust Agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The
Issuer exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the
Capital Securities and Common Securities, (ii) using the proceeds from the
sale of Capital Securities and Common Securities to acquire Convertible
Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company, and (iii) engaging in only
those other activities necessary or incidental thereto (such as registering
the transfer of the Trust Securities). Accordingly, the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of the Issuer, and payments
under the Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be the sole revenue of the
Issuer. Upon issuance of the Trust Securities, the purchasers thereof will own
all of the Trust Securities. All of the Common Securities will be owned by the
Company. The Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made
thereon pro rata, with the Capital Securities, except that upon the occurrence
and continuance of an event of default under the Trust Agreement resulting
from an event of default under the Indenture, the rights of the Company as
holder of the Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and
payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise will be subordinated to the
rights of the holders of the Capital Securities. See "Description of Capital
Securities--Subordination of Common Securities." The Company will acquire
Common Securities in an aggregate Liquidation Amount at least equal to 3% of
the total capital of the Issuer. The Issuer has a term of 55 years, but may
terminate earlier as provided in the Trust Agreement.
 
  It is anticipated that the Issuer will not be subject to the reporting
requirements under the Exchange Act. The principal executive office of the
Issuer is c/o CNB Bancshares, Inc., 20 N.W. Third Street, Evansville, Indiana
47739, and its telephone number is 812-456-3400. The Company will pay all fees
and expenses related to the Issuer and the offering of the Capital Securities.
The number of trustees of the Issuer (the "Trustees") will, pursuant to the
Trust Agreement, initially be four. Two of the Trustees (the "Administrative
Trustees") will be persons who are employees or officers of, or who are
affiliated with, the Company. The third trustee will be a financial
institution that is unaffiliated with the Company, which trustee will serve as
institutional trustee under the Trust Agreement and as indenture trustee for
the purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (the
"Property Trustee"). The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation,
will be the Property Trustee until removed or replaced by the holder of the
Common Securities. For purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act, The Bank of New York also will act as trustee (the "Guarantee
Trustee") under the Guarantee and as trustee (the "Debenture Trustee") under
the Indenture. The fourth trustee will be an entity that maintains its
principal place of business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee").
The Bank of New York (Delaware), a Delaware banking corporation, will act as
Delaware Trustee. The Property Trustee will hold title to the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities
and in such capacity will have the power to exercise all rights, powers and
privileges under the Indenture. The Property Trustee will also maintain
exclusive control of a segregated non-interest-bearing bank account (the
"Property Account") to hold all payments made in respect of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures for the benefit of the holders of the Trust
Securities. The Property Trustee will make payments of Distributions and
payments on liquidation, redemption and otherwise to the holders of the Trust
Securities out of funds from the Property Account. The Guarantee Trustee will
hold the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities.
The Company, as the holder of all the Common Securities, will have the right
to appoint, remove or replace any Trustee and to increase or decrease the
number of Trustees. The rights of the holders of the Capital Securities,
including economic rights, rights to information and voting rights, are set
forth in the Trust Agreement, the Delaware Business Trust Act (the "Trust
Act") and the Trust Indenture Act. See "Description of Capital Securities."
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
                             ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
  The Issuer will be treated, for financial reporting purposes, as a
subsidiary of the Company and, accordingly, the accounts of the Issuer will be
included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Capital
Securities will be presented as part of a separate line item in the Company's
consolidated balance sheet under the caption "Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial
Interests in the Company's Convertible Subordinated Debentures," and
appropriate disclosures about the Capital Securities, the Guarantee and the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be included in the notes to the
Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company will record
Distributions payable on the Capital Securities as a minority interest
distribution in its consolidated statements of operations for financial
reporting purposes.
 
  All future reports of the Company filed under the Exchange Act while the
Capital Securities are outstanding will (a) present the Trust Securities
issued by the Issuer on the balance sheets as part of a separate line item
entitled "Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in the Company's
Convertible Subordinated Debentures," (b) include in a footnote to the
Company's consolidated financial statements disclosure that the sole assets of
the Issuer are the Convertible Subordinated Debentures (including the
outstanding principal amount, interest rate, maturity date and conversion
ratio of such Convertible Subordinated Debentures), and (c) include in a
footnote to the consolidated financial statements disclosure that the Company
owns all of the Common Securities of the Issuer, the sole assets of the Issuer
are the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, and the back-up obligations, in
the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of
the obligations of the Issuer under the Capital Securities.
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
  Pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trustees on behalf of the
Issuer will issue the Capital Securities and the Common Securities. The
Capital Securities will represent preferred undivided beneficial ownership
interests in the Issuer and the holders thereof will be entitled to a
preference in certain circumstances with respect to Distributions and amounts
payable on redemption or liquidation over the Common Securities, as well as
other benefits as described herein and in the Trust Agreement. All of the
Common Securities will be owned by the Company. This summary of certain
provisions of the Capital Securities and Trust Agreement, which summarizes the
material terms thereof, does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the
Trust Agreement, including the definitions therein of certain terms, and the
Trust Indenture Act, to each of which reference is hereby made. Wherever
particular defined terms of the Trust Agreement (as amended or supplemented
from time to time) are referred to herein, such defined terms are incorporated
herein by reference. The form of the Trust Agreement has been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
The Issuer is a legally separate entity and its assets are not available to
satisfy the obligations of any other statutory business trust whose Common
Securities may hereafter be owned by the Company. The Trust Agreement does not
permit the issuance by the Issuer of any securities other than the Trust
Securities or the incurrence of any indebtedness by the Issuer.
 
  The Capital Securities will be limited to $150,000,000 ($172,500,000 if the
underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised) aggregate Liquidation Amount
at any time outstanding. The Capital Securities will rank pari passu, and
payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Common Securities except as
described under "--Subordination of Common Securities." Legal title to the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be held by the Property Trustee in
trust for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities and Common
Securities. The Guarantee executed by the Company for the benefit of the
holders of the Trust Securities will be a guarantee on a subordinated basis
with respect to the Trust Securities but will not guarantee payment of
Distributions or amounts payable on redemption or liquidation of the Trust
Securities when the Issuer does not have funds on hand available to make such
payments. See "Description of Guarantee."
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  Payment of Distributions. The Capital Securities represent preferred
undivided beneficial ownership interests in the Issuer, and Distributions on
the Capital Securities will be payable at the annual rate of    % on the
stated Liquidation Amount of $25, payable quarterly in arrears on March 31,
June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each, a "Distribution
Date"), to the holders of the Capital Securities on the relevant record dates.
The record dates for the Capital Securities will be, for so long as the
Capital Securities remain in book-entry form, one Business Day (as hereafter
defined) prior to the relevant Distribution Date and, in the event the Capital
Securities are not in book-entry form, the 15th day of the month in which the
relevant Distribution Date occurs. Distributions on the Capital Securities
will be cumulative and will accumulate from the date of original issuance. The
first Distribution Date for the Capital Securities will be September 30, 1998.
The period beginning on and including the date of original issuance and ending
on but excluding the first Distribution Date and each successive period
beginning on and including a Distribution Date and ending on but excluding the
next succeeding Distribution Date is herein called a "Distribution Period."
The first Distribution payable on September 30, 1998, will be in the amount of
$  per Capital Security and thereafter quarterly Distributions will be in the
amount of $  per Capital Security.
 
  In the event that any Distribution Date would otherwise fall on a day that
is not a Business Day, such Distribution Date will be postponed to the next
day that is a Business Day (without any additional Distributions or other
payment in respect of such delay) unless it would thereby fall in the next
calendar year, in which event the Distribution Date will be brought forward to
the immediately preceding Business Day. A "Business Day" means any day other
than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in The
City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to
remain closed or a day on which the corporate trust office of the Property
Trustee or the Debenture Trustee is closed for business.
 
  Distributions on the Capital Securities will be payable to the holders
thereof as they appear on the register of the Issuer on the relevant record
date, which, as long as the Capital Securities remain in book-entry form, will
be one Business Day prior to the relevant Distribution Date. Subject to any
applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of the Trust Agreement,
each such payment will be made as described under "Book-Entry Issuance." In
the event that any Capital Securities are not in book-entry form, the relevant
record date for such Capital Securities will be the date at least 15 days
prior to the Distribution Date.
 
  Extension Period. So long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, the Company has the right under the Indenture to defer the
payment of interest on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures at any time or
from time to time for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods
with respect to each Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may
extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
As a consequence of any such deferral of interest payments by the Company,
quarterly Distributions on the Capital Securities by the Issuer also will be
deferred during any such Extension Period. Distributions to which holders of
the Capital Securities are entitled will accumulate additional Distributions
thereon at the rate of   % per annum, compounded quarterly from the relevant
payment date for such Distributions. The term "Distributions" as used herein
includes any such additional Distributions. During any such Extension Period,
the Company may not, and may not permit any subsidiary of the Company to, (i)
declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire
or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital
stock, (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or
repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari
passu with or junior in interest to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures,
or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the
Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company if such
guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) dividends or distributions in capital
stock of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the
implementation of a shareholders' rights plan or the redemption or repurchase
of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) purchases of Common Stock related to
the issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit
plans for its directors, officers or employees, related to the issuance of
Common Stock or rights under a dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan,
or related to the issuance of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or
exchangeable
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
for Common Stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction that was
entered into prior to the commencement of such Extension Period, or (d)
payments under the Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any such Extension
Period, the Company may further defer the payment of interest on the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, provided that no Extension Period may
exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods or extend beyond the Stated Maturity
of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination of any such
Extension Period and the payment of all interest then accrued and unpaid
(together with interest thereon at the rate of   % per annum, compounded
quarterly, to the extent permitted by applicable law), the Company may elect
to begin a new Extension Period. There is no limitation on the number of times
that the Company may elect to begin an Extension Period. See "Description of
Convertible Subordinated Debentures--Right to Defer Interest Payments" and
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Potential Extension of Interest
Payment Period and Original Issue Discount."
 
  The Company believes that, as a result of its inability to pay any dividends
or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation
payment with respect to, its Common Stock during an Extension Period and the
additional restrictions imposed upon it as described in the preceding
paragraph, the likelihood of its exercising its right to defer payments of
interest is remote and it has no such current intention. The Company, however,
reserves the right in the future to exercise its option to defer payments of
interest on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. See "Risk Factors--Right
to Defer Interest Payments; Tax Consequences; Market Price Consequences."
 
  Source of Distributions. The revenue of the Issuer available for
distribution to holders of its Capital Securities will be limited to payments
under the Convertible Subordinated Debentures in which the Issuer will invest
the proceeds from the issuance and sale of its Trust Securities. See
"Description of Convertible Subordinated Debentures." If the Company does not
make interest payments on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, the
Property Trustee will not have funds available to pay Distributions on the
Capital Securities. The payment of Distributions (if and to the extent the
Issuer has funds legally available for the payment of such Distributions and
cash sufficient to make such payments) is guaranteed by the Company on the
basis set forth herein under "Description of Guarantee."
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
  General. Capital Securities will be convertible at any time on or after
     , 1998 [60 days after the date of issue] and prior to the close of
business on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of repayment of
such Capital Securities, whether at Stated Maturity or upon redemption (either
at the option of the Company or pursuant to a Tax Event or a Capital Treatment
Event), at the option of the holder thereof and in the manner described below,
into shares of Common Stock at an initial Conversion Ratio of       shares of
Common Stock for each Capital Security (equivalent to an initial conversion
price of $      per share of Common Stock), subject to adjustment as described
below under "--Conversion Ratio Adjustments." The Issuer will covenant in the
Trust Agreement not to convert Convertible Subordinated Debentures held by it
except pursuant to a notice of conversion delivered to the Property Trustee,
as conversion agent (the "Conversion Agent"), by a holder of Capital
Securities. A holder of a Capital Security wishing to exercise its conversion
right must deliver an irrevocable notice of conversion, together, if the
Capital Security is in certificated form, with the certificate representing
such Capital Security, to the Conversion Agent, which will, on behalf of such
holder, exchange such Capital Security for a portion of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures and immediately convert such Convertible Subordinated
Debentures into Common Stock. Holders may obtain copies of the required form
of the conversion notice from the Conversion Agent. In the event Cede & Co.
(DTC's nominee) receives a conversion request from the Conversion Agent, DTC
will redeem the amount of interest credited to the applicable Direct
Participant(s) (as defined under "Book-Entry Issuance") in the Capital
Securities in accordance with its procedures.
 
  Holders of Capital Securities at the close of business on a Distribution
record date will be entitled to receive the Distribution payable on such
Capital Securities on the corresponding Distribution Date notwithstanding the
conversion of such Capital Securities following such Distribution record date
but prior to such Distribution Date;
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
provided, however, that if any Capital Securities are surrendered for
conversion during the period from the close of business on any record date
through and including the next succeeding Distribution Date (except any such
Capital Securities called for redemption), such Capital Securities when
surrendered for conversion must be accompanied by payment in next day funds of
an amount equal to the Distribution which the registered holder on such record
date is to receive. Except as described above, no Distribution will be payable
by the Company on converted Capital Securities with respect to any
Distribution Date subsequent to the date of conversion. Except as provided
above, neither the Issuer nor the Company will make, or be required to make,
any payment, allowance or adjustment for accumulated and unpaid Distributions,
whether or not in arrears, on Capital Securities. Each conversion will be
deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the
day on which the related conversion notice was received by the Conversion
Agent.
 
  Shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Capital Securities will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. No fractional shares of Common
Stock will be issued as a result of conversion, but in lieu thereof such
fractional interest will be paid by the Company in cash based on the last
reported sale price of Common Stock on the date such Capital Securities are
surrendered for conversion.
 
  Conversion Ratio Adjustments--General. The Conversion Ratio is subject to
adjustment in certain events, including (a) the issuance after the date of
issuance of the Capital Securities offered hereby (the "Issue Date") of shares
of Common Stock as a dividend or a distribution with respect to Common Stock,
(b) subdivisions, combinations and reclassification of Common Stock effected
after the Issue Date, (c) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock after
the Issue Date of rights or warrants entitling them (for a period not
exceeding 45 days) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less
than the then Current Market Price (as herein defined) of the Common Stock,
(d) the distribution to all holders of Common Stock after the Issue Date of
evidences of indebtedness, capital stock, cash or assets (including
securities, but excluding those rights, warrants, dividends and distributions
referred to above and dividends and distributions paid exclusively in cash),
(e) the payment of dividends (and other distributions) on Common Stock after
the Issue Date paid exclusively in cash, excluding cash dividends paid out of
retained earnings of the Company, and (f) the payment to holders of Common
Stock after the Issue Date in respect of a tender or exchange offer (other
than an odd-lot offer) by the Company for Common Stock at a price in excess of
110% of the then Current Market Price of Common Stock as of the trading day
next succeeding the last date tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to
such tender or exchange offer.
 
  "Current Market Price" means, in general, the average of the daily Closing
Prices (as defined herein) for the five consecutive trading days selected by
the Company commencing not more than 20 trading days before, and ending not
later than, the earlier of the day in question or, if applicable, the day
before the "ex" date with respect to the issuance or distribution in question.
 
  "Closing Price" of any security on any day means the last reported sale
price, regular way, on such day or, if no sale takes place on such day, the
average of the reported closing bid and asked price on such day, regular way,
in either case as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape, or, if such security is
not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, on the principal national
securities exchange on which such security is listed or admitted to trading,
or if such security is not listed or admitted to trading on a national
securities exchange, on the National Market System of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., or, if such security is not quoted or admitted to
trading on such quotation system, on the principal quotation system on which
such security is listed or admitted to trading or quoted, or, if not listed or
admitted to trading or quoted on any national securities exchange or quotation
system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices of such security in
the over-the-counter market on the day in question as reported by the National
Quotation Bureau Incorporated, or a similar generally accepted reporting
service, or, if not so available in such manner, as furnished by any NYSE
member firm selected from time to time by the Board of Directors of the
Company for that purpose or, if not so available in such manner, as otherwise
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
  The Company from time to time may increase the conversion ratio of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures (and thus increase the Conversion Ratio of
the Capital Securities) by any amount selected by the
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
Company for any period of at least 20 days, in which case the Company shall
give at least fifteen days' notice of such increase. The Company may, at its
option, make such increases in the Conversion Ratio, in addition to those set
forth above, as the Company deems advisable to avoid or diminish any income
tax to holders of Common Stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of
stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as such for
income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations--
Adjustment of Conversion Ratio."
 
  No adjustment of the Conversion Ratio will be made upon the issuance of any
shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for
the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on securities of the Company
and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock
under any such plan, or upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or
options or rights pursuant to any employee benefit plan or program, or
pursuant to any option, warrant, right or any exercisable, exchangeable or
convertible security outstanding as of the date on which the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures are first issued. No adjustment of the Conversion
Ratio will be made upon the issuance of rights under any shareholder rights
plan. No adjustment in the Conversion Ratio will be required unless adjustment
would require a change of at least one percent (1%) in the Conversion Ratio
then in effect; provided, however, that any adjustment that would not be
required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
subsequent adjustment. If any action would required adjustment of the
Conversion Ratio pursuant to more than one of the provisions described above,
only one adjustment will be made with respect to that action and such
adjustment will be the amount of adjustment that has the highest absolute
value to the holder of the Capital Securities.
 
  Conversion Ratio Adjustment--Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets of
Company. In the event that the Company becomes a party to any transaction,
including, without limitation, and with certain exceptions, (a) a
recapitalization or reclassification of the Common Stock, (b) consolidation of
the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other person, or any
merger of another person into the Company, (c) any sale, transfer or lease of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (d) any compulsory
share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is converted into the right
to receive other securities, cash or other property (each of the foregoing
being referred to as a "Transaction"), then the holders of Capital Securities
then outstanding will have the right to convert the Capital Securities into
the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property receivable upon the
consummation of such Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of such Capital Securities immediately prior to
such Transaction.
 
  In the case of a Transaction, each Capital Security would become convertible
into the securities, cash or property receivable by a holder of the number of
shares of the Common Stock into which such Capital Security was convertible
immediately prior to such Transaction. This change could substantially lessen
or eliminate the value of the conversion privilege associated with the Capital
Securities in the future. For example, if the Company were acquired in a cash
merger, each Capital Security would become convertible solely into cash and
would no longer be convertible into securities which value would vary
depending on the future prospects of the Company and other factors.
 
  Conversion Ratio adjustments or omissions in making such adjustments may,
under certain circumstances, be deemed to be distributions that could be
taxable as dividends to holders of Capital Securities or to the holders of
Common Stock. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations--Adjustment of
Conversion Ratio."
 
  Whenever the Conversion Ratio is adjusted as herein provided, the Company
will place on file with the Property Trustee and with the Conversion Agent a
statement signed by the Chairman of the Board, President or a Vice President
of the Company and by its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer showing in
detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Conversion Ratio after such
adjustment and the Trustee or Conversion Agent will exhibit the same from time
to time to any holder desiring an inspection thereof.
 
REDEMPTION
 
  General. The Convertible Subordinated Debentures will mature on            ,
2028. The Company has the right to redeem the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures (i) on or after            , 2001, in whole at
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
any time or in part from time to time, or (ii) at any time, in certain
circumstances as described under "Description of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures--Conditional Right to Redeem Upon a Tax Event or Capital Treatment
Event," in whole (but not in part) within 90 days following the occurrence of
a Tax Event or a Capital Treatment Event. A redemption of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures would cause a mandatory redemption of the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities.
 
  Mandatory Redemption. Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in part,
of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, whether at Stated Maturity or upon
earlier redemption as provided in the Indenture, the proceeds from such
repayment or redemption will be applied by the Property Trustee to redeem a
Like Amount (as defined herein) of the Trust Securities, upon not less than 30
nor more than 60 days' notice, at a redemption price (the "Redemption Price")
equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of such Trust Securities, plus
accumulated but unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Date"). The Redemption Price will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months. See "Description of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures--Redemption." If less than all of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures are to be repaid or redeemed on a Redemption Date,
then the proceeds from such repayment or redemption will be allocated to the
redemption pro rata of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities.
 
  Liquidation of Issuer and Distribution of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures. Subject to the Company's having received prior approval of the
Federal Reserve to do so if then required under applicable capital guidelines
or policies, the Company has the right at any time to terminate the Issuer
and, after satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of the Issuer as
provided by applicable law, cause the Convertible Subordinated Debentures in
respect of the Capital Securities and Common Securities issued by the Issuer
to be distributed to the holders of the Capital Securities and Common
Securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation of the Issuer.
 
  Under current U.S. federal income tax law and interpretations and assuming,
as expected, that the Issuer is treated as a grantor trust, a distribution of
Subordinated Debentures in exchange for the Capital Securities should not be a
taxable event to holders of the Capital Securities. Should there be a change
in law, a change in legal interpretation, a Tax Event or other circumstances,
however, the distribution could be a taxable event to holders of the Capital
Securities. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Receipt of
Convertible Subordinated Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of Issuer." If
the Company elects neither to redeem the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
prior to maturity nor to liquidate the Issuer and distribute the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures to holders of the Capital Securities in exchange
therefor, the Capital Securities will remain outstanding until the Stated
Maturity of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
 
  If the Company elects to liquidate the Issuer and thereby causes the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to holders of the
Capital Securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation of the Issuer, the
Company will continue to have the right to redeem the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures in certain circumstances upon the occurrence of a Tax Event or
Capital Treatment Event, as described under "Description of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures--Conditional Right to Redeem Upon a Tax Event or
Capital Treatment Event," and the Convertible Subordinated Debentures will
continue to be convertible into Common Stock, as described under "Description
of Convertible Subordinated Debentures--Conversion of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures."
 
  After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures for the Capital Securities (i) the Capital Securities
will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) DTC or its nominee, as the
record holder of the Capital Securities, will receive a registered global
certificate or certificates representing the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution, and (iii) any certificates
representing the Capital Securities not held by DTC or its nominee will be
deemed to represent the Convertible Subordinated Debentures having a principal
amount equal to the stated Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities, and
bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and
unpaid Distributions on the Capital Securities until such certificates are
presented to the Administrative Trustees or their agent for transfer or
reissuance.
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
  There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Capital Securities
or the Convertible Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in exchange
for Capital Securities if a dissolution and liquidation of the Issuer were to
occur. Accordingly, the Capital Securities that an investor may purchase, or
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures that the investor may receive on
dissolution and liquidation of the Issuer, may trade at a discount to the
price that the investor paid to purchase the Capital Securities offered
hereby.
 
  Tax Event or Capital Treatment Event Redemption. If a Tax Event or Capital
Treatment Event in respect of the Capital Securities and Common Securities
occurs and is continuing, the Company has the right to redeem the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part) and thereby cause a
mandatory redemption of the Capital Securities and Common Securities in whole
(but not in part) at the Redemption Price within 90 days following the
occurrence of such Tax Event or Capital Treatment Event. In the event that a
Tax Event or a Capital Treatment Event in respect of the Capital Securities
and Common Securities has occurred and is continuing and the Company does not
elect to redeem the Convertible Subordinated Debentures and thereby cause a
mandatory redemption of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities or to
terminate the Issuer and cause the Convertible Subordinated Debentures to be
distributed to holders of the Capital Securities and Common Securities in
exchange therefor upon liquidation of the Issuer as described above, the
Capital Securities will remain outstanding.
 
 Certain Definitions.
 
  "Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of the Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to that portion
of the principal amount of Convertible Subordinated Debentures to be
contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the Indenture, the proceeds of
which will be used to pay the Redemption Price of the Trust Securities, and
(ii) with respect to a distribution of Convertible Subordinated Debentures to
holders of the Trust Securities in exchange therefor in connection with a
dissolution or liquidation of the Issuer, Convertible Subordinated Debentures
having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Trust
Securities of the holder to whom such Convertible Subordinated Debentures
would be distributed.
 
  "Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $25 per Trust Security.
 
  "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Issuer of an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment
to, or change (including any announced proposed change) in, the laws (or any
regulations thereunder) of the U.S. or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative
pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or
regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which proposed change,
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the
Capital Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Issuer is, or will be within 90 days of the
date of such opinion, subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the corresponding series of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest payable by the Company on the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of
such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, or (iii) the Issuer is, or will be within 90
days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of
other taxes, duties or other governmental charges. With respect to Convertible
Subordinated Debentures which are no longer held by the Issuer or another
issuer, "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment
to, or change (including any announced proposed change) in, the laws (or any
regulations thereunder) of the U.S. or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative
pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or
regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which proposed change,
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures under the Indenture, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that interest payable by the Company on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion
will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes (each of the circumstances referred to in clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) of the preceding sentence and the circumstances referred to in
this sentence being referred to herein as an "Adverse Tax Consequence").
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
  "Capital Treatment Event" means the reasonable determination by the Company
that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any proposed
change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the U.S. or any
political subdivision thereof or therein, or as a result of any official or
administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which proposed change, pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or
after the date of issuance of the Capital Securities under the Trust
Agreement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not
be entitled to treat an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities as "Tier 1 Capital" (or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes
of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect
and applicable to the Company.
 
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
  Capital Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date will be redeemed at the
Redemption Price with the applicable proceeds from the contemporaneous
redemption of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Redemptions of the
Capital Securities will be made and the Redemption Price will be payable on
each Redemption Date only to the extent that the Issuer has funds on hand
available for the payment of such Redemption Price. See, also, "--
Subordination of Common Securities."
 
  If the Issuer gives a notice of redemption in respect of its Capital
Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the Redemption Date, to the
extent funds are available, the Property Trustee will deposit irrevocably with
DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give DTC
irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
holders of such Capital Securities. See "Book-Entry Issuance." If the Capital
Securities are no longer in book-entry form, the Property Trustee, to the
extent funds are available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for
the Capital Securities funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price
and will give such paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay
the Redemption Price to the holders thereof upon surrender of their
certificates evidencing the Capital Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Distributions payable on or prior to the Redemption Date for any Capital
Securities called for redemption will be payable to the holders of such
Capital Securities on the relevant record date for the related Distribution
Date. If notice of redemption has been given and funds deposited as required,
then upon the date of such deposit, all rights of the holders of such Capital
Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the
holders of such Capital Securities to receive the Redemption Price, but
without interest on such Redemption Price, and such Capital Securities will
cease to be outstanding. In the event that any date fixed for redemption of
Capital Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price
payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay), except that, if such Business Day falls in the next calendar year,
such payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the
event that payment of the Redemption Price in respect of Capital Securities
called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by
the Issuer or by the Company pursuant to the Guarantee as described under
"Description of Guarantee," Distributions on such Capital Securities will
continue to accrue at the then applicable rate, from the Redemption Date
originally established by the Issuer for such Capital Securities to the date
such Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the actual payment date
will be the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the
Redemption Price.
 
  Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, U.S. federal
securities laws), the Company or its subsidiaries may at any time and from
time to time purchase outstanding Capital Securities by tender, in the open
market or by private agreement.
 
  Payment of the Redemption Price on the Capital Securities and any
distribution of Convertible Subordinated Debentures to holders of Capital
Securities will be made to the applicable recordholders thereof as they appear
on the register for such Capital Securities on the relevant record date, which
will be one Business Day prior to the relevant Redemption Date or liquidation
date, as applicable; provided, however, that in the event that any Capital
Securities are not in book-entry form, the relevant record date for such
Capital Securities will be a date 15 days prior to the Redemption Date or
liquidation date, as applicable.
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
  If less than all of the Capital Securities and Common Securities issued by
the Issuer are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of such Capital Securities and Common Securities to be
redeemed will be allocated pro rata to the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities based upon the relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes. The
particular Capital Securities to be redeemed will be selected on a pro rata
basis not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Property
Trustee from the outstanding Capital Securities not previously called for
redemption, by such method as the Property Trustee deems fair and appropriate
and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to
$25 or an integral multiple of $25 in excess thereof) of the Liquidation
Amount of Capital Securities. The Property Trustee will promptly notify the
trust registrar in writing of the Capital Securities selected for redemption
and, in the case of any Capital Securities selected for partial redemption,
the Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of the Trust
Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to
the redemption of Capital Securities will relate, in the case of any Capital
Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the
aggregate Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities which has been or is to be
redeemed.
 
  Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of Trust Securities to be
redeemed at its registered address.
 
REGISTRATION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  The Capital Securities will be represented by global certificates registered
in the name of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interest in the Capital
Securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only
through, records maintained by Participants (as defined under "Book-Entry
Issuance") in DTC. Except as described below, Capital Securities in
certificated form will not be issued in exchange for the global certificates.
See "Book-Entry Issuance."
 
  A global security will be exchangeable for Capital Securities registered in
the names of persons other than DTC or its nominee only if (i) DTC notifies
the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for such
global security and no successor depositary has been appointed, or if at any
time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a
time when DTC is required to be so registered to act as such depositary, (ii)
the Issuer in its sole discretion determines that such global security will be
so exchangeable, or (iii) there occurs and is continuing an event of default
under the Indenture with respect to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
Any global security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence
will be exchangeable for definitive certificates registered in such names as
DTC directs. It is expected that such instructions will be based upon
directions received by DTC from its Participants with respect to ownership of
beneficial interests in such global security. In the event that Capital
Securities are issued in definitive form, such Capital Securities will be in
denominations of $25 and integral multiples thereof and may be transferred or
exchanged at the offices described below.
 
  Payment on and any distributions of Convertible Subordinated Debentures in
exchange for Capital Securities represented by a global security will be made
to DTC, as the depositary for the Capital Securities. In the event Capital
Securities are issued in certificated form, the Liquidation Amount and
Distributions will be payable, the transfer of the Capital Securities will be
registrable, Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be distributed in
exchange for Capital Securities following a termination of the Issuer and
Capital Securities will be exchangeable for Capital Securities of other
denominations of a like aggregate Liquidation Amount, at the corporate office
of the Property Trustee in New York City, or at the offices of any paying
agent or transfer agent appointed by the Administrative Trustees, provided
that payment of any Distribution may be made at the option of the
Administrative Trustees by check mailed to the address of the persons entitled
thereto or by wire transfer. For a description of DTC and the terms of the
depositary arrangements relating to payments, transfers, voting rights,
redemptions and other notices and other matters, see "Book-Entry Issuance."
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES
 
  Payment of Distributions on, and the Redemption Price of, the Capital
Securities and the Common Securities, as applicable, will be made pro rata
based on the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities; provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption
Date a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payment
of any Distribution on, or Redemption Price of, any Common Securities, and no
other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or other acquisition
of the Common Securities, will be made unless payment in full in cash of all
accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all of the outstanding Capital
Securities for all Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in
the case of payment of the Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption
Price on all of the outstanding Capital Securities then called for redemption,
has been made or provided for, and all funds available to the Property Trustee
will first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on,
or the Redemption Price of, the Capital Securities then due and payable.
 
  In the case of any Event of Default under the Trust Agreement resulting from
a Debenture Event of Default, the Company as holder of the Common Securities
will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to any such event
of default under the Trust Agreement until the effect of all such events of
default with respect to the Capital Securities have been cured, waived or
otherwise eliminated. Until all Events of Default under the Trust Agreement
with respect to the Capital Securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated, the Property Trustee will act solely on behalf of the holders of
such Capital Securities and not on behalf of the Company as holder of the
Common Securities, and only the holders of such Capital Securities will have
the right to direct the Property Trustee to act on their behalf.
 
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON TERMINATION
 
  Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Issuer will automatically terminate
upon expiration of its term and will terminate on the first to occur of (i)
certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii)
the distribution of a Like Amount of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
to the holders of the Trust Securities, if the Company, as Depositor, has
given written direction to the Property Trustee to terminate the Issuer
(subject to the Company having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve
if so required under applicable capital guidelines or policies), (iii)
redemption of all of the Capital Securities as described under "--
Redemption," and (iv) the entry of an order for the dissolution of the Issuer
by a court of competent jurisdiction.
 
  If an early termination occurs as described in clause (i), (ii) or (iv)
above, the Issuer will be liquidated by the Trustees as expeditiously as the
Trustees determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as provided by applicable law, to the
holders of the Trust Securities in exchange therefor a Like Amount of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, unless such distribution is determined by
the Property Trustee not to be practical, in which event such holders will be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Issuer available for distribution
to holders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as
provided by applicable law, an amount equal to, in the case of holders of
Capital Securities, the aggregate Liquidation Amount plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the
"Liquidation Distribution"). If such Liquidation Distribution can be paid only
in part because the Issuer has insufficient assets available to pay in full
the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by
the Issuer on the Capital Securities will be paid on a pro rata basis. The
holder(s) of the Common Securities will be entitled to receive distributions
upon any such liquidation pro rata with the holders of the Capital Securities,
except that if a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the Capital Securities will have a priority over the Common Securities. See
"--Subordination of Common Securities."
 
  Under current U.S. federal income tax law and interpretations and assuming,
as expected, that the Issuer is treated as a grantor trust, a distribution of
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures should not be a taxable event to
holders of the Capital Securities. Should there be a change in law, a change
in legal interpretation, a Tax Event or other circumstances, however, the
distribution could be a taxable event to holders of the Capital Securities.
See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Receipt of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
or Cash Upon Liquidation of Issuer." If the Company elects neither to redeem
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures prior to maturity nor to liquidate the
Issuer and distribute the Convertible Subordinated Debentures to holders of
the Capital Securities, the Capital Securities will remain outstanding until
the repayment of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
 
LIQUIDATION VALUE
 
  The amount of the Liquidation Distribution payable on the Capital Securities
in the event of any liquidation of the Issuer is $25 per Capital Security plus
accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment, which may
be in the form of a distribution of a Like Amount of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures, subject to certain exceptions. See "--Liquidation Distribution
Upon Termination."
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE
 
  Any one of the following events constitutes an "Event of Default" under the
Trust Agreement (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it
is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to
any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of
any administrative or governmental body):
 
    (i) the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default under the Indenture
  (see "Description of Convertible Subordinated Debentures--Debenture Events
  of Default"); or
 
    (ii) default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any Distribution
  when it becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a
  period of 30 days; or
 
    (iii) default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any Redemption
  Price of any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or
 
    (iv) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of
  any covenant or warranty of the Trustees in the Trust Agreement (other than
  a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach
  of which is dealt with in clause (ii) or (iii) above), and continuation of
  such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given,
  by registered or certified mail, to the defaulting Trustee or Trustees by
  the holders of at least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
  outstanding Capital Securities, a written notice specifying such default or
  breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a
  "Notice of Default" under the Trust Agreement; or
 
    (v) the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with
  respect to the Property Trustee and the failure by the Company to appoint a
  successor Property Trustee within 90 days thereof.
 
  Within ten Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee will transmit
notice of such Event of Default to the holders of the Capital Securities, the
Administrative Trustees and the Company, as Depositor, unless such Event of
Default has been cured or waived. The Company, as Depositor, and the
Administrative Trustees are required to file annually with the Property
Trustee a certificate as to whether or not they are in compliance with all the
conditions and covenants applicable to them under the Trust Agreement.
 
  If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Capital
Securities will have a preference over the Common Securities as described
above. See "--Subordination of Common Securities" and "--Liquidation
Distribution Upon Termination." The existence of an Event of Default does not
entitle the holders of Capital Securities to accelerate the maturity thereof.
 
REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES
 
  Unless a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any
Trustee may be removed at any time by the Company, as holder of the Common
Securities. If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by
the holders of a
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Capital Securities. In no
event will the holders of the Capital Securities have the right to vote to
appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which voting rights
are vested exclusively in the Company, as the holder of the Common Securities.
No resignation or removal of a Trustee and no appointment of a successor
trustee will be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor
trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement.
 
CO-TRUSTEES AND SEPARATE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
 
  Unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at any time or
from time to time, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the
Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust
Property may at the time be located, the Company, as the holder of the Common
Securities, and the Administrative Trustees will have power to appoint one or
more Persons either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee,
of all or any part of such Trust Property, or to act as separate trustee of
any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the
instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in such
capacity any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable,
subject to the provisions of the Trust Agreement. In case a Debenture Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee alone will have
power to make such appointment.
 
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF TRUSTEES
 
  Any Person into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any
Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person may be merged or converted
or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which such Trustee is a party, or any Person
succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of such
Trustee, will be the successor of such Trustee under the Trust Agreement,
provided such Person is otherwise qualified and eligible.
 
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS OF ISSUER
 
  The Issuer may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other Person, except as
described below or as otherwise described in the Trust Agreement. The Issuer
may, at the request of the Company, with the consent of the Administrative
Trustees and without the consent of the holders of the Capital Securities,
merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, a
trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided, that (i) such
successor entity either (a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the
Issuer with respect to the Capital Securities, or (b) substitutes for the
Capital Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the
Capital Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor
Securities rank the same as the Capital Securities in priority with respect to
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii)
the Company expressly appoints a trustee of such successor entity possessing
the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee as the holder of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, (iii) the Successor Securities are
listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of
issuance, on any national securities exchange or other organization on which
the Capital Securities are then listed, if any, (iv) such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does
not cause the Capital Securities to be downgraded by any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization, (v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the
rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Capital Securities
(including any Successor Securities) in any material respect, (vi) such
successor entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the Issuer,
(vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease, the Company has received an opinion from
independent counsel to the Issuer experienced in such matters to the effect
that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance,
transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and
privileges of the holders of the Capital Securities (including any Successor
Securities) in any material respect, and (b) following such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease,
neither
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
the Issuer nor such successor entity will be required to register as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Investment Company Act"), and (viii) the Company or any permitted successor
or assignee owns all of the Common Securities of such successor entity and
guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under the Successor
Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Issuer will not, except with the consent of holders of 100%
in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities, consolidate, amalgamate,
merge with or into, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any other entity or
permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or
replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease would cause or the successor entity to be
classified as other than a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT
 
  Except as provided below and under "Description of Guarantee--Amendments and
Assignment" and as otherwise required by law and the Trust Agreement, the
holders of the Capital Securities will have no voting rights.
 
  The Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Company, the
Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees, without the consent of the
holders of the Capital Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or
supplement any provisions in the Trust Agreement that may be inconsistent with
any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters
or questions arising under the Trust Agreement, which may not be inconsistent
with the other provisions of the Trust Agreement, or (ii) to modify, eliminate
or add to any provisions of the Trust Agreement to such extent as may be
necessary to ensure that the Issuer will be classified for U.S. federal income
tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities are
outstanding or to ensure that the Issuer will not be required to register as
an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act; provided, however,
that in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii), such action will not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any holder of
Capital Securities, and any such amendments of the Trust Agreement will become
effective when notice thereof is given to the holders of Trust Securities. The
Trust Agreement may be amended by the Trustees and the Company with (i) the
consent of holders representing not less than a majority (based upon
Liquidation Amounts) of the outstanding Trust Securities, and (ii) receipt by
the Trustees of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment or the
exercise of any power granted to the Trustees in accordance with such
amendment will not affect the Issuer's status as a grantor trust for U.S.
federal income tax purposes or the Issuer's exemption from status as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act, provided that without
the consent of each holder of Trust Securities, the Trust Agreement may not be
amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the Trust
Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution
required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a specified date,
or (ii) restrict the right of a holder of Trust Securities to institute suit
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.
 
  So long as any Convertible Subordinated Debentures are held by the Property
Trustee, the Trustees will not (i) direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee,
or executing any trust or power conferred on the Property Trustee with respect
to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that
is waivable under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul
a declaration that the principal of all the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are due and payable, or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification
or termination of the Indenture or Convertible Subordinated Debentures, where
such consent will be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior
approval of the holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of all
outstanding Capital Securities; provided, however, that where a consent under
the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no such consent will be given by the
Property Trustee without the prior consent of each holder of the Capital
Securities. The Trustees will not revoke any action previously authorized or
approved by a vote of the holders of the Capital Securities except by
subsequent vote of the holders of the Capital Securities. The Property Trustee
will notify each holder of Capital Securities of any
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
notice of default with respect to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. In
addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of the holders of the Capital
Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Trustees will
obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that
such action would not cause the Issuer to be classified as other than a
grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
  Any required approval of holders of Capital Securities may be given at a
meeting of holders of Capital Securities convened for such purpose or pursuant
to written consent. The Property Trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at
which holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter
upon which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be
given to each holder of record of Capital Securities in the manner set forth
in the Trust Agreement.
 
  No vote or consent of the holders of Capital Securities will be required for
the Issuer to redeem and cancel the Capital Securities in accordance with the
Trust Agreement.
 
  Notwithstanding that holders of Capital Securities are entitled to vote or
consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Capital
Securities that are owned by the Company, the Trustees or any affiliate of the
Company or any Trustees, will, for purposes of such vote or consent, be
treated as if they were not outstanding.
 
GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  The Capital Securities will be issued in the form of one or more Global
Capital Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Global
Capital Securities will be issued only in fully registered form and in either
temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in
part for the individual Capital Securities represented thereby, a Global
Capital Security may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee
of DTC or by a nominee of DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any
nominee to a successor depository or any nominee of such successor.
 
  Upon the issuance of the Global Capital Security, and the deposit of such
Global Capital Security with or on behalf of DTC, DTC or its nominee will
credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the aggregate
Liquidation Amounts of the individual Capital Securities represented by such
Global Capital Securities to the accounts of Participants, which may include
Euroclear and Cedel. Such accounts will be designated by the dealers,
underwriters or agents with respect to the Capital Securities or by the
Company if the Capital Securities are offered and sold directly by the
Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Capital Security will
be limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests through
Participants, including Euroclear and Cedel. Ownership of beneficial interests
in the Global Capital Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that
ownership will be effected only through records maintained by DTC or its
nominee (with respect to interests of Participants) and the records of
Participants (with respect to interests of persons who hold through
Participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests
in the Global Capital Security.
 
  So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the Global
Capital Security, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered
the sole owner or holder of the Capital Securities represented by the Global
Capital Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided
below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Capital Security will not
be entitled to have any of the individual Capital Securities represented by
the Global Capital Security registered in their names, will not receive or be
entitled to receive physical delivery of any Capital Securities in definitive
form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Trust
Agreement or the Indenture.
 
  Payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on individual
Capital Securities represented by the Global Capital Security registered in
the name of DTC or its nominee will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case
may be, as the registered owner of the Global Capital Security representing
the Capital Securities.
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
None of the Company, the Property Trustee, any Paying Agent, or the Securities
Registrar for such Capital Securities will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on
account of beneficial ownership interests of the Global Capital Security or
for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.
 
  The Company expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of
Liquidation Amount, Redemption Price, premium or Distributions in respect of a
permanent Global Capital Security representing any of the Capital Securities,
immediately will credit Participants' accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interest in the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Global Capital Security for the Capital Securities
as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. The Company also expects that
payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global
Capital Security held through such Participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name."
Such payments will be the responsibility of such Participants.
 
  If DTC is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as
depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90
days, the Issuer will issue individual Capital Securities in exchange for the
Global Capital Security representing the Capital Securities. In addition, the
Issuer may at any time and in its sole discretion, determine not to have any
Capital Securities represented by one or more Global Capital Securities and,
in such event, will issue individual Capital Securities in exchange for the
Global Capital Security or Securities representing the Capital Securities.
Further, if the Issuer so specifies with respect to the Capital Securities, an
owner of a beneficial interest in the Global Capital Security representing
Capital Securities may, on terms acceptable to the Issuer, the Property
Trustee and DTC, receive individual Capital Securities in exchange for such
beneficial interests. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest
in the Global Capital Security will be entitled to physical delivery of
individual Capital Securities equal in principal amount to such beneficial
interest and to have the Capital Securities registered in its name.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY
 
  Payments in respect of the Capital Securities will be made to DTC, which
will credit the relevant accounts at DTC on the applicable Distribution Dates
or, if the Capital Securities are not held by DTC or its nominee, such
payments will be made by check mailed to the address of the holder entitled
thereto as such address appears on the Register. The paying agent (the "Paying
Agent") will initially be the Property Trustee and any co-paying agent chosen
by the Property Trustee and acceptable to the Administrative Trustees and the
Company. The Paying Agent will be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30
days' written notice to the Property Trustee and the Company. In the event
that the Property Trustee is no longer the Paying Agent, the Administrative
Trustees will appoint a successor (which must be a bank or trust company
acceptable to the Administrative Trustees and the Company) to act as Paying
Agent.
 
REGISTRAR, TRANSFER AGENT AND CONVERSION AGENT
 
  The Property Trustee will act as registrar, transfer agent and Conversion
Agent for the Capital Securities. Registration of transfers of Capital
Securities will be effected without charge by or on behalf of the Issuer, but
upon payment of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in
connection with any transfer or exchange. The Issuer will not be required to
register or cause to be registered the transfer of the Capital Securities
after such Capital Securities have been called for redemption.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY TRUSTEE
 
  The Property Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an
Event of Default, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically
set forth in the Trust Agreement and, after such Event of Default, must
exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise
or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision,
the Property Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
powers vested in it by the Trust Agreement at the request of any holder of
Capital Securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. If no Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and the Property Trustee is required to
decide between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous provisions in
the applicable Trust Agreement or is unsure of the application of any
provision of the Trust Agreement, and the matter is not one on which holders
of the Capital Securities are entitled to vote, then the Property Trustee will
take such action as is directed by the Company and if not so directed, will
take such action as it deems advisable and in the best interests of the
holders of the Trust Securities and will have no liability except for its own
bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
  The Administrative Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the
affairs of and to operate the Issuer in such a way that the Issuer will not be
deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act or classified as other than a grantor trust for U.S.
federal income tax purposes and so that the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Company for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. In this connection, the Company and the Administrative
Trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable
law, the certificate of trust of the Issuer or the Trust Agreement, that the
Company and the Administrative Trustees determine in their discretion to be
necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as such action does not
materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Capital
Securities. Holders of the Capital Securities have no preemptive or similar
rights. The Issuer may not borrow money or issue debt or mortgage or pledge
any of its assets.
 
              DESCRIPTION OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
GENERAL
 
  The Convertible Subordinated Debentures are to be issued under an Indenture
between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Debenture
Trustee"). The Indenture is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. This
summary of certain terms and provisions of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures and the Indenture, which summarizes the material provisions
thereof, does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to, the Indenture, a copy of which is filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part,
and to the Trust Indenture Act, to each of which reference is hereby made.
Whenever particular defined terms of the Indenture (as supplemented or amended
from time to time) are referred to herein, such defined terms are incorporated
herein or therein by reference.
 
  Concurrently with the issuance of the Capital Securities, the Issuer will
invest the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by the
Company for the Common Securities, in the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
issued by the Company. The Convertible Subordinated Debentures will bear
interest at the annual rate of    % of the principal amount thereof, payable
quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of
each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing September 30, 1998,
and at maturity to the person in whose name each Convertible Subordinated
Debenture is registered at the close of business on the record date next
preceding such Interest Payment Date. The period beginning on and including
the date of original issuance of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures and
ending on but excluding the first Interest Payment Date and each successive
period beginning on and including an Interest Payment Date and ending on but
excluding the next succeeding Interest Payment Date is herein called an
"Interest Period." It is anticipated that, until the liquidation, if any, of
the Issuer, each Convertible Subordinated Debenture will be held by the
Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Capital
Securities. The amount of interest payable for any Interest Period will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event
that any Interest Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a
Business Day, such Interest Payment Date will be postponed to the next day
that is a Business Day (without any interest or other payment in respect of
any such delay) unless it would thereby fall in the next calendar year, in
which event the Interest Payment Date will be brought forward to the
immediately preceding Business Day. Accrued interest that is not
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
paid on the applicable Interest Payment Date will bear additional interest on
the amount thereof (to the extent permitted by law) at the rate of    % per
annum, compounded quarterly from the relevant Interest Payment Date. The term
"interest" as used herein includes quarterly interest payments and interest on
quarterly interest payments not paid on the applicable Interest Payment Date,
as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, if
the maturity date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment of
principal and interest will be paid on the next succeeding Business Day, with
the same force and effect as if made on such maturity date and no interest on
such payments will accrue from and after the maturity date.
 
  The Convertible Subordinated Debentures will mature on      , 2028 (the
"Stated Maturity").
 
  The Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and will rank
junior and be subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Debt of the
Company. See "--Subordination." Substantially all of the Company's existing
indebtedness constitutes Senior Debt. Because the Company is a holding
company, the right of the Company to participate in any distribution of assets
of any subsidiary, including the Subsidiary Banks (as defined below), upon
such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to
the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent that
the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. At
March 31, 1998, the subsidiaries of the Company had total liabilities
(excluding liabilities owed to the Company) of approximately $6.0 billion
(including deposits in the case of subsidiaries which are financial
institutions) (the "Subsidiary Banks")). Accordingly, the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to
all existing and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries, and holders
of Convertible Subordinated Debentures and beneficiaries of the Guarantee
should look only to the assets of the Company for payments on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures or under the Guarantee. The Indenture does not limit
the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Company
or its subsidiaries, including Senior Debt, whether under the Indenture, any
other existing indenture or any other indenture that the Company may enter
into in the future or otherwise. See "Description of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures--Subordination."
 
  In addition, as the Company is a non-operating holding company, almost all
of the operating assets of the Company are owned by its subsidiaries. The
Company relies primarily on dividends and management fees from such
subsidiaries to meet its obligations for payment of principal and interest on
its outstanding debt obligations, corporate expenses and dividend payments on
its Common Stock. The Subsidiary Banks are subject to certain restrictions
imposed by federal law on any extensions of credit and payment of management
fees to, and certain other transactions with, the Company and certain other
affiliates, and on investment in stock or other securities thereof. Such
restrictions prevent the Company and such other affiliates from borrowing from
the Subsidiary Banks unless the loans are secured by various types of
collateral. Further, such secured loans, other transactions and investment by
the Subsidiary Banks are generally limited in amount as to the Company and as
to each of such other affiliates to 10% of each such Subsidiary Bank's capital
and surplus and as to the Company and all of such other affiliates to an
aggregate of 20% of each such Subsidiary Bank's capital and surplus. In
addition, payment of dividends and management fees to the Company by the
Subsidiary Banks is subject to ongoing review by banking regulators and is
subject to various statutory limitations and in certain circumstances requires
prior approval by banking regulatory authorities. Under current banking
regulations referred to above, at December 31, 1997, the Subsidiary Banks
could have declared dividends to the Company of $76.6 million, of which $15.8
million has been subsequently declared and paid to the Company. Federal and
state regulatory agencies also have the authority to limit further the
Subsidiary Banks' payment of dividends based on other factors, such as the
maintenance of adequate capital for the Subsidiary Banks, which could reduce
the amount of dividends otherwise payable.
 
RIGHT TO DEFER INTEREST PAYMENTS
 
  So long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Company has the right under the Indenture at any time or from time to time
during the term of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures to defer payment of
interest on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures for a period not exceeding
20 consecutive quarterly periods with respect to each Extension Period,
provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
the Stated Maturity of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. At the end of
such Extension Period, the Company must pay all interest then accrued and
unpaid on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures (together with interest on
such unpaid interest at the rate of    % per annum, compounded quarterly from
the relevant Interest Payment Date, to the extent permitted by applicable
law). During an Extension Period, interest will accrue and holders of
Convertible Subordinated Debentures (or holders of Capital Securities while
such series is outstanding) will be required to accrue interest income for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences--Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period and Original
Issue Discount."
 
  During any such Extension Period, the Company may not, and may not permit
any subsidiary of the Company to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or
distribution on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock, (ii) make any payment of
principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu with or junior in interest
to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, or (iii) make any guarantee
payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities
of any subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or
junior in interest to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures (other than (a)
dividends or distributions in capital stock of the Company, (b) any
declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
shareholders' rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights
pursuant thereto, (c) purchases of Common Stock related to the issuance of
Common Stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit plans for its
directors, officers or employees, related to the issuance of Common Stock or
rights under a dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan, or related to
the issuance of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for Common Stock) as consideration in an acquisition transaction that was
entered into prior to the commencement of such Extension Period, or (d)
payments under the Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any such Extension
Period, the Company may further defer the payment of interest on the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, provided that no Extension Period may
exceed 20 consecutive quarterly period or extend beyond the Stated Maturity of
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination of any such
Extension Period and the payment of all interest then accrued and unpaid
(together with interest thereon at the rate of    % per annum, compounded
quarterly, to the extent permitted by applicable law), the Company may elect
to begin a new Extension Period subject to the above requirements. No interest
will be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end thereof.
The Company must give the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and
the Debenture Trustee notice of its election to begin such Extension Period at
least one Business Day prior to the earlier of (i) the date Distributions on
the Trust Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin
such Extension Period, (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees are required
to give notice to the NYSE, the Nasdaq National Market or other applicable
stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Capital Securities
are then listed or quoted, or (iii) the date such Distributions are payable,
but in any event not less than one Business Day prior to such record date. The
Debenture Trustee will give notice of the Company's election to begin a new
Extension Period to the holders of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
There is no limitation on the number of times that the Company may elect to
begin an Extension Period.
 
REDEMPTION
 
  Subject to the Company's having received prior approval of the Federal
Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies, the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures are redeemable prior to maturity at the
option of the Company (i) on or after      , 2001, in whole at any time or in
part from time to time, or (ii) at any time, in certain circumstances as
described under "--Conditional Right to Redeem upon a Tax Event or Capital
Treatment Event," in whole (but not in part) within 90 days following the
occurrence of a Tax Event or Capital Treatment Event. The proceeds of any such
redemption will be used by the Issuer to redeem the Trust Securities. The
redemption price with respect to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures will
be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures so redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of
redemption. The Convertible Subordinated Debentures will not be subject to any
sinking fund.
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
  Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures to be redeemed at its registered address. Unless the Company
defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date,
interest will cease to accrue on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures or
portions thereof called for redemption.
 
DISTRIBUTION OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
  As described under "Description of Capital Securities--Redemption--
Liquidation of Issuer and Distribution of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures," under certain circumstances involving the termination of the
Issuer, Convertible Subordinated Debentures may be distributed to the holders
of the Capital Securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation of the Issuer
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as provided by
applicable law. If distributed to holders of Capital Securities, the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures will initially be issued in the form of
one or more global securities and DTC, or any successor depositary for the
Capital Securities, will act as depositary for the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures. It is anticipated that the depositary arrangements for the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures would be substantially identical to those
in effect for the Capital Securities. If Convertible Subordinated Debentures
are distributed to the holders of Capital Securities in exchange therefor upon
the liquidation of the Issuer, the Company will use its best efforts to list
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures on the NYSE or such other stock
exchanges or automated quotation systems, if any, on which the Capital
Securities are then listed or quoted. There can be no assurance as to the
market price of any Convertible Subordinated Debentures that may be
distributed to the holders of Capital Securities.
 
CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO REDEEM UPON A TAX EVENT OR CAPITAL TREATMENT EVENT
 
  If a Tax Event or a Capital Treatment Event occurs and either (i) in the
opinion of counsel to the Company experienced in such matters, there would in
all cases, after effecting the termination of the Issuer and the distribution
of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Capital
Securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation of the Issuer, be more than
an insubstantial risk that an Adverse Tax Consequence (as defined in "Risk
Factors--Redemption Upon Tax Event or Capital Treatment Event") would continue
to exist, (ii) in the reasonable determination of the Company, there would in
all cases, after effecting the termination of the Issuer and the distribution
of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Capital
Securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation of the Issuer, be more than
an insubstantial risk that the Company will not be entitled to treat an amount
equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities as "Tier 1 Capital"
(or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes of the capital adequacy
guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to the
Company, or (iii) the Convertible Subordinated Debentures are not held by the
Issuer, then the Company will have the right to redeem the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, in whole but not in part, at any time within 90 days
following the occurrence of a Tax Event or Capital Treatment Event at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption. See "Description of
Capital Securities--Redemption."
 
REGISTRATION OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
  The Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be registered in the name of
the Issuer. In the event that the Convertible Subordinated Debentures are
distributed to holders of the Capital Securities, it is anticipated that the
depositary and other arrangements for the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
will be substantially identical to those in effect for the Capital Securities,
as applicable. See "Description of Capital Securities--Registration of Capital
Securities."
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
  Payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on
Convertible Subordinated Debentures (other than any Convertible Subordinated
Debentures represented by Global Convertible Subordinated Debentures) will be
made at the office of the Debenture Trustee in New York City or at the office
of such paying
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
agent or paying agents as the Company may designate from time to time, except
that at the option of the Company payment of any interest may be made (i)
except in the case of Global Convertible Subordinated Debentures, by check
mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears
in the securities register, or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by
the Person entitled thereto as specified in the securities register, provided
that proper transfer instructions have been received by the applicable record
date. Payment of any interest on Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be
made to the Person in whose name such Convertible Subordinated Debentures are
registered at the close of business on the applicable record date for such
interest, except in the case of defaulted interest. The Company may at any
time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any
paying agent; however, the Company will at all times be required to maintain a
paying agent in each place of payment for the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures.
 
  Any moneys deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any paying agent, or then
held by the Company in trust, for the payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any) or interest on any Convertible Debenture and remaining
unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest
has become due and payable will, at the request of the Company, be repaid to
the Company and the holder of such Convertible Debenture must thereafter look,
as a general unsecured creditor, only to the Company for payment thereof.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN PAYMENTS
 
  The Company will also covenant, as to the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures, that it will not, and will not permit any subsidiary of the
Company to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the
Company's capital stock, (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or
premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt securities of
the Company that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to
any guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the
Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures (other than (a) dividends or distributions
in capital stock of the Company, (b) any declaration of a dividend in
connection with the implementation of a shareholders' rights plan, or the
redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c) purchases of
Common Stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any of
the Company's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees, related
to the issuance of Common Stock or rights under a dividend reinvestment and
stock purchase plan, or related to the issuance of Common Stock (or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock) as consideration in an
acquisition transaction that was entered into prior to the commencement of
such Extension Period, and (d) payments under the Guarantee) if at such time
(i) there has occurred any event of which the Company has actual knowledge (a)
that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute
a Debenture Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, and (b) in respect of which the Company
has not taken reasonable steps to cure, or (ii) the Company has given notice
of its election of an Extension Period as provided in the Indenture with
respect to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures and has not rescinded such
notice, or such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, is continuing.
 
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE
 
  From time to time the Company and the Debenture Trustee may, without the
consent of the holders of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, amend,
waive or supplement the Indenture for specified purposes, including, among
other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies (provided that
any such action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures or the holders of the
Capital Securities so long as they remain outstanding) and qualifying, or
maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Debenture
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures affected, to
modify the Indenture; provided, that no such modification may, without the
consent of the holder of each outstanding Convertible Debenture so affected,
(i) change the Stated Maturity of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, or
reduce the principal amount thereof,
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon or (ii)
reduce the percentage of principal amount of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures, the holders of which are required to consent to any such
modification of the Indenture, provided further that, so long as any Capital
Securities remain outstanding, (a) no such modification may be made that
adversely affects the holders of such Capital Securities in any material
respect, and no termination of the Indenture may occur, and no waiver of any
event of default or compliance with any covenant under the Indenture may be
effective, without the prior consent of the holders of at least a majority of
the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Capital Securities
affected unless and until the principal of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon have been paid in full
and certain other conditions have been satisfied, and (b) where a consent
under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, no such consent shall be given by the Property
Trustee without the prior consent of each holder of the Capital Securities. In
addition, the Company and the Debenture Trustee may execute, without the
consent of any holder of Convertible Subordinated Debentures, any supplemental
indenture for the purpose of creating any new series of junior subordinated
debentures.
 
DEBENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following described
events that have occurred and are continuing constitutes a "Debenture Event of
Default" with respect to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures:
 
    (i) failure for 30 days to pay any interest on the Convertible
  Subordinated Debentures when due (subject to the deferral of any interest
  payment in the case of an Extension Period), or
 
    (ii) failure to pay any principal or premium, if any, on the Convertible
  Subordinated Debentures when due whether at maturity or upon redemption, or
 
    (iii) failure to observe or perform in any material respect certain other
  covenants contained in the Indenture for 90 days after written notice to
  the Company from the Debenture Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
  aggregate outstanding principal amount of the outstanding Convertible
  Subordinated Debentures, or
 
    (iv) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
  Company.
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of
Convertible Subordinated Debentures have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Debenture Trustee. The Debenture Trustee or the holders of not less than 25%
in aggregate outstanding principal amount of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures may declare the principal due and payable immediately upon a
Debenture Event of Default, and, should the Debenture Trustee or such holders
of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures fail to make such declaration, the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities will have such right. The holders of a majority in aggregate
outstanding principal amount of Convertible Subordinated Debentures may annul
such declaration. Should the holders of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures fail to annul such declaration and waive such default, the holders
of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities
affected will have such right.
 
  The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures affected thereby may, on behalf of the
holders of all of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, waive any default,
except a default in the payment of principal or interest (unless such default
has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of
interest and principal due otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited
with the Debenture Trustee) or a default in respect of a covenant or provision
which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of
the holder of each outstanding Convertible Debenture. Should the holders of
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures fail to waive such default, the
holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities affected will have such right. The Company is required to file
annually with the Debenture Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the
Company is in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to
it under the Indenture.
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
  In case a Debenture Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Property
Trustee will have the right to declare the principal of and the interest on
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, and any other amounts payable under
the Indenture, to be forthwith due and payable and to enforce its other rights
as a creditor with respect to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
 
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such
event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest or
principal on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures on the date such interest
or principal is due and payable, a holder of Capital Securities may institute
a legal proceeding directly against the Company for enforcement of payment to
such holder of the principal of or interest on the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount
of the Capital Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action"). The Company may
not amend the Indenture to remove the foregoing right to bring a Direct Action
without the prior written consent of the holders of all of the Capital
Securities outstanding. If the right to bring a Direct Action is removed, the
Issuer may become subject to the reporting obligations under the Exchange Act.
The Company has the right under the Indenture to set-off any payment made to
such holder of Capital Securities by the Company in connection with a Direct
Action.
 
  The holders of the Capital Securities will not be able to exercise directly
any remedies other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph available
to the holders of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures unless there has
been an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement. See "Description of
Capital Securities--Events of Default; Notice."
 
CONVERSION OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
  The Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be convertible into Common
Stock at the option of the holders of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
at any time on or after     , 1998 [60 days after the date of issue] and prior
to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the Business Day immediately preceding the date
of repayment of such Convertible Subordinated Debentures, whether at Stated
Maturity or upon redemption (either at the option of the Company or pursuant
to a Tax Event or a Capital Treatment Event), at the Conversion Ratio as
adjusted, as applicable, as described under "Description of Capital
Securities--Conversion Rights." The Issuer will covenant not to convert
Convertible Subordinated Debentures held by it except pursuant to a notice of
conversion delivered to the Conversion Agent by a holder of Capital
Securities. Upon surrender of a Capital Security to the Conversion Agent for
conversion, the Issuer will distribute $25 principal amount of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures per Capital Security to the Conversion Agent on behalf
of the holder of the Capital Securities so converted whereupon the Conversion
Agent will convert such Convertible Subordinated Debentures to Common Stock on
behalf of such holder. The Company's delivery to the holders of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures (through the Conversion Agent) of the
fixed number of shares of Common Stock into which the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are convertible (together with the cash payment, if any, in lieu of
fractional shares) will be deemed to satisfy the Company's obligation to pay
the principal amount of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures so converted,
and the accrued and unpaid interest thereupon attributable to the period from
the last date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for; provided,
however, that if any Convertible Subordinated Debentures are converted after a
record date for payment of interest, the interest payable on the related
interest payment date with respect to such Convertible Subordinated Debentures
will be paid to the Issuer (which will distribute such interest to the holder
of such Capital Security on the record date) or other holder of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, as the case may be, despite such conversion;
provided, further that if any Convertible Subordinated Debentures are
delivered for conversion during an Extension Period by a holder after
receiving a notice of redemption from the Property Trustee, the Company will
be required to pay to the Issuer all accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on
such Convertible Subordinated Debentures through the date of conversion which
amount will be simultaneously distributed to the holders of the Capital
Securities in respect of which such Convertible Subordinated Debentures were
delivered. See "Description of Capital Securities--Conversion Rights."
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company may not consolidate with or merge
into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any Person, and no Person may consolidate with
or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless (i) in case the
Company consolidates with or merges into another Person or conveys or
transfers its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, the successor Person is organized under the laws of the U.S. or any
state or the District of Columbia, and such successor Person expressly assumes
the Company's obligations on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures issued
under the Indenture, (ii) immediately after giving effect thereto, no
Debenture Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time
or both, would become a Debenture Event of Default, has occurred and is
continuing, (iii) such transaction is permitted under the Trust Agreement and
the Guarantee and does not give rise to any breach or violation of the Trust
Agreement or the Guarantee, and (iv) certain other conditions as prescribed by
the Indenture are met.
 
  The general provisions of the Indenture do not afford holders of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly
leveraged or other transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect
holders of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
  The Indenture provides that when, among other things, all Convertible
Subordinated Debentures not previously delivered to the Debenture Trustee for
cancellation (i) have become due and payable, or (ii) will become due and
payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, and the Company deposits or
causes to be deposited with the Debenture Trustee funds, in trust, for the
purpose and in an amount in the currency or currencies in which the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures are payable sufficient to pay and
discharge the entire indebtedness on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
not previously delivered to the Debenture Trustee for cancellation, for the
principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of the deposit or to
the Stated Maturity, as the case may be, then the Indenture will cease to be
of further effect (except as to the Company's obligations to pay all other
sums due pursuant to the Indenture and to provide the officers' certificates
and opinions of counsel described therein), and the Company will be deemed to
have satisfied and discharged the Indenture.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
  In the Indenture, the Company has covenanted and agreed that any Convertible
Subordinated Debentures issued thereunder will be subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all Senior Debt to the extent provided in the Indenture.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company upon any
liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt
restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or
bankruptcy proceeding of the Company, the holders of Senior Debt will first be
entitled to receive payment in full of principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any, on such Senior Debt before the holders of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in
respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures; provided, however, that holders of Senior
Debt will not be entitled to receive payment of any such amounts to the extent
that such holders would be required by the subordination provisions of such
Senior Debt to pay such amounts over to the obligees on trade accounts payable
or other liabilities arising in the ordinary course of the Company's business.
 
  In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the
time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of
all amounts due thereon (including any amounts due upon acceleration thereof)
before the holders of Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to
receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if
any) or interest, if any, on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures;
provided, however, that holders
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
of Senior Debt will not be entitled to receive payment of any such amounts to
the extent that such holders would be required by the subordination provisions
of such Senior Debt to pay such amounts over to the obligees on trade accounts
payable or other liabilities arising in the ordinary course of the Company's
business.
 
  The Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and will rank
junior and be subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Debt of the
Company. Because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company to
participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary of the Company,
including any Subsidiary Bank, upon any such subsidiary's liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of holders of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures to benefit indirectly from such
distribution), is subject to the prior claim of creditors of such
subsidiaries, except to the extent that the Company may itself be recognized
as a creditor of such subsidiary. The Convertible Subordinated Debentures
will, therefore, be effectively subordinated to all existing and future
liabilities of the subsidiaries of the Company, and holders of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures should look only to the assets of the Company for
payments on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The Indenture does not
limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the
Company, including Senior Debt, whether under the Indenture or any existing
indenture or other indenture that the Company may enter into in the future or
otherwise.
 
  No payments on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest in
respect of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures may be made if there has
occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior
Debt or an event of default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the
acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceeding is pending
with respect to any such default.
 
  "Debt" means with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a
portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, (i) every
obligation of such Person for money borrowed, (ii) every obligation of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments,
including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
assets or businesses, (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with
respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities
issued for the account of such Person, (iv) every obligation of such Person
issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but
excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business), (v) every capital lease obligation of such
Person, (vi) every obligation of such Person for claims in respect of
derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts,
commodity contracts and similar arrangements, and (vii) every obligation of
the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of another Person and all
dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such Person
has guaranteed or is responsible or liable for, directly or indirectly, as
obligor or otherwise.
 
  "Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if
any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not such
claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on Debt,
whether incurred on or prior to the date of the Indenture or thereafter
incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or
pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such
obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures or to other Debt which is pari passu with, or
subordinated to, the Convertible Subordinated Debentures; provided, however,
that Senior Debt will not be deemed to include (i) any Debt of the Company
which when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b)
of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, was without recourse to the
Company, (ii) any Debt of the Company to any of its subsidiaries, (iii) any
Debt to any employee of the Company, (iv) Debt which by its terms is
subordinated to trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business to the extent that payments made to the holders of
such Debt by the holders of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures as a
result of the subordination provisions of the Indenture would be greater than
such payments otherwise would have been as a result of any obligation of such
holders of such Debt to pay amounts over to the obligees on such trade
accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business as a result of subordination provisions to which such Debt is
subject, and (v) any other debt securities issued pursuant to the Indenture.
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
  The Indenture places no limitation on the amount of Senior Debt that may be
incurred by the Company or any other debt incurred by its subsidiaries. The
Company expects from time to time to incur additional indebtedness and other
obligations constituting Senior Debt.
 
TRUST EXPENSES
 
  Pursuant to the Indenture, the Company, as borrower, has agreed to pay all
debts and other obligations (other than with respect to the Capital
Securities) and all costs and expenses of the Issuer (including costs and
expenses relating to the organization of the Issuer, the fees and expenses of
the Trustees and the cost and expenses relating to the operation of the
Issuer) and to pay any and all taxes and all costs and expenses with respect
thereto (other than U.S. withholding taxes) to which the Issuer might become
subject.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Indenture and the Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
 
  The Debenture Trustee will have and be subject to all the duties and
responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the
Trust Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the Debenture Trustee is
under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the
Indenture at the request of any holder of Convertible Subordinated Debentures,
unless offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses
and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. The Debenture Trustee is not
required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial
liability in the performance of its duties if the Debenture Trustee reasonably
believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.
 
                              BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE
 
  DTC will act as the initial securities depositary for all of the Capital
Securities and the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The Capital Securities
and the Convertible Subordinated Debentures will be issued only as fully-
registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's nominee).
One or more fully-registered global certificates will be issued for the
Capital Securities and the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, representing
in the aggregate the total number of the Capital Securities or aggregate
principal balance of Convertible Subordinated Debentures, respectively, and
will be deposited with the Property Trustee as custodian for DTC.
 
  DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC
also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities transactions,
such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of securities certificates. "Direct
Participants" include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a
number of its Direct Participants and by the NYSE, the American Stock
Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access
to the DTC system also is available to others such as securities brokers and
dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial
relationships with Direct Participants, either directly or indirectly
("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to DTC and its Participants
are on file with the Commission.
 
  Purchases of Capital Securities or Convertible Subordinated Debentures
within the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which
will receive a credit for the Capital Securities or Convertible
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
Subordinated Debentures on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each
actual purchaser of each Capital Security and each Convertible Debenture
("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect
Participants' records, including Euroclear and Cedel. Beneficial Owners will
not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but Beneficial
Owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the
transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the
Direct or Indirect Participants through which the Beneficial Owners purchased
Capital Securities or Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Transfers of
ownership interests in the Capital Securities or Convertible Subordinated
Debentures are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants
acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive
certificates representing their ownership interests in Capital Securities or
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, except in the event that use of the book-
entry system for the Capital Securities or Convertible Subordinated Debentures
is discontinued.
 
  Transfers between Participants will be effected in accordance with DTC's
procedures and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between
participants in Euroclear and Cedel will be effected in the ordinary way in
accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
 
  Cross-market transfers between Participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear
participants or Cedel participants, on the other hand, will be effected in DTC
in accordance with DTC's rules on behalf of Euroclear or Cedel, as the case
may be, by its respective depositary; however, such cross-market transactions
will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Cedel, as the case may
be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and
procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such
system. Euroclear or Cedel, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets
its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary
to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or
receiving interests in the Capital Securities or Convertible Subordinated
Debentures in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal
procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear
participants and Cedel participants may not deliver instructions directly to
the depositaries for Euroclear or Cedel.
 
  Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or
Cedel participant purchasing an interest in a Capital Security or Convertible
Debenture from a Participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting
will be reported to the relevant Euroclear participant or Cedel participant,
during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day
for Euroclear and Cedel, as the case may be) immediately following the DTC
settlement date. Cash received in Euroclear or Cedel as a result of sales of
interests in a Capital Security or Convertible Debenture by or through a
Euroclear or Cedel participant to a Participant in DTC will be received with
value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant
Euroclear or Cedel cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or
Cedel following the DTC settlement date.
 
  DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Capital
Securities or Convertible Subordinated Debentures; DTC's records reflect only
the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such Capital
Securities or Convertible Subordinated Debentures are credited, which may or
may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Participants will remain responsible for
keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
  Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners and the voting
rights of Direct Participants, Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners
will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
 
  Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of
the Capital Securities or Convertible Subordinated Debentures. If less than
all of the Capital Securities or the Convertible Subordinated Debentures are
being redeemed, DTC's current practice is to determine by lot the amount of
the interest of each Direct Participant to be redeemed.
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
  Although voting with respect to the Capital Securities or the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures is limited to the holders of record of the Capital
Securities or Convertible Subordinated Debentures, in those instances in which
a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote
with respect to Capital Securities or Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy (the "Omnibus
Proxy") to the Property Trustee as soon as possible after the record date. The
Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct
Participants to whose accounts such Capital Securities or Convertible
Subordinated Debentures are credited on the record date (identified in a
listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
 
  Distribution payments on the Capital Securities or the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures will be made by the Property Trustee to DTC. DTC's
practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts on the relevant payment
date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records
unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on such
payment date. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed
by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the
responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, the Property Trustee, the
Issuer or the Company, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time. Payment of Distributions to DTC is the
responsibility of the Property Trustee, disbursement of such payments to
Direct Participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursements of such
payments to the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of Direct and Indirect
Participants.
 
  DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with
respect to the Capital Securities or the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Property Trustee and the
Company. In the event that a successor securities depositary is not obtained,
definitive Capital Security or Convertible Debenture certificates representing
the Capital Securities or Convertible Subordinated Debentures are required to
be printed and delivered. The Company, at its option, may decide to
discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a
successor depositary). After a Debenture Event of Default, the holders of a
majority in Liquidation Amount of Capital Securities or aggregate principal
amount of Convertible Subordinated Debentures may determine to discontinue the
system of book-entry transfers through DTC. In any such event, definitive
certificates for such Capital Securities or Convertible Subordinated
Debentures will be printed and delivered.
 
  The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Issuer and the Company believe to be
accurate, but the Issuer and the Company assume no responsibility for the
accuracy thereof. Neither the Issuer nor the Company has any responsibility
for the performance by DTC or its Participants of their respective obligations
as described herein or under the rules and procedures governing their
respective operations.
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEE
 
GENERAL
 
  The Guarantee will be executed and delivered by the Company concurrently
with the issuance by the Issuer of its Capital Securities for the benefit of
the holders from time to time of such Capital Securities and Common
Securities. The Bank of New York will act as Guarantee Trustee under the
Guarantee for the purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act and the
Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
This summary of certain provisions of the Guarantee, which summarizes the
material terms thereof, does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and
qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the
Guarantee, including the definitions therein of certain terms, and the Trust
Indenture Act, to each of which reference is hereby made. The form of the
Guarantee has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus forms a part. The Guarantee Trustee will hold the Guarantee
for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities and Common
Securities.
 
  The Company will irrevocably agree to pay in full on a subordinated basis,
to the extent set forth therein, the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) to
the holders of the Trust Securities, as and when due, regardless of
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or
assert other than the defense of payment. The following payments with respect
to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of the
Issuer (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the Guarantee: (i) any
accumulated and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on the Capital
Securities, to the extent that the Issuer has funds on hand available therefor
at such time, (ii) the Redemption Price with respect to any Capital Securities
called for redemption, to the extent that the Issuer has funds on hand
available therefor at such time, or (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary
dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the Issuer (unless the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders of the Capital Securities
in exchange therefor), the lesser of (a) the Liquidation Distribution, and (b)
the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to
holders of Trust Securities after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of
the Issuer as required by law. 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 the Trust Securities or by causing the Issuer to pay
such amounts to such holders.
 
  If the Company does not make interest payments on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures held by the Issuer, the Issuer will not be able to pay
Distributions on the Capital Securities and will not have funds legally
available therefor. The Guarantee will rank subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Senior Debt of the Company. See "-- Status of Guarantee."
Because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company to
participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary, including the
Subsidiary Banks, upon such subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or
otherwise, is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary,
except to the extent the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of
that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Company's obligations under the Guarantee
will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the
Company's subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the
Company for payments thereunder. The Guarantee does not limit the incurrence
or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Company, including
Senior Debt, whether under the Indenture, any other existing indenture or any
other indenture that the Company may enter into in the future or otherwise.
 
  The Company has, through the Guarantee, the Trust Agreement, the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture, taken together, fully, irrevocably
and unconditionally guaranteed all of the Issuer's obligations under the
Capital Securities. No single document standing alone or operating in
conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes such
guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the
effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the
Issuer's obligations under the Capital Securities. See "Relationship Among
Capital Securities, Convertible Subordinated Debentures and Guarantee."
 
  As part of the Guarantee, the Company will agree that it will honor all
obligations described therein relating to the conversion of the Capital
Securities into Common Stock as described in "Description of Capital
Securities--Conversion Rights."
 
STATUS OF GUARANTEE
 
  The Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company and
will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt of the
Company in the same manner as the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The
Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection (i.e.,
the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Guarantor to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first instituting
a legal proceeding against any other person or entity). The Guarantee will be
held for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities. The Guarantee
will not be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full to
the extent not paid by the Issuer or upon distribution to the holders of the
Trust Securities of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The Guarantee
does not place a limitation on the amount of additional Senior Debt that may
be incurred by the Company. The Company expects from time to time to incur
additional indebtedness constituting Senior Debt.
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
 
  Except with respect to any changes which do not materially adversely affect
the rights of holders of the Trust Securities (in which case no vote will be
required), the Guarantee may not be amended without the prior approval of the
holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
outstanding Trust Securities. The manner of obtaining any such approval will
be as set forth under "Description of Capital Securities--Voting Rights;
Amendment of Trust Agreement." All guarantees and agreements contained in the
Guarantee will bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Company and will inure to the benefit of the holders of
the related Trust Securities then outstanding.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  An event of default under the Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the
Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder. The
holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
Trust Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in
respect of the Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee. Any holder of the
Trust Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company
to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first instituting a legal
proceeding against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee or any other person or
entity. The Company, as Guarantor, is required to file annually with the
Guarantee Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Company is in
compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the
Guarantee.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
 
  The Guarantee Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of a
default by the Company in performance of the Guarantee, undertakes to perform
only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Guarantee and, after
default with respect to the Guarantee, must exercise the same degree of care
and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or
her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Guarantee Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Guarantee at the
request of any holder of any Trust Securities unless it is offered reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred
thereby.
 
TERMINATION OF GUARANTEE
 
  The Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon full
payment of the Redemption Price of the Trust Securities, upon full payment of
the amounts payable upon liquidation of the Issuer or upon distribution of
Convertible Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Trust Securities in
exchange therefor. The Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the Trust
Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Trust Securities or
the Guarantee.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of Indiana.
 
                    RELATIONSHIP AMONG CAPITAL SECURITIES,
               CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND GUARANTEE
 
FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE
 
  Payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the Capital Securities
(to the extent the Issuer has funds available for the payment of such
Distributions and other amounts) are irrevocably guaranteed by the Company as
and to the extent set forth under "Description of Guarantee." Taken together,
the Company's obligations under the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, the
Indenture, the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee provide,
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payments
of Distributions and other amounts due on the Capital Securities. No single
document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the
other documents constitutes such guarantee. It is only the combined operation
of these documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and
unconditional guarantee of the Issuer's obligations under the Capital
Securities. If and to the extent that the Company does not make payments on
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, the Issuer will not pay Distributions
or other amounts due on the Capital Securities. The Guarantee does not cover
payment of Distributions when the Issuer does not have sufficient funds to pay
such Distributions. In such event, the remedy of a holder the Capital
Securities is to institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture for enforcement of payment of amounts
equal to such Distributions to such holder. The obligations of the Company
under the Guarantee are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Senior Debt of the Company.
 
SUFFICIENCY OF PAYMENTS
 
  As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, such payments will be sufficient to cover
Distributions and other payments due on the Capital Securities, primarily
because (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures will be equal to the sum of the aggregate stated Liquidation Amount
of the Capital Securities and Common Securities, (ii) the interest rate and
interest and other payment dates on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
will match the Distribution rate and Distribution and other payment dates for
the Capital Securities, (iii) the Company will pay for all and any costs,
expenses and liabilities of the Issuer except the Issuer's obligations to
holders of the Capital Securities under the Capital Securities, and (iv) the
Trust Agreement further provides that the Issuer will not engage in any
activity that is not consistent with the limited purposes of the Issuer.
 
  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture, the Company has
the right to set-off any payment it is otherwise required to make thereunder
with and to the extent the Company has theretofore made, or is concurrently on
the date of such payment making, a payment under the Guarantee.
 
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  A holder of any Capital Security may institute a legal proceeding directly
against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Company or
any other Person or entity.
 
  A default or event of default under any Senior Debt of the Company would not
constitute a default or Event of Default under the Indenture. In the event,
however, of payment defaults under, or acceleration of, Senior Debt of the
Company, the subordination provisions of the Indenture provide that no
payments may be made in respect of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
until such Senior Debt has been paid in full or any payment default thereunder
has been cured or waived. Failure to make required payments on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures would constitute an Event of Default under the
Indenture.
 
LIMITED PURPOSE OF ISSUER
 
  The Capital Securities evidence a beneficial interest in the Issuer, and the
Issuer exists for the sole purpose of issuing its Capital Securities and
Common Securities and investing the proceeds thereof in the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures. A principal difference between the rights of a holder
of a Capital Security and a holder of a Convertible Debenture is that a holder
of a Convertible Debenture is entitled to receive from the Company the
principal amount of and interest accrued on Convertible Subordinated
Debentures held, while a holder of Capital Securities is entitled to receive
Distributions from the Issuer (or from the Company under the Guarantee) if and
to the extent the Issuer has funds available for the payment of such
Distributions.
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
RIGHTS UPON TERMINATION
 
  Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination, winding up or liquidation of
the Issuer involving the liquidation of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as
required by applicable law, the holders of the Capital Securities will be
entitled to receive, out of the assets held by the Issuer, the Liquidation
Distribution in cash. See "Description of Capital Securities--Liquidation
Distribution Upon Termination." Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation
or bankruptcy of the Company, the Property Trustee, as holder of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of the
Company, subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt as set forth in
the Indenture, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal and
interest, before any shareholders of the Company receive payments or
distributions. Since the Company is the guarantor under the Guarantee and has
agreed to pay for all costs, expenses and liabilities of the Issuer (other
than the Issuer's obligations to the holders of its Capital Securities), the
positions of a holder of the Capital Securities and a holder of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures relative to other creditors and to
shareholders of the Company in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy of the
Company are expected to be substantially the same.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of
Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share
(the "Preferred Stock"). As of March 31, 1998 (on a pro forma basis giving
effect to the Pinnacle Acquisition), there were 33,540,415 shares of Common
Stock outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
 Dividend Rights
 
  Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends when as and if
declared by the Company's Board of Directors out of funds legally available
therefor, subject to any preferential dividend rights which may attach to
preferred stock which may be issued by the Company in the future. The timing
and amount of future dividends will depend, among other things, upon the
earnings and financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries. In
addition, the ability of the subsidiary banks of the Company to pay cash
dividends, which are expected to continue to be the Company's principal source
of income, is restricted by applicable banking laws.
 
 Voting Rights
 
  Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share in the election
of directors and in all other matters to be voted upon by the shareholders
generally. Shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election
of directors. Therefore, holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding can elect the entire Board of Directors of the Company.
 
 Liquidation Rights
 
  In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Common Stock would be
entitled to share ratably in any of its assets or funds that are available for
distribution to its shareholders after the satisfaction of its liabilities (or
after adequate provision is made therefor) and after preferences on any
outstanding preferred stock.
 
 No Preemptive Rights
 
  Holders of Common Stock do not have the preemptive right to subscribe on a
pro-rata basis for any presently or subsequently authorized shares of Common
Stock.
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
 Assessment and Redemption
 
  The Common Stock is not subject to redemption or any sinking fund and the
outstanding shares are fully paid and non-assessable. The Citizens National
Bank of Evansville is the transfer agent for the Common Stock.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized to cause the Preferred
Stock to be issued from time to time, in series, by resolution adopted prior
to the issue of shares of a particular series, and to fix and determine in the
resolution the designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of
the shares of each series, including voting, dividend and liquidation rights
and all other matters with respect to such shares as are permitted to be fixed
and determined by the Board of Directors under the Indiana corporate law.
 
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
 Shareholder Vote Required for Certain Transactions
 
  Business Combinations. The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation
include a so-called "fair price" provision. This provision generally provides
that mergers, other business combinations and similar transactions and the
sale, lease, mortgage or other disposition of more than 10% of total assets
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any person or entity
beneficially owning directly or indirectly more than 10% of the outstanding
voting stock of the Company, or affiliates or associates of such an entity (a
"Company 10% shareholder"), may not be consummated without the approval of
holders of at least 80% of the voting stock of the Company, unless either: (i)
the transaction is approved by a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors who are not affiliated with the Company 10% shareholder, or (ii) the
transaction meets certain minimum ("fair price") price requirements (in either
of which cases, the shareholder and director approval requirements of the
"fair price" provision would no longer apply and only the normal shareholder
and director approval requirements of the Indiana corporate law would govern
the transaction).
 
  The primary purpose of the Company's "fair price" provision is to provide
additional safeguards for the remaining shareholders in the event that an
individual or entity becomes a major shareholder of the Company. If the
Company comes under the control of a single person or entity, substantial
inequities could befall the minority shareholders. A bid for control of a
target company is often followed, in time, by a complete business combination
that eliminates minority interests in the target company on terms often
unfavorable to the minority--a so-called "two-tier" structured takeover.
Minority shareholders in these circumstances may be forced out by the
controlling shareholder in a business combination transaction at a time and
for a price (cash or other types of consideration, often including debt
instruments) not to their liking. The price per share in such transactions
often is lower than the price per share previously paid by the controlling
shareholder for its controlling block of stock in the first tier of the
takeover. The minority shareholders, in such event, may have no alternative to
accepting such price unless they choose to follow the statutory procedures for
appraisal rights as a dissenting shareholder or to bringing legal action
against the controlling shareholder for breach of fiduciary duty, either of
which procedures may be costly and time-consuming.
 
  The Company's higher shareholder vote requirements make it more difficult
for a single shareholder to obtain ultimate "control" over the Company in the
sense of being able unilaterally to effect a completed business combination on
the controlling shareholder's own terms. A disadvantage of these higher
shareholder vote requirements, however, is that outside parties contemplating
an attempt to acquire control over the Company by acquiring less than all of
its outstanding stock may be discouraged from making such an attempt, because
ultimate "control" will require obtaining a higher percentage of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock than if normal shareholder vote
requirements were in effect. As a result, premium offers for the Common Stock
from outside parties interested in acquiring control may be somewhat less
likely from such parties than premium offers for other similar companies
without such high voting requirements. In addition, because outside parties
may be somewhat less likely to attempt to acquire control over the Company due
to its higher shareholder vote
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
requirements, the management of the Company may be somewhat less vulnerable to
removal in the future than would be the case if such provisions were not in
effect.
 
  Removal of Directors. The Indiana corporate law provides that directors may
be removed in any manner provided in the articles of incorporation. In
addition, the shareholders or directors may remove one or more directors with
or without cause unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise. If a
director is elected by a voting group of shareholders, only the shareholders
of that voting group may participate in the vote to remove that director. A
director may be removed by the shareholders, if they are otherwise authorized
to do so, only at a meeting called for the purpose of removing the director
and the meeting notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of
the meeting is removal of the director.
 
  The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that at a meeting
called expressly for that purpose, a director or the entire Board of Directors
may be removed without cause only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of
not less than 80% of the shares entitled to vote generally in an election of
directors. At a meeting called expressly for that purpose, a director may be
removed by the shareholders for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares entitled to vote upon his election. The Restated
Articles of Incorporation provide that, except as may be otherwise provided by
law, cause for removal will be construed to exist only if the director whose
removal is proposed: (i) has been convicted of a felony by a court of
competent jurisdiction and such conviction is no longer subject to direct
appeal, or (ii) has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the
Company in a manner of substantial importance to the Company, and such
adjudication is no longer subject to direct appeal.
 
  The Company's 80% shareholder vote requirement for removal of directors
without cause precludes a majority shareholder from circumventing the
classified Board by decreasing the size of the Board of Directors until its
nominees have a numerical majority or by removing directors not up for
election, filling the resulting vacancy with its nominees, and thereby gaining
control of the Board of Directors. The removal provisions would make it more
difficult for shareholders of the Company to change the composition of the
Board of Directors even if the shareholders believe that such a change would
be desirable.
 
  Amendments to Articles of Incorporation. The Indiana corporate law provides
that, unless a greater vote is required under a specific provision of the
Indiana corporate law or by a corporation's articles of incorporation or its
board of directors, a corporation may amend its articles of incorporation upon
the affirmative vote of the holders of a greater number of shares cast in
favor of the amendment than the holders of shares cast against the amendment,
unless the amendment creates dissenters' rights in which case a favorable vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares is required. Under the
Indiana corporate law, a corporation's board of directors may condition its
submission of a proposed amendment to the shareholders of the corporation on
any basis, including the requirement of the affirmative vote of holders of a
greater percentage of the voting shares of the corporation than otherwise
would be required under the Indiana corporate law.
 
  The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that,
notwithstanding any other provision of the Restated Articles of Incorporation
or any provision of law or any preferred stock designation, the provisions of
Article VII (relating to the classification, number, terms, removal of
directors and newly created directorships and vacancies), Article IX (relating
to special meetings of shareholders) and Article X (relating to the "fair
price" provisions discussed under "--Business Combinations"), may be altered,
amended or repealed only with the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
80% of the Common Stock then entitled to vote in an election of directors.
 
  Voting Rights. Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote
per share in the election of directors and in all other matters to be voted
upon by the shareholders generally. Directors of the Company are elected by
the majority vote of the shareholders and shareholders of the Company are not
entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Therefore, holders
of a majority of the shares of Common Stock can elect the entire the Board of
Directors.
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
  The number of directors to constitute the Company Board may not be more than
twenty nor less than six. The Company Board currently consists of twelve
members, and the directors are divided into three classes with the term of
office of one of such classes expiring in each year. At each annual meeting of
shareholders, the successors to the directors of the class whose term is
expiring at that time are elected to hold office for a term of three years.
 
 Special Meeting of Shareholders; Shareholder Action by Written Consent
 
  The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation require that shareholders
must hold at least 80% of the outstanding voting shares of the Company in
order to call a special meeting of shareholders. This provision is intended to
discourage attempts by the holders of less than 80% of the outstanding voting
stock of the Company from disrupting the business of the corporation between
annual shareholders meetings by calling special meetings. Possible
disadvantages of this provision is that it makes it more difficult for a
shareholder or shareholder group to take action where such action is opposed
by a majority of the Board of Directors and management of the Company and it
may delay the removal of directors, even if cause exists for such removal. The
Indiana corporate law provides that any action required or permitted to be
taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a
consent, in writing, setting forth the action taken is signed by the holders
of all of the shares entitled to vote on the subject matter.
 
 Takeover Statutes
 
  The Indiana corporate law prohibits, in general, any business combination,
such as a merger or consolidation, between an Indiana corporation with shares
of its stock registered under the federal securities laws or that makes an
election under the Indiana corporate law, and an "interested shareholder"
(defined as any owner of 10% or more of the corporation's stock) for five
years after the date on which such shareholder became an interested
shareholder, unless the stock acquisition which caused the person to become an
interested shareholder was approved in advance by the corporation's board of
directors. This so-called "five-year freeze" provision of the Indiana
corporate law is effective even if all parties should subsequently decide that
they wish to engage in the business combination.
 
  The Indiana corporate law also contains a "control share acquisition"
provision which effectively denies voting rights to shares of an "issuing
public corporation" acquired in control share acquisitions unless the grant of
such voting right is approved by a majority vote of disinterested
shareholders. An issuing public corporation is a corporation that (i) has 100
or more shareholders, (ii) has its principal place of business, its principal
office or substantial assets within Indiana, and (iii) either (a) more than
10% of its shareholders are Indiana residents, (b) more than 10% of its shares
are owned by Indiana residents, or (c) 10,000 or more of its shareholders are
residents of Indiana. The Company is an "issuing public corporation." A
control share acquisition is one by which a purchasing shareholder acquires
more than one-fifth, one-third, or one-half of the voting power of the stock
of an "issuing public corporation." In addition, if any person proposing to
make or who has made "control share acquisitions" does not file an "acquiring
person statement" with the issuing corporation or if the control shares are
not accorded full voting rights by other shareholders, and if the articles of
incorporation or by-laws of the corporation whose shares are acquired
authorize such redemption (The Company's By-laws do), the acquired shares are
subject to redemption by the corporation. Finally, if a control share
acquisition should be made of a majority of the corporation's voting stock,
and those shares are granted full voting rights, shareholders are granted
dissenters' rights.
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
GENERAL
 
  The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax
considerations that may be relevant to the purchasers of the Capital
Securities which has been passed upon by Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C., counsel
to the Company ("Tax Counsel"), insofar as it relates to matters of law and
legal conclusions. This summary is based upon current provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury regulations
issued thereunder and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all
of which are subject to change at any time, with possible retroactive effect.
Subsequent changes may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from
the consequences described below. Furthermore, the authorities on which the
following summary is based are subject to various interpretations, and it is
therefore possible that the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the purchase,
ownership, and disposition of the Capital Securities may differ from the
treatment described below.
 
  No attempt has been made in the following discussion to comment on all U.S.
federal income tax matters affecting purchasers of the Capital Securities.
Moreover, unless otherwise stated, this summary generally focuses on
beneficial owners (each a "holder") of the Capital Securities who are
individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and who acquire the Capital
Securities upon their original issue at their initial issue price and hold the
Capital Securities as capital assets. This summary has only limited
application to dealers in securities, corporations, estates, trusts or
nonresident aliens and does not address all the tax consequences that may be
relevant to holders who may be subject to special tax treatment, such as, for
example, banks, thrifts, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment
companies, insurance companies, brokers or dealers in securities or
currencies, other financial institutions, tax-exempt investors, or persons
that will hold the Capital Securities as a position in a "straddle," as part
of a "synthetic security" or "hedge," as part of a "conversion transaction" or
other integrated investment, or as other than a capital asset. This summary
also does not address the tax consequences to persons that have a functional
currency other than the U.S. dollar or the tax consequences to shareholders,
partners or beneficiaries of a holder of the Capital Securities. Further, it
does not include any description of any alternative minimum tax consequences
or the tax laws of any state or local government or of any foreign government
that may be applicable to the Capital Securities. Accordingly, each
prospective investor should consult, and should rely exclusively on, such
investor's own tax advisors in analyzing the federal, state, local and foreign
tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the Capital
Securities.
 
CLASSIFICATION OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
 
  The Company, the Issuer and the holders of the Capital Securities (by
acceptance of a beneficial interest in a Capital Security) will agree to treat
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures as indebtedness for all U.S. tax
purposes. In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures, Tax Counsel will deliver its opinion that, under current law, and
based on certain representations, facts and assumptions referenced in such
opinion, the Convertible Subordinated Debentures should be classified as
indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No assurance can be given,
however, that such treatment will not be challenged by the IRS or, if
challenged, that such a challenge will not be successful. Investors should be
aware that legal opinions are not binding on the IRS or the courts.
 
CLASSIFICATION OF ISSUER
 
  Tax Counsel also will deliver its opinion that, under current law and
assuming full compliance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and based upon
certain representations, facts and assumptions referenced in such opinion, the
Issuer will be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a grantor
trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation. Accordingly, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of the Capital Securities
generally will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures, and each holder will be required to
include in its gross income interest (and original issue discount, if any)
accrued with respect to its allocable share of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures.
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
POTENTIAL EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
  Under the applicable Treasury regulations, the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures will not be treated as issued with original issue discount ("OID")
within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code. Accordingly, except as set
forth below, stated interest on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
generally will be included in income by a holder as ordinary income at the
time it is paid or accrued in accordance with such holder's regular method of
tax accounting.
 
  If, however, the Company exercises its right to defer payments of interest
on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures, the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures will become OID instruments at such time and all holders will be
required to accrue the stated interest on the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures on a daily economic accrual basis (using the constant-yield-to-
maturity method of accrual described in Section 1272 of the Code) during the
Extension Period even though the Company will not pay such interest until the
end of the Extension Period, and even though some holders may use the cash
method of tax accounting. Moreover, thereafter the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures will be taxed as OID instruments for as long as they remain
outstanding. Thus, even after the end of an Extension Period, all holders
would be required to continue to include their pro rata share of the stated
interest (and de minimis OID, if any) on the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures in income on a daily economic accrual basis, regardless of their
method of tax accounting and in advance of receipt of the cash attributable to
such interest income. Under the OID economic accrual rules, a holder would
accrue an amount of interest income each year that approximates the stated
interest payments called for under the terms of the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures, and actual cash payments of stated interest on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures would not be reported separately as taxable income.
Any amount of OID included in a holder's gross income (whether or not during
an Extension Period) with respect to a Capital Security will increase such
holder's tax basis in such Capital Security, and the amount of Distributions
received by a holder in respect of such accrued OID will reduce the tax basis
of such Capital Security.
 
  The Treasury regulations described above have not yet been addressed in any
rulings or other interpretations by the IRS, and it is possible that the IRS
could take a contrary position. If the IRS were to assert successfully that
the stated interest on the Convertible Subordinated Debentures was OID
regardless of whether the Company exercises its option to defer payments of
interest on such Convertible Subordinated Debentures, all holders of Capital
Securities would be required to include such stated interest in income on a
daily economic accrual basis as described above.
 
  Because income on the Capital Securities will constitute interest income for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, corporate holders of the Capital Securities
will not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction in respect of
such income.
 
MARKET DISCOUNT AND ACQUISITION PREMIUM
 
  Holders of the Capital Securities other than a holder who purchased the
Capital Securities upon original issuance may be considered to have acquired
their undivided interests in the Convertible Subordinated Debentures with
"market discount" or "acquisition premium" as such phrases are defined for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such holders are advised to consult their
tax advisors as to the income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership
and disposition of the Capital Securities.
 
RECEIPT OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF
ISSUER
 
  Under certain circumstances, as described under "Description of Capital
Securities--Redemption--Liquidation of Issuer and Distribution of Convertible
Subordinated Debentures," the Convertible Subordinated Debentures may be
distributed to holders of the Capital Securities upon a liquidation of the
Issuer. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, such a distribution would
be treated as a nontaxable event to each such holder and would result in such
holder having an adjusted tax basis in the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
received in the liquidation equal to such holder's adjusted tax basis in the
Capital Securities immediately before the
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
distribution. A holder's holding period in the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures so received in liquidation of the Issuer would include the period
for which such holder held the Capital Securities.
 
  If, however, a Tax Event were to occur which resulted in the Issuer being
treated as an association taxable as a corporation, the distribution would
likely constitute a taxable event to holders of the Capital Securities. Under
certain circumstances described herein, the Convertible Subordinated
Debentures may be redeemed for cash and the proceeds of such redemption
distributed to holders in redemption of their Capital Securities. Under
current law, such a redemption would, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
constitute a taxable disposition of the redeemed Capital Securities, and a
holder would recognize gain or loss as if the holder sold such Capital
Securities for cash. See "Description of Capital Securities--Redemption--
Liquidation of Issuer and Distribution of Convertible Subordinated
Debentures."
 
DISPOSITION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of the Capital Securities, a
holder will recognize a gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference
between the amount realized on such sale or disposition (except to the extent
of any amount received in respect of accrued but unpaid interest not
previously included in income) and the holder's adjusted tax basis in such
Capital Securities. A holder's adjusted tax basis in the Capital Securities
generally will be its initial purchase price increased by OID (if any)
previously includible in the holder's gross income to the date of disposition
and decreased by payments (if any) received on the Capital Securities in
respect of OID. Such gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss. In
the case of individual taxpayers, the gain or loss will be considered a long-
term capital gain or loss if the holder held such Capital Securities for more
than one year prior to such sale or disposition. The tax rates applicable to
long-term capital gains generally will vary depending upon whether, at the
time of disposition, the Capital Securities have been held for more than
eighteen months.
 
  The Capital Securities may trade at prices that do not fully reflect the
value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the underlying
Convertible Subordinated Debentures. A holder of Capital Securities using the
accrual method of tax accounting (and a cash method holder, during and after
an Extension Period or if the Convertible Subordinated Debentures are deemed
to have been issued with OID) that disposes of its Capital Securities between
record dates for payments of Distributions (and consequently does not receive
a Distribution from the Issuer for the period prior to such disposition) will
nevertheless be required to include accrued but unpaid interest on the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures through the date of disposition in income
as ordinary income and to add such amount to its adjusted tax basis in its pro
rata share of the underlying Convertible Subordinated Debentures deemed
disposed of. Such holder will recognize a capital loss to the extent that the
selling price (which may not fully reflect the value of accrued but unpaid
interest) is less than its adjusted tax basis (which will include all accrued
but unpaid interest). Subject to certain limited exceptions, capital losses
cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
 
CONVERSION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
  A holder of Capital Securities generally will not recognize income, gain or
loss upon the conversion, through the Conversion Agent, of its Capital
Securities into Common Stock. A holder will, however, recognize gain upon the
receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock equal to the
amount of cash received less the holder's tax basis in such fractional share.
A holder's tax basis in the Common Stock received upon exchange and conversion
should generally be equal to the holder's tax basis in the Capital Securities
delivered to the Conversion Agent for exchange less the basis allocated to any
fractional share for which cash is received, and a holder's holding period in
the Common Stock received upon exchange and conversion will generally begin on
the date that the holder acquired the Capital Securities delivered to the
Conversion Agent for exchange.
 
ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION RATIO
 
  Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 305 of the Code would treat
holders of Capital Securities as having received a constructive distribution
from the Company in the event that the Conversion Ratio of the
 
                                      61
<PAGE>
 
Convertible Subordinated Debentures were adjusted if (i) as a result of such
adjustment, the proportionate interest (measured by the quantum of Common
Stock into or for which the Convertible Subordinated Debentures are
convertible or exchangeable) of the holders of the Capital Securities in the
assets or earnings and profits of the Company were increased, and (ii) the
adjustment was not made pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable anti-dilution
formula. An adjustment of the Conversion Ratio would not be considered made
pursuant to such a formula if the adjustment was made to compensate for
certain taxable distributions with respect to the Common Stock. Thus, under
certain circumstances, an increase in the Conversion Ratio for the holders may
result in deemed dividend income to holders to the extent of the current or
accumulated earnings and profits of the Company. Holders of the Capital
Securities would be required to include their allocable share of such deemed
dividend income in gross income but would not receive any cash related
thereto.
 
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
 
  Distributions received by holders of Common Stock ("Shareholders") in
respect of such Common Stock (other than certain distributions of additional
shares of Common Stock or rights to acquire additional shares of Common Stock)
will be treated as ordinary dividend income ("Dividends") to such Shareholders
to the extent such distributions are considered to be paid by the Company out
of its current or accumulated earnings and profits ("E&P"), as determined
under U.S. federal income tax principles. Corporate Shareholders may be
entitled to a "dividends-received deduction" with respect to such Dividends.
 
  To the extent that any such distribution exceeds the Company's E&P, such
distribution will be treated, first, as a tax-free return of capital to a
Shareholder to the extent of such Shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the
Common Stock and, thereafter, as capital gain.
 
  Distributions of additional shares of Common Stock, or rights to acquire
additional shares of Common Stock, that are received as part of a pro rata
distribution of such shares, or rights to acquire such shares, to all
Shareholders of the Company generally should not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax. The tax basis of such new shares or rights generally will be
determined by allocating the Shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the "old"
shares of Common Stock between such "old" shares and the new shares or rights
received by such Shareholder, based upon their relative fair market values on
the date of the distribution.
 
  A Shareholder generally will recognize gain or loss on a sale or other
taxable disposition of Common Stock equal to the difference between the amount
realized by the Shareholder on such sale or disposition and the Shareholder's
adjusted tax basis in such Common Stock. Such gain or loss generally will be
capital gain or loss and generally will be considered long-term capital gain
or loss if the Shareholder had held such Common Stock for more than one year
immediately prior to such sale or disposition.
 
EFFECT OF RECENT CHANGES IN TAX LAWS
 
  The Company intends to deduct the interest accruing on the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures. Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, enacted on
August 5, 1997, issuers of certain convertible debt instruments are not
entitled to deduct interest thereon. For example, interest is not deductible
if the debt instrument is convertible into equity of the issuer (or a related
party) at the option of the holder and there is a substantial certainty that
the holder will exercise the conversion option. Similarly, interest is not
deductible if the debt instrument is part of an arrangement which is
reasonably expected to result in a conversion at the option of the issuer (or
a related party). The Company intends to take the position that this
legislation should not apply to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The
Internal Revenue Service, however, has not yet issued any guidance regarding
its interpretation of the new legislation. There can be no assurance that the
Internal Revenue Service will not take the position that interest on the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures is not deductible. Accordingly, there can
be no assurance that an audit or future interpretation by the Internal Revenue
Service of the new legislation will not result in a tax event and an early
redemption of the Capital Securities before, or after,      , 2001.
 
  In addition, in recent years, there have been several proposals to adopt
legislation which, if enacted and made applicable to the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, would preclude the Company from deducting
 
                                      62
<PAGE>
 
interest thereon. The most recent proposal was made by the Clinton
Administration on March 19, 1997. Such proposals were not adopted by Congress,
but there can be no assurance that similar proposals will not be adopted in
the future and made applicable to the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any such legislation will not
result in a Tax Event which would permit the Company to cause a redemption of
the Capital Securities before, or after,      , 2001.
 
  Recently, the IRS asserted that the interest payable on a security with
terms that are similar to the terms of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures
(but which are not convertible and which have a longer maturity than the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures) was not deductible for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. The taxpayer in that case has filed a petition in the
U.S. Tax Court challenging the IRS's position on this matter. If this matter
is in fact litigated and the Tax Court were to sustain the IRS's position on
this matter, such judicial decision could result in a Tax Event which could
result in an early mandatory redemption of the Capital Securities.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
 
  Subject to the qualifications discussed below, income on the Capital
Securities will be reported to holders on Forms 1099, which forms are expected
to be mailed to holders of Capital Securities by January 31 following each
calendar year.
 
  The Issuer will be obligated to report annually to the holders of record of
the Capital Securities, the interest (or original issue discount) related to
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures for that year. The Issuer currently
intends to report such information on Form 1099 prior to January 31 following
each calendar year even though the Issuer is not legally required to report to
record holders until April 15 following each calendar year. Under current law,
holders of Capital Securities who hold as nominees for beneficial holders will
not have any obligation to report information regarding the beneficial holders
to the Issuer. The Issuer, moreover, will not have any obligation to report to
beneficial holders who are not also record holders.
 
  Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities may
be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31% unless the holder complies
with certain identification requirements. Any withheld amounts will be allowed
as a credit against the holder's federal income tax liability, provided the
required information is provided to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
  THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR
GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON THE
PARTICULAR SITUATION OF A HOLDER OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES. HOLDERS OF THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE CAPITAL
SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND
OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN U.S. FEDERAL OR OTHER
TAX LAWS.
 
                             ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
  Employee benefit plans that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or Section 4975 of the Code
("Plans"), generally may purchase Capital Securities, subject to the investing
fiduciary's determination that the investment in Capital Securities satisfies
ERISA's fiduciary standards and other requirements applicable to investments
by the Plan.
 
  In any case, the Company and/or any of its affiliates may be considered a
"party in interest" (within the meaning of ERISA) or a "disqualified person"
(within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to certain plans
(generally, Plans maintained or sponsored by, or contributed to by, any such
persons with respect to which the Company or an affiliate is a fiduciary or
Plans for which the Company or an affiliate provides
 
                                      63
<PAGE>
 
services). The acquisition and ownership of Capital Securities by a Plan (or
by an individual retirement arrangement or other Plans described in Section
4975(e)(1) of the Code) with respect to which the Company or any of its
affiliates is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may
constitute or result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975
of the Code, unless such Capital Securities are acquired pursuant to and in
accordance with an applicable exemption.
 
  As a result, Plans with respect to which the Company or any of its
affiliates is a party in interest or a disqualified person should not acquire
Capital Securities unless such Capital Securities are acquired pursuant to and
in accordance with an applicable exemption. Any other Plans or other entities
whose assets include Plan assets subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code
proposing to acquire Capital Securities should consult with their own counsel.
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  The Underwriters named below, represented by SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc.
and CIBC Oppenheimer Corp. (the "Representatives"), have severally agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement,
the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus forms a part, to purchase from the Issuer the number of
Capital Securities set forth opposite their respective names below. The
several Underwriters have agreed in the Underwriting Agreement, subject to the
terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all the Capital Securities
offered hereby if any of the Capital Securities are purchased. In the event of
default by an Underwriter, the Underwriting Agreement provides that, in
certain circumstances, purchase commitments of the nondefaulting Underwriters
may be increased or the Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NUMBER OF
      UNDERWRITING                                            CAPITAL SECURITIES
      ------------                                            ------------------
      <S>                                                     <C>
      SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc............................
      CIBC Oppenheimer Corp..................................
      Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Incorporated................
      Howe Barnes Investments, Inc...........................
      NatCity Investments, Inc...............................
      Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc...........................
      Wedgewood Partners, Inc................................
                                                                  ---------
          Total..............................................     6,000,000
                                                                  =========
</TABLE>
 
  The Representatives have advised the Issuer that the Underwriters propose
initially to offer the Capital Securities to the public at the public offering
price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and to certain dealers
at such price less a concession not in excess of $      per Capital Security.
The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount not in
excess of $      per Capital Security to certain other dealers. After the
initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount
may be changed. Because the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD") is expected to view the Capital Securities as interests in a direct
participation program, the offering of the Capital Securities is being made in
compliance with the applicable provisions of Rule 2810 of the NASD's Conduct
Rules. Therefore, no Underwriter will execute any transaction in a
discretionary account without prior approval of the customer.
 
  In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Capital Securities
will be used to purchase the Convertible Subordinated Debentures of the
Company, the Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will pay as
compensation to the Underwriters for arranging the investment therein of such
proceeds $      per Capital Security (or $      in the aggregate) for the
account of the several Underwriters.
 
  The Issuer has granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an
additional 900,000 Capital Securities at the initial public offering price.
Such option, which expires 30 days from the date of this Prospectus, may be
 
                                      64
<PAGE>
 
exercised solely to cover over-allotments. To the extent that the Underwriters
exercise such option, each of the Underwriters will have a firm commitment,
subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage
of the additional Capital Securities that the number of Capital Securities to
be purchased initially by the Underwriter is of the 6,000,000 Capital
Securities initially purchased by the Underwriter. To the extent that the
Underwriters exercise such option to purchase additional Capital Securities,
the Issuer will issue and sell to the Company additional Common Securities in
an aggregate Liquidation Amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital of
the Issuer and the Company will issue and sell to the Issuer Convertible
Subordinated Debentures in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate Liquidation Amount of the additional Capital Securities being
purchased pursuant to the option.
 
  Although application has been made to have the Capital Securities listed for
trading on the NYSE, no assurances can be made as to the liquidity of such
Capital Securities or that an active and liquid trading market will develop
or, if developed, that it will continue. The offering price and Distribution
rate have been determined by negotiations among the Company and the
Representatives, and the offering price of the Capital Securities may not be
indicative of the market price following the offering.
 
  The Issuer and the Company have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters
against, or contribute to payments that the Underwriters may be required to
make in respect of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
 
  In connection with the offering of the Capital Securities, the Underwriters
and any selling group members and their respective affiliates may engage in
transactions effected in accordance with Rule 104 of the Commission's
Regulation M that are intended to stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
market price of the Capital Securities and the Common Stock. Such transactions
may include over-allotment transactions in which an Underwriter creates a
short position for its own account by selling more Capital Securities than it
is committed to purchase from the Issuer. In such case, to cover all or part
of the short position, the Underwriters may exercise the over-allotment option
described above or may purchase Capital Securities in the open market
following completion of the initial offering of the Capital Securities. Each
Underwriter also may engage in stabilizing transactions in which it bids for,
and purchases, Capital Securities and Common Stock at a level above that which
might otherwise prevail in the open market for the purpose of the Company nor
preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Capital
Securities and the Common Stock. The Underwriters also may reclaim any selling
concessions allowed to a dealer if the Underwriters repurchase Capital
Securities distributed by that dealer. Any of the foregoing transactions may
result in the maintenance of a price for the Capital Securities and the Common
Stock at levels above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market.
Neither the Company nor the Underwriters make any representation or prediction
as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described
above may have on the price of the Capital Securities. The Underwriters are
not required to engage in any of the foregoing transactions and, if commenced,
such transactions may be discontinued at any time without notice.
 
  Wedgewood is an indirect subsidiary of the Company. Certain of the
Underwriters and their affiliates have, from time to time, performed
investment, commercial banking and other services for the Company and its
affiliates in the ordinary course of business and have received fees in
connection therewith.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the Capital
Securities, the enforceability of the Trust Agreement and the formation of the
Issuer will be passed upon by Richards, Layton & Finger P.A., special Delaware
counsel to the Company and the Issuer. Certain legal matters for the Company
and the Issuer, including the validity of the Guarantee and the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures, will be passed upon for the Company and the Issuer by
Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C., St. Louis, Missouri, counsel to the Company and
the Issuer. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Underwriters by
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, New York, New York. Counsel for the Company, the
Issuer and the Underwriters will rely on the opinion of Richards, Layton &
Finger P.A., as to matters of Delaware law. Certain matters relating to U.S.
federal income tax considerations will be passed upon for the Company by
Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.
 
                                      65
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1997
and 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December
31, 1997, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the
supplemental consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1997, included in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
June 3, 1998, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the
Registration Statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants, whose reports are incorporated by
reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.
 
  The consolidated financial statements of Pinnacle as of December 31, 1997
and 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December
31, 1997, included in Pinnacle's Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been
incorporated by reference herein and in the Registration Statement in reliance
upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, whose report is incorporated by reference herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP previously audited and reported on the consolidated balance sheet
of Pinnacle as of December 31, 1996, and the related consolidated statements
of income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995, prior to their restatement for the 1997 pooling of
interests transactions with IFC and CB. The contribution of Pinnacle to total
assets and net income represented 50% and 57% of the respective restated
totals for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the contribution of Pinnacle
to net income represented 40% of the respective restated total for the year
ended December 31, 1995. Separate consolidated financial statements of the
other companies included in the December 31, 1996 restated consolidated
balance sheet and consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders'
equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 were
audited and reported on separately by other auditors. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
audited the combination of the Pinnacle consolidated balance sheet as of
December 31, 1996 and consolidated statements of income, changes in
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1996 and
1995, after restatement for the 1997 pooling of interests transactions with
IFC and CB.
 
                                      66
<PAGE>
 
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AND
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CNB
BANCSHARES, INC., CNB CAPITAL TRUST I OR THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF CNB BANCSHARES, INC. SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER
TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION
IS UNLAWFUL.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................   1
Available Information......................................................   1
Forward Looking Statements.................................................   2
Prospectus Summary.........................................................   4
Risk Factors...............................................................  10
Use of Proceeds............................................................  17
Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges............................  17
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends..................................  18
Capitalization.............................................................  19
The Company................................................................  20
The Issuer.................................................................  24
Accounting Treatment.......................................................  25
Description of Capital Securities..........................................  25
Description of Convertible Subordinated Debentures.........................  40
Book-Entry Issuance........................................................  49
Description of Guarantee...................................................  51
Relationship Among Capital Securities, Convertible Subordinated Debentures
 and Guarantee.............................................................  53
Description of Capital Stock...............................................  55
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences....................................  59
ERISA Considerations.......................................................  63
Underwriting...............................................................  64
Legal Matters..............................................................  65
Experts....................................................................  66
</TABLE>
PROSPECTUS                                                                ,1998
 
                                    [LOGO]
 
                        6,000,000 Capital Securities of
 
                              CNB CAPITAL TRUST I
 
                               % Shared Preference
                        Redeemable Securities ("SPuRS")
 (Liquidation Amount $25 per Capital Security) guaranteed, as described herein
                   by, and convertible into Common Stock of,
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.
 
 
                         SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.
 
                               CIBC OPPENHEIMER
 
                          STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY
                                 INCORPORATED
 
HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
                           NATCITY INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
                         KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.
 
                           WEDGEWOOD PARTNERS, INC.
 
<PAGE>
 
                PART II--INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14--OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                                <C>
      SEC Registration Fee..............................................
      NASD Filing Fee...................................................
      NYSE Listing Fee..................................................
      Blue Sky Qualification Fees and Expenses..........................
      Accounting Fees and Expenses......................................
      Legal Fees and Expenses...........................................
      Trustees' Fees and Expenses.......................................
      Printing and Engraving Expenses...................................
      Transfer and Registrar Fees.......................................
      Miscellaneous.....................................................
                                                                         -------
          Total.........................................................
                                                                         =======
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15--INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  Pursuant to the Indiana Corporate Law and the Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws of the Company, the Company is obligated to indemnify certain officers
and directors in connection with liabilities arising from legal proceedings
resulting from such person's service to the Company in certain circumstances.
The Company may also voluntarily undertake to indemnify certain persons acting
on the Company's behalf in certain circumstances.
 
  The Indiana Corporate Law provides for mandatory indemnification of
directors and officers of Indiana corporations and permissive indemnification
of directors, officers, employees and agents of corporations who are made
parties to proceedings as a result of their relationship with such
corporation. The Indiana Corporate Law also applies to individuals who are
serving at such corporation's request as directors, officers, employees and
agents of such corporation's subsidiaries. The Indiana Corporate Law requires
corporations, unless limited by their articles of incorporation, to indemnify
any director or officer against reasonable expenses incurred in connection
with any proceeding to which such person was a party if the individual is
wholly successful on the merits. The Indiana Corporate Law authorizes
corporations to indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent against
liability incurred in such a proceeding generally if the individual's conduct
was in good faith and the individual reasonably believed, in the case of
conduct in the individual's official capacity, that his or her conduct was in
the corporation's best interests and in all other cases that his or her
conduct was not opposed to the best interests of such corporation.
 
  The Indiana Corporate Law further authorizes any court of competent
jurisdiction, unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, to order
indemnification generally if the court determines a director or officer of a
corporation is entitled to mandatory indemnification or is otherwise fairly
and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant
circumstances. The Indiana Corporate Law also authorizes corporations to
advance reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding
generally if the individual affirms in writing a good faith belief that he
satisfies the standard of conduct for permissive indemnification, the
individual undertakes in a signed writing to repay the advance if it is
determined he does not satisfy the standard of conduct for permissive
indemnification and the corporation determines that the facts then known do
not preclude indemnification. Finally, the Indiana Corporate Law authorizes
further indemnification to the extent that the corporation may provide in its
articles of incorporation, by-laws, a resolution of the board of directors or
the shareholders or any other authorization, whenever adopted, after notice,
by a majority vote of holders of all the voting shares then issued and
outstanding. Except with respect to the advancement of expenses, the Company's
Bylaws generally provide for the indemnification of the Company's directors,
officers, employees and agents to the extent permitted by the Indiana
Corporate Law.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 16--EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
  (a) Exhibits
<TABLE>
     <C>       <S>
      1.1      Form of Underwriting Agreement.
      1.2      Form of Agreement Among Underwriters.
      4.1      Form of Indenture.
      4.2      Form of Convertible Subordinated Debenture (included in the
               Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Registration Statement).
      4.3      Certificate of Trust of CNB Capital Trust I.
      4.4      Trust Agreement of CNB Capital Trust I.
      4.5      Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement.
      4.6      Form of Capital Security Certificate (included as an exhibit to
               the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.5 to
               this Registration Statement).
      4.7      Form of Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement.
      5.1      Opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. as to the validity of
               the issuance of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
      5.2      Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger P.A., special Delaware
               counsel, as to the legality of the Capital Securities.
      8.1      Opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. as to certain federal
               income tax matters.
     12.1      Statements Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
               Charges.
     23.1      Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Public
               Accountants.
     23.2      Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Public
               Accountants.
     23.3      Consent of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. (included in their
               opinions filed as Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
     23.4      Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger P.A. (included in their
               opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2).
     24.1      Powers of Attorney.
     25.1      Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act
               as trustee under the Indenture.
     25.2      Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act
               as trustee under the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement.
     25.3      Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act
               as trustee under the Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement.
</TABLE>
 
  (b) Financial Statement Schedules--Not applicable as all required
information is contained in the financial statements and the notes thereto or
in the summary supplemental consolidated financial data.
 
ITEM 17--UNDERTAKINGS
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the provisions
described under "Item 15--Indemnification of Directors and Officers" above, or
otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Company 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 Company will,
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been sealed 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
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  The Company hereby undertakes: (1) That for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, 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 Company 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;
(2) That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, 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; (3) That for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
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; and (4) 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 Exchange Act; and, where interim financial information required to
be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is 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.
 
  The Issuer hereby undertakes to provide to the Representatives at the
closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE UNDERSIGNED
REGISTRANT 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
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN EVANSVILLE, INDIANA ON JUNE 1, 1998.
 
                                          CNB Bancshares, Inc.
 
                                                /s/ James J. Giancola
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                     James J. Giancola
                                               President and Chief Executive
                                                          Officer
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE UNDERSIGNED
REGISTRANT CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS
ALL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN EVANSVILLE, INDIANA ON JUNE 1, 1998.
 
                                          CNB Capital Trust I
 
                                                /s/ James J. Giancola
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                    James J. Giancola
                                                         Trustee
 
                                                 /s/ John R. Spruill
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                     John R. Spruill
                                                         Trustee
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED ON JUNE 1, 1998 BY THE FOLLOWING
PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES .
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 SIGNATURE                                     TITLE
                 ---------                                     -----
 
 
<S>                                         <C>
         /s/ H. Lee Cooper III              Chairman of the Board
___________________________________________
             H. Lee Cooper III
 
         /s/ James J. Giancola              President and Chief Executive Officer
___________________________________________ (principal executive officer)
             James J. Giancola
 
          /s/ John R. Spruill               Executive Vice President and Chief
___________________________________________ Financial Officer (principal financial
              John R. Spruill               officer)
 
          /s/ Ralph L. Alley                Senior Vice President and Controller,
___________________________________________ Treasurer (principal accounting officer)
              Ralph L. Alley
 
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
            John D. Engelbrecht
 
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
           Terrence A. Friedman
 
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
              James E. Hutton
 
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
            Robert L. Koch, II
 
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
              Larry J. Kremer
 
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
           Edmund L. Hafer, Jr.
 
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
            Burkley F. McCarthy
 
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
              Robert K. Ruxer
 
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
             Thomas W. Traylor
 
                     *                      Director
___________________________________________
             Alton C. Wendzel
 
</TABLE>
 
       /s/ James J. Giancola
By: _________________________________
           Attorney-in-fact
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     EXHIBIT
      NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION
     -------                             -----------
     <C>      <S>
        1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
        1.2   Form of Agreement Among Underwriters.*
        4.1   Form of Indenture.*
        4.2   Form of Convertible Subordinated Debenture (included in the
              Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Registration Statement).*
        4.3   Certificate of Trust of CNB Capital Trust I.
        4.4   Trust Agreement of CNB Capital Trust I.
        4.5   Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement.*
        4.6   Form of Capital Security Certificate (included as an exhibit to
              the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.5 to
              this Registration Statement).*
        4.7   Form of Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement.
        5.1   Opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. as to the validity of the
              issuance of the Convertible Subordinated Debentures.
        5.2   Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger P.A., special Delaware
              counsel, as to the legality of the Capital Securities.
        8.1   Opinion of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. as to certain federal
              income tax matters.
       12.1   Statements Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
              Charges.
       23.1   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Public Accountants.
       23.2   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Public Accountants.
       23.3   Consent of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. (included in their
              opinions filed as Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
       23.4   Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger P.A. (included in their
              opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2).
       24.1   Powers of Attorney.
       25.1   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act
              as trustee under the Indenture.
       25.2   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act
              as trustee under the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement.
       25.3   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York to act
              as trustee under the Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement.
</TABLE>
- --------
*To be filed by pre-effective amendment.
 
                                      II-6

<PAGE>
 
                         CERTIFICATE OF TRUST PRIVATE
                                      OF
                              CNB CAPITAL TRUST I

     THIS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF CNB CAPITAL TRUST I (the "Trust"), dated 
June 1, 1998, is being duly executed and filed by The Bank of New York
(Delaware), a Delaware banking corporation, James J. Giancola, and John R.
Spruill, each an individual, as trustees, to form a business trust under the
Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C. Section 3801 et seq.).

1.   NAME. The name of the business trust formed hereby is CNB CAPITAL TRUST I.

2.   DELAWARE TRUSTEE. The name and business address of the trustee of the Trust
     in the State of Delaware is The Bank of New York (Delaware), White Clay
     Center, Route 273, Newark, Delaware 19711, Attention: Corporate Trust
     Department.

3.   EFFECTIVE DATE. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective when filed.
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustees of the Trust,
have executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above written.


                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
                                       as Trustee


                                       By:     /s/ Walter N. Gitlin
                                           ------------------------------------
                                                   Walter N. Gitlin
                                                   Authorized Signatory



                                               /s/ James J. Giancola
                                           ------------------------------------
                                                   James J. Giancola
                                                   as Trustee



                                               /s/ John R. Spruill
                                           ------------------------------------
                                                   John R. Spruill

                                       2

<PAGE>
 
                                TRUST AGREEMENT

     THIS TRUST AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of June 1, 1998 among (i)
CNB BANCSHARES, INC., an Indiana corporation (the "Depositor"), (ii) The Bank of
New York (Delaware), a Delaware banking corporation, as Delaware trustee (the
"Delaware Trustee"), and (iii) JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, each an
individual, as trustees (each of such trustees described in clause (2) and (3),
a "Trustee," and collectively, the "Trustees"). The Depositor and the Trustees
hereby agree as follows:

     1. The trust created hereby (the "Trust") shall be known as "CNB Capital
 Trust I" in which name the Trustees, or the Depositor to the extent provided
 herein, may engage in the transactions contemplated hereby, make and execute
 contracts, and sue and be sued.

     2. The Depositor hereby assigns, transfers, conveys and sets over to the
 Trustees the sum of $10.00. The Trustees hereby acknowledge receipt of such
 amount in trust from the Depositor, which amount shall constitute the initial
 trust estate. The Trustees hereby declare that they will hold the trust estate
 in trust for the Depositor. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the
 Trust created hereby constitute a business trust under Chapter 38 of Title 12
 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. C. Section 3801, et seq. (the "Business Trust
 Act"), and that this document constitutes the governing instrument of the
 Trust. The Trustees are hereby authorized and directed to execute and file a
 certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State in accordance with
 the provisions of the Business Trust Act.

     3. The Depositor and the Trustees will enter into an amended and restated
 Trust Agreement, satisfactory to each such party and substantially in the form
 included as an exhibit to the 1933 Act Registration Statement (as defined
 below), to provide for the contemplated operation of the Trust created hereby
 and the issuance of the Capital Securities and Common Securities referred to
 therein. Prior to the execution and delivery of such amended and restated Trust
 Agreement, the Trustees shall not have any duty or obligation hereunder or with
 respect to the trust estate, except as otherwise required by applicable law or
 as may be necessary to obtain prior to such execution and delivery of any
 licenses, consents or approvals required by applicable law or otherwise.

     4. The Depositor and the Trustees hereby authorize and direct the
 Depositor, as the sponsor of the Trust, (i) to file with the Securities and
 Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and execute, in each case on behalf of
 the Trust, (a) the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "1933 Act
 Registration Statement"), including any pre-effective or post-effective
 amendments to the 1933 Act Registration Statement, relating to the registration
 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), of the Capital
 Securities of the Trust (including any registration statement for the same
 offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
 1933 Act), and (b) a Registration Statement on Form 8-A (the "1934 Act
 Registration Statement") (including all pre-effective and post-effective
 amendments thereto) relating to the registration of the Capital Securities of
 the Trust under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
<PAGE>
 
 amended; (ii) to file with the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "Exchange")
 and execute on behalf of the Trust one or more listing applications and all
 other applications, statements, certificates, agreements and other instruments
 as shall be necessary or desirable to cause the Capital Securities to be listed
 on the Exchange: (iii) to file and execute on behalf of the Trust such
 applications, reports, surety bonds, irrevocable consents, appointments of
 attorney for service of process and other papers and documents as shall be
 necessary or desirable to register the Capital Securities under the securities
 or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Depositor, on behalf of the
 Trust, may deem necessary or desirable; and (iv) to execute on behalf of the
 Trust an Underwriting Agreement relating to the Capital Securities, among the
 Trust, the Depositor and the Underwriters named therein, substantially in the
 form included as an exhibit to the 1933 Act Registration Statement. In the
 event that any filing referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above is
 required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Exchange or state
 securities or blue sky laws, to be executed on behalf of the Trust by one or
 more of the Trustees, each of the Trustees, in its, her or his capacity as a
 Trustee of the Trust, is hereby authorized and, to the extent so required,
 directed to join in any such filing and to execute on behalf of the Trust any
 and all of the foregoing, it being understood that the Delaware Trustee in its
 capacity as a Trustee of the Trust shall not be required to join in any such
 filing or execute on behalf of the Trust any such document unless required by
 the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Exchange or state securities
 or blue sky laws. In connection with the filings referred to above, the
 Depositor and James J. Giancola, the Delaware Trustee and John R. Spruill, each
 as Trustees and not in their individual capacities, hereby constitutes and
 appoints James J. Giancola, John R. Spruill and David L. Knapp, and each of
 them, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
 substitution and resubstitution, for the Depositor or such Trustee or in the
 Depositor's or such Trustees' name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
 to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the
 1933 Act Registration Statement and the 1934 Act Registration Statement and to
 file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
 therewith, with the Commission, the Exchange and administrators of the state
 securities or blue sky laws, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents
 full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
 requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all
 intents and purposes as the Depositor or such Trustee might or could to in
 person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
 agents or any of them, or their respective substitute or substitutes, shall do
 or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     5. This Trust Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts.

     6. The number of Trustees initially shall be three and thereafter the
 number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be fixed from time to time by
 a written instrument signed by the Depositor which may increase or decrease the
 number of Trustees; provided, however, that to the extent required by the
 Business Trust Act, one Trustee shall either be a natural person who is a
 resident of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which
 has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise
 meets the requirements of applicable Delaware law. Subject to the foregoing,
 the Depositor is entitled to appoint or remove without 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
cause any Trustee at any time. The Trustees may resign upon 30 days' prior
notice to the Depositor.

     7. This Trust Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to conflict of laws of
principles).

                           [Signatures On Next Page]

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Trust Agreement to
 be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                  CNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                                  as Depositor
                                  
                                  
                                  By: /s/ James J. Giancola
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                          James J. Giancola
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer
                                  
                                  
                                  THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE)
                                  as Trustee
                                  
                                  
                                  By: /s/ Walter N. Gitlin      
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                          Walter N. Gitlin
                                          Authorized Signatory
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  /s/ James J. Giancola       
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                      Name: James J. Giancola
                                      as Trustee
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  /s/ John R. Spruill        
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                      Name: John R. Spruill
                                      as Trustee

                                       4

<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


                                    Between


                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.
                                (as Guarantor)


                                      and


                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                                 (as Trustee)


                          Dated as of ________, 1998


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section of
Trust Indenture Act                                                                 Section of
Of 1939, as amended                                                                 Guarantee Agreement
- -------------------                                                                 -------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
310(a)..........................................................................    4.1(a)
310(b)..........................................................................    4.1(c), 2.8
310(c)..........................................................................    Inapplicable
311(a)..........................................................................    2.2(b)
311(b)..........................................................................    2.2(b)
311(c)..........................................................................    Inapplicable
312(a)..........................................................................    2.2(a)
312(b)..........................................................................    2.2(b)
313.............................................................................    2.3
314(a)..........................................................................    2.4
314(b)..........................................................................    Inapplicable
314(c)..........................................................................    2.5
314(d)..........................................................................    Inapplicable
314(e)..........................................................................    1.1, 2.5, 3.2
314(f)..........................................................................    2.1, 3.2
315(a)..........................................................................    3.1(d)
315(b)..........................................................................    2.7
315(c)..........................................................................    3.1
315(d)..........................................................................    3.1(d)
316(a)..........................................................................    1.1, 2.6, 5.4
316(b)..........................................................................    5.3
316(c)..........................................................................    8.2
317(a)..........................................................................    Inapplicable
317(b)..........................................................................    Inapplicable
318(a)..........................................................................    2.1(b)
318(b)..........................................................................    2.1
318(c)..........................................................................    2.1(a)
</TABLE>

*    This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Guarantee
     Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
     provisions.
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
ARTICLE I.  DEFINITIONS...................................................  1
 Section 1.1.  Definitions................................................  1
ARTICLE II.  TRUST INDENTURE ACT..........................................  3
 Section 2.1.  Trust Indenture Act; Application...........................  3
 Section 2.2.  List of Holders............................................  3
 Section 2.3.  Reports by Guarantee Trustee...............................  3
 Section 2.4.  Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee......................  3
 Section 2.5.  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent...........  4
 Section 2.6.  Events of Default; Waiver..................................  4
 Section 2.7.  Event of Default; Notice...................................  4
 Section 2.8.  Conflicting Interests......................................  4
ARTICLE III. POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE...............  4
 Section 3.1.  Powers and Duties of Guarantee Trustee.....................  4
 Section 3.2.  Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee........ ...............  5
 Section 3.3.  Indemnity..................................................  7
ARTICLE IV.  GUARANTEE TRUSTEE............................................  7
 Section 4.1.  Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility.............................  7
 Section 4.2.  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee..  7
ARTICLE V.   GUARANTEE....................................................  8
 Section 5.1.  Guarantee..................................................  8
 Section 5.2.  Waiver of Notice and Demand................................  8
 Section 5.3.  Obligations Not Affected...................................  9
 Section 5.4.  Rights of Holders..........................................  9
 Section 5.5.  Guarantee of Payment.......................................  9
 Section 5.6.  Subrogation................................................  9
 Section 5.7.  Independent Obligations....................................  9
 Section 5.8.  Conversion.................................................  9
ARTICLE VI.  SUBORDINATION................................................  9
 Section 6.1.  Subordination..............................................  9
ARTICLE VII.  TERMINATION.................................................  9
 Section 7.1.  Termination................................................  9
ARTICLE VIII.  MISCELLANEOUS.............................................. 10
 Section 8.1.  Successors and Assign...................................... 10
 Section 8.2.  Amendments................................................. 10
 Section 8.3.  Notice..................................................... 10
 Section 8.4.  Benefit.................................................... 11
 Section 8.5.  Interpretation............................................. 11
 Section 8.6.  Governing Law.............................................. 11
 Section 8.7.  Counterparts............................................... 11
</TABLE>
                                       i
<PAGE>
 
                              GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


     This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of _____________, 1998, is executed and
delivered by CNB BANCSHARES, INC., an Indiana corporation (the "Guarantor"),
having its principal office at 20 N.W. Third Street, Evansville, Indiana 47739,
and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the
"Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from
time to time of the Capital Securities and Common Securities (each as defined
herein and together, the "Securities") of CNB Capital Trust I, a Delaware
statutory business trust (the "Issuer").

     WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of
___________, 1998 (the "Trust Agreement"), among the Guarantor, as Depositor,
the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee named therein, the Administrative
Trustees named therein and the Holders from time to time of undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing [$150,000,000]
aggregate Liquidation Amount (as defined in the Trust Agreement) of its __%
Convertible Trust Preferred Securities, Liquidation Amount $25 per security (the
"Capital Securities"), representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Issuer and having the terms set forth in the Trust Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the Capital Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the
proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Common
Securities of the Issuer, will be used to purchase the Debentures (as defined in
the Trust Agreement) of the Guarantor which will be deposited with The Bank of
New York, as Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement, as trust assets; and

     WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Securities, the Guarantor
desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth
herein, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the Guarantee Payments (as
defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions
set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the
Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the
benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Securities.

                            ARTICLE I.  DEFINITIONS
                                        
     Section 1.1. Definitions. As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms
set forth below shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following
meanings. Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used but not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Agreement as
in effect on the date hereof.

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the
Guarantor shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Issuer. For the purposes
of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person
means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly
or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract
or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.

     "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Guarantor
or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder or any directors
or officers of the Guarantor to whom such board of directors or such committee
shall have duly delegated its authority.

     "Common Securities" means the securities representing common undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.
<PAGE>
 
     "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment
or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that,
except with respect to a default in payment of any Guarantee Payments, the
Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such
default within 90 days after receipt of such notice.

     "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without
duplication, with respect to the Securities, to the extent not paid or made by
or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid Distributions
required to be paid on the Securities, to the extent that the Issuer shall have
funds on hand available therefor at such time, (ii) the redemption price,
including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Price"), with respect to any Securities called for redemption by the
Issuer, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor at
such time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary termination, winding up or
liquidation of the Issuer, unless Debentures are distributed to the Holders, the
lesser of (a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions to the date of payment, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer
remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as required by
applicable law (in either case, the "Liquidation Distribution").

     "Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York, until a Successor Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement, and thereafter means each such Successor
Guarantee Trustee.

     "Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the
Issuer, of any Securities; provided, however, that in determining whether the
holders of the requisite percentage of Securities have given any request,
notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the Guarantor,
the Guarantee Trustee, or any Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Guarantee
Trustee.

     "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of_______________, 1998, between
the Guarantor and The Bank of New York, as trustee.

     "Majority in Aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Securities" means, except
as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by the Holder(s), voting
separately as a class, of more than 50% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of
all then outstanding Securities issued by the Issuer.

     "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate
signed by the Chairman or a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of such
Person or the President, a Managing Director or a Vice President of such Person,
and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of such Person, and delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers'
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Guarantee Agreement shall include:

     (a)  a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

     (b)  a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;

     (c)  a statement that each officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and

     (d)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.

     "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     "Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Guarantee Trustee means
any officer of the Guarantee Trustee assigned by the Guarantee Trustee from time
to time to administer its corporate trust matters.

     "Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.

     "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

                       ARTICLE II.  TRUST INDENTURE ACT
                                        
     Section 2.1.  Trust Indenture Act; Application.

     (a)  This Guarantee Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Guarantee Agreement and
shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

     (b)  If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee Agreement
limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

     Section 2.2.  List of Holders.

     (a)  The Guarantor will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Guarantee
Trustee:

          (i)  semi-annually, not more than 15 days after January 15 and July 15
     in each year, a list in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably
     require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such January 1 and
     July 1, and

          (ii) at such other times as the Guarantee Trustee may request in
     writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Guarantor of any such
     request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15
     days prior to the time such list is furnished,

     excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Guarantee
     Trustee in its capacity as Securities Registrar.

     (b)  The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section
311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

     Section 2.3. Reports by Guarantee Trustee.

     The Guarantee Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the
Guarantee Trustee and its actions under this Guarantee Agreement as may be
required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner
provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture
Act, the Guarantee Trustee shall, within sixty days after each May 15 following
the date of this Guarantee Agreement deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as
of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).

     Section 2.4. Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee.

     The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the Holders such documents, reports and information, if
any, as required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, in the form, in
the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Guarantee Trustee
shall be

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
for informational purposes only and the Guarantee Trustee's receipt of such
shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein,
including the Guarantor's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to
which the Guarantee Trustee shall be entitled to rely exclusively on Officers'
Certificates).

     Section 2.5.  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. The
Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance
with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Guarantee Agreement
that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust
Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer
pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers'
Certificate.

     Section 2.6.  Events of Default; Waiver. The Holders of a Majority in
Aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the
Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver,
any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent therefrom.

     Section 2.7.  Event of Default; Notice.

     (a)  The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an
Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders,
notices of all Events of Default actually known to the Guarantee Trustee, unless
such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that,
except in the case of a default in the payment of a Guarantee Payment, the
Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long
as the Board of Directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of
directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Holders.

     (b)  The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written
notice, or a Responsible Officer charged with the administration of this
Guarantee Agreement shall have obtained written notice, of such Event of
Default.

     Section 2.8.  Conflicting Interests. The Trust Agreement shall be deemed
to be specifically described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of
clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.

         ARTICLE III.  POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
                                        
     Section 3.1.  Powers and Duties of Guarantee Trustee.

     (a)  This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for
the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this
Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights
pursuant to Section 5.4(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by
such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor
Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such
Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have
been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor
Guarantee Trustee.

     (b)  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee
Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     (c)  The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default
and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall
undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Guarantee
Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has
occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6), the
Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by
this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its
exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

     (d)  No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed to relieve
the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

          (i)   prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the
     curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

                (A)  the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall
          be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee
          Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for
          the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set
          forth in this Guarantee Agreement; and

                (B)  in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee
          Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth
          of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed
          therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee
          Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee
          Agreement; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that
          by any provision hereof or of the Trust Indenture Act are specifically
          required to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee
          Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether
          or not they conform to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;

          (ii)  the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
     judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee
     Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent
     in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

          (iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
     action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
     the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in Aggregate
     Liquidation Amount of the Securities relating to the time, method and place
     of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee
     Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee
     Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and

          (iv)  no provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall require the
     Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
     personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in
     the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall
     have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or
     liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee
     Agreement or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
     reasonably assured to it.

     Section 3.2.  Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.

     (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

          (i)   The Guarantee Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in
     acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
     statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
     consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be
     genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or
     parties.

          (ii)  Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
     Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers'
     Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.

          (iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement, the
     Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or
     established before taking, suffering or omitting to take any action
     hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein
     specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
     request and rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such
     request from the Guarantee Trustee, shall be promptly delivered by the
     Guarantor.

          (iv)  The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel of its
     selection, and the advice or opinion of such legal counsel with respect to
     legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
     respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it
     hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such
     legal counsel may be legal counsel to the Guarantor or any of its
     Affiliates and may be one of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall
     have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
     administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any court of competent
     jurisdiction.

          (v)   The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise
     any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement at the
     request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided
     to the Guarantee Trustee such adequate security and indemnity, as would
     satisfy a reasonable person in the position of the Guarantee Trustee,
     against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) and
     liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or
     direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the
     Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section
     3.2(a)(v) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the
     occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights
     and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement.

          (vi)  The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any
     investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
     certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
     direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
     indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its
     discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
     or matters as it may see fit.

          (vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
     hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
     its agents or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible
     for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney
     appointed with due care by it hereunder.

          (viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement the
     Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive written instructions
     with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action
     hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the
     Holders, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such
     other action until such written instructions are received, and (C) shall be
     protected in acting in accordance with such written instructions.

          (ix)  The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken,
     suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably
     believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or
     powers conferred upon it by this Guarantee Agreement.

     (b)  No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to impose any
duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or
exercise any right, power, duty or 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be
illegal, or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent
in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to
exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or
authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty to
act in accordance with such power and authority.

     Section 3.3.  Indemnity. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee
Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense
incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this
Guarantee Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself
against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of
any of its powers or duties hereunder.

                        ARTICLE IV.  GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
                                        
     Section 4.1. Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility.

     (a)  There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:

          (i)  not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

          (ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act
     to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
     $50,000,000, and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of Section
     310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of
     condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the
     supervising or examining authority, then, for the purposes of this Section
     and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined
     capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined
     capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
     published.

     (b)  If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so
act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the
manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).

     (c)  If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions
of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

     Section 4.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Guarantee Trustee.

     (a)  Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or
removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.

     (b)  The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
Guarantor. If an instrument of acceptance by a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall
not have been delivered to the Guarantee Trustee within 30 days after such
removal, the Guarantee Trustee being removed may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

     (c)  The Guarantee Trustee appointed hereunder shall hold office until a
Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or
resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for
prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not
take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee
Trustee.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     (d)  If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and
accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after
delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning
Guarantee Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any court of
competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such
court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

                             ARTICLE V.  GUARANTEE

     Section 5.1.  Guarantee.  The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally
agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication
of amounts theretofore paid by or on behalf of the Issuer), as and when due,
regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the Issuer may
have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be
satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the
Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

     Section 5.2.  Waiver of Notice and Demand. The Guarantor hereby waives
notice of acceptance of the Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to which it
applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a
proceeding first against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person
before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice
of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

     Section 5.3.  Obligations Not Affected. The obligations, covenants,
agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall in
no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of
any of the following:

     (a)  the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Securities to be performed or
observed by the Issuer;

     (b)  the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions (other than an extension of time for payment of
Distributions that results from the extension of any interest payment period on
the Debentures as provided in the Indenture), Redemption Price, Liquidation
Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Securities or the
extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out
of, or in connection with, the Securities;

     (c)  any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Securities, or any action
on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

     (d)  the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the
Issuer;

     (e)  any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Securities;

     (f)  the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred; or

     (g)  any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of
this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be
absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

     Section 5.4.  Rights of Holders. The Guarantor expressly acknowledges
that: (i) this Guarantee Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee
to be held for the benefit of the Holders, (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the
right to enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders, (iii) the
Holders of a Majority in Aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Securities have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement
or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this
Guarantee Agreement, and (iv) any Holder may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee
Agreement, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee
Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person.

     Section 5.5.  Guarantee of Payment. This Guarantee Agreement creates a
guarantee of payment and not of collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be
discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full (without
duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer) or upon distribution of
Debentures to Holders as provided in the Trust Agreement.

     Section 5.6.  Subrogation. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if
any) rights of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to
the Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement and shall have the
right to waive payment by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.1; provided, however,
that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory
provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which it may
acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement,
if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this
Guarantee Agreement. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation
of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for
the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

     Section 5.7.  Independent Obligations. The Guarantor acknowledges that its
obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with
respect to the Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal
and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this
Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in
subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.

     Section 5.8.  Conversion. The Guarantor acknowledges and agrees to honor
and perform all of its obligations to issue and deliver common stock of the
Guarantor upon the conversion of the Capital Securities as provided in Article
XII of the Indenture.

                           ARTICLE VI. SUBORDINATION
                                        
     Section 6.1.  Subordination. The obligations of the Guarantor under this
Guarantee Agreement will constitute unsecured obligations of the Guarantor and
will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt (as
defined in the Indenture) of the Guarantor, except those made pari passu or
subordinate to such obligations expressly by their terms in the same manner as
set forth in Article XIII of the Indenture.

                           ARTICLE VII.  TERMINATION
                                        
     Section 7.1.  Termination. This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be
of no further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of
all Securities, (ii) the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange
for all of the Securities, or (iii) full payment of the amounts payable in
accordance with the Trust Agreement upon liquidation of the Issuer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be
effective or will be reinstated, as the case may 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid with respect
to Securities or this Guarantee Agreement.

                         ARTICLE VIII.  MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 8.1.  Successors and Assigns. All guarantees and agreements
contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns,
receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the
benefit of the Holders of the Securities then outstanding. Except in connection
with a consolidation, merger or sale involving the Guarantor that is permitted
under Article VIII of the Indenture and pursuant to which the successor or
assignee agrees in writing to perform the Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the
Guarantor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.

     Section 8.2.  Amendments. Except with respect to any changes which do not
adversely affect the rights of the Holders or the Guarantee Trustee in any
material respect (in which case no consent of the Holders or the Guarantee
Trustee, as the case may be, will be required), this Guarantee Agreement may
only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a
Majority in Aggregate Liquidation Amount of all the outstanding Securities and
of the Guarantee Trustee. The provisions of Article VI of the Trust Agreement
concerning meetings of the Holders shall apply to the giving of such approval.

     Section 8.3.  Notice. Any notice, request or other communication required
or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party
giving such notice, and delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail as
follows:

     (a)  if given to the Guarantor, to the address set forth below or such
other address, facsimile number or to the attention of such other Person as the
Guarantor may give notice to the Holders:

          CNB Bancshares, Inc.
          20 N.W. Third Street
          Evansville, Indiana 47739
          Attention: James J. Giancola
                     Chief Executive Officer

     (b)  if given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the
Issuer's (and the Guarantee Trustee's) address set forth below or such other
address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give notice to the
Holders:

          CNB Capital Trust I
          c/o CNB Bancshares, Inc.
          20 N.W. Third Street
          Evansville, Indiana 47739
          Attention: James J. Giancola
                     Trustee

          with a copy to:
 
          Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.
          500 North Broadway
          Suite 2000
          St. Louis, Missouri 63102
          Attention: Thomas C. Erb, Esq.
 
     (c)  if given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and
records of the Issuer.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery
or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was
given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

     Section 8.4.  Benefit. This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the benefit
of the Holders and is not separately transferable from the Securities.

     Section 8.5.  Interpretation. In this Guarantee Agreement, unless the
context otherwise requires:

     (a)  capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement but not defined in
the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in Section
1.1;

     (b)  a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same
meaning throughout;

     (c)  all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this Guarantee
Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended
from time to time;

     (d)  all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and Sections
are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise
specified;

     (e)  a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee
Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;

     (f)  a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and

     (g)  the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall include
the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.

     Section 8.6.  Governing Law. THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
INDIANA WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

     Section 8.7.  Counterparts. This instrument may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original,
but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.

     THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above
written.

                                 CNB Bancshares, Inc.


                                 By:
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                      James J. Giancola
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer


                                 The Bank of New York
                                   as Guarantee Trustee


                                 By:
                                     ------------------------------------------


                                 Name:
                                 Title:

                                       11

<PAGE>
 
                 [Letterhead of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.]



                                 June 3, 1998


CNB Bancshares, Inc.
20 N. W. Third Street
Evansville, Indiana 47739

CNB Capital Trust I
c/o CNB Bancshares, Inc.
20 N. W. Third Street
Evansville, Indiana 47739

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to CNB Bancshares, Inc., an Indiana corporation
(the "Company"), and CNB Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust
("CNB Trust"), in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company and CNB Trust
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of
registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, convertible preferred
securities (the "Capital Securities") of CNB Trust, convertible subordinated
debentures (the "Convertible Debentures") of the Company, the guarantee of the
Company with respect to the Capital Securities (the "Guarantee"), and the common
stock, stated value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock")
issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures and Capital Securities
(the "Conversion Shares").

     In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the certificate of
trust (the "Certificate of Trust") filed by CNB Trust with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on June 1, 1998; (ii) the Trust Agreement, dated
as of June 1, 1998, with respect to CNB Trust; (iii) the form of the Amended and
Restated Trust Agreement with respect to CNB Trust; (iv) the form of the Capital
Securities of CNB Trust; (v) the form of the Guarantee between the Company and
The Bank of New York, as trustee; (vi) the form of the Convertible Debentures;
and (vii) the form of the indenture (the "Indenture"), between the Company and
The Bank of New York, as trustee, in each case in the form filed, or to be
filed supplementally, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We have also
examined originals or copies, certified, or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of such other documents, certificates, and records as we have
deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth herein.

     In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural
persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of
such copies. In examining documents executed by parties other than the Company
or CNB Trust, we have assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or
otherwise, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also
assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or otherwise,
and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and that, except as
set forth in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) below, such documents constitute valid
and binding obligations of such parties. In addition, we have assumed that the
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of CNB Trust,
<PAGE>
 
the Capital Securities of CNB Trust, the Guarantee, the Convertible Debentures
and the Indenture, when executed, will be executed in substantially the form
reviewed by us. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which
were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon oral or
written statements and representations of officers, trustees, and other
representatives of the Company, CNB Trust, and others.

     We are members of the bar of the states of Missouri, Kansas and Illinois,
and we express no opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing and to other qualifications and
limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

     1.   After the Indenture has been duly executed and delivered, the
Convertible Debentures, when duly executed, delivered, authenticated and issued
in accordance with the Indenture and delivered and paid for as contemplated by
the Registration Statement, will be valid and binding obligations of the
Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the
Company in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement
thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
creditors' rights generally, and (ii) general principles of equity regardless of
whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity.

     2.   The Guarantee, when duly executed and delivered by the parties
thereto, will be a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that
enforcement thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect
relating to creditors' rights generally, and (ii) general principles of equity
regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in
equity.

     3.   When certificates representing the Conversion Shares will have been
manually signed by an authorized officer of the transfer agent and registrar for
the Common Stock, registered by such transfer agent and registrar and delivered
to the holders of Capital Securities upon conversion thereof in accordance with
the terms of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement and the Indenture, the
Conversion Shares will have been duly authorized and will be validly issued,
fully-paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the reference to us under the caption "Legal Matters"
in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement and to the
inclusion of this legal opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   LEWIS, RICE & FINGERSH, L.C.

                                   /s/ Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.

<PAGE>
 
                   [LETTERHEAD OF RICHARDS, LAYTON & FINGER]



                                 June 3, 1998




CNB Capital Trust I
c/o CNB Bancshares, Inc.
20 N.W. Third Street
Evansville, Indiana 47739

        Re:  CNB Capital Trust I

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special Delaware counsel for CNB Capital Trust I, a
Delaware business trust (the "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 the Trust (the "Certificate"), as filed in
the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of
State") on June 1, 1998;

     (b)  The Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of June 1, 1998, between
CNB Bancshares, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the "Company"), and the trustees
of the Trust named therein;

     (c)  The Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") on Form S-3,
including a prospectus (the "Prospectus") relating to the ___% Convertible Trust
Preferred Securities of the Trust representing preferred undivided beneficial
interests in the Trust (each, a "Preferred Security" and collectively, the
"Preferred Securities"), as filed by the Company and the Trust as set forth
therein with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 3, 1998;
<PAGE>

CNB Capital Trust I
June 3, 1998
Page 2

 
     (d)  A form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust, to be
entered into among the Company, the trustees of the Trust named therein, and the
holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust (the
"Trust Agreement"), to be filed supplementally as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement; and

     (e)  A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated June 1, 1998,
obtained from the Secretary of State.

     Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used
as defined in the Trust Agreement.

     For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other than
the documents listed above, and we have assumed that there exists no provision
in any document that we have not reviewed that bears upon or is inconsistent
with the opinions stated herein. We have conducted no independent factual
investigation of our own but 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 the Trust Agreement
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 Trust, and that the Trust Agreement and the Certificate are
in full force and effect and have not been amended, (ii) except to the extent
provided in paragraph 1 below, the due creation or 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 creation, 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 Trust (collectively, the "Preferred Security
Holders") of a Preferred Security Certificate for such Preferred Security and
the payment for the Preferred Security acquired by it, in accordance with the
Trust Agreement and the Prospectus, and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are
issued and sold to the Preferred Security Holders in accordance with the Trust
Agreement and the Prospectus. We have not
<PAGE>
 
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:

     1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing
as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act, 12 Del. C. Section
3801, et seq.

     2. The Preferred Securities 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 Trust.

     3. The Preferred Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the 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 Trust Agreement.

     We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In addition, 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,



EAM                                     /s/ Richards, Layton & Finger


<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 8.1
 
                 [LETTERHEAD OF LEWIS, RICE & FINGERSH, L.C.]

                                 June 3, 1998


CNB Bancshares, Inc.
20 N.W. Third Street
Evansville, Indiana  47739
Attention: Board of Directors

CNB Capital Trust I
20 N.W. Third Street
Evansville, Indiana  47739
Attention: Administrative Trustees

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as tax counsel to CNB Bancshares, Inc., an Indiana 
corporation (the "Company"), and to CNB Capital Trust I, a statutory business 
trust created under the laws of Delaware (the "Trust"), in connection with the 
proposed issuance of (i) Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (the "Capital 
Securities") of the Trust pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated 
Trust Agreement between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the 
"Trust Agreement"), (ii) Convertible Subordinated Debentures (the "Debentures") 
of the Company pursuant to the terms of an indenture between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Indenture"), to be sold by the Company to the
Trust, and (iii) the Guarantee Agreement of the Company with respect to the 
Capital Securities (the "Guarantee") between the Company and The Bank of New 
York, as trustee. The Capital Securities and the Debentures are to be issued as 
contemplated by the prospectus (the "Prospectus") included as part of the 
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by
the Company and the Trust to register the issuance of the Capital Securities, 
the Debentures, the Guarantee and the Common Stock, no par value per share (the 
"Common Stock"), of the Company issuable upon conversion of the Capital 
Securities as provided in the Trust Agreement and the Indenture.

     We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to 
our satisfaction, of documents, corporate records and other instruments as we 
have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion including (i) 
the Registration Statement, (ii) the Form of Indenture to be filed 
supplementally as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (iii) the form of 
the Debentures to be filed supplementally as an exhibit to the Registration 
Statement, (iv) the form of Trust Agreement to be filed supplementally as an 
exhibit to the Registration Statement, (v) the form of Guarantee attached as an 
exhibit to the Registration Statement, and (vi) the form of Capital Security


<PAGE>

                            LEWIS, RICE & FINGERSH,
                                     L.C.

June 3, 1998
Page 2

 

Certificate to be filed supplementally as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement (collectively the "Documents"). Furthermore, we have relied upon
certain statements and representations made by the Company. In such examination,
we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals,
the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as
certified or photostatic copies, the authenticity of the originals of such
latter documents, the genuineness of all signatures and the correctness of all
representations made therein. We have further assumed that there are no
agreements or understandings contemplated therein other than those contained in
the Documents.

     Based upon the foregoing, and assuming (i) the final Documents will be
substantially identical to the forms examined, (ii) full compliance with all the
terms of the final Documents, and (iii) the accuracy of certain representations
made by the Company and delivered to us, we are of the opinion that:

     (i)  The Trust will be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a
          grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation.

    (ii)  The Convertible Subordinated Debentures should be classified as
          indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

   (iii)  Subject to the qualifications set forth therein, the statements
          contained in the Prospectus under the caption "Certain Federal Income
          Tax Consequences," insofar as such statements constitute matters of
          law or legal conclusions, fairly present, in all material respects,
          the indicated United States federal income tax consequences to such
          holders.

     The opinion expressed above is based on existing provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), existing Treasury regulations,
published interpretations of the Code and such Treasury regulations by the
Internal Revenue Service, and existing court decisions, any of which could be
changed at any time. Any such changes may or may not be retroactively applied.
We note that there is no authority directly on point dealing with securities
such as the Capital Securities or of transactions of the type described herein.
Furthermore, the authorities on which this opinion is based are subject to
various interpretations. Further, you should be aware that opinions of counsel
are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. We express no
opinion as to any matters not specifically covered by the foregoing opinions or
as to the effect on the matters covered by this opinion of the laws of any other
jurisdiction. Additionally, we undertake no obligation to update this opinion in
the event there is either a change in the legal authorities, in the facts or in
the Documents on which this opinion is based, or an inaccuracy in any of the
representations upon which we have relied in rendering this opinion.











    
<PAGE>

                            LEWIS, RICE & FINGERSH,
                                     L.C.

June 3, 1998
Page 3
 
 
     This letter is not being delivered for the benefit of, nor may it be relied
upon by, the holders of the Debentures, the Guarantee, the Capital Securities or
the Common Stock or any other party to which it is not specifically addressed or
on which reliance is not expressly permitted hereby.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the 
Registration Statement and to reference to our firm under the captions "Certain 
Federal Income Tax Consequences" and "Validity of Securities" in the Prospectus.

                           Very truly yours,

                           LEWIS, RICE & FINGERSH, L.C.

                           /s/ Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.


<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 12.1


                             CNB Bancshares, Inc.
               Computation of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to
                                 Fixed Charges

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Three Months
                                         Ended March 31,                     Years Ended December 31,
                                     ---------------------   ---------------------------------------------------------
                                        1998       1997        1997        1996        1995        1994         1993
                                        ----       ----        ----        ----        ----        -----        ----
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Excluding Interest on Deposits:

Net income                             $19,582    $17,548    $ 59,874    $ 53,682    $ 52,847     $ 45,954    $ 47,043
Income taxes                             9,003      8,855      29,689      27,013      27,565       23,764      23,229
Fixed charges, excluding
 preferred stock dividends and
 capitalized interest                   18,516     16,630      76,059      53,267      43,085       25,242      20,938
                                       ------------------    ---------------------------------------------------------

(A) Earnings                           $47,101    $43,033    $165,622    $133,962    $123,497     $ 94,960    $ 91,210
                                       ==================    =========================================================

Interest, excluding interest on
 deposits                              $18,516    $16,630    $ 76,059    $ 53,267    $ 43,085     $ 25,242    $ 20,938
Preferred stock dividends                  -          -           -           -           -            -           -
Capitalized interest                       -          -           -           -           -            -           -
                                       ------------------    ---------------------------------------------------------

(R) Fixed charges                      $18,516    $16,630    $ 76,059    $ 53,267    $ 43,085     $ 25,242    $ 20,938
                                       ==================    =========================================================

Consolidated ratios of earnings
 to fixed charges excluding
 interest on deposits (A/B)               2.54       2.59        2.18        2.51        2.87         3.76        4.36
                                       ==================    =========================================================


Including Interest on Deposits:
Net income                             $19,582    $17,548    $ 59,874    $ 53,682    $ 52,847     $ 45,954    $ 47,043
Income taxes                             9,003      8,855      29,689      27,013      27,565       23,764      23,229
Fixed charges, excluding
 preferred stock dividends and
 capitalized interest                   65,792     63,562     267,112     234,496     198,448      146,342     147,194
                                       ------------------    ---------------------------------------------------------

(C) Earnings                           $94,377    $89,965    $356,675    $315,191    $278,860     $216,060    $217,466
                                       ==================    =========================================================

Interest, including interest on
 deposits                               65,792     63,562     267,112     234,496     198,448      146,342     147,194
Preferred stock dividends                  -          -           -           -           -            -           -
Capitalized interest                       -          -           -           -           -            -           -
                                       ------------------    ---------------------------------------------------------

(D) Fixed Charges                      $65,792    $63,562    $267,112    $234,496    $198,448     $146,342    $147,194
                                       ==================    =========================================================

Consolidated ratios of earnings
 to fixed charges including
 interest on deposits (C/D)               1.43       1.42        1.34        1.34        1.41         1.48        1.48
                                       ==================    =========================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                        Independent Auditors' Consent 

The Board of Directors
CNB Bancshares, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on
Form S-3 of CNB Bancshares, Inc. of our reports dated January 14, 1998, relating
to the consolidated balance sheets of CNB Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries as
of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related consolidated statements of income,
changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997, which report is included in the
December 31, 1997 annual report on Form 10-K of CNB Bancshares, Inc., and June
1, 1998, relating to the supplemental consolidated balance sheets of CNB
Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related supplemental consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders'
equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1997, which report is included in current report on Form 8-K dated 
June 3, 1998.

/S/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
June 3, 1998


<PAGE>
                        Independent Auditors' Consent 

The Board of Directors
CNB Bancshares, Inc.;

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on
Form S-3 of CNB Bancshares, Inc. of our report dated March 30, 1998, relating to
the consolidated balance sheets of Pinnacle Financial Services, Inc. and
subsidiaries (Pinnacle) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997,
which report is incorporated by reference in the December 31, 1997 annual report
on Form 10-K of Pinnacle.

Our report dated March 30, 1998 contains a paragraph that states we previously
audited and reported on the consolidated balance sheet of Pinnacle as of
December 31, 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1996 and
1995, prior to their restatement for the 1997 pooling of interests. The
contribution of Pinnacle to total assets and net income represented 50% and 57%
of the respective restated totals for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the
contribution of Pinnacle to total assets and net income represented 50% and 40%
of the respective restated total for the year ended December 31, 1995. Separate
consolidated financial statements of the other companies included in the
December 31, 1996 restated consolidated balance sheet and consolidated
statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 were audited and reported on separately
by other auditors. We audited the combination of the Pinnacle consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 1996 and consolidated statements of income,
changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31,
1996 and 1995, after restatement for the 1997 pooling of interests; in our
opinion, such consolidated statements have been properly combined on the basis
described in note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

/S/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Chicago, Illinois
June 3, 1998


<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated: May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ John D. Engelbrecht         
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 John D. Engelbrecht
<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated: May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ Terrence A. Friedman
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 Terrence A. Friedman
<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated: May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ James F. Hutton
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 James F. Hutton
<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated:  May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ Robert L. Koch, II
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 Robert L. Koch, II
<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated: May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ Larry J. Kremer
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 Larry J. Kremer
<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated: May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ Edmund L. Hafer
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 Edmund L. Hafer
<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated: May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ Burkley F. McCarthy
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 Burkley F. McCarthy
<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated: May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ Robert K. Ruxer
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 Robert K. Ruxer
<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated: May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ Thomas W. Traylor           
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 Thomas W. Traylor
<PAGE>
 
                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                        1933 ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES J. GIANCOLA and JOHN R. SPRUILL, and
each of them, severally, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for
him and in his name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and
file, or cause to be signed and filed, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), any and all registration statements (and any
additional registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to
the same offering) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection
with (i) the issuance by CNB Capital Trust I (the "Trust") of its convertible
trust preferred securities, liquidation amount $25.00 per share (the "Capital
Securities"); (ii) the purchase by the Trust with the proceeds of the Capital
Securities and the common securities issued by the Trust to CNB Bancshares, Inc.
(the "Corporation") of convertible subordinated debentures of the Corporation;
(iii) registration of an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, no par
value per shares, of the Corporation, issuable upon conversion of the Capital
Securities; and (iv) the guarantee by the Corporation with respect to the
Capital Securities, before or after effectiveness of such statements, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection
therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, and ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Dated: May 19, 1998



                                             /s/ Allen C. Wendzel
                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 Allen C. Wendzel

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  CONFORMED COPY


================================================================================

                                   FORM T-1

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                           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)           [_]

                            ----------------------

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

New York                                                     13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                      (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                                 identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                               10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip code)

                            ----------------------

                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Indiana                                                      35-1568731
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                               identification no.)

20 N.W. Third Street
Evansville, Indiana                                          47739
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip code)

                            ----------------------

                      Convertible Subordinated Debentures
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   General information. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

          (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
               which it is subject.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Name                                         Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     Superintendent of Banks of the State of    2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                   N.Y. 10006, and Albany, N.Y. 
                                                12203
 
     Federal Reserve Bank of New York           33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                N.Y. 10045
 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation      Washington, D.C. 20429
 
     New York Clearing House Association        New York, New York 10005

     (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

     Yes.

2.   Affiliations with Obligor.

     If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
     affiliation.

     None.

16.  List of Exhibits.

     Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are
     incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 
     7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act") and 17 C.F.R.
     229.10(d).

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 
          33-44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 29th day of May, 1998.

                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                       By: /s/ MARY JANE SCHMALZEL
                                           ---------------------------------
                                           Name:  MARY JANE SCHMALZEL
                                           Title: VICE PRESIDENT

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

 
                                                                       Exhibit 7
                                                                       ---------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Consolidated Report of Condition of
                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
                    And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
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.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                     in Thousands
<S>                                       <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
   currency and coin....................     $ 5,742,986
  Interest-bearing balances.............       1,342,769
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities...........       1,099,736
  Available-for-sale securities.........       3,882,686
Federal funds sold and Securities pur-
  chased under agreements to resell.....       2,568,530
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income .................35,019,608
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ..............627,350
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..........................0
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve            34,392,258
Assets held in trading accounts.........       2,521,451
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)...................         659,209
Other real estate owned.................          11,992
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies.............................         226,263
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding...............       1,187,449
Intangible assets.......................         781,684
Other assets............................       1,736,574
                                             -----------
Total assets............................     $56,153,587
                                             ===========
 
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices...................     $27,031,362
  Noninterest-bearing ......11,899,507
  Interest-bearing .........15,131,855
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs......      13,794,449
  Noninterest-bearing .........590,999
  Interest-bearing .........13,203,450
Federal funds purchased and Securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase.         2,338,881
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury..............................         173,851
Trading liabilities.....................       1,695,216
Other borrowed money:
  With remaining maturity of one year
    or less.............................       1,905,330
  With remaining maturity of more than
    one year through three years........               0
  With remaining maturity of more than
    three years.........................          25,664
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding.................       1,195,923
Subordinated notes and debentures.......       1,012,940
Other liabilities.......................       2,018,960
                                             -----------
Total liabilities.......................      51,192,576
                                             -----------
 
EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock............................       1,135,284
Surplus.................................         731,319
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves..............................       3,093,726
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities............................          36,866
Cumulative foreign currency transla-
  tion adjustments......................      (   36,184)
                                             -----------
Total equity capital....................       4,961,011
                                             -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital ............................       $56,153,587
                                             ===========
</TABLE>

     I, Robert E. Keilman, 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.
     
                                                               Robert E. Keilman

     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.

     Thomas A. Renyi     )
     Alan R. Griffith    )   Directors
     J. Carter Bacot     )
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                                                  CONFORMED COPY
 
================================================================================

                                   FORM T-1

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                           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)           [_]

                            ----------------------

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

New York                                              13-5160382
(State of incorporation                               (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                          identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                        10286
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip code)

                             ----------------------

                              CNB CAPITAL TRUST I
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Delaware                                              Applied For
(State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                        identification no.)

20 N.W. Third Street
Evansville, Indiana                                   47739
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip code)

                             ---------------------- 

                    Convertible Trust Preferred Securities
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   General information.  Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

     (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
          it is subject.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Name                              Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of   2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                  N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y. 
                                               12203
 
     Federal Reserve Bank of New York          33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                               N.Y.  10045
 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation     Washington, D.C.  20429
 
     New York Clearing House Association       New York, New York  10005

     (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
     
     Yes.

2.   Affiliations with Obligor.

     If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
     affiliation.

     None.

16.  List of Exhibits.

     Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are
     incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 
     7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act") and 17 C.F.R.
     229.10(d).

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 
          33-44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 29th day of May, 1998.

                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                       By: /s/    MARY JANE SCHMALZEL
                                           ----------------------------
                                           Name:  MARY JANE SCHMALZEL
                                           Title: Vice President

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 

                                                                       Exhibit 7
                                                                       ---------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Consolidated Report of Condition of
                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
                    And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
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.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                     in Thousands
<S>                                       <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
   currency and coin....................     $ 5,742,986
  Interest-bearing balances.............       1,342,769
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities...........       1,099,736
  Available-for-sale securities.........       3,882,686
Federal funds sold and Securities pur-
  chased under agreements to resell.....       2,568,530
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income .................35,019,608
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ..............627,350
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..........................0
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve            34,392,258
Assets held in trading accounts.........       2,521,451
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)...................         659,209
Other real estate owned.................          11,992
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies.............................         226,263
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding...............       1,187,449
Intangible assets.......................         781,684
Other assets............................       1,736,574
                                             -----------
Total assets............................     $56,153,587
                                             ===========
 
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices...................     $27,031,362
  Noninterest-bearing ......11,899,507
  Interest-bearing .........15,131,855
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs......      13,794,449
  Noninterest-bearing .........590,999
  Interest-bearing .........13,203,450
Federal funds purchased and Securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase.         2,338,881
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury..............................         173,851
Trading liabilities.....................       1,695,216
Other borrowed money:
  With remaining maturity of one year
    or less.............................       1,905,330
  With remaining maturity of more than
    one year through three years........               0
  With remaining maturity of more than
    three years.........................          25,664
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding.................       1,195,923
Subordinated notes and debentures.......       1,012,940
Other liabilities.......................       2,018,960
                                             -----------
Total liabilities.......................      51,192,576
                                             -----------
 
EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock............................       1,135,284
Surplus.................................         731,319
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves..............................       3,093,726
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities............................          36,866
Cumulative foreign currency transla-
  tion adjustments......................      (   36,184)
                                             -----------
Total equity capital....................       4,961,011
                                             -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital ............................       $56,153,587
                                             ===========
</TABLE>

     I, Robert E. Keilman, 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.
     
                                                               Robert E. Keilman

     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.

     Thomas A. Renyi     )
     Alan R. Griffith    )   Directors
     J. Carter Bacot     )
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>
 
                                                                  CONFORMED COPY


================================================================================

                                   FORM T-1
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                           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)           [_] 

                            ----------------------

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

New York                                                     13-5160382
(State of incorporation                                      (I.R.S. employer
if not a U.S. national bank)                                 identification no.)

48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                               10286
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip code)

                            ----------------------


                             CNB BANCSHARES, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

Indiana                                                      35-1568731
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                               identification no.)

20 N.W. Third Street
Evansville, Indiana                                          47739
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip code)

                            ----------------------

              Guarantee of Convertible Trust Preferred Securities
                            of CNB Capital Trust I
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
1.   General information.  Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

     (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
          it is subject.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Name                                          Address
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     Superintendent of Banks of the State of    2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                   N.Y. 10006, and Albany, N.Y. 
                                                12203
 
     Federal Reserve Bank of New York           33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                N.Y. 10045
 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation      Washington, D.C. 20429
 
     New York Clearing House Association        New York, New York 10005

     (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

     Yes.

2.   Affiliations with Obligor.

     If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
     affiliation.

     None.

16.  List of Exhibits.

     Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are
     incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 
     7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act") and 17 C.F.R.
     229.10(d).

     1.   A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York
          (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the
          authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise
          corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to
          Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672 and Exhibit 1
          to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637.)

     4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1
          filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
          (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-
          44051.)

     7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
          pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining
          authority.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 29th day of May, 1998.

                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                       By: /s/ MARY JANE SCHMALZEL
                                           -------------------------------
                                           Name:  MARY JANE SCHMALZEL
                                           Title: VICE PRESIDENT

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 

                                                                       Exhibit 7
                                                                       ---------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Consolidated Report of Condition of
                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
                    of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
                    And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
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.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Dollar Amounts
ASSETS                                     in Thousands
<S>                                       <C>
Cash and balances due from depos-
  itory institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
   currency and coin....................     $ 5,742,986
  Interest-bearing balances.............       1,342,769
Securities:
  Held-to-maturity securities...........       1,099,736
  Available-for-sale securities.........       3,882,686
Federal funds sold and Securities pur-
  chased under agreements to resell.....       2,568,530
Loans and lease financing
  receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income .................35,019,608
  LESS: Allowance for loan and
    lease losses ..............627,350
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk
    reserve..........................0
  Loans and leases, net of unearned
    income, allowance, and reserve            34,392,258
Assets held in trading accounts.........       2,521,451
Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)...................         659,209
Other real estate owned.................          11,992
Investments in unconsolidated
  subsidiaries and associated
  companies.............................         226,263
Customers' liability to this bank on
  acceptances outstanding...............       1,187,449
Intangible assets.......................         781,684
Other assets............................       1,736,574
                                             -----------
Total assets............................     $56,153,587
                                             ===========
 
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices...................     $27,031,362
  Noninterest-bearing ......11,899,507
  Interest-bearing .........15,131,855
  In foreign offices, Edge and
  Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs......      13,794,449
  Noninterest-bearing .........590,999
  Interest-bearing .........13,203,450
Federal funds purchased and Securities
  sold under agreements to repurchase.         2,338,881
Demand notes issued to the U.S.
  Treasury..............................         173,851
Trading liabilities.....................       1,695,216
Other borrowed money:
  With remaining maturity of one year
    or less.............................       1,905,330
  With remaining maturity of more than
    one year through three years........               0
  With remaining maturity of more than
    three years.........................          25,664
Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
  cuted and outstanding.................       1,195,923
Subordinated notes and debentures.......       1,012,940
Other liabilities.......................       2,018,960
                                             -----------
Total liabilities.......................      51,192,576
                                             -----------
 
EQUITY CAPITAL
Common stock............................       1,135,284
Surplus.................................         731,319
Undivided profits and capital
  reserves..............................       3,093,726
Net unrealized holding gains
  (losses) on available-for-sale
  securities............................          36,866
Cumulative foreign currency transla-
  tion adjustments......................      (   36,184)
                                             -----------
Total equity capital....................       4,961,011
                                             -----------
Total liabilities and equity
  capital ............................       $56,153,587
                                             ===========
</TABLE>

     I, Robert E. Keilman, 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.
     
                                                               Robert E. Keilman

     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.

     Thomas A. Renyi     )
     Alan R. Griffith    )   Directors
     J. Carter Bacot     )
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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