<PAGE> 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/X/ Preliminary Proxy Statement / / CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION
ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
</TABLE>
OHIO CASUALTY CORPORATION
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
OHIO CASUALTY CORPORATION
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
OHIO CASUALTY CORPORATION
136 NORTH THIRD STREET
HAMILTON, OHIO 45025
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
OF
SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 17, 1996
Hamilton, Ohio
March 8, 1996
To the Shareholders:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of
Ohio Casualty Corporation (the "Company") will be held in the meeting rooms of
The Hamiltonian Hotel, One Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, on
Wednesday, April 17, 1996, at 10:30 a.m., local time, for the following
purposes:
(1) To elect the following four Directors for terms expiring in
1999 (Class III), as successors to the class of Directors
whose terms expire in 1996: Arthur J. Bennert, Catherine
E. Dolan, Jeffery D. Lowe and Lauren N. Patch.
(2) To approve the proposal to amend Article Fourth of the
Company's Amended Articles of Incorporation to increase the
authorized number of common shares, $.125 par value, of
the Company from 70,000,000 to 150,000,000 common shares.
(3) To consider and act upon, in their discretion, such other
matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or
any adjournment thereof.
Holders of record of common shares of the Company as of the
close of business on March 1, 1996 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting and at any adjournment thereof. As of March 1, 1996, there were
35,402,446 common shares outstanding. Each common share is entitled to one
vote on all matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Howard L. Sloneker III, Secretary
EVERY SHAREHOLDER'S VOTE IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO BE PRESENT AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED
PROXY SO THAT YOUR COMMON SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED. A POSTAGE PAID,
ADDRESSED ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.
<PAGE> 3
OHIO CASUALTY CORPORATION
136 North Third Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45025
PROXY STATEMENT
---------------
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Approximate Date to Mail -- March 8, 1996
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ohio Casualty
Corporation (the "Company"), a proxy is solicited from you to be used at the
Company's 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") scheduled
for Wednesday, April 17, 1996 at 10:30 a.m., local time, in the meeting rooms
of The Hamiltonian Hotel, One Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, or at any
adjournment thereof.
Proxies in the form enclosed herewith are being solicited on
behalf of the Company's Board of Directors. The common shares represented by
proxies which are properly executed and returned will be voted at the Annual
Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, as directed. Common shares represented by
proxies properly executed and returned which indicate no direction will be
voted in favor of the nominees of the Board of Directors identified in the
notice of meeting accompanying this Proxy Statement and for the adoption of the
proposed amendment to Article Fourth of the Company's Amended Articles of
Incorporation. Any shareholder giving the enclosed proxy has the power to
revoke the same prior to its exercise by filing with the Secretary of the
Company a written revocation or duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by
giving notice of revocation in open meeting. ATTENDANCE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
WILL NOT, IN AND OF ITSELF, CONSTITUTE REVOCATION OF A PROXY.
VOTING AT ANNUAL MEETING
As of March 1, 1996, the record date fixed for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting, there were outstanding 35,402,446 common shares, which is the only
outstanding class of capital stock of the Company. Each such common share is
entitled to one vote on all matters properly coming before the Annual Meeting.
A quorum for the Annual Meeting is a majority of the
outstanding common shares. Common shares represented by signed proxies that are
returned to the Company will be counted toward the quorum in all matters even
though they are marked "Abstain", "Against" or
<PAGE> 4
"Withhold Authority" on one or more or all matters or they are not marked at
all. Broker/dealers who hold their customers' common shares in street name
may, under the applicable rules of the self-regulatory organizations of which
the broker/dealers are members, sign and submit proxies for such common shares
and may vote such common shares on routine matters, which, under such rules,
typically include the election of directors, but broker/dealers may not vote
such common shares on other matters, which typically include amendments to the
articles of incorporation of a corporation and the approval of certain stock
compensation plans, without specific instructions from the customer who owns
such common shares. Proxies signed and submitted by broker/dealers which have
not been voted on certain matters as described in the previous sentence are
referred to as broker non-votes. Such proxies count toward the establishment
of a quorum. THE EFFECT OF AN ABSTENTION OR BROKER NON-VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL TO
AMEND ARTICLE FOURTH OF THE COMPANY'S AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION IS THE
SAME AS A "NO" VOTE.
-2-
<PAGE> 5
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The table below identifies the only persons known to the
Company to own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) more than 5% of the Company's outstanding
common shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common
Shares Percent
Name and Address Beneficially of Common
of Beneficial Owner Owned Shares Date
- ------------------- ------------ ---------- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF 3,519,696(1) 9.94% 02-05-96
SOUTHWESTERN OHIO
Third and High Streets
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, 2,667,200(2) 7.54% 12-31-95
N.A., Trustee
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
THE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. 2,556,500(3) 7.23% 02-08-96
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
JOSEPH L. MARCUM 2,246,716(4) 6.35%(4) 03-01-96
136 North Third Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45025
<FN>
____________________
(1) Based upon information provided to the Company by First National Bank
of Southwestern Ohio (the "Bank"). The Bank holds the reported shares
as trustee under various trust agreements and arrangements. The Bank
has advised the Company that it has sole voting power for 3,253,287
shares, shared voting power for 0 shares, sole investment power for
1,417,646 shares, and shared investment power for 1,649,488 shares.
449,272 shares are held under trust arrangements for certain directors
of the Company, and their respective spouses, which shares are
also reported in the following table showing share ownership of
directors and executive officers of the Company.
(2) 1,824,968 shares are held as trustee for the Company's Employee
Savings Plan and 842,232 shares are held as trustee for the Company's
Employees Retirement Plan. Voting power with respect to shares held
in the Employee Savings Plan is exercised by the plan participants;
investment power with respect to these shares is held by plan
participants subject to limitations in the Plan. Voting and
investment power with respect to shares held in the Employees
Retirement Plan is exercised by the committee which administers the
Employees Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Committee"). The
Retirement Committee consists of Joseph L. Marcum, Lauren N. Patch
and Barry S. Porter.
</TABLE>
-3-
<PAGE> 6
(3) Based upon information contained in a Schedule 13G dated February 8,
1996, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by The
Capital Group, Inc. The Capital Group, Inc. reported sole
voting power for 0 shares, shared voting power for 0 shares and sole
investment power for 2,556,500 shares as of December 29, 1995.
(4) See share ownership information for Mr. Marcum in the following table.
SHAREHOLDINGS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AND NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR
As of March 1, 1996, the directors of the Company, including the four
persons intended by the Board of Directors to be nominated for election as
directors, the executive officers of the Company named in the Summary
Compensation Table and all executive officers and directors of the Company as a
group beneficially owned common shares of the Company as set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shared
Number of Investment/Voting
Common Shares Options Power Over Employees Percent of
Name of Individual Beneficially Exercisable Retirement Class
or Group Owned (1) Within 60 Days Plan Shares(2) Total (3)
-------- --------- -------------- -------------- ----- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Arthur J. Bennert 19,178 3,000 22,178
Jack E. Brown 1,100 3,000 4,100
Catherine E. Dolan 100 3,000 3,100
Wayne Embry 200 6,000 6,200
Vaden Fitton 235,680(4) 3,000 238,680
Jeffery D. Lowe 152,631(4)(7) 0 152,631
Joseph L. Marcum 1,401,484(4)(5)
(6) 3,000 842,232(1) 2,246,716 6.35
Stephen S. Marcum 278,050(4)(6) 6,000 284,050
Lauren N. Patch 204,052(4)(7) 3,500 842,232(1) 1,049,784 2.97
Stanley N. Pontius 1,070 6,000 7,070
Howard L. Sloneker, III 191,180(7) 3,500 194,680
William L. Woodall 23,484 6,000 29,484
Andrew T. Fogarty 54,643(4)(7) 3,300 57,943
Jack H. Nelson (8) 9,142(7)(8) 0 9,142
Barry S. Porter 25,394(7) 3,500 842,232(1) 871,126 2.46
----------------
All Executive Officers,
Directors and
Nominees as a Group (31 2,679,725 61,300 842,232 3,771,051 10.65
Persons)
- --------------------------------
</TABLE>
-4-
<PAGE> 7
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each named person has voting and
investment power over the listed shares and such voting and
investment power is exercised solely by the named person or shared
with a spouse.
(2) Includes 842,232 shares held in the Company's Employees Retirement
Plan as to which the named individual shares voting and investment
power solely by reason of being a member of the Retirement Committee
which administers such Plan. See Note (1) of the preceding table.
Messrs. Joseph L. Marcum, Lauren N. Patch and Barry S. Porter disclaim
beneficial ownership of these shares.
(3) Percentages are listed only for those individuals who own in excess of
1% of the outstanding shares.
(4) Includes the following number of shares owned by family members as to
which beneficial ownership is disclaimed: Mr. Fitton, 116,542 Mr.
Fogarty, 5,468; Mr. Joseph L. Marcum, 620,804; Mr. Lowe,
132,400; Mr. Patch, 169,416; and Mr. Stephen S. Marcum, 84,090.
(5) Excludes 253,852 shares held by Mr. Marcum's wife in her capacity as a
co-trustee of the estate of Howard Sloneker as to which shares Mr.
Marcum has no voting or investment power.
(6) Includes 72,306 shares held as a co-trustee of the Joseph L. and Sarah
S. Marcum Foundation as to which voting and investment power is shared
by Joseph L. and Stephen S. Marcum.
(7) The share ownership for Messrs. Lowe, Patch, Sloneker III, Fogarty,
Nelson and Porter includes 4,605, 4,632, 1967, 15,319, 3,102 and 8,892
and shares, respectively, held for the accounts of these individuals
by the trustee of the Company's Employee Savings Plan. Such persons
have sole voting power with respect to these shares and also hold
investment power subject to limitations in the Plan.
(8) Jack H. Nelson retired from his position as Senior Vice President
on January 1, 1996.
-5-
<PAGE> 8
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors intends that four persons named under
Class III in the following table (the "Nominees") will be nominated for
election at the Annual Meeting for three-year terms expiring in 1999. The
terms of the remaining directors in Classes I and II will continue as indicated
below. It is intended that the common shares represented by the accompanying
proxy will be voted for the election as directors of the Nominees, unless
otherwise instructed on the proxy. In the event that any one or more of the
Nominees unexpectedly becomes unavailable for election, the common shares
represented by the accompanying proxy will be voted in accordance with the best
judgment of the proxy holders for the election of the remaining Nominees and
for the election of any substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board
of Directors.
Under Ohio law and the Company's Regulations, the nominees
receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected as directors. Shares as
to which the authority to vote is withheld will be counted for quorum purposes
but will not be counted toward the election of the individual nominees
specified on the accompanying proxy.
-6-
<PAGE> 9
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Position with Company and/or
Principal Occupation or Employment Director
Name and Age(1) During Last Five Years(2) Since
------------ ---------------------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
NOMINEES:
Class III Nominees For
Term Expiring in
1999:
Arthur J. Bennert, Director of the Company, The Ohio Casualty Insurance Company, 1989
69 West American Insurance Corporation, American Fire and Casualty
Company, Ohio Security Insurance Company and The Ohio Life
Insurance Company; retired as an officer of the Company and
its subsidiaries on January 1, 1992.
Catherine E. Dolan, Managing Director of the Financial Institutions Group, First 1994
38 Union National Bank, Charlotte, North Carolina, since
February 26, 1993; prior thereto, Managing Director of the
Insurance Division, Chase Manhattan Bank, New York.
Jeffery D. Lowe, Vice President and Director of the Company, The Ohio Casualty 1983
50 Insurance Company, West American Insurance Company, American
Fire and Casualty Company, Ohio Security Insurance Company
and OCASCO Budget, Inc.; President and Director of The Ohio
Life Insurance Company; employed by the Company and its
subsidiaries since 1972 in various capacities.
Lauren N. Patch, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the 1987
45 Company, The Ohio Casualty Insurance Company, West American
Insurance Company, American Fire and Casualty Company, Ohio
Security Insurance Company and OCASCO Budget, Inc.; Vice
Chairman and Director of The Ohio Life Insurance Company.
Mr. Patch became Chief Executive Officer of the Company on
January 1, 1994, and President of the Company on January 1,
1991. Mr. Patch has been employed by the Company and its
subsidiaries since 1972 in various capacities.
</TABLE>
-7-
<PAGE> 10
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Position with Company and/or
Principal Occupation or Employment Director
Name and Age(1) During Last Five Years(2) Since
------------ ---------------------- -----
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS
CONTINUE BEYOND THE
ANNUAL MEETING :
Class I -- Term
Expiring in 1997 (3):
<S> <C> <C>
Jack E. Brown, Chairman of Board, BBI Marketing Services, Inc., Cincinnati, 1994
52 Ohio (professional marketing consulting firm).
Vaden Fitton, Director and Retired First Vice President of First National 1967
67 Bank of Southwestern Ohio, Hamilton, Ohio.
Joseph L. Marcum, Chairman of the Board and Director of the Company, The Ohio 1949
72 Casualty Insurance Company, West American Insurance Company,
American Fire and Casualty Company, Ohio Security Insurance
Company, OCASCO Budget, Inc. and The Ohio Life Insurance
Company. Mr. Marcum served as Chief Executive Officer of
the Company and its subsidiaries until December 31, 1993,
and President of the Company and its subsidiaries until
December 31, 1990.
Howard L. Sloneker III, Vice President, Secretary and Director of the Company, The 1983
39 Ohio Casualty Insurance Company, West American Insurance
Company, American Fire and Casualty Company, Ohio Security
Insurance Company and OCASCO Budget, Inc.; Secretary and
Director of The Ohio Life Insurance Company. Mr. Sloneker
has been employed by the Company and its subsidiaries since
1979 in various capacities.
Class II --
Term Expiring in
1998: Executive Vice President and General Manager of the 1991
Cleveland Cavaliers (professional basketball franchise);
Wayne Embry, Chairman of Michael Alan Lewis Company, Cleveland, Ohio
59 (fabricators of materials for the automobile industry).
</TABLE>
-8-
<PAGE> 11
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Position with Company and/or
Principal Occupation or Employment Director
Name and Age(1) During Last Five Years(2) Since
------------ ---------------------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
Stephen S. Marcum, Member of the law firm of Parrish, Beimford, Fryman, Smith & 1989
38 Marcum Co., L.P.A., Hamilton, Ohio; such firm has provided
legal services to the Company and its subsidiaries during
the last fiscal year and continues to do so.
President and Chief Executive Officer of First Financial 1994
Stanley N. Pontius, Bancorp and its principal subsidiary, First National Bank of
49 Southwestern Ohio, Hamilton, Ohio; formerly President and
Chief Executive Officer of Bank One, Mansfield, Ohio.
William L. Woodall, Director of the Company, The Ohio Casualty Insurance 1986
72 Company, West American Insurance Company, American Fire and
Casualty Company, Ohio Security Insurance Company, OCASCO
Budget, Inc. and The Ohio Life Insurance Company; retired
as an officer of the Company and its subsidiaries on December
31, 1990.
</TABLE>
________________________
(1) Ages are listed as of the date of the Annual Meeting.
(2) The Ohio Casualty Insurance Company, Ohio Security Insurance Company,
American Fire and Casualty Company, West American Insurance Company,
OCASCO Budget, Inc. and The Ohio Life Insurance Company are subsidiaries
of the Company.
(3) John P. March, a director whose term of office would have
expired in 1997, retired from the Board of Directors as
of December 31, 1995.
-9-
<PAGE> 12
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Wayne Embry is also a director of M. A. Hanna Company and
Society Corporation; Vaden Fitton, Joseph L. Marcum, Lauren N. Patch and
Stanley N. Pontius are also directors of First Financial Bancorp.
Joseph L. Marcum, the Chairman of the Board of the Company,
retired as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company on December 31, 1993.
Mr. Marcum receives annual benefits from the Company of $142,393 pursuant to
the Company's Employees Retirement Plan. See "Pension Plans."
Stanley N. Pontius, a director of the Company, is the
President and Chief Executive Officer of First Financial Bancorp and its
subsidiary, First National Bank of Southwestern Ohio ("First National").
Catherine E. Dolan, a director of the Company, is a Managing Director of the
Financial Institutions Group of First Union Bank ("First Union"). First
National and First Union are members of a group of nine lending banks that are
parties to a loan agreement with the Company, dated October 25, 1994, pursuant
to which the Company obtained a term loan in the principal amount of
$70,000,000 and secured a line of credit in a maximum principal amount of
$50,000,000. The principal amount of the Company's indebtedness to First
National and First Union as of December 31, 1995 was $4,999,714 and $7,000,080,
respectively.
Jeffery D. Lowe is the son-in-law of Joseph L. Marcum; Lauren
N. Patch and Howard L. Sloneker III are brothers-in-law; and Stephen S. Marcum
is the son of Joseph L. Marcum.
-10-
<PAGE> 13
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
During 1995, the Board of Directors held five meetings. All
of the incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the total number of
meetings of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors has standing Executive, Audit and
Executive Compensation Committees, but does not have a Nominating Committee or
committee performing similar functions.
The Executive Committee held eight meetings during 1995. The
current members of the Executive Committee are Joseph L. Marcum, Lauren N.
Patch, and Howard L. Sloneker III. Messrs. Patch and Sloneker attended all the
meetings while Mr. Marcum attended four of the meetings. The Executive
Committee is empowered to exercise all the powers of the Board of Directors in
the management of the Company between meetings of the Board of Directors, other
than filling vacancies in the Board or any other committee of the Board.
The Audit Committee held two meetings during 1995. The
current members of the Audit Committee are Arthur J. Bennert, Jack E. Brown,
Catherine E. Dolan, Wayne Embry, Vaden Fitton, Joseph L. Marcum, Stephen S.
Marcum, Stanley N. Pontius and William L. Woodall. Each Audit Committee member
attended both of the meetings in 1995. The Audit Committee's primary function
is to meet with the independent auditors for the Company and to review the
Company's internal and independent auditing and financial controls.
The Executive Compensation Committee held one meeting during
1995. The current members of the Executive Compensation Committee are Jack E.
Brown, Vaden Fitton, and Joseph L. Marcum. Each member of the Executive
Compensation Committee who was a member during 1995 attended such meeting. The
Executive Compensation Committee administers the Company stock option plans and
carries out the responsibilities described in the Executive Compensation
Committee Report in this Proxy Statement.
-11-
<PAGE> 14
DIRECTORS FEES AND COMPENSATION
Each director received $25,000 for services as a director of
the Company during 1995. Each non-employee director of the Company or its
subsidiaries received $1,500 per meeting for attending the regular meetings of
the Board of Directors in 1995. Members of the Audit Committee also received
$5,000 each for serving on that committee. In addition, members of the
Executive Compensation Committee received $300 per meeting for each meeting
attended. Joseph L. Marcum was paid an additional $65,000 during 1995 as
compensation for serving as the Chairman of the Board.
On May 23, 1995, Wayne Embry, Stephen S. Marcum, Stanley N.
Pontius and William L. Woodall, each of whom is a non-employee director of the
Company ("Non-Employee Director"), were granted a non-qualified stock option
(an "NQSO") to purchase 3,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price
of $30.50 per share, the closing market price of the common shares on the date
of grant. Any individual who becomes or is re-elected a Non-Employee Director
is automatically granted an NQSO to purchase 3,000 common shares effective on
the third business day following the first meeting of the Board of Directors
after his/her election or appointment to the Board. The exercise price of each
NQSO granted to a Non-Employee Director is equal to the fair market value of
the common shares on the date of grant. NQSOs granted to Non-Employee
Directors have terms of ten years and may not be exercised during the six
months following their date of grant.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table provides information concerning
compensation paid to each of the Company's five most highly compensated
executive officers for each of the Company's last three completed fiscal years:
-12-
<PAGE> 15
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
--------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual
Compensation
------------
Name and Principal Salary All Other Compensation
Position Year ($)(1) ($)(2)
------------------ ---- ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Lauren N. Patch, 1995 474,231 13,477
President and Chief 1994 374,616 10,489
Executive Officer 1993 324,808 9,043
Barry S. Porter, 1995 233,208 6,996
Chief Financial 1994 211,285 6,339
Officer and Treasurer 1993 186,688 5,580
Andrew T. Fogarty, 1995 231,300 6,939
Senior Vice 1994 220,838 6,625
President 1993 206,700 6,201
Jeffery D. Lowe, 1995 231,012 3,090
Vice 1994 227,781 4,699
President 1993 215,006 4,454
Jack H. Nelson, 1995 215,040 6,667
Senior Vice 1994 169,218 5,062
President 1993 156,600 4,698
____________________
<FN>
(1) Includes annual directors' fees for Messrs. Patch and Lowe. See
"DIRECTORS FEES AND COMPENSATION."
(2) Includes for Messrs. Patch, Porter, Fogarty, Lowe and Nelson for 1995
the amounts of $4,500, $4,500, $4,500, $3,090 and $4,500, respectively,
contributed by the Company under the Company's Employee Savings Plan.
Also includes for Messrs. Patch, Porter, Fogarty and Nelson for 1995
the amounts of $8,977, $2,439, $2,496 and $2,167, respectively,
contributed by the Company under the Company's Supplemental Executive
Savings Plan, a non-qualified Plan.
</TABLE>
Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
-------------------------------------
No stock options or stock appreciation rights ("SARs") were
granted by the Company during the last fiscal year to any of the executive
officers of the Company named in the Summary Compensation Table.
-13-
<PAGE> 16
Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
----------------------------------------
The following table sets forth information concerning the
exercise of stock options and SARs during the last fiscal year by each of the
executive officers of the Company named in the Summary Compensation Table and
the fiscal year-end value of unexercised stock options and SARs held by such
executive officers:
<TABLE>
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in
Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option/SAR Values
------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
Value of
Number of Number of Shares Unexercised
Shares Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money
Acquired on Options/SARs Options/SARs
Exercise (#) Value at Fiscal Year-End(#) at Fiscal Year-End($)(1)
------------------------- -------------------------
Name Realized($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lauren N. 0 0 3,500 0 37,188 0
Patch
Barry S. 500 9,563 3,500 0 37,188 0
Porter
Andrew T. 0 0 3,300 0 35,063 0
Fogarty
Jeffery D. 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lowe
Jack H. 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nelson
</TABLE>
-14-
<PAGE> 17
- -------------------------------
(1) "Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options/SARs at Fiscal Year-End" is
based upon the fair market of the Company's common shares on December
29, 1995 ($38.75), less the exercise price of in-the-money
options and SARs at the end of the last fiscal year.
Pension Plans
-------------
The following table sets forth the estimated annual benefits
payable under the Employees Retirement Plan and the Ohio Casualty Insurance
Company Benefit Equalization Plan (the "Benefit Equalization Plan") to
participants in such plans, including the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table, upon retirement in specified compensation and years
of service classifications:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PENSION PLANS TABLE
Estimated Annual Benefits
For Years of Service Indicated
------------------------------
15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Annual Earnings Years Years Years Years Years Years Years
- --------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$125,000 $ 28,177 $ 37,569 $ 46,961 $ 56,353 $ 65,745 $ 75,138 $ 84,530
175,000 40,177 53,569 66,961 80,353 93,745 107,138 120,530
225,000 52,177 69,569 86,961 104,353 121,745 139,138 156,530
275,000 64,177 85,569 106,961 128,353 149,745 171,138 192,530
325,000 76,177 101,569 126,961 152,353 177,745 203,138 228,530
375,000 88,177 117,569 146,961 176,353 205,745 235,138 264,530
400,000 94,177 125,569 156,961 188,353 219,745 251,138 282,530
425,000 100,177 133,569 166,961 200,353 233,745 267,138 300,530
450,000 106,177 141,569 176,961 212,353 247,745 283,138 318,530
475,000 112,177 149,569 186,961 224,353 261,745 299,138 336,530
500,000 118,177 157,569 196,961 236,353 275,745 315,138 354,530
525,000 124,177 165,569 206,961 248,353 289,745 331,138 372,530
550,000 130,177 173,569 216,961 260,353 303,745 347,138 390,530
600,000 142,177 189,569 236,961 284,353 331,745 379,138 426,530
</TABLE>
Retirement benefits under the Company's Employees Retirement
Plan, a defined benefit plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), are generally payable to
full-time and regular part-time salaried employees whose participation in the
plan has vested (currently requiring the completion of five years of service)
upon retirement at age 65 or in reduced amounts upon retirement prior to age 65
if the participant has ten years of vested service. A retiree's benefit amount
is based upon his or her credited years of service and average annual
compensation (salary) for the five
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<PAGE> 18
consecutive years of highest salary during the last ten years of service
immediately prior to age 65 or, if greater, the average annual compensation
paid during the 60 consecutive month period immediately preceding retirement or
other termination of employment. Such retirement benefits are reduced by a
portion of the retiree's Social Security-covered compensation. Benefits
figures shown in the table above are computed on the assumption that
participants retire at age 65 and are entitled to a single life annuity.
Section 401(a)(17) of the Code prohibits compensation in
excess of $150,000 from being taken into account in determining benefits
payable under a qualified pension plan. As a result, the Benefit Equalization
Plan was adopted for those employees who are adversely affected by these
provisions of the Code. The Benefit Equalization Plan provides for payment of
benefits that would have been payable under the Employees Retirement Plan but
for the limitation on compensation imposed by the Code. Upon retirement,
participants receive the actuarial equivalent present value of the benefit
payable under the Benefit Equalization Plan in a lump sum.
At December 31, 1995, credited years of service and average
annual earnings under the Employees Retirement Plan and the Benefit
Equalization Plan for the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation
Table were: Lauren N. Patch, 19.5 years ($305,888); Barry S. Porter, 21.5
years ($192,183); Andrew T. Fogarty, 23.5 years ($208,731); Jeffery D. Lowe,
20.5 years ($184,035); and Jack H. Nelson, 36 years ($164,037). The
compensation covered by the Employees Retirement Plan and the Benefit
Equalization Plan is the amount shown in the Summary Compensation Table as
salary, less any directors' fees.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
(the "Committee") is comprised entirely of non-employee directors. The current
members of the Committee are Messrs. Brown, Fitton, and Marcum. John P. March
served as a member of the Committee until his retirement from the Company's
Board of Directors on December 31, 1995.
The Committee is responsible for establishing the
compensation for Mr. Patch, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer.
The cash compensation of the Company's other executive officers is determined by
the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The decisions by the Committee and the
Chief Executive Officer relating to the
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<PAGE> 19
compensation of the Company's executive officers are given final approval by
the full Board. During 1995, no compensation decisions of the Committee or the
Chief Executive Officer were modified or rejected in any material way by the
full Board.
COMPENSATION POLICIES TOWARD EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In establishing the cash compensation of the Company's
executive officers, both the Committee and the Chief Executive Officer have
sought to create a compensation program that rewards individual contributions
and achievements and that is adequate to attract and retain executives. In
setting the compensation of its executive officers, including the Chief
Executive Officer, the Company does not apply a formula approach that links
cash compensation to corporate performance nor does it utilize any formal
survey or other compilation of empirical data of the executive compensation
paid by other companies. Instead, executive compensation is determined based
upon a highly subjective evaluation of a number of factors, including
individual performance, contributions and experience; the Company's financial
performance as compared with prior years; and general economic conditions.
None of these factors is assigned any specific weighting. The evaluation of
Company financial performance is also subjective and does not focus on any
specific measure, nor is it based on the achievement of any predetermined
performance targets.
Although neither the Committee nor the Chief Executive Officer
has relied upon empirical data in making executive compensation decisions, they
are generally familiar with the compensation levels of other companies in the
insurance industry with which the Company competes for executive talent. The
Committee and the Chief Executive Officer believe that the Company's
compensation program has, historically, been adequate to enable the Company to
attract and retain outstanding executives.
1995 CASH COMPENSATION
The cash compensation paid in 1995 to Mr. Patch was approved
by the Committee in late 1994. The compensation of Mr. Patch was increased
effective January 1, 1995, from $350,000 to $450,000. The decision by the
Committee to increase Mr. Patch's compensation was based on a subjective
evaluation of Mr. Patch's performance and contributions in 1994 in the manner
described above and a general perception by the Committee that Mr. Patch's
compensation is low in comparison to the compensation paid to chief executive
officers of insurance companies of similar size to the Company. The
Committee's conclusion that Mr. Patch's compensation
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<PAGE> 20
was low on a relative basis was not based on any empirical data or a comparison
to any specific company or companies. No attempt was made by the Committee to
link Mr. Patch's salary directly to the accomplishment of any specific measure
of the Company performance, but general performance of the Company was part of
the total mix of information taken into account by the Committee.
The 1995 cash compensation levels of the Company's executive
officers (other than its President) were initially determined by the Company's
Chief Executive Officer. The Board delegated this responsibility to the Chief
Executive Officer because of his substantially greater knowledge of the
contributions and performance of each of these officers. The increases in
salaries received by these executive officers in 1995, totaling approximately
8.53%, were determined by the Chief Executive Officer based upon a subjective
evaluation of the individual responsibilities and contributions of each of
these individuals.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
The Committee believes that stock-based performance
compensation arrangements are important in providing incentive to members of
the Company's management. Awards of stock options and stock appreciation
rights are designed to accomplish this goal and to assist in the retention of
executives. Because substantial option grants were made to the executive
officers in 1992, the Committee decided not to make additional awards in 1993,
1994 and 1995.
SUBMITTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VADEN FITTON JOHN P. MARCH* JOSEPH L. MARCUM
AND BY THE COMPANY'S PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LAUREN N. PATCH
* Mr. March served as a member of the Committee through December 31, 1995.
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<PAGE> 21
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS
AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The directors of the Company who served as members of the
Company's Executive Compensation Committee during 1995 were Vaden Fitton, John
P. March and Joseph L. Marcum. Joseph L. Marcum, is the Chairman of the
Board of Directors and former President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. Mr. Marcum and Mr. Fitton also served as members of the Executive
Compensation Committee of First Financial Bancorp, whose Chief Executive
Officer, Stanley N. Pontius, is a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company.
As indicated in the Executive Compensation Committee Report
on Executive Compensation, Lauren N. Patch, the Company's President and Chief
Executive Officer, participates in decision-making regarding the
compensation of certain executive officers named in the Summary Compensation
Table. Mr. Patch is not a member of the Executive Compensation Committee.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total
shareholder return, including reinvested dividends, of the Company with
the Dow Jones Equity Market Index and the Dow Jones Insurance Index for
Property and Casualty Companies(1):
[SEE ATTACHED]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DJ EQUITY MARKET INDEX 100.00 132.44 143.83 158.14 159.36 220.51
DJ INSURANCE P & C(1) 100.00 124.42 151.50 152.75 160.63 226.93
OHIO CASUALTY CORPORATION 100.00 127.42 169.95 179.74 167.35 240.02
</TABLE>
-19-
<PAGE> 22
(1) The Dow Jones Insurance Index for Property and Casualty Companies (13
companies, including the Company) that are traditionally considered as a
peer group of property and casualty insurance companies within the
United States. The companies making up the Index are American
International; Chubb Corp.; Cincinnati Financial; Continental Corp.;
GEICO Corp.; General RE Corp.; Hartford Steam Boiler Co.; Loews Corp.;
Ohio Casualty Corporation; Progressive Corp.; Safeco Corp.; St. Paul
Co.'s; and USF&G Corp.
-20-
<PAGE> 23
PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED NUMBER
OF COMMON SHARES
(Item 2 on Proxy)
The Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Company presently
authorize 72,000,000 shares, of which 70,000,000 are common shares, $.125 par
value, and 2,000,000 are Preferred Shares, without par value. The Company's
Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution proposing and declaring it
advisable that Article FOURTH of the Company's Amended Articles of
Incorporation (the "Articles") be amended in order to increase the authorized
number of shares of the Company to 152,000,000 shares, of which 150,000,000
will be common shares, $.125 par value ("Common Shares"), and 2,000,000 will be
Preferred Shares, without par value, and recommending to the shareholders of
the Company the approval of the proposed amendment. Thus, the only class of
shares which will be increased in authorized number will be the Common Shares.
Of the Company's presently authorized 70,000,000 Common Shares, as of December
31, 1995, 35,396,127 shares were outstanding, an aggregate of 1,242,500 shares
were reserved for issuance under the Company's existing stock option plan and
18,319,313 shares were reserved for issuance under the Rights Agreement dated
as of December 15, 1989, as amended (the "Rights Agreement"), between the
Company and First Chicago Company of New York, as Rights Agent.
The Board of Directors believes that it is desirable and in
the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to increase the number
of Common Shares that the Company is authorized to issue in order to ensure
that the Company will have a sufficient number of authorized Common Shares
available in the future to provide it with the desired flexibility to meet its
business needs. If this proposal is approved by the shareholders, the
additional Common Shares will be available for a variety of corporate purposes,
including, for example, the declaration and payment of share dividends to the
Company's shareholders; share splits; use in the financing of expansion or
future acquisitions; issuance pursuant to the terms of employee benefit plans;
and use in other possible further transactions of a currently undetermined
nature.
If the proposed amendment is adopted, the Company would be
permitted to issue the additional authorized Common Shares without further
shareholder approval, except to the extent otherwise required by the Articles,
by law or by any securities exchange on which the Common Shares may be listed
at the time. The authorization of additional Common Shares will enable the
Company, as the need may arise, to take timely advantage of market conditions
and the availability of favorable opportunities without
-21-
<PAGE> 24
the delay and expense associated with the holding of a special meeting of its
shareholders. It is the belief of the Board of Directors that the delay
necessary for shareholder approval of a specific issuance could be detrimental
to the Company and its shareholders. The Board of Directors does not intend to
issue any Common Shares except on terms which the Board deems to be in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders. Existing shareholders of the
Company will have no pre-emptive rights to purchase any Common Shares issued in
the future. Depending on the terms thereof, the issuance of the Common Shares
may or may not have a dilutive effect on the Company's then-existing
shareholders. Other than the Common Shares which may be acquired pursuant to
the Company's existing stock option plan or the Rights Agreement, the Company
presently has no plans, agreements or understandings to issue any of the newly
authorized Common Shares.
Although the Company has no such present intentions, the
proposed increase in the authorized and unissued Common Shares might be
considered as having the effect of discouraging an attempt by another person or
entity, through the acquisition of a substantial number of Common Shares, to
acquire control of the Company with a view to imposing a merger, sale of all or
any part of its assets or a similar transaction without prior approval of the
Company's Board of Directors, since the issuance of new Common Shares, in a
public or private sale, merger or similar transaction could be used to dilute
the share ownership of a person or entity seeking to obtain control of the
Company. Furthermore, since the Company's Regulations require that the removal
of a director be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all of the outstanding
voting shares of the Company, the Board could (within the limits imposed by
Ohio law) issue new Common Shares to purchasers who, together with other
shareholders of the Company, might block such an 80% vote.
As of March 1, 1996, the Company's executive officers and
directors held Common Shares entitling them to exercise approximately 10.65% of
the Company's voting power.
The Company's Articles and Regulations contain other provisions that
may have anti-takeover effects. The Articles provide, among other things, for
(i) the approval of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding Common
Shares to authorize certain business combinations involving the Company and a
holder of 20% or more of the voting power of the Company or any affiliate or
associate of such a holder, unless a "minimum price per share" (as defined in
the Articles) is paid to all shareholders and certain other conditions are
satisfied; (ii) the approval of the holders of two-thirds of the voting power
of the Company (including any outstanding Preferred Shares) to authorize any
change in the Articles or Regulations or to approve certain significant
corporate
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<PAGE> 25
transactions, unless the matter has been approved by a vote of two-thirds of
the Directors; and (iii) the elimination of cumulative voting in the election
of directors. In addition, the Regulations of the Company provide, among other
things, for (i) a classified Board of Directors divided into three classes;
(ii) an 80% shareholder vote to remove directors; (iii) special requirements to
nominate directors; and (iv) the approval of the holders of at least 50% of the
voting power of the Company to call a special meeting of shareholders. The
availability of the Preferred Shares might also be considered as having the
effect of discouraging an attempt by another person or entity, through the
acquisition of a substantial number of the Company's Common Shares, to acquire
control of the Company with a view to effecting a merger, sale of the Company's
assets or similar transaction, since the issuance of Preferred Shares could be
used to dilute the share ownership or voting rights of a person or entity
seeking to obtain control of the Company. Additionally, certain companies have
issued, as a dividend to holders of their Common Shares, preferred shares
having terms designed to discourage third parties from acquiring control of
such companies, and the Preferred Shares would be available for such purpose.
The Company also has adopted the Rights Agreement, pursuant to
which the Company's common shareholders hold rights to purchase in certain
cases additional Common Shares at a price of $75.00 per share. Each
outstanding Common Share is accompanied by one-half of a purchase right. Under
certain circumstances, including the acquisition by a person of 20% or more of
the Company's outstanding Common Shares (without the prior approval of the
directors of the Company), all rights holders, except the acquiror, may
purchase Common Shares of the Company having a value of twice the exercise
price of the rights, subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement.
If the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination after the
acquisition of 20% of the Company's outstanding Common Shares (without prior
Board approval), in certain cases rights holders may purchase the acquiror's
shares at a similar discount.
The Company is not aware of any efforts to obtain control of
the Company or to effect substantial accumulations of its shares. The Company
does not presently intend to submit to its shareholders for their approval
other proposals that may be considered to have an anti-takeover effect.
THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARES ENTITLING
THEM TO EXERCISE AT LEAST A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST IS
REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE FOURTH OF THE COMPANY'S
ARTICLES. If the amendment is approved, it will become effective upon the
filing of a Certificate of Amendment to the Company's Articles with the Ohio
Secretary of
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<PAGE> 26
State, which is expected to be accomplished as promptly as practicable after
such approval is obtained.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE FOURTH OF THE
COMPANY'S ARTICLES. UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED, THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY WILL VOTE THE COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY ALL PROXIES RECEIVED
PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING, AND NOT PROPERLY REVOKED, IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE FOURTH.
-24-
<PAGE> 27
ANNUAL REPORT
The Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995 accompanies this Proxy Statement.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand has served for many
years as independent public accountants for the Company and its subsidiaries,
and Coopers & Lybrand will continue to serve as independent public accountants
for 1996. Management expects that representatives of that firm will be present
at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they
desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Company's financial statements for the last fiscal year
were examined by Coopers & Lybrand. In connection with the audit function,
Coopers & Lybrand also reviewed the Company's annual and quarterly reports and
reviewed its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
If an eligible shareholder wishes to present a proposal for
action at the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company, it must be
received by the Company not later than November 10, 1996 for inclusion in the
Company's Proxy Statement and form of Proxy relating to that meeting. An
eligible shareholder may present no more than one proposal of not more than
five hundred (500) words, including supporting statements, for inclusion in the
Company's proxy materials for the next annual meeting. Proposals shall be sent
to Ohio Casualty Corporation, Attention: Howard L. Sloneker III, Secretary,
136 North Third Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45025.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires
the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent
of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). Officers, directors and greater than ten percent
shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies
of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 they file.
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<PAGE> 28
Based on the Company's review of the copies of such forms it
has received, the Company believes that all its officers, directors, and
greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied with all filing
requirements applicable to them with respect to transactions during fiscal
1995, except that Mr. Jack E. Brown, one of the directors did not file a Form 4
for a stock purchase he executed during 1995. However, Mr. Brown reported the
transaction on SEC Form 5 filed on February 13, 1996.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company files annually with the Securities and Exchange
Commission an Annual Report on Form 10-K. This report includes financial
statements and financial statement schedules.
A SHAREHOLDER OF THE COMPANY MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF THE ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT
SCHEDULES, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, WITHOUT CHARGE BY
SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
OHIO CASUALTY CORPORATION
Attention: Barry S. Porter
Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
136 North Third Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45025
Management and the Board of Directors of the Company know of
no business to be brought before the Annual Meeting other than as set forth in
this Proxy Statement. However, if any matters other than those referred to in
this Proxy Statement should properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the common shares
represented by such proxy on such matters in accordance with their best
judgment.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The expense of proxy solicitation will be borne by the
Company. Proxies will be solicited by mail and may be solicited, for no
additional compensation, by officers, directors or employees of the Company or
its subsidiaries, by telephone, telegraph or in person. Brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries may be requested to forward
soliciting material to the beneficial owners of common shares of the Company,
and will be
-26-
<PAGE> 29
reimbursed for their related expenses. In addition, the Company has retained
Morrow & Co., Inc., a professional soliciting organization, to assist in
soliciting proxies from brokerage houses, custodians and nominees. The fees
and expenses of that firm in connection with such solicitation are not expected
to exceed $15,000.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Howard L. Sloneker III, Secretary
March 8, 1996
02/23/96 = 0039545.01
-27-
<PAGE> 30
OHIO CASUALTY CORPORATION
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS APRIL 17, 1996
Each undersigned shareholder of Ohio Casualty Corporation (the
"Company") hereby constitutes and appoints Joseph L. Marcum and Lauren N.
Patch, or either one of them, with full power of substitution in each of them,
the proxy or proxies of the undersigned to vote at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of the Company to be held in the meeting
rooms of the Hamiltonian Hotel, One Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton, Ohio on
Wednesday, April 17, 1996, at 10:30 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment
thereof, all of the common shares of the Company which the undersigned would be
entitled to vote if personaly present at such annual meeting, or at any
adjournment thereof, as follows:
(1) TO ELECT THE FOLLOWING FOUR DIRECTORS FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN 1999 (CLASS
III) AS SUCCESSORS TO THE CLASS OF FOUR DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN
1996:
[ ] FOR all nomineas listed below (except as marked to the contrary below)*
ARTHUR J. BENNERT CATHERINE E. DOLAN
[ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
JEFFERY D. LOWE LAUREN N. PATCH
* INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE,
WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL TO AMMEND ARTICLE FOURTH OF THE COMPANY'S AMENDED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF COMMON
SHARES, $.125 PAR VALUE, OF THE COMPANY FROM 70,000,000 TO 150,000,000
COMMON SHARES.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
(3) IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER
MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT
THEREOF.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFIC INDICATION
ABOVE, IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH INDICATION.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE ABOVE NOMINEES
FOR DIRECTOR AND FOR PROPOSAL (2).
All proxies previously given by the undersigned are hereby revoked.
Receipt of the accompanying Proxy Statement and the Annual Report of the
Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, is hereby
acknowledged.
The signature or signatures to
this proxy should be the same as
the name or names which appear
hereon. Persons signing as
attorneys, executors,
administrators, trustees or
guardians should give full title as
such.
Dated: , 1996
-----------------------
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
Signature(s) of Shareholder(s)
PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED STAMPED ENVELOPE.
