<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.142-12
Fingerhut Companies, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Fingerhut Companies, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
/ / $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:
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:*
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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* Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined.
/ / 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:
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4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE>
[LOGO]
4400 BAKER ROAD
MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA 55343
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 12, 1994
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF FINGERHUT COMPANIES, INC.:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of
Fingerhut Companies, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at 11:00 a.m.
(Minneapolis time) on Thursday, May 12, 1994, at the Minneapolis Hilton, 1001
Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the following purposes:
1. To elect one Class I director to serve for a three-year term and until
his successor is elected and qualified.
2. To vote on the approval of the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Annual Incentive Bonus Plan for Designated Corporate
Officers.
3. To vote on the approval of the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. Directors'
Retainer Stock Deferral Plan.
4. To vote on the approval of the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. 1994 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.
5. To vote on the ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick as
independent auditors of the Company for the 1994 fiscal year.
6. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
Only holders of record of the Company's Common Stock at the close of
business on March 24, 1994, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO
BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND
RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John K. Ellingboe
SECRETARY
March 31, 1994
<PAGE>
FINGERHUT COMPANIES, INC.
4400 BAKER ROAD
MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA 55343
---------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 12, 1994
---------------------
This proxy statement is provided in connection with the 1994 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders of Fingerhut Companies, Inc. (the "Company"), which will be held
at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, 1994 at the Minneapolis Hilton, 1001
Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and any adjournment thereof. The
accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company. By
completing and returning the accompanying proxy, the shareholder authorizes
Theodore Deikel and John K. Ellingboe, as designated on the face of the proxy,
to vote all shares for the shareholder. The Company's principal executive
offices are located at 4400 Baker Road, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343.
The Board of Directors is aware of five items of business to be considered
at the Annual Meeting: (1) the election of one Class I director; (2) approval of
the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Annual Incentive Bonus Plan for
Designated Corporate Officers (the "Incentive Plan"); (3) approval of the
Fingerhut Companies, Inc. Directors' Retainer Stock Deferral Plan (the
"Directors' Plan"); (4) approval of the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. 1994 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (the "Employee Stock Purchase Plan"); and (5) ratification
of the appointment of independent auditors for the 1994 fiscal year. The Board
of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented for action at the Annual
Meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting,
the persons named in the proxy will vote on such other matters and/or for other
nominees in accordance with their best judgment.
The Board of Directors recommends that an affirmative vote be cast in favor
of all of the proposals listed in the proxy (or voting instructions) card. All
returned proxies that are properly signed and dated will be voted as the
shareholder directs. If no direction is given, executed proxies will be voted
FOR election of the Class I director named herein, FOR approval of the Incentive
Plan, FOR approval of the Directors' Plan, FOR approval of the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, and FOR ratification of appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick as
independent auditors for the 1994 fiscal year. Regardless of the size of your
holdings, you are encouraged to complete and return the proxy or voting
instructions card so that your shares may be voted at the Annual Meeting.
Shares voted as abstentions on any matter (or a "withhold vote for" as to
directors) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the meeting and as unvoted,
although present and entitled to vote, for purposes of determining the approval
of each matter as to which the shareholder has abstained. If a broker submits a
proxy that indicates the broker does not have discretionary authority as to
certain shares to vote on one or more matters, those shares will be counted as
shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum at the meeting, but will not be considered as present and
entitled to vote with respect to such matters.
This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are being sent or
given to shareholders beginning on or about March 31, 1994, along with the
Company's 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders.
Holders of record of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value (the "Common
Stock"), at the close of business on March 24, 1994, will be entitled to vote on
all matters at the Annual Meeting. Each share will be entitled to one vote. On
March 24, 1994, a total of 46,286,348 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.
A proxy may be revoked by a shareholder at any time before it is voted at
the Annual Meeting by giving notice of revocation to the Company in writing, by
execution of a later dated proxy or by attending and voting at the Annual
Meeting.
<PAGE>
All expenses in connection with the solicitation of this proxy will be paid
by the Company. Officers, directors and regular employees of the Company, who
will receive no extra compensation for their services, may solicit proxies by
telephone or electronic transmission.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
In accordance with the terms of the Company's Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is divided into three classes,
designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively, with staggered
three-year terms of office. At each annual meeting, directors who are elected to
succeed the class of directors whose terms expire at that meeting will be
elected for three-year terms. At the Annual Meeting, one Class I Director will
be elected to hold office for a three-year term that will expire at the annual
meeting of shareholders to be held in 1997 and until his successor is elected
and qualified. The Board of Directors has designated Dudley C. Mecum as nominee
for reelection to the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Mecum has consented
to serve as a director, if elected. If Mr. Mecum becomes unable to accept
nomination or election, the enclosed proxy will be voted for the election of a
nominee designated by the Board of Directors, unless the Board reduces the
number of directors on the Board of Directors or unless the shareholder
indicates to the contrary on the proxy. The affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy at
the Annual Meeting is required for election of the nominee. THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEE.
Certain biographical information furnished by the Company's directors and
nominee, and the directors' respective terms of office, is presented below.
NOMINEE FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING:
DUDLEY C. MECUM (age 59) has been a director of the Company since 1990 and
has been a partner in the firm of G.L. Ohrstrom & Co. (merchant banking) since
1989. He was Chairman of Mecum Associates, Inc. (management consulting) from
1987 to 1989. Mr. Mecum is a Class I director whose term expires at the Annual
Meeting. Mr. Mecum is also a director of The Travelers Inc., Lyondell
Petrochemical Company, Vicorp Restaurants, Inc., DynCorp and Roper Industries,
Inc.
CONTINUING DIRECTORS:
THEODORE DEIKEL (age 58) has been Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President of the Company since 1989. Mr. Deikel is a Class III
director whose term expires at the 1996 Annual Meeting. From 1985 until
rejoining the Company, Mr. Deikel served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of CVN Companies, Inc., a direct marketing company using television and direct
mail. From 1979 to 1983, Mr. Deikel was Executive Vice President of American Can
Company (a predecessor of The Travelers Inc.) and Chairman of American Can
Company's specialty retailing division, which included the Company, The
Musicland Group, Inc. and Pickwick Distribution Companies. In addition, Mr.
Deikel was Chief Executive Officer of Fingerhut Corporation from 1975 to 1983.
WENDELL R. ANDERSON (age 61) has been of counsel to the law firm of Larkin,
Hoffman, Daly and Lindgren, Ltd. since 1991, and was a partner in the firm for
at least five years prior to that time. The law firm provides legal services to
the Company from time to time. Mr. Anderson has been a director of the Company
since 1990. He is a Class III director whose term expires at the 1996 Annual
Meeting. He is a former United States Senator and former Governor of the State
of Minnesota, serves on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and is also
a director of National City Bancorporation.
EDWIN C. GAGE (age 53) has been a director of the Company since 1992. Mr.
Gage is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gage Marketing Group LLC
(integrated direct marketing and promotional services), which he formed in
January 1992, and Vice Chairman of Carlson Holdings, Inc. (holding company for
hospitality, marketing and travel companies). He was Chief Executive Officer of
Carlson Companies, Inc. from 1989 to 1992 and President and Chief Operating
Officer from 1984 to 1989. Mr. Gage is a Class III director whose term expires
at the 1996 Annual Meeting. Mr. Gage is also
2
<PAGE>
a director of SuperValu Stores, Inc., Carlson Holdings, Inc., Minnesota Council
for Quality, and Minneapolis Institute of Arts; and an advisory board member for
the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
STANLEY S. HUBBARD (age 60) has been a director of the Company since 1990.
For more than the past five years he has been Chief Executive Officer of Hubbard
Broadcasting, Inc. (a privately held communications company); he is also
Chairman of Conus Communications and the United States Satellite Broadcasting
Company. Mr. Hubbard is a Class II director whose term expires at the 1995
Annual Meeting.
RICHARD M. KOVACEVICH (age 50) has been a director of the Company since 1993
and is a Class II director whose term expires at the 1995 Annual Meeting. Mr.
Kovacevich has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwest Corporation
(bank holding company) since 1993; from 1989 to 1992, he was President and Chief
Operating Officer of Norwest Corporation. Mr. Kovacevich also serves as a
director of Norwest Corporation, The NWNL Companies, Inc., Northwestern National
Life Insurance Company, Northern States Power Company, VISA U.S.A. Inc., The
Guthrie Theater, and the Walker Art Center; as Vice Chairman of the Board of The
Greater Minneapolis Metropolitan Housing Corporation; as director and member of
the executive committee of the Minnesota Business Partnership, Inc.; as a
trustee of Twin Cities Public Television, Inc.; as Chairman of the American
Bankers Council; and as a member of the Advisory Council of Stanford University
Graduate School of Business.
At the Annual Meeting, shareholders may only vote for one individual to
serve as a Class I director.
The Board of Directors has established Executive, Compensation and Audit
Committees. The Company does not have a nominating committee.
The Executive Committee is authorized to exercise the full power of the
Board of Directors in the management and conduct of the business affairs of the
Company during the interim between meetings of the Board. The Executive
Committee may also review and make recommendations to the Board of Directors
with respect to various corporate matters. The current members of the Executive
Committee are Messrs. Anderson and Deikel. During the fiscal year ended December
31, 1993, the Executive Committee met four times.
The Compensation Committee sets the compensation of all the Company's
officers whose base annual salary exceeds $200,000, approves, adopts and
administers compensation plans, administers and grants stock options under the
Company's stock option plans, reviews administration of the Company's benefit
plans, reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters
relating to compensation of all officers and reviews ranges of compensation for
all other employees of the Company. During the fiscal year ended December 31,
1993, the Compensation Committee met five times. The current members of the
Compensation Committee are Messrs. Gage, Hubbard and Kovacevich.
The Audit Committee supervises and reviews the Company's accounting and
financial services, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors as to
nomination of independent auditors, confers with the independent auditors and
internal auditors regarding the scope of their proposed audits and their audit
findings, reports and recommendations, reviews the Company's financial controls,
procedures and practices, approves all nonaudit services by the independent
auditors and reviews transactions between the Company and its affiliates. The
current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Gage, Hubbard and Mecum. The
Audit Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, the Board of Directors met
four times. All incumbent directors attended at least 75% of all the meetings of
the Board of Directors and committees that were held while they were serving on
the Board of Directors or on such committee. The Company's Board of Directors
and committees also act from time to time by unanimous written consent in lieu
of meetings.
3
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Members of the Board of Directors who are not
employees of the Company receive an annual retainer of $20,000 for membership on
the Board of Directors, including service on committees of the Board. The
directors designated and serving as the chairperson of the Audit Committee and
of the Compensation Committee also receive an annual retainer of $4,000 for
service as chairperson of such committee. In addition, non-employee directors
receive an attendance fee of $2,500 for each regular or special meeting attended
of the Board of Directors. If the shareholders approve the Directors' Plan,
non-employee directors can elect to defer payment of all or a portion of their
annual retainer fees through a deferred common stock account. Directors employed
by the Company receive no directors' fees. In addition, the Company reimburses
reasonable travel, lodging and other incidental expenses incurred by directors
in attending meetings of the Board of Directors and committees. Wendell
Anderson, a member of the Company's Board of Directors, provides certain
governmental and regulatory affairs consulting services to the Company, for
which he was paid $144,000 plus reimbursement of expenses in 1993.
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN INDEX
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the
Company's Common Stock ("FHT") since it became publicly traded on April 25,
1990, with the cumulative total return for the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index
("SP500") and the Dow Jones Retailers Broadline Index ("DJRTB") over the same
period, assuming the investment of $100 in the Company's Common Stock on April
25, 1990 and $100 in each of the other vehicles on March 31, 1990 and
reinvestment of all dividends.
[GRAPHIC]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
3/31/90 12/31/90 12/31/91 12/31/92 12/31/93
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FHT $ 100 $ 98 $ 177 $ 190 $ 355
SP500 $ 100 $ 100 $ 130 $ 140 $ 154
DJRTB $ 100 $ 98 $ 163 $ 189 $ 181
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation
Committee") is composed of independent directors who are not employees of the
Company and who qualify as disinterested persons for purposes of Rule 16b-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Compensation Committee sets the
compensation of all officers of the Company whose base annual salary exceeds
$200,000, adopts and administers the Company's compensation plans and reviews
and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters relating to
compensation of all officers.
COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES. The Company's executive compensation policy is
intended to relate the compensation levels of executives to the performance of
the Company and the individual, while at the same time allowing the Company to
attract and retain the highest caliber executives by providing appropriate
incentives to deliver the maximum short-term and long-term financial results.
The goal of the executive compensation program is to (i) allow the Company to
attract and retain talented executives, who are essential to the Company's
success; (ii) provide compensation that reflects and rewards individual and
corporate performance and motivates the executives to achieve strategic
corporate goals; and (iii) align the interests of executives with the long-term
interests of shareholders through stock options and other stock-based awards.
The Compensation Committee believes that the most effective executive
compensation program is one that provides incentives to achieve both current and
longer-term strategic management goals of the Company, with the ultimate
objective of enhancing shareholder value. Accordingly, the Compensation
Committee believes executive compensation should be comprised of both cash and
equity-based programs that reward performance as measured against
Company-specific goals and as measured by performance of the Common Stock in the
public market. With respect to equity-based compensation, an integral part of
the Company's compensation program is to provide for the ownership and retention
of the Company's Common Stock by key employees. This is facilitated through
participation in the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the "Stock
Option Plan") and the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. Performance Enhancement
Investment Plan (the "PEIP Plan"). This assures that key employees have a
meaningful stake in the Company, the ultimate value of which is dependent on the
Company's continued long-term success, and that the interests of employees are
aligned with those of the shareholders.
The Company's annual compensation programs are also structured to encourage
initiative and achievement. The annual compensation mix provides for base
salaries, as well as the opportunity to receive annual bonuses that are linked
directly to financial performance of the Company and, to varying extents, to
individual performance, and which are designed to provide better than
competitive pay only for better than competitive financial performance. This
permits the Company to attract and retain talented executives but makes a
substantial portion of an executive officer's annual compensation dependent on
the Company's performance.
SALARY. The salaries of the Company's executive officers are not based on
the Company's performance. Salaries generally are intended to be competitive
with the average base salaries paid by corporations similar to the Company. The
Company competes for talented executives with a wide variety of corporations,
which are not necessarily the same as the corporations in the performance graph.
A new executive officer's base salary will depend on his or her job level and
the compensation package necessary to attract a particular officer to the
Company. Annual merit increases are based on a subjective evaluation of the
officer's performance. As part of the budget process, the Company sets
company-wide guidelines for annual merit increases. These guidelines provided
for average increases of 3.25% for salary reviews effective during the period
from January 1 to June 30, 1993 and 4.5% for increases effective during the
period from July 1 to December 31, 1993. The Compensation Committee followed
these guidelines for the executive officers. In accordance with these guidelines
and in recognition of his performance during the previous year, the Compensation
Committee increased the Chief Executive Officer's 1993 salary to $516,300 from
$500,000 in 1992. These amounts are not precisely reflected in the Summary
Compensation Table because of timing differences relating to the pay periods.
5
<PAGE>
BONUS PLAN. A significant portion of management's compensation each year is
from payments under the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Key
Management Incentive Bonus Plan for Designated Corporate Officers (the "Bonus
Plan"). The Bonus Plan is approved annually by the Compensation Committee and is
intended to provide incentives to management to optimize the Company's financial
performance. Participants are recommended by Fingerhut Corporation's Executive
Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and
approved by the Compensation Committee. The 1993 Bonus Plan provided for
increasing Company performance factors tied to the Company's 1993 pre-tax
earnings, with no bonuses paid if the Company's 1993 pre-tax earnings were lower
than in 1992. Awards under the 1993 Bonus Plan were based upon a formula
comprised of the individual's paid base salary, the targeted bonus percentage
for the officer's job level, the Company performance factor based on the
Company's pre-tax earnings and, except for the Chief Executive Officer,
achievement of individual/departmental performance objectives (which are often
tied to successful completion of corporate programs). The amount of the targeted
bonus that is based on the Company's financial performance increases as the
officer's level of responsibility increases, ranging from 50% for vice
presidents to 75% for senior executive officers to 100% for the Chief Executive
Officer. The 1993 Bonus Plan provided for maximum bonuses ranging from 97.5% to
162.5% of the paid base salary of the participant, depending on the
participant's job level. The Company's 1993 pre-tax earnings resulted in a
117.8% Company performance factor for the Chief Executive Officer's bonus
calculation and a 92.8% Company performance factor for the other executive
officers' bonus calculations. In addition, the 1993 Bonus Plan also provided for
special President's Awards for extraordinary service. In 1993, the Compensation
Committee granted a President's Award of $100,000 to an executive officer in
recognition of his significant contributions to the Company through the
development of the business of USA Direct, one of the Company's subsidiaries.
The Company wishes to ensure that bonuses paid to executive officers satisfy
the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. Therefore, in 1994, the Compensation Committee adopted
the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. Annual Incentive Bonus Plan, which is being
submitted for approval by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
STOCK OPTION PLAN. The Stock Option Plan was designed to align a significant
portion of the executive compensation program with shareholder interests. The
Compensation Committee typically has granted stock options to executive officers
and other key employees at the time the individual commenced employment with the
Company or when the individual is promoted. During 1993, the Compensation
Committee granted options to purchase a total of 67,000 shares of Common Stock
to three executive officers as a result of new hires and a promotion. The number
of shares covered by each grant reflect the level of job responsibility and, in
some cases, subjective factors based on recommendations of the Chief Executive
Officer. Following the adoption of the PEIP Plan, the Compensation Committee is
reducing the use of new grants under the Stock Option Plan for executive
officers.
PEIP PLAN. The PEIP Plan is a long-term incentive plan designed to attract,
motivate and retain key employees. The Compensation Committee believes the PEIP
Plan is superior to conventional stock plans because (i) to enjoy the benefits
of the options, participants are required to make an investment in the Company
that will be subject to loss if the market price of the Common Stock declines
and (ii) participants will benefit only if there are significant increases in
the value of the Common Stock over the life of the options and only after the
shareholders have enjoyed a substantial increase in the value of their shares.
Under the PEIP Plan, employees are offered the opportunity to purchase option
units, each consisting of four options to purchase Common Stock, with exercise
prices of 110%, 120%, 130% and 140%, respectively, of the fair market value of
Common Stock on the grant date. If an option expires unexercised, or upon
termination of employment, the optionee will be entitled to the return of the
purchase price initially paid to acquire the option, but only if the market
value of the Common Stock on the expiration or termination date is equal to or
greater than on the grant date. If the market value of the Common Stock on the
date of expiration of the option is less than it was on the grant date, the
amount of the purchase price to be returned to the optionee will be reduced by a
percentage equal to the percentage decline in the market value of the Common
Stock between the grant date and the date of expiration.
6
<PAGE>
During 1993, employees purchased options under the PEIP Plan for an
aggregate of 2,440,076 shares of Common Stock. Of these, 400,000 options were
purchased by the Chief Executive Officer and an aggregate of 1,250,000 options
were purchased by the other executive officers. The amounts of the grants were
based generally on the level of job responsibility and on the recommendations of
the Chief Executive Officer.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
RICHARD M. KOVACEVICH* EDWIN C. GAGE STANLEY S. HUBBARD
CHAIRMAN MEMBER MEMBER
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
<FN>
*Member since July 1993
</TABLE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The members of the Compensation Committee are Edwin C. Gage, Stanley S.
Hubbard and Richard M. Kovacevich. The Company leases office space for one of
its telemarketing centers and warehouse space from Carlson Real Estate Company,
a partnership owned by various members of the immediate family of Edwin C. Gage,
including Mr. Gage. Rental expense for 1993 under these leases was approximately
$798,000. The Company believes the terms of the leases are at least as favorable
to the Company as it could have received from an unrelated third party. The
annual rental amount is not material to either the Company or Carlson Real
Estate Company.
For a number of years, the Company has had regular banking relationships
with Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. ("Norwest Bank"), a subsidiary of Norwest
Corporation. Norwest Bank is one of the lending banks and is a letter of credit
issuing bank under the Company's revolving credit and letter of credit facility
and is also the registrar and transfer agent with respect to the Company's
common stock. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a number of depository
and checking accounts with Norwest Bank. The Company paid Norwest Bank
approximately $1,284,000 with respect to these services and relationships for
the portion of 1993 that Mr. Kovacevich was a member of the Board of Directors.
The Company believes the terms of the various banking relationships, and the
fees paid, are at least as favorable to the Company as it could have received
from an unrelated third party. The amount paid is not material to either the
Company or Norwest Corporation.
7
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth cash and noncash compensation for each of the
last three fiscal years to the Chief Executive Officer, each of the four other
most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive
officers at December 31, 1993, and one additional individual who was not an
executive officer at fiscal year-end:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
---------------
AWARDS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION ---------------
----------------------------------------- SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND COMPENSATION OPTIONS COMPENSATION
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS ($) ($)(A) (#)(B) ($)(C)
- -------------------------- --------- ----------- ----------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Theodore Deikel 1993 $ 536,756 $ 789,702 $ 299,536 400,000 $ 30,000
Chief Executive Officer 1992 $ 499,038 $ 561,418 $ 30,389 523,382 $ 30,000
1991 $ 450,000 $ 566,269 --
Gregory D. Lerman 1993 $ 317,641 $ 447,278 $ 41,099 200,000 $ 30,000
Executive Vice President 1992 $ 294,673 $ 418,615 $ 23,317 -- $ 30,000
Merchandising 1991 $ 277,250 $ 340,221 --
Rakesh K. Kaul (d) 1993 $ 294,231 $ 414,314 $ 53,515 250,000 $ 94,858
Chief Administrative 1992 $ 254,904 $ 275,615 $ 161,388 120,000 $ 239,814
Officer 1991 -- -- --
James B. Moran (d) 1993 $ 294,750 $ 415,045 $ 34,649 100,000 $ 30,000
Senior V.P., Operations 1992 $ 274,460 $ 346,760 $ 28,478 -- $ 30,000
1991 $ 75,971 $ 95,600 86,000
Glenn L. Habern (d) 1993 $ 224,393 $ 252,778 $ 8,411 50,000 $ 30,000
Chief Information Officer 1992 $ 208,039 $ 192,453 $ 5,778 -- $ 30,000
1991 $ 146,154 $ 180,249 50,000
Leopoldo C. Toralballa (e) 1993 $ 244,779 $ 344,680 $ 35,066 150,000 $ 284,168
1992 $ 106,827 $ 110,833 $ 54,336 80,000 $ 107,653
1991 -- -- --
<FN>
- ------------------------
(a) Pursuant to the transition provisions of the SEC disclosure requirements,
amounts disclosed in this column are for the 1992 and 1993 fiscal years
only and represent amounts reimbursed during the fiscal year for a cash
automobile allowance and the payment of taxes on certain personal benefits
received by the named executives and on relocation expenses, if
applicable. In addition, the 1993 amount for Mr. Deikel includes interest
paid by the Company on a personal loan to pay the income tax liability
incurred as a result of his 1992 stock option exercise. The aggregate
amount of non-cash perquisites and other personal benefits did not exceed
the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total of salary and bonus for any of
the named officers and is therefore not included.
(b) Adjusted for the Company's 1993 two-for-one stock split. The Company did
not grant any restricted stock during 1991-1993 and none of the named
executives has any outstanding restricted stock.
(c) Pursuant to the transition provisions of the SEC disclosure requirements,
amounts disclosed in this column are for the 1992 and 1993 fiscal years
only and, except as to Mr. Kaul and Mr. Toralballa for 1992 and 1993,
represent amounts contributed under the Fingerhut Corporation Profit
Sharing Plan The amounts listed for Mr. Kaul and Mr. Toralballa in 1992
consisted solely of relocation expenses as they were not eligible to
participate in the Profit Sharing Plan in that year. The amount listed for
Mr. Kaul for 1993 also included $64,858 in relocation expenses. The 1993
amount for Mr. Toralballa consisted of $9,168 in relocation expenses and
$275,000 in severance pay.
(d) Mr. Kaul commenced employment with the Company in January 1992; Mr. Moran
commenced employment with the Company in September 1991; and Mr. Habern
commenced employment with the Company in April 1991.
(e) Mr. Toralballa was Executive Vice President, Marketing of the Company from
October 1992 to October 1993.
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
PENSION PLAN. Fingerhut Corporation maintains a noncontributory defined
benefit plan (the "Pension Plan") for substantially all of its nonunion
employees who have completed at least one year of service. Under the Pension
Plan, the current service pension credit of a participant for each year is equal
to the sum of .82% of his or her certified earnings not in excess of Social
Security covered compensation for that plan year and 1.40% of the balance of his
or her certified earnings for that year. Retirement benefits under the Pension
Plan are the sum of the pension credits for each year of service. Participants
are 100% vested after completion of at least five years of service or if they
are at least age 65 upon termination of employment. The Pension Plan also
provides reduced early retirement benefits for participants who have attained
age 55 and have at least five years of service. The estimated annual benefit
payable at age 65 for the named executives is: Mr. Deikel, $58,078; Mr. Lerman,
$42,243; Mr. Kaul, $43,803; Mr. Moran, $42,596; Mr. Habern, $35,058; and Mr.
Toralballa, $0.
The following table shows information concerning stock options granted
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993 for the named executives.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
NUMBER OF ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL PRICE APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED EXERCISE TERM
OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION ------------------------------
NAME GRANTED (#)(A) 1993 ($/SHARE) (B) DATE 5% ($)(C) 10% ($)(C)
- -------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------- ------------ -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Theodore Deikel 400,000 14.1% $ 24.0625 3/26/00 $ 831,000 $ 4,904,000
Gregory D. Lerman 200,000 7.1% $ 24.0625 3/26/00 $ 415,500 $ 2,452,000
Rakesh K. Kaul 250,000 8.8% $ 24.0625 3/26/00 $ 519,375 $ 3,065,000
James B. Moran 100,000 3.5% $ 24.0625 3/26/00 $ 207,750 $ 1,226,000
Glenn L. Habern 50,000 1.8% $ 24.0625 3/26/00 $ 103,875 $ 613,000
Leopoldo C. Toralballa (d) 150,000 5.3% $ 24.0625 3/26/00 -- --
All Shareholders' Potential
Realizable Gain (e) $ 361,803,832 $ 842,670,660
<FN>
- ------------------------
(a) The right to purchase these options was granted under the PEIP Plan as
described in the Report of the Compensation Committee. The options are
divided into four tiers and were issued in units comprised of one option
from each tier. Optionees were required to purchase the options in units.
The purchase price paid by the optionees for each option was: Tier I,
$1.29; Tier II, $1.22; Tier III, $1.15; and Tier IV, $1.09. The options
vest 25% of each tier on January 1, 1995 and 25% of each tier annually
thereafter. If the options expire unexercised, or are forfeited due to
termination of employment before vesting, the optionee will be entitled to
the return of all or a portion of the purchase price, depending on the
relation of the market price of the Common Stock on the expiration date to
the market price on the grant date.
(b) The exercise prices of the options are: Tier I, $21.175; Tier II, $23.10,
Tier III, $25.025; and Tier IV, $26.95 and represent 110%, 120%, 130% and
140%, respectively, of the market price on the grant date. The
corresponding in-the-money prices are $22.465, $24.32, $26.175 and $28.04,
respectively. The average exercise price is $24.0625 and the average
in-the-money price is $25.25.
(c) These dollar amounts are the result of calculations at the 5% and 10%
rates required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not
intended to forecast possible future appreciation of the Common Stock
price. The actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises will depend on
the future performance of the Common Stock.
(d) Mr. Toralballa terminated employment with the Company prior to the vesting
of his options. The Company returned the full amount of the purchase price
pursuant to the terms of the PEIP Plan.
(e) The potential realizable gain to all shareholders at the stated
appreciation rates is based on 46,148,448 shares outstanding at December
31, 1993, assuming such shares were purchased on March 26, 1993 and held
until March 26, 2000.
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
The following table indicates for each of the named executives information
concerning stock options exercised during 1993 and the number and value of
exercisable and unexercisable in-the-money options as of December 31, 1993.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS AT OPTIONS AT
12/31/93 (#) 12/31/93 ($)(A)
--------------- ---------------
SHARES ACQUIRED ON EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME EXERCISE (#) VALUE REALIZED ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- -------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Theodore Deikel 0 N/A 2,870,511 $ 62,576,644
1,673,691 $ 27,526,734
Gregory D. Lerman 0 N/A 184,000 $ 4,171,280
246,000 $ 1,617,820
Rakesh K. Kaul 0 N/A 24,000 $ 333,000
346,000 $ 2,050,750
James B. Moran 0 N/A 34,400 $ 511,700
151,600 $ 1,055,050
Glenn L. Habern 0 N/A 20,000 $ 327,500
80,000 $ 635,000
Leopoldo C. Toralballa 0 N/A 16,000 $ 227,000
-- $ --
<FN>
- ------------------------
(a) The value of unexercised in-the-money options represents the aggregate
difference between the market value on December 31, 1993, based on the
closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on December 31, 1993, and the applicable exercise or in-the-money
prices.
</TABLE>
ARRANGEMENTS WITH MANAGEMENT. In November 1989, the Company entered into
agreements providing for the employment of Theodore Deikel and Gregory D.
Lerman. Most of the terms of these agreements lapsed after the Company's initial
public offering in 1990. The sole remaining effect of the agreements would be to
vest the remaining 20% unvested options granted to such officer under the Stock
Option Plan if he were terminated other than for "cause" (as such term is
defined in the agreement) prior to his vesting date in November, 1994. In
consideration of Mr. Deikel's agreement to exercise stock options in December
1992, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Deikel additional compensation in an amount
equal to the interest incurred on the personal loan taken out by him to fund the
income tax liability incurred as a result of his exercise of the stock options,
although not to pay a "tax gross up" on the amount of the additional
compensation. The Company will pay such compensation until December 21, 1999,
whether or not Mr. Deikel is an officer, director or employee of the Company.
The proceeds of any sales of the shares acquired in the option exercise will be
deemed to repay the loan and reduce the Company's obligation.
PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF INCENTIVE PLAN
The Compensation Committee adopted the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Annual Incentive Bonus Plan for Designated Corporate Officers (the
"Incentive Plan" or the "Plan") on March 23, 1994, subject to approval by the
Company's shareholders. As indicated in the Report of the Compensation
Committee, annual incentive bonuses are an important part of the Company's
compensation program. The Company is seeking shareholder approval of the
Incentive Plan to qualify compensation paid under it as "qualified
performance-based compensation," as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and thereby retain its tax
10
<PAGE>
deductability. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ABOVE PROPOSAL
TO APPROVE THE INCENTIVE PLAN. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be necessary to
approve the Incentive Plan.
SUMMARY OF THE INCENTIVE PLAN
ELIGIBILITY; ADMINISTRATION. Eligibility for participation in the Incentive
Plan is limited to the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and to any
of the executive vice presidents or senior vice presidents of the Company or any
affiliate that the Compensation Committee designates as a participant prior to
the start of each performance period. The Company employed approximately 13
persons as of March 31, 1994 who would be eligible as a class to participate in
the Incentive Plan; however, the chief executive officer is the only officer who
was designated to participate in 1994 and it is anticipated that officers whose
compensation would not be in excess of $1,000,000 will instead participate in
the Company's regular Bonus Plan. The Incentive Plan will be administered by the
Compensation Committee. Prior to the start of each performance period (which
will coincide with the Company's fiscal year), the Compensation Committee will
designate officers who will participate in the Incentive Plan, each
participant's base pay and targeted bonus percentage and the company performance
factor or factors for the applicable performance period. After the first meeting
of shareholders at which directors are to be elected that occurs after July 1,
1994, the Compensation Committee will consist of two or more "outside directors"
who satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code; until that time, the
Committee shall consist of two or more disinterested directors within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Committee
has authority to establish rules for the administration of the Incentive Plan,
and has the authority, in its sole discretion, to make determinations and
interpretations with respect to the Plan that shall be binding on all interested
parties.
BONUS FORMULA; LIMITATIONS. Bonuses under the Incentive Plan will be
determined in accordance with a pre-established formula. For each performance
period, each participant will receive a bonus in an amount not greater than his
or her base pay, multiplied by the participant's targeted bonus percentage,
multiplied by the applicable company performance factor, each as designated in
advance by the Compensation Committee for that performance period. The company
performance factor will be a percentage that is directly and specifically tied
to one or more of the following business criteria: the Company's consolidated
pre-tax earnings, net revenues, net earnings, operating income, earnings before
interest and taxes, cash flow, return on equity, return on net assets employed,
or earnings per share for the applicable performance period, all as computed in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and subject to such
other special rules as the Compensation Committee may establish at the beginning
of the applicable performance period.
No participant shall receive a bonus for any performance period in which the
applicable minimum company performance factor is not met. The Committee has the
authority to reduce the amount of or eliminate any bonus otherwise payable,
although it does not have the power to increase the amount of an award as
determined pursuant to the formula. The maximum bonus that a participant can
receive under the Incentive Plan for any performance period is $1,500,000. The
Incentive Plan is in addition to, not in lieu of, any other employee benefit
plan or program in which any participant may be or become eligible to
participate, and the receipt of benefits under the Plan shall have the effect on
contributions to and benefits under those other plans that is specified in such
other plans.
TIME AND FORM OF PAYMENT. Following the close of each performance period and
prior to the payment of any bonus under the Incentive Plan, the Compensation
Committee must certify in writing that the company performance factor and the
other factors upon which a bonus is based have been attained. Benefits will be
paid to participants in one or more cash payments after such certification.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Compensation Committee may amend the
Incentive Plan prospectively at any time and may terminate or curtail the
benefits thereunder with regard to persons expecting to receive benefits in the
future and with regard to persons already receiving benefits at the time of such
action. The Incentive Plan shall terminate on December 31, 1998, unless it has
been
11
<PAGE>
discontinued or terminated prior to that time. No bonuses shall be granted after
termination, but payments made be made with respect to a performance period that
began before the termination date. The Committee's authority to amend the
Incentive Plan shall extend beyond its termination.
PROPOSAL 3: APPROVAL OF DIRECTORS' PLAN
The Compensation Committee adopted the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. Directors'
Retainer Stock Deferral Plan (the "Directors' Plan" or the "Plan") on March 23,
1994, subject to approval by the Company's shareholders. The Board of Directors
believes the Plan will advance the interests of the Company and its shareholders
by increasing the proprietary interests of non-employee directors in the
Company's long-term success and their identification with the interests of the
Company's shareholders by allowing them to defer all or a portion of their
retainer fees for payment in the form of Common Stock upon a specified future
date or event. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSAL TO
ADOPT THE DIRECTORS' STOCK PLAN. The affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be necessary
to approve the Directors' Stock Plan.
SUMMARY OF THE DIRECTORS' PLAN
DEFERRAL OF RETAINER. Subject to the availability of shares of Common Stock
under the Plan, an eligible director may elect to defer, in the form of shares
of Common Stock, all or a portion of the annual retainer for service on the
Board of Directors, not including attendance fees or chairmanship fees.
ELIGIBILITY; PARTICIPATION. Any present or future member of the Board of
Directors of the Company who is not an employee or officer of the Company or any
subsidiary may elect to participate in the Directors' Plan by filing a written
election agreement with the Company before the beginning of the plan year to
which the election relates. The election agreement must specify the amount of
the retainer fee to be deferred, and the payment date with respect to the
deferred amounts, and will continue until the participant files a new election
agreement. An election agreement is not effective for six months after its date
and thereafter is irrevocable with respect to all retainer fees payable while it
is in effect.
DEFERRED STOCK AND DIVIDEND CREDITS. As of each date that any portion of the
retainer fee would otherwise be payable, the Company shall credit to each
participant's deferred stock account a number of shares (rounded to the nearest
one-hundredth of a share) equal to the deferred amount of the participant's
retainer fee, as specified in his or her then effective election agreement,
divided by the market price of the Common Stock on such day. Each time a cash
dividend is paid on the Common Stock, the Company shall credit to each
participant's deferred stock account that number of shares (rounded to the
nearest one-hundredth of a share) determined by multiplying the dividend amount
per share by the total number of shares credited to the participant's deferred
stock account as of the record date for such dividend and dividing that number
by the market price of the Common Stock on the dividend payment date.
ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT. The Company will establish and maintain a deferred
stock account for each participant, which shall reflect all entries required to
be made pursuant to the terms and conditions of the participant's election
agreement. The numbers, rights and privileges of the share credits in
participants' deferred stock accounts will be adjusted in the event of changes
in the Company's capitalization as if such shares had been outstanding at the
time of such occurrence. Credits in the deferred stock accounts will be
reflected on the books and records of the Company as an obligation to issue and
deliver a number of shares of Common Stock on the specified payment date. Stock
will not be issued until the payment date and participants will not have any of
the rights and privileges of a shareholder with respect to such share credits,
except that deferred stock will earn dividend equivalents. Deferred stock will
not be subject to forfeiture for any reason.
PAYMENT. The share credit balance in a participant's deferred stock account
will be paid in whole shares of Common Stock on or promptly after the applicable
payment date specified in the applicable
12
<PAGE>
election agreement or upon the death or retirement of the participant or a
change in control of the Company, if earlier. Any fractional share amounts will
be paid in cash equal to the market value of the fractional share amount on the
payment date.
ADMINISTRATION; AMENDMENT; TERMINATION. The Directors' Plan will be
administered by the Compensation Committee, which has the authority to
prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan,
establish procedures deemed appropriate for its administration, and make any and
all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for its effective
administration. The Compensation Committee may amend or terminate the Directors'
Plan, except that no such termination or amendment shall adversely affect a
participant's rights with respect to his or her deferred stock account without
consent and no amendment will be effective without shareholder approval if such
approval is then required pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 or the applicable rules of any securities exchange.
STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may
be issued under the Plan is 50,000 shares, subject to adjustment upon changes in
the capitalization of the Company.
FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES. The following is a summary of the principal
federal income tax consequences of the acquisition of shares under the
Directors' Plan. The deferral of retainer fees under the Plan is not expected to
result in any taxable income for a director. Upon a distribution of Common Stock
pursuant to the Plan, a director must recognize ordinary income equal to the
fair market value of such shares, and the Company will be entitled at that time
to a tax deduction for the same amount. The tax consequences to a director upon
a disposition of stock acquired pursuant to the Plan will depend upon how long
the shares have been held. Generally, there will be no tax consequences to the
Company in connection with the disposition of such shares. Special rules apply
to directors under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. In particular, unless a special election is made pursuant to the Code,
shares acquired pursuant to the Plan may be treated as restricted as to
transferability and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture for a period of
up to six months after the acquisition of such shares. Accordingly, the amount
of any ordinary income recognized and the amount of the Company's tax deduction
may be determined as of the end of such period.
PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The Compensation Committee adopted the Fingerhut Companies, Inc. 1994
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Employee Stock Purchase Plan" or the "Plan")
on March 23, 1994, subject to approval by the Company's shareholders. The Board
of Directors believes the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will give employees of
the Company and certain related corporations an opportunity to share in the
ownership of the Company, and a strong incentive to work for its continued
success, by providing them with a convenient means for regular and systematic
purchases of the Common Stock. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
ABOVE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. The affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting will be necessary to approve the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
It is intended that the Plan be an "employee stock purchase plan" as defined
in Section 423(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
SUMMARY OF THE EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
ELIGIBILITY; PARTICIPATION. All employees of the Company or any
participating affiliate will be eligible to participate in the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, except employees who are both "highly compensated" employees
pursuant to Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code and a vice president or more senior
officer of the Company or a participating affiliate with compensation in excess
of $75,000. The Company employed approximately 8,500 persons as of March 31,
1994, who would be eligible as a class to participate in the Plan. The Employee
Stock Purchase Plan is voluntary. Eligible employees
13
<PAGE>
participate by filing with the Company, in accordance with the applicable
procedures, a form authorizing regular payroll deductions from eligible
compensation, which includes base salary, overtime, shift differential, and/or
other regular payments, but not bonuses, expense reimbursement, deferred
compensation, or other non-regular payments. A participant may withdraw from the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, in accordance with the applicable procedures,
whereupon no further payroll deductions shall be made. A participant who
withdraws from the Plan may elect to participate in a subsequent purchase
period, if then eligible, in accordance with applicable procedures.
PURCHASE OF SHARES. On each quarterly investment date, each participant will
be offered the right to purchase, and shall be deemed, without any further
action, to have purchased, the number of whole and fractional shares of Common
Stock determined by dividing the amount of payroll deductions in his or her
stock purchase account by the applicable purchase price, unless the participant
has requested, in accordance with the applicable procedures, the distribution of
such amount in cash. The purchase price for shares of Common Stock on any
investment date will be 90% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
first or last business day (whichever is lower) of the purchase period to which
the investment date relates; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Company's earnings
per share for the fiscal quarter that ended immediately preceding the investment
date is greater than for the comparable fiscal quarter in the prior year, the
purchase price for each share of Common Stock shall be 85% of the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the first or last business day (whichever is lower)
of the purchase period to which the investment date relates. Shares purchased
under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be deposited in broker accounts
established for each participant.
LIMITATIONS. No participant may purchase more than 1,000 shares of Common
Stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in any purchase period or more than
$25,000 in fair market value of stock under the Plan and all other employee
stock purchase plans (if any) of the Company and its affiliates in any calendar
year. No employee may purchase Common Stock under the Plan if such employee,
immediately after such a right to purchase is granted, would own, directly or
indirectly, within the meaning of Section 423(b)(3) and Section 424(d) of the
Code, 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of
the capital stock of the Company.
STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. The Common Stock to be issued and sold under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or shares
purchased in the market. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to be
sold under the Plan will not exceed 250,000 shares, subject to adjustment in the
event of changes to the Company's capitalization.
AMENDMENT; TERMINATION. The Compensation Committee may amend or terminate
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan at any time. No amendment or termination that
would cause it to fail to meet the requirements for employee stock purchase
plans as defined in Section 423 of the Code or permit the issuance of Common
Stock before payment in full shall be effective without shareholder approval.
The Plan shall automatically terminate when the maximum shares of Common Stock
have been sold.
ADMINISTRATION. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be administered by the
Compensation Committee, which may delegate the authority to administer the Plan
to officers and employees of Fingerhut Corporation. The Committee has authority
to adopt such rules and regulations for administering the Plan as it may deem
appropriate and to determine whether all or any part of the Common Stock
acquired thereunder shall be subject to restrictions on the transferability
thereof or any other restrictions affecting in any manner a participant's rights
with respect thereto but any such restrictions shall be contained in the form by
which a participant elects to participate in the Plan.
FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES. The following is a summary of the principal
federal income tax consequences of the acquisition of shares under the Employee
Stock Plan. At the time Common Stock is acquired, a participant will not
recognize ordinary income and the Company will not be entitled to a compensation
deduction. The tax consequences to a participant upon a disposition of shares
acquired under the Plan will depend upon how long the shares have been held. The
Company will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount by which the
fair market value of the shares at the time of their
14
<PAGE>
acquisition by a participant under the Plan exceeds the purchase price therefor
when a participant sells such shares purchased under the Plan less than two
years after the first day of a purchase period or less than one year after the
last day of the purchase period in which such shares were purchased.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following information concerning ownership of the Company's Common Stock
is furnished as of March 31, 1994 with respect to (i) all persons known by the
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Common
Stock; (ii) each of the current directors and nominees for director of the
Company; (iii) each of the named executives and (iv) all directors and executive
officers as a group. Beneficial ownership has been determined for this purpose
in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission, under
which a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities if he or she
has or shares voting power or investment power in respect of such securities or
has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES
NAME BENEFICIALLY OWNED PERCENT OF CLASS
- -------------------------------------- -------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Theodore Deikel 4,291,891(1) 8.7%
Wendell R. Anderson -- --
Edwin C. Gage -- --
Stanley S. Hubbard -- --
Richard M. Kovacevich 8,000 (2)
Dudley C. Mecum 1,000 (2)
Glenn L. Habern 30,000(3) --
Rakesh K. Kaul 48,000(3) (2)
Gregory D. Lerman 227,614(4) (2)
James B. Moran 34,400(3) (3)
Leopoldo C. Toralballa -- --
All directors and executive
officers as a group (19 persons) 4,949,235(5) 9.9%
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1) Includes 2,870,511 shares that Mr. Deikel has the right to acquire within
60 days of March 31, 1994 through the exercise of stock options.
(2) Less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock.
(3) The numbers of shares beneficially owned by each of Messrs. Habern, Kaul
and Moran consist solely of shares that such officers have the respective
rights to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 1994 through the exercise of
stock options.
(4) Includes 184,000 shares that Mr. Lerman has the right to acquire within 60
days of March 31, 1994 through the exercise of stock options.
(5) Includes 3,465,711 shares that the executive officers have the right to
acquire within 60 days of March 31, 1994 through the exercise of stock
options.
</TABLE>
OTHER MATTERS. The Company believes that during 1993, all filing
requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act applicable to its officers,
directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with,
except that Richard M. Kovacevich, a director of the Company, filed his Form 3
approximately one week late. He subsequently filed amended Forms 3 and 4 because
shares were purchased by the corporate co-trustee of Mr. Kovacevich's revocable
trust without his knowledge prior to his election as a director.
15
<PAGE>
ARRANGEMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
Wendell Anderson, a member of the Company's Board of Directors, provides
certain governmental and regulatory affairs consulting services to the Company,
for which he was paid $144,000 in 1993.
The Company leases office space for one of its telemarketing centers and
warehouse space from Carlson Real Estate Company, a partnership owned by various
members of the immediate family of Edwin C. Gage, including Mr. Gage. Rental
expense for 1993 under these leases was approximately $798,000. The Company
believes the terms of the leases are at least as favorable to the Company as it
could have received from an unrelated third party. The annual rental amount is
not material to either the Company or Carlson Real Estate Company.
For a number of years, the Company has had regular banking relationships
with Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. ("Norwest Bank"), a subsidiary of Norwest
Corporation. Norwest Bank is one of the lending banks and is a letter of credit
issuing bank under the Company's revolving credit and letter of credit facility
and is also the registrar and transfer agent with respect to the Company's
common stock. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a number of depository
and checking accounts with Norwest Bank. The Company paid Norwest Bank
approximately $1,284,000 with respect to these services and relationships for
the portion of 1993 that Mr. Kovacevich was a member of the Board of Directors.
The Company believes the terms of the various banking relationships, and the
fees paid, are at least as favorable to the Company as it could have received
from an unrelated third party. The amount paid is not material to either the
Company or Norwest Corporation.
PROPOSAL 5: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
At the Annual Meeting a vote will be taken on the proposal ratifying the
appointment by the Board of Directors of KPMG Peat Marwick as independent
auditors of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December
30, 1994.
KPMG Peat Marwick have been the Company's independent auditors since 1989.
Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick are expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting and will be given an opportunity to make a statement and answer
appropriate shareholder questions. Shareholders may submit questions concerning
the financial statements and accounts of the Company either orally at the Annual
Meeting or in writing before the Annual Meeting.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the next annual
meeting of shareholders must be received in the Company's principal executive
offices no later than December 1, 1994 for inclusion in the Company's proxy
materials. Proposals should be mailed to Fingerhut Companies, Inc., 4400 Baker
Road, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343, Attention: Secretary.
PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY (OR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS CARD) AND
RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John K. Ellingboe
SECRETARY
March 31, 1994
16
<PAGE>
[LOGO] Printed On
Recycled Paper With
Post-Consumer Content
<PAGE>
PROXY
FINGERHUT COMPANIES, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints THEODORE DEIKEL and JOHN K. ELLINGBOE as
Proxies each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes
them to vote all of the shares of Common Stock of Fingerhut Companies, Inc. the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
on May 12, 1994, or any adjournment thereof, as specified below on the following
matters which are further described in the Proxy Statement related hereto:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTOR
/ / FOR DUDLEY C. MECUM / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
to vote for DUDLEY C. MECUM
2. PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE INCENTIVE PLAN:
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3. PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE DIRECTORS' PLAN:
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
4. PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN:
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
5. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK AS THE INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY:
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
(CONTINUED, AND TO BE DATED AND SIGNED ON THE OTHER SIDE)
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM THE OTHER SIDE)
6. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER
BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MATTER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE DIRECTOR NAMED IN ITEM 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4, AND 5.
Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please
sign in full corporate name by the president or other authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by partner or other authorized
person.
________________________________
Signature
________________________________
Signature if held jointly
Dated: __________________ , 1994
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
