SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 8 TO
SCHEDULE 14D-1
TENDER OFFER STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(D)(1)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AND AMENDMENT NO. 13
TO SCHEDULE 13D
UNDER SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
GRYPHON HOLDINGS INC.
(NAME OF SUBJECT COMPANY)
MARKEL CORPORATION
MG ACQUISITION CORP.
(Bidders)
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
(Title of Class of Securities)
400515 10 2
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
GREGORY B. NEVERS, ESQ.
CORPORATE COUNSEL
MARKEL CORPORATION
4551 COX ROAD
GLEN ALLEN, VIRGINIA 23060-3382
TELEPHONE: (804) 965-1673
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of Bidders)
WITH A COPY TO:
LESLIE A. GRANDIS, ESQ.
McGUIRE, WOODS, BATTLE & BOOTHE LLP
901 EAST CARY STREET.
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219
TELEPHONE: (804) 775-1000
CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
==============================================================================
TRANSACTION VALUATION* $128,064,351 AMOUNT OF FILING FEE** $25,612.87
==============================================================================
* For purposes of calculating the filing fee only. This calculation
assumes the purchase of 6,740,229 shares of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share (the "Common Shares"), of Gryphon Holdings
Inc. (the "Company") at $19.00 net
per share in cash.
** The amount of the filing fee, calculated in accordance with Rule
0-11(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, equals
1/50th of one percent of the aggregate value of cash offered by
MG Acquisition Corp. for such number of Common Shares.
[X] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was
previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
Amount Previously Paid: $24,264.83
Filing Party: Markel Corporation and MG Acquisition Corp.
Form or Registration No.: Schedule 14D-1
Date Filed: October 20, 1998
<PAGE>
This Amendment No. 8 amends and supplements the Tender Offer Statement
on Schedule 14D-1 filed on October 20, 1998 (as amended the "Schedule 14D-1") by
MG Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser") and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Markel Corporation, a Virginia corporation ("Parent"), to purchase
all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common
Shares") of Gryphon Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), at a
price of $19.00 per share, net to the tendering shareholder in cash, without
interest thereon, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Offer to Purchase dated October 20, 1998 (the "Offer to Purchase") as amended
and supplemented by the Supplement thereto dated December 3, 1998 (the
"Supplement") and the revised Letter of Transmittal (which, together with any
amendments or supplements thereto, constitutes the "Offer"). This Amendment also
constitutes an Amendment to Statement on Schedule 13D with respect to the
acquisition by Parent and Purchaser of beneficial ownership of Common Shares.
Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned
such terms in the Offer to Purchase or the Schedule 14D-1.
ITEM 1. SECURITY AND SUBJECT COMPANY.
Item 1 is hereby amended and supplemented by the following:
(b) The information set forth under "Introduction" in the Offer to
Purchase, as amended and supplemented by the information set forth under
"Introduction" in the Supplement, is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) The information set forth in "Price Range of Shares; Dividends" in
the Offer to Purchase, as amended and supplemented by the information in Section
3 "Price Range of Shares; Dividends" in the Supplement, is incorporated herein
by reference.
ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
(a)-(d); (g) The information set forth under "Introduction" in the Offer to
Purchase, as amended and supplemented by the information set forth under
"Introduction" in the Supplement, is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 3. PAST CONTACTS, TRANSACTIONS OR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE
SUBJECT COMPANY.
Item 3 is hereby amended and supplemented by the following:
(a)-(b) The information set forth under "Introduction," "Certain
Information Concerning the Company," "Background of the Offer; Contacts with the
Company," and "Purpose of the Offer and the Merger; Plans for the Company;
Certain Considerations," in the Offer to Purchase, as amended and supplemented
by the information set forth under "Introduction," Section 4, "Certain
Information Concerning the Company," Section 6, "Background of the Offer;
Contacts with the Company," and Section 7, "Purpose of the Offer and the Merger;
Plans for the Company; Certain Considerations," in the Supplement, and the
information set forth under "Certain Information Concerning Purchaser and
Parent" in the Offer to Purchase, is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
Item 4 is hereby amended and supplemented by the following:
(a)-(b) The information set forth under "Introduction" and in "Source
and Amount of Funds" in the Offer to Purchase, as amended and supplemented by
the information set forth under "Introduction" and Section 5 "Source and Amount
of Funds" in the Supplement, is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 5. PURPOSE OF THE TENDER OFFER AND PLANS OR PROPOSALS OF THE
BIDDER.
Item 5 is hereby amended and supplemented by the following:
(a)-(e) The information set forth under "Introduction," "Background of
the Offer; Contacts with the Company" and "Purpose of the Offer and the Merger;
Plans for the Company; Certain Considerations" in the Offer to Purchase, as
amended and supplemented by the information set forth under "Introduction,"
Section 6, "Background of the Offer; Contacts with the Company" and Section 7,
"Purpose of the Offer and the Merger; Plans for the Company; Certain
Considerations" in the Supplement, is incorporated herein by reference.
(f)-(g) The information set forth under "Introduction" in the Offer to
Purchase, as amended and supplemented by the information set forth under
"Introduction" in the Supplement, and the information set forth under "Effect of
the Offer on the Market for the Common Shares; Exchange History and Exchange Act
Regulation; Margin Regulations" in the Offer to Purchase, is incorporated herein
by reference.
ITEM 6. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE SUBJECT COMPANY.
Item 6 is hereby amended and supplemented by the following:
(a) - (b) The information set forth under "Introduction" in the Offer
to Purchase, as amended and supplemented by the information set forth under
"Introduction" in the Supplement, and the information set forth under "Certain
Information Concerning Purchaser and Parent" in the Offer to Purchase, is
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS
WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT COMPANY'S SECURITIES.
Item 7 is hereby amended and supplemented by the following:
The information set forth under "Introduction," "Purpose of the Offer
and the Merger; Plans for the Company; Certain Considerations" and, "Certain
Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals; Certain Litigation" in the Offer to
Purchase, as amended and supplemented by the information set forth under
"Introduction," Section 7, "Purpose of the Offer and the Merger; Plans for the
Company; Certain Considerations" and Section 9, "Certain Legal Matters;
Regulatory Approvals; Certain Litigation" in the Supplement, is incorporated
herein by reference.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Item 10 is hereby amended and supplemented by the following:
(b)-(c) The information set forth under "Introduction" and "Certain
Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals; Certain Litigation" in the Offer to
Purchase, as amended and supplemented by the information set forth under
"Introduction" and Section 9 "Certain Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals;
Certain Litigation" in the Supplement, is incorporated herein by reference.
(e) The information set forth under "Certain Legal matters; Regulatory
Approvals; Certain Litigation" in the Offer to Purchase, as amended and
supplemented by the information set forth in Section 9 "Certain Legal matters;
Regulatory Approvals; Certain Litigation" in the Supplement, is incorporated
herein by reference.
(f) The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase, a copy of which
is filed as Exhibit (a)(1) to this Schedule 14D-1, as amended and supplemented
in the Supplement, and the revised Letter of Transmittal, copies of which are
attached hereto as Exhibits (a)(13) and (a)(14), respectively, is incorporated
herein by reference.
ITEM 11. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
(a) (13) Supplement to Offer to Purchase, dated December 3, 1998.
(14) Revised Letter of Transmittal.
(15) Revised Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
(16) Text of Press Release issued by Markel
Corporation on December 3, 1998.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, the
undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
Dated: December 3, 1998 MARKEL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Steven A. Markel
--------------------
Name: Steven A. Markel
Title: Vice Chairman
MG ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Steven A. Markel
---------------------
Name: Steven A. Markel
Title: Vice Chairman
EXHIBIT INDEX
(a) (13) Supplement to Offer to Purchase, dated December 3, 1998.
(14) Revised Letter of Transmittal.
(15) Revised Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
(16) Text of Press Release issued by Markel
Corporation on December 3, 1998.
EXHIBIT (a)(13)
SUPPLEMENT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE DATED DECEMBER 3, 1998
MG ACQUISITION CORP.
A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF
MARKEL CORPORATION
HAS INCREASED THE PRICE OF ITS
OFFER TO PURCHASE
ALL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
OF
GRYPHON HOLDINGS INC.
TO
$19.00 NET PER COMMON SHARE
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW
YORK CITY TIME, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1998, UNLESS THE OFFER IS
EXTENDED.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GRYPHON HOLDINGS INC. (THE "COMPANY") HAS
UNANIMOUSLY DETERMINED THAT THE OFFER AND THE MERGER ARE FAIR TO, AND IN THE
BEST INTERESTS, OF THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ACCEPT THE OFFER AND, IF REQUIRED, VOTE IN
FAVOR OF THE MERGER.
THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, (1) THERE BEING VALIDLY
TENDERED AND NOT PROPERLY WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER THAT
NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES (INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE
RIGHTS) WHICH, TOGETHER WITH SHARES OWNED BY MARKEL CORPORATION ("PARENT") AND
MG ACQUISITION CORP., A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF PARENT ("PURCHASER"),
CONSTITUTE AT LEAST 51% OF THE COMMON SHARES OF THE COMPANY OUTSTANDING ON A
FULLY DILUTED BASIS ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE, AND (2) PARENT AND PURCHASER
HAVING OBTAINED ALL INSURANCE REGULATORY APPROVALS NECESSARY FOR THEIR
ACQUISITION OF CONTROL OVER THE COMPANY AND ITS INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES ON TERMS
AND CONDITIONS REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO PURCHASER, IN ITS GOOD FAITH
DETERMINATION. SEE THE INTRODUCTION AND SECTION 8 OF THIS SUPPLEMENT.
THE OFFER IS NOT CONDITIONED UPON PURCHASER OBTAINING FINANCING.
IMPORTANT
Any shareholder desiring to tender all or any portion of such
shareholder's Common Shares should either (i) complete and sign one of the
Letters of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) in accordance with the
instructions in the Letters of Transmittal, have such shareholder's signature
thereon guaranteed if required by Instruction 1 to the Letters of Transmittal,
mail or deliver one of the Letters of Transmittal (or such facsimile thereof)
and any other required documents to the Depositary (as defined herein) and
either deliver the certificates for such Common Shares to the Depositary along
with the Letters of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) or deliver such Common
Shares pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfers set forth in Section
3 of the Offer to Purchase prior to the expiration of the Offer or (ii) request
such shareholder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
nominee to effect the transaction for such shareholder. A shareholder having
Common Shares registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or other nominee must contact such broker, dealer, commercial
bank, trust company or other nominee if such shareholder desires to tender such
Common Shares.
Any shareholder who desires to tender Common Shares and whose certificates
for such shares are not immediately available, or who cannot comply with the
procedures for book-entry transfers described in the Offer to Purchase as
supplemented by Section 2 of this Supplement on a timely basis, may tender such
Common Shares by following the procedures for guaranteed delivery set forth in
Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase as supplemented by Section 2 of this
Supplement.
Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information
Agent or the Dealer Manager at their respective addresses and telephone numbers
set forth on the back cover of this Supplement. Additional copies of the Offer
to Purchase, this Supplement, the revised Letter of Transmittal or other tender
offer materials may be obtained from the Information Agent.
---------------
The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:
[COCHRAN, CARONIA SECURITIES LLC LOGO]
December 3, 1998
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION PAGE
- ------- -----
<S> <C>
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1
1. Terms of the Offer; Expiration Date ............................................ 2
2. Procedures for Tendering Common Shares ......................................... 2
3. Price Range of Shares; Dividends ............................................... 3
4. Certain Information Concerning the Company ..................................... 3
5. Source and Amount of Funds ..................................................... 4
6. Background of the Offer; Contacts with the Company ............................. 4
7. Purpose of the Offer and the Merger; Plans for the Company; Certain
Considerations................................................................ 5
8. Conditions of the Offer ........................................................ 11
9. Certain Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals; Certain Litigation ................ 13
10. Miscellaneous ................................................................. 13
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
TO THE HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK OF GRYPHON HOLDINGS INC.:
INTRODUCTION
The following information amends and supplements the Offer to Purchase
dated October 20, 1998 (the "Offer to Purchase") of MG Acquisition Corp.
("Purchaser"), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Markel
Corporation, a Virginia corporation ("Parent"), pursuant to which Purchaser is
offering to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01
per share (the "Common Shares"), of Gryphon Holdings Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), including the associated Junior Participating
Cumulative Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (including any successors thereto,
the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of June 5,
1995, as amended as of July 28, 1998, October 22, 1998 and November 25, 1998,
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Rights Agent
(as such agreement may be further amended and including any successor
agreement, the "Rights Agreement"), at a price of $19.00 per Common Share, net
to the seller in cash, without interest thereon (the "Offer Price"), upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, this
Supplement and the revised Letter of Transmittal (which, as amended from time
to time, together constitute the "Offer").
This Supplement should be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase.
Except as set forth in this Supplement and the revised Letter of Transmittal,
the terms and conditions previously set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the
Letter of Transmittal previously mailed to shareholders, remain applicable in
all respects to the Offer. Terms used but not defined herein have the meaning
set forth in the Offer to Purchase.
On November 24, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Company
Board") approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 25,
1998, by and among Parent, Purchaser and the Company (the "Merger Agreement").
Thereafter, Parent, Purchaser and the Company entered into the Merger
Agreement, which provides, among other things, for (i) the continuation of the
Offer at an Offer Price of $19.00 per Common Share and the modification of the
conditions of the Offer, as described in Section 8 hereof, and (ii) following
the consummation of the Offer, the merger of Purchaser with and into the
Company with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation (the
"Merger"). Pursuant to the Merger, each Common Share then outstanding at the
effective time of the Merger (other than Common Shares owned by Parent or
Purchaser, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company and Dissenting Shares
(as defined in the Merger Agreement)) will, by virtue of the Merger and without
any action by the holder thereof, be converted into the right to receive $19.00
per Common Share, net to the shareholder in cash, without interest thereon (the
"Merger Consideration"), upon surrender of the certificate formerly
representing such Common Shares (a "Certificate").
According to the Company's Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on
Schedule 14D-9 (Amendment No. 4) (the "Schedule 14D-9") filed on December 3,
1998 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Company Board
unanimously determined that the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to, and in the best
interests, of the Company's shareholders.
The Offer is being amended and supplemented pursuant to the terms of the
Merger Agreement. For a more detailed description of the Merger Agreement, see
Section 7 of this Supplement.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY DETERMINED THAT THE
OFFER AND THE MERGER ARE FAIR TO, AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS, OF THE COMPANY'S
SHAREHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ACCEPT THE
OFFER AND, IF REQUIRED, VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MERGER.
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ"), financial
advisor to the Company, has delivered its written opinion to the Company Board
that the consideration to be received by the holders of Common Shares pursuant
to each of the Offer and the Merger is fair to such holders from a financial
point of view. A copy of the opinion of DLJ is attached as an exhibit to the
Schedule 14D-9. Shareholders are urged to read such opinion in its entirety for
a description of the procedures followed, assumptions and qualifications made,
matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken by DLJ.
Because the Company Board approved, on November 24, 1998, the terms of the
Merger Agreement, the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware Corporation Law
relating to Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders have been
rendered inapplicable to the Merger. Accordingly, the Offer is no longer
subject to the Affiliated Transaction Condition.
The Company Board approved, on November 24, 1998, an amendment to the
Rights Agreement providing, in effect, that the Rights are inapplicable to the
Offer and the Merger. See Section 7 of this Supplement. Accordingly, the Offer
is no longer subject to the Rights Condition.
1
<PAGE>
THE OFFER REMAINS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, (1) THERE BEING
VALIDLY TENDERED AND NOT PROPERLY WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE
OFFER THAT NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES (INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED RIGHTS) WHICH,
TOGETHER WITH SHARES OWNED BY PARENT AND PURCHASER, CONSTITUTE AT LEAST 51% OF
THE COMMON SHARES OF THE COMPANY OUTSTANDING ON A FULLY DILUTED BASIS ON THE
DATE OF PURCHASE, AND (2) PARENT AND PURCHASER HAVING OBTAINED ALL INSURANCE
REGULATORY APPROVALS NECESSARY FOR THEIR ACQUISITION OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY
AND ITS INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS REASONABLY SATISFACTORY
TO PURCHASER, IN ITS GOOD FAITH DETERMINATION. SECTION 8 OF THIS SUPPLEMENT.
THE OFFER IS NOT CONDITIONED UPON PURCHASER OBTAINING FINANCING.
According to information included in the Form 10-Q of Gryphon Holdings
Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 16, 1998 (the "Company Form 10-Q")
there were 6,740,229 Common Shares outstanding as of September 30, 1998.
According to information included within Forms S-8 of Gryphon Holdings Inc.
filed with the SEC through February 20, 1998, and within the footnotes to the
financial statements of Gryphon Holdings Inc. included within the Form 10-K of
Gryphon Holdings Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1997, there were 790,075
Common Shares subject to issuance pursuant to various stock option and
incentive plans of the Company (the "Incentive Shares") as of December 31, 1997
(the most recent date such information is available to Purchaser). In addition,
according to the Form 8-K/A of Gryphon Holdings Inc. dated September 28, 1998,
as of that date, 688,077 Common Shares were reserved for issuance pursuant to
the conversion of the 14,440 issued and outstanding Preferred Shares which the
Company had issued as partial consideration for the acquisitions reported by
the Company in such Form 8-K/A. The Company also reported in that Form 8-K/A
the existence of an earnout payment (the "Earnout Payment") relating to those
acquisitions which could be comprised of either cash or additional Preferred
Shares.
Based on the foregoing without giving effect to the indeterminate number
of Preferred Shares (and upon conversion, of Common Shares) which may be issued
pursuant to the Earnout Payment, Purchaser believes there are approximately
6,740,229 Common Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis. The Purchaser
believes that approximately 3,437,517 Common Shares represent at least 51% of
the Common Shares of the Company. Parent and Purchaser currently own an
aggregate of 791,250 Common Shares, which were acquired in open-market
transactions. Accordingly, Purchaser believes that the Minimum Condition would
be satisfied if an aggregate of 2,646,267 Common Shares are validly tendered
and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer.
THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE REVISED LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE
ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER.
1. TERMS OF THE OFFER; EXPIRATION DATE.
The discussion set forth in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase is hereby
amended and supplemented as follows:
The term "Expiration Date" has been amended to mean 12:00 Midnight, New
York City time, on December 18, 1998, unless and until Purchaser, in its sole
discretion, but subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, shall have
extended the period of time during which the Offer is open, in which event the
term "Expiration Date" shall refer to the latest time and date at which the
Offer, as so extended by Purchaser, shall expire.
It is Parent's and Purchaser's current expectation that the required
approvals by the relevant Insurance Commissions in California and Pennsylvania
will occur by December 31, 1998. The hearing required under the Connecticut
Insurance Code is not expected to occur until January 1999. Since the Offer
remains conditional upon the satisfaction of the Insurance Regulatory
Condition, the Purchaser is likely to extend the Expiration Date to a date
after the Connecticut hearing.
2. PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING COMMON SHARES.
The discussion set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase is hereby
amended and supplemented as follows:
The revised Letter of Transmittal and the revised Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery distributed with this Supplement may be used to tender Common Shares.
Tendering shareholders may also continue to use the Letter of Transmittal and
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery previously distributed with the Offer to Purchase
to tender Common Shares.
SHAREHOLDERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY VALIDLY TENDERED COMMON SHARES PURSUANT
TO THE OFFER AND NOT PROPERLY WITHDRAWN SUCH COMMON SHARES HAVE VALIDLY
TENDERED
2
<PAGE>
SUCH COMMON SHARES FOR PURPOSES OF THE OFFER, AS AMENDED, AND NEED NOT TAKE ANY
FURTHER ACTION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE PRICE OF $19.00 PER COMMON SHARE
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
3. PRICE RANGE OF SHARES; DIVIDENDS.
The discussion set forth in Section 6 of the Offer to Purchase is hereby
amended and supplemented as follows:
According to published financial sources, the high and low sales prices
per Common Share on the Nasdaq NM for the Fourth Quarter of 1998 (through
December 2, 1998) were $14.00 and $18 7/8 respectively. On November 24, 1998,
the last full trading day prior to the announcement of the Merger Agreement,
the last reported closing price on the Nasdaq NM was $18.00 per Common Share.
Shareholders are urged to obtain a current market quotation for the Common
Shares.
4. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY
The discussion set forth in Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase is hereby
amended and supplemented as follows:
Set forth below is certain selected consolidated financial information
relating to the Company and its subsidiaries which has been excerpted or
derived from the financial statements contained in the Company's 1997 Form
10-K, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
September 30, 1998 (the "September, 1998 Form 10-Q"), and other documents filed
by the Company with the SEC. More comprehensive financial information
(including pro forma financial data giving effect to the Company's acquisition
of all the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of The First
Reinsurance Company of Hartford, Oakley Underwriting Agency, and F/I Insurance
Agency, Incorporated, as reported in the Company Form 8-K). is included in, and
the financial information that follows is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the Company's 1997 Form 10-K, the September, 1998 10-Q and such
other documents filed by the Company with the SEC. The Company Form 10-K, the
September, 1998 10-Q and such other documents may be examined at and copies may
be obtained from the offices of the SEC or the NASDAQ Stock Market in the
manner set forth in Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase.
3
<PAGE>
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE COMPANY
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT OR FOR THE NINE
AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDING MONTHS ENDING
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------------------------- -----------------------
1995 1996 1997 1997 1998
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ----------
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Total Revenue ................................. $ 102,885 $ 106,644 $ 128,474 $ 93,054 $ 88,603
Net Income .................................... 12,925 6,163 8,794 8,035 (5,865)
Earnings Per Share (basic) .................... 1.69 0.93 1.32 1.20 (0.87)
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total Investments ............................. 261,265 280,471 280,810 275,907 386,537
Total Assets .................................. 530,989 526,984 538,985 559,451 747,997
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense ..... 308,886 309,259 328,911 343,782 448,636
Total Liabilities ............................. 437,767 431,848 434,476 455,189 632,321
Total Stockholders' Equity .................... 93,222 95,136 104,509 104,262 115,676
</TABLE>
5. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS.
The discussion set forth in Section 10 of the Offer to Purchase is hereby
amended and supplemented as follows:
Purchaser estimates that the total amount of funds now required to
purchase Common Shares pursuant to the Offer (as described in this Supplement)
and to pay all related costs and expenses will be approximately $122 million.
Purchaser plans to obtain all funds needed for the Offer through a capital
contribution from Parent. Parent plans to obtain such funds entirely from
existing cash accounts and the Credit Facility. At December 3, 1998, Parent had
$250 million of available borrowings under the Credit Facility.
6. BACKGROUND OF THE OFFER; CONTACTS WITH THE COMPANY.
The discussion set forth in Section 11 of the Offer to Purchase is hereby
amended and supplemented as follows:
On October 30, 1998, Steven A. Markel, Vice Chairman of Parent, sent a
letter to the Company Board indicating Parent was willing to discuss raising
the $18.00 per Common Share offer price if it had access to information
justifying an increase in price. In its Schedule 14D-9 filed November 4, 1998
(the "Original Schedule 14D-9") the Company reported that the Company Board
voted to recommend that its shareholders reject the original Offer. By
amendment to the Original Schedule 14D-9 filed November 6, 1998, the Company
reported that at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Company Board held on
November 5, 1998, the Company Board designated a Special Committee (the
"Special Committee") consisting of three directors for the purpose of
investigating, reviewing, evaluating and assessing the Company's strategic
alternatives that have arisen or may arise. On November 9, 1998, Mr. Markel
sent a letter to the Special Committee indicating, among other things, Parent's
willingness to discuss raising the $18.00 per Common Share offer price if
Parent had access to information justifying such an increase.
On November 13, 1998, Mr. Markel met with Robert M. Baylis, Chairman of
the Special Committee to explore the possibility of the Company and Parent
entering into a confidentiality agreement on terms satisfactory to both parties
and an increase in the $18.00 per Common Share offer price, subject to
satisfactory completion of Parent's due diligence. From November 13 through
November 17, 1998, representatives of Parent and the Company, together with
their legal counsel and financial advisors, had discussions concerning the
terms of the proposed confidentiality agreement and the amendment of the Offer
Price. On November 17, 1998, Parent and the Company executed a confidentiality
agreement and Parent announced that the Offer was amended to increase the Offer
Price from $18.00 per Common Share to $19.00 per Common Share, subject to
satisfactory completion of Parent's due diligence review. The Special Committee
agreed that upon completion of Parent's due diligence review of the Company,
the Special Committee would recommend to the Company Board that the Company
Board and the Company's shareholders accept the Offer at a $19.00 per Common
Share offer price, subject to there being no higher offers to purchase the
Company outstanding at that time.
From November 17 through November 24, representatives of Parent and the
Company, together with their legal counsel and financial advisors, held
discussions with respect to the negotiation of a definitive agreement.
On November 24, 1998, the Company Board unanimously approved the Merger
Agreement. Thereafter, Parent, Purchaser and the Company entered into the
Merger Agreement, which provides, among other things, for (i) the continuation
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of the Offer and the modification of the conditions of the Offer, as described
in Section 8 hereof, and (ii) following the consummation of the Offer, the
Merger. Pursuant to the Merger, each Common Share then outstanding at the
effective time of the Merger (other than Common Shares owned by Parent or
Purchaser, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company and Dissenting Shares
(as defined in the Merger Agreement)) will, by virtue of the Merger and without
any action by the holder thereof, be converted into the right to receive $19.00
per Common Share, net to the shareholder in cash, without interest thereon,
upon surrender of the Certificate.
7. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER; PLANS FOR THE COMPANY; CERTAIN
CONSIDERATIONS.
The discussion set forth in Section 12 of the Offer to Purchase is hereby
amended and supplemented as follows:
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and following the consummation of the
Offer, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have agreed to effect the Merger in
accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement on the third business
day (or such other time as the parties mutually agree) after the satisfaction
or waiver of certain conditions to the Merger. Set forth below is a description
of the material provisions of the Merger Agreement.
THE OFFER. In the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed, subject to
certain conditions, among other things, (a) to continue the Offer at an Offer
Price of $19.00 per Common Share, net to the seller in cash without interest,
and (b) to modify the conditions of the Offer to those set forth below under
Section 8. The Merger Agreement provides that, without the consent of the
Company, the Purchaser will not (a) reduce the number of Common Shares sought
in the Offer, (b) reduce the Offer Price, (c) change or add to the conditions
set forth below under Section 8, (d) except as provided in the next sentence,
extend the expiration date of the Offer, (e) change the form of consideration
payable in the Offer, (f) amend any other term of the Offer in any manner
adverse to the holders of the Common Shares or (g) waive the Minimum Condition.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser may, without the consent of the
Company, (A) extend the Offer, if at the scheduled expiration date of the Offer
any of the conditions to the Purchaser's obligation to purchase the Common
Shares are not satisfied or waived, until such time as such conditions are
satisfied or waived (provided that the expiration date may not be extended
beyond June 30, 1999 without the consent of the Company), (B) extend the Offer
for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of
the SEC or the staff thereof applicable to the Offer or (C) if all conditions
to Purchaser's obligation to purchase the Common Shares are satisfied or waived
but the number of Common Shares tendered together with Common Shares held by
Parent and its subsidiaries is less than 90% of the then outstanding number of
Common Shares (determined on a fully diluted basis for all outstanding
Preferred Shares, stock options and any other rights to acquire Common Shares),
extend the Offer for an aggregate period of not more than 20 business days
after the latest expiration date that would be permitted under clause (A) or
(B) of this sentence. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer and the
Merger Agreement, Parent and Purchaser have agreed to accept for payment, and
pay for, all Common Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the
Offer that Purchaser becomes obligated to accept for payment, and pay for,
pursuant to the Offer, as soon as practicable after the expiration of the
Offer.
THE MERGER. The Merger Agreement provides that, following the satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions set forth therein, Purchaser will be merged with
and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation
(the "Surviving Corporation"), and each Common Share (with associated Rights)
then outstanding (other than Common Shares owned by Parent or Purchaser, shares
owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and Dissenting Shares) will, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action by the holder thereof, be converted
into the right to receive $19.00 per Common Share, net to the shareholder in
cash, without interest thereon, upon the surrender of the certificate formerly
representing such shares.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Merger Agreement contains
representations and warranties by the Company with respect to, among other
things, the authority of the Company relative to the Merger Agreement, certain
SEC filings of the Company, the absence of certain changes or events, and the
inapplicability of state takeover statutes. The Merger Agreement also contains
representations and warranties of Parent and Purchaser with respect to, among
other things, their authority relative to the Merger Agreement and information
supplied in SEC filings in connection with the Offer or the Merger.
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed
that, among other things, during the period from the date of the Merger
Agreement until the time persons nominated by Parent or Purchaser constitute a
majority of the Company Board, the Company and its subsidiaries will conduct
their respective businesses in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent
with past practice and will use good faith efforts to preserve intact their
business organizations, to keep available the services of their current
officers and key employees, preserve its relationships with insureds,
reinsurers,
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customers, suppliers, insurance brokers and agents, and others having
significant business dealings with them to the end that its goodwill and
ongoing businesses will not be impaired in any material respect at the
effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), subject to the terms of
the Merger Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, from
the date hereof until the time persons nominated by Parent or Purchaser
constitute a majority of the Company Board except, as otherwise expressly
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its subsidiaries to, without the prior written consent of Parent: (a)
(i) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other distributions
in respect of, any of its capital stock, other than dividends and distributions
by a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to its parent,
(ii) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or
authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in
substitution for shares of its capital stock, or (iii) purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any other securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options
to acquire any such shares or other securities, except, in the case of clause
(iii), for (x) the acquisition of Common Shares from holders of stock options
in full or partial payment of the exercise price payable by such holder or tax
liability arising in connection therewith, upon exercise of stock options
outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement in accordance with their then
present terms and (y) the conversion of the Preferred Shares; (b) authorize for
issuance, issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise encumber any shares of its
capital stock or the capital stock of any of its subsidiaries, any other voting
securities or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or
options to acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible
securities or any other securities or equity equivalents (including without
limitation stock appreciation rights), or contractual obligations valued or
measured by the value or market price of the Common Shares (other than the
issuance of Common Shares and associated Rights (and reservation of preferred
stock in connection with the Rights) upon the exercise of stock options
outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement and in accordance with their
then present terms); (c) amend its Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or
other comparable charter or organizational documents; (d) acquire or agree to
acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial
portion of the stock or assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any
entity; (e) sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to
any encumbrance or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets that
are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice; (f)(i) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money
or guarantee any such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt
securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, guarantee any debt securities of another
person, enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial
statement condition of another person or enter into any arrangement having the
economic effect of any of the foregoing, except for short-term borrowings
incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or
(ii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in,
any other person, other than to the Company or any direct or indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company; (g) acquire or agree to acquire any assets
that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, or make or agree to make any capital
expenditures except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice; (h) pay, discharge or satisfy any claims (including claims of
shareholders), liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or
unasserted, contingent or otherwise), except for the payment, discharge or
satisfaction, of (i) liabilities or obligations in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice or in accordance with their terms as in
effect on the date hereof or (ii) liabilities reflected or reserved against in,
or contemplated by, the most recent consolidated audited financial statements
(or the notes thereof) of the Company included in certain reports filed with
the SEC prior to the date of the Merger Agreement, or waive, release, grant, or
transfer any rights of material value or modify or change in any material
respect any existing license, lease, contract or other document, other than in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (i) except as
set forth in a letter dated the date of the Merger Agreement delivered to
Parent contemporaneously with the execution thereof, adopt or amend in any
material respect (except as may be required by law or by the Merger Agreement)
any bonus, profit sharing, compensation, stock option, pension, retirement,
deferred compensation, employment or other employee benefit plan, agreement,
trust, fund or other arrangement (including any Benefit Plan (as defined in the
Merger Agreement)) for the benefit or welfare of any employee, director or
former director or employee or increase the compensation or fringe benefits of
any director or employee or former director or employee; pay any benefit
(including any discretionary bonus) not required by any existing plan,
arrangement or agreement, grant any new or modified severance or termination
arrangement or increase or accelerate any benefits payable under its severance
or termination pay policies in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement,
other than any such increase or acceleration provided for under such policies
as in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement; (j) change any material
accounting principle used by it, except for such changes as may be required to
be implemented following the date of the Merger Agreement pursuant to generally
accepted accounting principles or rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated
following the date of the Merger Agreement; (k) take any action that would, or
is reasonably likely to, result in any of its representations and warranties in
the Merger Agreement
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becoming untrue, or in any of the conditions of Purchaser's obligation to
purchase Common Shares in the Offer or the conditions to the Merger not being
satisfied; (l) except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past practice, make any material tax election or settle or compromise any
material federal, state, local or foreign income tax liability; and (m)
authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the foregoing actions.
PROHIBITION ON SOLICITATION. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company
has agreed that the Company and its officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents will immediately cease any discussions or
negotiations with any parties that may be ongoing with respect to an
Acquisition Proposal (as defined below). From and after the date of the Merger
Agreement until the termination thereof, the Company has agreed it will not,
nor will it permit any of its subsidiaries to, authorize or permit any of its
officers, directors or employees or any investment banker, financial advisor,
attorney, accountant or other representative retained by it or any of its
subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly
encourage (including by way of furnishing non-public information or
assistance), or knowingly take any other action to facilitate, any inquiries or
the making of any proposal which constitutes, or would reasonably be expected
to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal or (ii) participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal. If, at any time the Company
Board determines in good faith, after receiving the advice of independent legal
counsel (who may be the Company's regularly engaged independent counsel), that
it is necessary to do so in the exercise of its fiduciary duties to the
Company's shareholders under applicable law, the Company may, in response to an
unsolicited Acquisition Proposal, and subject to compliance with certain
provisions of the Merger Agreement, (A) furnish information with respect to the
Company to any person pursuant to a confidentiality agreement in reasonably
customary form and (B) participate in discussions or negotiations regarding
such Acquisition Proposal. An, "Acquisition Proposal" means any inquiry,
proposal or offer (or any public announcement of a proposal, plan or intention
to do any of the foregoing or any agreement to engage in the foregoing) from
any person relating to any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of 20% or
more of the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or 20% or more of
any class of equity securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any
tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person
beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of equity securities of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, any merger, consolidation, business
combination, sale of all or substantially all the assets, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, other than the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, or any other transaction the consummation of which would reasonably
be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or materially delay the Offer or
the Merger or which would reasonably be expected to dilute materially the
benefits to Parent of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The Company has agreed that neither the Company Board nor any committee
thereof will (i) withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a
manner adverse to Parent, the approval or recommendation by the Company Board
of the Merger Agreement, the Offer or the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend, or
propose to approve or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal or (iii) cause the
Company to enter into any agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company Board determines
in good faith, after receiving the advice of independent legal counsel (who may
be the Company's regularly engaged independent counsel), that it is necessary
to do so in the exercise of its fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders
under applicable law, the Company Board may (subject to certain provisions of
the Merger Agreement) withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of the
Merger Agreement, the Offer and the Merger, approve or recommend a Superior
Proposal (as defined below), cause the Company to enter into an agreement with
respect to a Superior Proposal or terminate the Merger Agreement, but in each
case only at a time that is after the twentieth business day following Parent's
receipt of written notice (a "Notice of Superior Proposal") advising Parent
that the Company Board has received a Superior Proposal, specifying the
material terms and conditions of such Superior Proposal and identifying the
person making such Superior Proposal. In addition, if the Company proposes to
enter into an agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, it has agreed
concurrently with entering into such agreement to pay, or cause to be paid, to
Parent a termination fee of $5 million (the "Termination Fee") plus all
out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by Parent in connection with the
Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby not to exceed $500,000 ("Parent's Expenses"). A "Superior Proposal"
means any bona fide Acquisition Proposal made by a third party to acquire,
directly or indirectly, for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities,
all of the Common Shares then outstanding or all or substantially all the
assets of the Company and otherwise on terms which the Company Board determines
in its good faith judgment (after receiving the advice of a financial advisor
of nationally recognized reputation) to be more favorable to the Company's
shareholders than the Offer and the Merger.
The Company has agreed in the Merger Agreement (i) to promptly advise
Parent orally and in writing of any request for information or of any
Acquisition Proposal, the material terms and conditions of such request or
Acquisition Proposal and the identity of the person making such request or
Acquisition Proposal, (ii) to receive from the Person an executed
confidentiality agreement on terms no less favorable to the Company than those
contained in the confidentiality agreement
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executed by Parent and (iii) to keep Parent promptly advised of all
developments which could reasonably be expected to culminate in the Company
Board withdrawing, modifying or amending its recommendation of the Offer, the
Merger and other transactions contemplated thereby.
Nothing in the Merger Agreement prohibits the Company from taking and
disclosing to its shareholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a)
promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any disclosure to the
Company's shareholders if, in the good faith judgment of the Company Board,
after consultation with independent legal counsel (who may be the Company's
regularly engaged independent counsel), failure so to disclose would be
inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders under
applicable law. So long as Parent and Purchaser are in compliance in all
material respects with their obligations under the Merger Agreement, neither
the Company nor the Company Board nor any committee thereof will, except as
permitted by the Merger Agreement, withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw
or modify, its position with respect to the Merger Agreement, the Offer or the
Merger or approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, an
Acquisition Proposal. The Company has agreed not to release any third party
from, or waive any provisions of, any confidentiality or standstill agreement
to which the Company is a party.
STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL; PREPARATION OF PROXY STATEMENT. The Merger Agreement
provides that as soon as practicable following the consummation of the Offer,
the Company will, at the direction of Parent, prepare and file with the SEC a
proxy statement or information statement, if required by applicable law. The
Company has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Proxy Statement to be mailed to its shareholders at the earliest practical
time.
Subject to the fiduciary obligations of the Company Board, as described
under "Prohibition on Solicitation" above, the Merger Agreement provides that
following the consummation of the Offer, the Company will, at the direction of
Parent, cause a meeting of its shareholders to be duly called and held as soon
as practicable and take all action necessary in accordance with applicable law
and its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to convene a meeting of its
shareholders (the "Shareholders Meeting") to vote upon the approval and
adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Merger.
For a description of the short-form merger provisions of the DGCL, which,
under certain circumstances, if Parent and its subsidiaries following
consummation of the Offer own at least 90% of the Common Shares, could be
applicable to the Merger, see "Purpose of the Offer and the Merger; Plans for
the Company; Certain Considerations" in the Purchaser's Offer to Purchase.
INVESTIGATION OF BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES. The Merger Agreement provides
that, until the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Offer and (ii)
termination of the Merger Agreement, the Company will, and will cause its
subsidiaries to, afford Parent, any financial institution providing financing
to Parent, and their respective attorneys, accountants, financial advisors and
other representatives, reasonable access during regular business hours upon
reasonable notice, to make such reasonable inspection of the assets, business
and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and to inspect and make
copies of all documents and information reasonably requested by Parent and
related to the operations and business of the Company and of its subsidiaries
and to meet with designated personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries
and/or their respective representatives. Any such access will be conducted in
such a manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the operation of the
business. The Company has agreed to instruct its personnel, accountants and
counsel to cooperate with Parent, and to provide such documents and information
as Parent and its representatives may reasonably request. Parent has agreed to
execute and deliver to such counsel and accountants such consents and waivers
as are customary in connection with providing such documents and information.
The Merger Agreement provides that the letter agreement dated November 17, 1998
between Parent and the Company (other than certain specified paragraphs
thereof) applies with respect to information furnished thereunder or under the
Merger Agreement.
EFFORTS TO CONSUMMATE. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement, each of the parties has agreed to use its good faith efforts to
take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all
things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate, as promptly as
practicable, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including
the obtaining of all necessary consents, waivers, authorizations, orders and
approvals of third parties, whether private or governmental, required of it to
enable it to comply with the conditions precedent to consummating the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, each party has agreed to defend and cooperate with
each other party in defending any legal proceedings, whether judicial or
administrative and whether brought derivatively or on behalf of third parties,
challenging the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby. No consideration for any such consent, waiver or
agreement necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement will be given or promised by the Company without the prior
written approval of Parent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in
the Merger Agreement requires (a) any party thereto or any of their respective
affiliates to sell, transfer, divest or otherwise dispose of any of its
respective business, assets or properties in connection with the Merger
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated thereby, (b) Parent to
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enter into any agreement or other arrangement for the financing of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement on terms that are not
satisfactory to Parent, in its sole discretion or (c) any party thereto to
initiate any litigation, make any substantial payment or incur any material
economic burden (including as a result of any divestiture), except for payments
a party presently is contractually obligated to make, to obtain any consent,
waiver, authorization, order or approval.
CERTAIN LITIGATION. In the Merger Agreement, Parent and Purchaser agreed
to promptly dismiss litigation pending against the Company and its directors in
the Delaware Chancery Court. See Section 9 of this Supplement.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Promptly upon the acceptance for payment of, and
payment by Parent for, Common Shares pursuant to the Offer, and from time to
time thereafter, Parent is entitled to designate such number of directors on
the Company Board as will give Parent, subject to compliance with Section 14(f)
of the Exchange Act, representation on the Company Board equal to at least that
number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number, which is the
percentage of the total number of directors (giving effect to the directors
elected pursuant to this sentence) that (i) the number of Common Shares owned
by Parent and its affiliates bears to (ii) the total number of Common Shares
outstanding, and the Company has agreed, at such time, to promptly take all
action necessary to cause Parent's designees to be appointed or elected. In the
event that Parent's designees are elected to the Company Board, the Merger
Agreement provides that until the Effective Time the Company Board will have at
least two Independent Directors (as defined below); and, in such event, if the
number of Independent Directors is reduced below two for any reason whatsoever,
the remaining Independent Director will designate a person to fill such vacancy
who will be deemed to be an Independent Director for purposes of the Merger
Agreement or, if no Independent Directors then remain, the other directors will
designate two persons to fill such vacancies who may not be officers or
affiliates of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or officers or affiliates
of Parent or any of its subsidiaries, and such persons will be deemed to be
Independent Directors for purposes of the Merger Agreement. The Company will
use its best efforts to cause persons designated by Parent to constitute the
same percentage as is on the Company Board of (i) each committee of the Company
Board, (ii) each board of directors of each domestic subsidiary of the Company
and (iii) each committee of each such other board of directors, in each case to
the extent permitted by law. Subject to applicable law, the Company has agreed
to take all action requested by Parent necessary to effect any such appointment
or election. Following the election of designees of Parent and prior to the
Effective Time, any amendment of the Merger Agreement or the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, any termination of the Merger Agreement
by the Company, any extension by the Company of the time for the performance of
any of the obligations or other acts of Parent or Purchaser or waiver of any of
the Company's rights under the Merger Agreement requires the concurrence of a
majority of the directors of the Company then in office who neither were
designated by Parent nor are employees of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or, if there is just one such director, the concurrence of such
director (the "Independent Directors"). The Independent Directors will have the
authority to retain such counsel and other advisors at the expense of the
Company as are reasonably appropriate to the exercise of their duties in
connection with the Merger Agreement, subject to approval by the Company of the
terms of such retention, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld. In
addition, the Independent Directors will have the authority to institute any
action, on behalf of the Company, to enforce performance of the Merger
Agreement.
TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS; CERTAIN BENEFITS. After the Effective Time,
holders of outstanding stock options under the Company's stock option plans
will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal to (A) the product of the
number of Common Shares for which such stock option was exercisable immediately
prior to the Effective Time multiplied by $19.00 less (B) the aggregate
exercise price that would have been applicable to such stock option immediately
prior to the Effective Time had such stock option been exercised immediately
prior to the Effective Time.
The Merger Agreement provides that Parent will cause the Surviving
Corporation, for the period ending on December 31, 1999, either to provide
employee benefits under plans, programs and arrangements which, in the
aggregate, will provide benefits to the employees of the Surviving Corporation
which are no less favorable than those provided pursuant to the benefit plans
of the Company in effect at the date of the Merger Agreement (other than
stock-based plans) or to provide employees of the Surviving Corporation with
benefits, in the aggregate, that are comparable to those provided to similarly
situated employees of Parent and its subsidiaries. Nothing in the Merger
Agreement prevents the amendment or termination of any such benefit plan or
interferes with the Surviving Corporation's right or obligation to make such
changes as are necessary to conform with applicable law. Parent has agreed to
cause the Surviving Corporation to honor without modification all employee
severance plans (or policies) and employment and severance agreements of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries in existence on the date of the Merger
Agreement as such agreements are in effect on such date, but only to the extent
such plans (or policies) and employment and severance agreements are identified
in a letter dated the date of the Merger Agreement delivered to Parent
contemporaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement. Nothing in the
Merger
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Agreement requires the continued employment of any person or prevents the
Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries from taking any action which
the Company or any of its subsidiaries could take if the Offer or Merger had
not been consummated.
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. The Merger Agreement provides that all
rights to indemnification (including indemnification based in whole or in part
on, arising in whole or in part out of, or pertaining to the Merger Agreement
or the transactions contemplated thereby) by the Company now existing in favor
of each present and former director and officer of the Company (the
"Indemnified Parties") as provided in the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation or the Company's Bylaws, in each case as in effect on the date of
the Merger Agreement, or pursuant to any other agreements in effect on the date
of the Merger Agreement, survives the Merger and will continue in full force
and effect in accordance with their terms for a period of at least six years
from the Effective Time.
In addition, Parent has agreed to cause the Surviving Corporation to use
reasonable efforts to provide, for a period of six years after the Effective
Time, the Company's current directors and officers an insurance and
indemnification policy that provides coverage for events occurring at or prior
to the Effective Time (the "D &O Insurance") that is no less favorable in any
material respect than the Company's existing D&O Insurance policy or, if
substantially equivalent insurance coverage is unavailable, the best available
coverage. The Surviving Corporation is not required to pay an annual premium
for the D&O Insurance in excess of 150% of the annual premium currently paid by
the Company for such insurance, but in such case the Surviving Corporation will
purchase as much such coverage as possible for such amount.
UNDERWRITING; INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO. From the date of the Merger Agreement
through the time persons nominated by Parent or Purchaser constitute a majority
of the Company Board, the Company has agreed to cause each of its subsidiaries
not to change or alter its underwriting guidelines or criteria without the
prior written approval of Parent and will consider in good faith such changes
in its underwriting guidelines and criteria as Parent reasonably requests. From
the date of the Merger Agreement through the time persons nominated by Parent
or Purchaser constitute a majority of the Company Board, the Company has agreed
to cause each of its subsidiaries not to change its investment managers or
alter its investment guidelines or criteria without the prior written approval
of Parent and will make such changes in its investment managers and will
consider in good faith such changes in its investment guidelines and criteria
as Parent reasonably requests.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER. The respective obligation of each party to the
Merger Agreement to effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction, prior to
the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, of the
following conditions: (a) the Offer shall have been successfully completed; (b)
if required by applicable law, the Merger Agreement and the Merger shall have
been authorized and approved by the requisite affirmative vote of the
shareholders of the Company in accordance with applicable law; (c) no temporary
restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by
any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
preventing the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect; provided that
prior to invoking this condition the party seeking to invoke this condition
shall use its good faith efforts to have any such decree, ruling, injunction or
order vacated; and (d) other than the filing of the Certificate of Merger, all
approvals of governmental authorities required to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including, without limitation, required
approvals from the insurance regulatory authorities of the States of
California, Connecticut and Pennsylvania) shall have been obtained and shall
remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect
thereof shall have expired.
TERMINATION. The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the closing whether before or after approval by the shareholders of the Company
and without further shareholder action (a) subject in the case of the Company
to the approval requirements described under "Board of Directors", by the
mutual written consent of the Company and Parent duly authorized by action of
their respective Board of Directors; (b) subject in the case of the Company to
the approval requirements described under "Board of Directors", by either
Parent or the Company upon notification to the non-terminating party by the
terminating party, if any court of competent jurisdiction or other competent
governmental authority has issued an order making illegal or otherwise
restricting, preventing or prohibiting the Merger and such order has become
final and nonappealable; (c) by Parent, if as a result of the failure of any of
the conditions to Parent's Obligation to purchase Common Shares in the Offer,
the Offer has terminated or expired in accordance with its terms without Parent
having accepted for payment any Common Shares pursuant to the Offer, unless any
such failure has been caused by or resulted from the failure of Parent or
Purchaser to comply with the terms of the Offer or any covenant or agreement of
either of them contained in the Merger Agreement; (d) by Parent prior to
acceptance for purchase of Common Shares pursuant to the Offer, if (A) the
Company Board has failed to approve and recommend, has withdrawn or modified in
a manner adverse to Parent, or, upon reasonable request of Parent, has failed
to reconfirm, its approval or recommendation of the Offer, the Merger or the
Merger Agreement, or has approved or recommended any Acquisition Proposal, (B)
the Company has entered into any agreement with respect to any Superior
Proposal in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement
or
10
<PAGE>
(C) the Company Board has resolved to take any of the foregoing actions; (e) by
the Company prior to purchase of Common Shares pursuant to the Offer, in
connection with entering into a definitive agreement in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Merger Agreement, provided the Company (A) has
complied with all provisions of the Merger Agreement, including the notice
provisions therein and the payment of the Termination Fee and Parent's
Expenses, and certain provisions of the Merger Agreement on solicitations as
described in the second paragraph under "Prohibition on Solicitation" above,
and (B) has not breached in any material respect any other provisions of the
Merger Agreement on solicitation as described in the second paragraph under
"Prohibition on Solicitation" above; or (f) by the Company or Parent if
acceptance for payment of Common Shares pursuant to the Offer has not occurred
by 11:59 p.m., June 30, 1999; provided that the right to terminate the Merger
Agreement under clause (f) will not be available to any party whose failure to
fulfill any obligation under the Merger Agreement has been the cause of, or
resulted in, the failure of such purchase to occur on or before such date. The
passage of the period referred to in clause (f) of the preceding sentence will
be tolled for any part thereof during which any party to the Merger Agreement
is subject to a nonfinal order or other action restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the purchase of Common Shares of the Company pursuant to
the Offer.
FEES AND EXPENSES. Except as otherwise provided in the Merger Agreement,
all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby will be paid by the party incurring
such costs, fees and expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated. If (i)
Parent terminates the Merger Agreement as described in clause (d) under
"Termination", or the Company terminates the Merger Agreement as described in
clause (e) under "Termination", the Company will pay, or cause to be paid, to
Parent the Termination Fee plus Parent's Expenses.
AMENDMENT. The Merger Agreement may be amended at any time by the parties
thereto. The Merger Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing
signed by each of the parties thereto.
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THE RIGHTS. By an amendment, dated as of October 22, 1998, to the Rights
Agreement (the "Second Amendment"), the definitions of the terms "Acquiring
Person" and "Distribution Date" were modified by changing the ownership
threshold specified therein to 11.8% of the outstanding Common Shares. This new
ownership threshold is in excess of the percentage of the outstanding Common
Shares that is held by Parent and Purchaser.
Effective as of November 25, 1998, the Rights Agreement was further
amended (the "Third Amendment") to provide that notwithstanding any other
provisions contained in the Rights Agreement to the contrary, none of Parent,
Purchaser or any of their affiliates or associates will become an "Acquiring
Person,"nor will a Distribution Date with respect to the Rights occur, as a
result of (i) Parent and Purchaser entering into the Merger Agreement or the
performance of the transactions contemplated by or permitted under the Merger
Agreement or (ii) the making of the Offer or the acceptance of, or payment for,
Common Shares pursuant thereto. The Third Amendment also provides that the
Rights will expire upon the earlier of Purchaser's acceptance of and payment
for Common Shares pursuant to the Offer or immediately prior to the Effective
Time of the Merger. Based on the modifications to the Rights Agreement
contained in the Third Amendment, Purchaser believes that there will be no
distribution of the Rights as a result of the Offer or the Merger.
The foregoing summary of the amendments to the Rights Agreement does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the Second Amendment (filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 3 to
the Company's Schedule 14D-9 dated November 3, 1998) and the Third Amendment
(filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 4 to the Company's Schedule 14D-9 dated
December 3, 1998).
8. CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER.
The discussion set forth in Section 14 of the Offer to Purchase is hereby
amended and supplemented as follows:
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Offer, and in addition to (and
not in limitation of) Parent's or Purchaser's rights to extend and amend the
Offer at any time pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Parent or
Purchaser shall not be required to accept for payment or, subject to any
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including Rule 14e-1(c) under the
Exchange Act (relating to Parent's obligation to pay for or return tendered
Common Shares promptly after termination or withdrawal of the Offer), pay for,
and may delay the acceptance for payment of or, subject to the restriction
referred to above, the payment for, any tendered Common Shares, and may
terminate the Offer as to any Common Shares not then paid for, if, prior to the
expiration of the Offer (i) there shall not have been validly tendered and not
withdrawn such number of Common Shares (including Rights) which, together with
Common Shares owned by Parent, constitute at least 51% of the Common Shares
outstanding on a fully diluted basis on the date of purchase, (ii) Parent and
Purchaser have not obtained all insurance regulatory approvals necessary for
their acquisition of control over the Company and its Insurance Subsidiaries on
terms and conditions satisfactory to Parent, in its good faith determination;
provided, that no such
11
<PAGE>
approval shall contain any material limitations, requirements or conditions on
Parent, the Company or a Subsidiary or require Parent, the Company or a
Subsidiary to make any material payment to any party including in the case of
Parent, to the Company or, in the case of Parent or the Company, to any
Subsidiary (the "Insurance Regulatory Approval Condition"), (iii) the waiting
period under the HSR Act applicable to the purchase of Common Shares pursuant
to the Offer shall not have expired or been terminated, or (iv) at any time on
or after the date hereof and prior to the acceptance for payment of Common
Shares, any of the following events shall occur:
(a) the Company shall have breached or failed to perform in any material
respect its obligations, covenants or agreements under the Merger Agreement
and, with respect to any such failure that can be remedied, the failure
shall not have been remedied within five business days after Parent has
furnished the Company written notice of such failure, the representations
and warranties of the Company set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have
been false or inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect when made or
thereafter shall become and remain false or inaccurate or incomplete in any
material respect or Parent shall not have received evidence in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to it of the actions taken by the Company
which cause the Company to be in compliance with the representations and
warranties contained in Section 3.5 of the Merger Agreement; provided that
a prospective material addition (but not an actual material addition) to
the Company's consolidated reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses
based upon information provided by the Company or otherwise known to Parent
on or prior to the date of execution of the Merger Agreement shall not be
deemed to be a breach of the representations and warranties set forth in
Section 3.3 of the Merger Agreement.
(b) there shall have been instituted or pending any action, proceeding,
application or counterclaim before any Governmental Authority which (i)
challenges or seeks to challenge the acquisition by Parent or Purchaser or
any affiliate of either of them of the Common Shares, restrains, materially
delays or prohibits or seeks to restrain, materially delay or prohibit the
making of the Offer or the Merger or consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Offer or the Merger, (ii) prohibits or limits or seeks
to prohibit or limit Parent's or Purchaser's ownership or operation of all
or any portion of their or the Company's business or assets (including
without limitation the business or assets of their respective affiliates
and subsidiaries) or to compel or seeks to compel Parent or Purchaser to
dispose of or hold separate all or any portion of their own or the
Company's business or assets (including without limitation the business or
assets of their respective affiliates and subsidiaries) or imposes or seeks
to impose any limitation on the ability of Parent, Purchaser or any
affiliate of either of them to conduct its own business or own such assets
as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Offer or the Merger,
(iii) makes or seeks to make the acceptance for payment, purchase of, or
payment for, some or all of the Common Shares pursuant to the Offer or the
Merger illegal or results in a material delay in, or restricts materially,
the ability of Parent or Purchaser, or renders Parent or Purchaser unable,
to accept for payment, purchase or pay for some or all of the Common Shares
or to consummate the Merger, (iv) imposes or seeks to impose material
limitations on the ability of Parent or Purchaser or any affiliate of
either of them effectively to acquire or hold or to exercise full rights of
ownership of the Common Shares, including, without limitation, the right to
vote the Common Shares purchased by them on an equal basis with all other
Common Shares on all matters properly presented to the shareholders of the
Company or (v) might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement) on the Company;
(c) any statute, rule, regulation or order or injunction shall be
enacted, promulgated, entered, enforced or deemed or become applicable to
the Offer or the Merger which could reasonably be expected to result in any
of the consequences referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of paragraph (b)
above;
(d) any change, event or effect shall have occurred that, when taken
together with all other adverse changes, events or effects that have
occurred, has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or
a Material Adverse Change (as defined in the Merger Agreement) with respect
to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(e) there shall have occurred (i) a declaration of a banking moratorium
or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States
(whether or not mandatory), (ii) any limitation (whether or not mandatory)
by any governmental authority or agency on, or other event which limits the
extension of credit by banks or other lending institutions, (iii) a
commencement of a war, armed hostilities or other national or international
crisis directly or indirectly involving the United States which has a
material adverse effect on general economic conditions in the United States
or (iv) in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of the
commencement of the Offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof;
(f) the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with
its terms or the Offer shall have been terminated with the consent of the
Company; or
12
<PAGE>
(g) (i) the Company Board shall have failed to approve and recommend,
shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Parent, or, upon
request of Parent, shall have failed to reconfirm, its approval or
recommendation of the Offer, the Merger or the Merger Agreement, or shall
have approved or recommended any Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the
Merger Agreement), (ii) the Company shall have entered into any definitive
agreement or agreement in principle with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal or (iii) the Company Board shall have resolved to take any of the
foregoing actions.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Parent and Purchaser
and may be asserted by Parent and Purchaser in their good faith determination
(subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement) regardless of the circumstances
(including any action or omission by Parent or Subsidiary) giving rise to any
such conditions or may be waived by Parent or Purchaser in their good faith
determination (subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement) in whole or in
part at any time and from time to time. The failure by Parent or Purchaser at
any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver
of any such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which
may be asserted at any time and from time to time.
9. CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS; REGULATORY APPROVALS; CERTAIN LITIGATION.
The discussion set forth in Section 15 of the Offer to Purchase is hereby
amended and supplemented as follows:
STATE INSURANCE APPROVAL. It is Parent's and Purchaser's current
expectation that the required approvals by the relevant Insurance Commissions
in California and Pennsylvania will occur by December 31, 1998. The
Pennsylvania Department of Insurance has set a hearing date of December 15,
1998 to review the Company's Form A filing with respect to the Offer. The
hearing required under the Connecticut Insurance Code is not expected to occur
until January 1999. Since the Offer remains conditional upon the satisfaction
of the Insurance Regulatory Condition, the Purchaser is likely to extend the
Expiration Date to a date after the Connecticut hearing.
ANTITRUST. Early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act has
been granted.
THE DELAWARE LITIGATION. In the Merger Agreement, Parent and Purchaser
agreed to promptly dismiss litigation pending against the Company and its
directors in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On November 25,
1998, Parent and Purchaser voluntarily dismissed the pending litigation with
prejudice.
SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE CORPORATION LAW. Because the Company Board
approved, on November 24, 1998, the terms of the Merger Agreement, the
provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware Corporation Law relating to Business
Combinations with Interested Stockholders have been rendered inapplicable to
the Merger.
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
Parent and Purchaser have filed with the SEC the Schedule 14D-1, together
with exhibits, pursuant to Rule 14d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Exchange Act, furnishing certain additional information with respect
to the Offer. The Schedule 14D-1, and any amendments thereto, may be inspected
at, and copies may be obtained from, the same places and in the same manner as
set forth in Section 8 (except that they may not be available at the regional
offices of the SEC).
MG ACQUISITION CORP.
December 3, 1998
13
<PAGE>
Facsimile copies of one of the Letters of Transmittal, properly completed
and duly signed, will be accepted. The Letters of Transmittal, certificates for
the Common Shares and any other required documents should be sent by each
shareholder of the Company or his broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company or other nominee to the Depositary as follows:
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS:
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
(704) 590-7628
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
(704) 590-7408
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
IF BY REGISTERED MAIL, CERTIFIED
IF BY FIRST CLASS MAIL MAIL OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY IF BY HAND ONLY
First Union National Bank First Union National Bank First Union National Bank
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. 5th Floor
Reorg. Department Reorg. Department 40 Broad Street
3c3-NC-1153 3c3-NC-1153 New York, NY 10004
Charlotte, NC 28288-1153 Charlotte, NC 28262
</TABLE>
Any questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the
Information Agent or the Dealer Manager at their respective telephone numbers
and locations listed below. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this
Supplement, the revised Letter of Transmittal and the revised Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Information Agent at its address
and telephone numbers set forth below. Holders of Common Shares may also
contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee
for assistance concerning the Offer.
THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER IS:
[MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. LOGO]
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
(212) 929-5500 (Call Collect)
or
CALL TOLL FREE (800) 322-2885
THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER IS:
[COCHRAN, CARONIA SECURITIES LLC LOGO]
1 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 425-9335
or
CALL TOLL FREE (800) 248-8163
14
EXHIBIT (a)(14)
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
OF
GRYPHON HOLDINGS INC.
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE,
DATED OCTOBER 20, 1998
AND THE SUPPLEMENT
THERETO DATED
DECEMBER 3, 1998
BY
MG ACQUISITION CORP.
A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF
MARKEL CORPORATION
THE OFFER, AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW
YORK CITY TIME, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1998, UNLESS THE OFFER IS
EXTENDED.
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS:
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
(704) 590-7628
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
(704) 590-7408
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
IF BY FIRST CLASS MAIL IF BY REGISTERED MAIL, CERTIFIED IF BY HAND ONLY
MAIL OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
First Union National Bank First Union National Bank First Union National Bank
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. 5th Floor
Reorg. Department Reorg. Department 40 Broad Street
3c3-NC-1153 3c3-NC-1153 New York, NY 10004
Charlotte, NC 28288-1153 Charlotte, NC 28262
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS REVISED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS
SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. YOU MUST
SIGN THIS REVISED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL WHERE INDICATED BELOW AND COMPLETE THE
SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 PROVIDED BELOW.
THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS REVISED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE
READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS REVISED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
THIS REVISED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS TO BE COMPLETED BY SHAREHOLDERS OF
GRYPHON HOLDINGS INC. EITHER IF CERTIFICATES EVIDENCING COMMON SHARES AND/OR
RIGHTS (EACH AS DEFINED BELOW) ARE TO BE FORWARDED HEREWITH, OR IF DELIVERY OF
COMMON SHARES AND/OR RIGHTS IS TO BE MADE BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE
DEPOSITARY'S ACCOUNT AT THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE "BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
FACILITY") PURSUANT TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN
"PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING COMMON SHARES" OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE (AS DEFINED
BELOW). DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SUCH BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY'S PROCEDURES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
Shareholders who have previously tendered Common Shares pursuant to the
Offer using the previously circulated Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery and who have not properly withdrawn such Common Shares for
the purposes of the Offer, as amended, need not take any further action.
Holders of Common Shares will be required to tender one Right for each
Common Share tendered to effect a valid tender of such Common Share. Until the
Distribution Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) has occurred, the
Rights are
1
<PAGE>
represented by and transferred with the Common Shares. Accordingly, if the
Distribution Date does not occur prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in
the Offer to Purchase), a tender of Common Shares will constitute a tender of
the associated Rights. If a Distribution Date has occurred, certificates
representing a number of Rights equal to the number of Common Shares being
tendered must be delivered to the Depositary in order for such Common Shares to
be validly tendered. If a Distribution Date has occurred, a tender of Common
Shares without Rights constitutes an agreement by the tendering shareholder to
deliver certificates representing a number of Rights equal to the number of
Common Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer (as defined in the Offer to
Purchase) to the Depositary within three Nasdaq National Market trading days
after the date such certificates are distributed. Purchaser reserves the right
to require that it receive such certificates prior to accepting Common Shares
for payment. Payment for Common Shares tendered and purchased pursuant to the
Offer to Purchase will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of,
among other things, such certificates, if such certificates have been
distributed to holders of Common Shares. Purchaser will not pay any additional
consideration for the Rights tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase.
Shareholders whose certificates for Common Shares and, if applicable,
Rights, are not immediately available or who cannot deliver such certificates
and all other documents required hereby to the Depositary prior to the
Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry
transfer on a timely basis and who wish to tender their Common Shares and
Rights must do so pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described in
"Procedures for Tendering Common Shares" of the Offer to Purchase. See
Instruction 2.
2
<PAGE>
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED COMMON SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER TO THE DEPOSITARY'S ACCOUNT AT THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution:
----------------------------------------------
If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer to The Depository Trust Company:
Account Number:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Code Number:
----------------------------------------------------
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED RIGHTS ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
TO THE DEPOSITARY'S ACCOUNT AT THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND COMPLETE
THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution:
----------------------------------------------
If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer to The Depository Trust Company:
Account Number:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Code Number:
----------------------------------------------------
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED COMMON SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED PURSUANT TO A
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
--------------------------------------------
Window Ticket Number (if any):
----------------------------------------------
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
-------------------------
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:
------------------------------
If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer to The Depository Trust Company:
Account Number:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Code Number:
----------------------------------------------------
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED RIGHTS ARE BEING TENDERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE
FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
--------------------------------------------
Window Ticket Number (if any):
----------------------------------------------
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
-------------------------
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:
------------------------------
If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer to The Depository Trust Company:
Account Number:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Code Number:
----------------------------------------------------
3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES TENDERED
<S> <C>
COMMON SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) TENDERED
(ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY)
TOTAL NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)* REPRESENTED BY CERTIFICATE(S) NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES TENDERED**
TOTAL COMMON SHARES ...............................................
* Need not be completed by shareholders tendering by book-entry transfer.
** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Common Shares being delivered to the Depositary are being
tendered. See Instruction 4.
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS TENDERED
<S> <C>
RIGHTS CERTIFICATE(S) TENDERED*
(ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY)
TOTAL NUMBER OF RIGHTS REPRESENTED
CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)** BY CERTIFICATE(S) NUMBER OF RIGHTS TENDERED***
TOTAL RIGHTS ...................................................................
*If the tendered Rights are represented by separate Rights Certificates, provide the certificate numbers of such Rights
Certificates. Shareholders tendering Rights which are not represented by separate certificates will need to submit an
additional Letter of Transmittal if Rights Certificates are distributed.
**Need not be completed by shareholders tendering by book-entry transfer.
***Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Rights being delivered to the Depositary are being tendered. See
Instruction 4.
</TABLE>
The names and addresses of the registered holders should be printed, if
not already printed above, exactly as they appear on the certificates
representing Common Shares and/or Rights tendered hereby. The certificates and
number of Common Shares and/or Rights that the undersigned wishes to tender
should be indicated in the appropriate boxes.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW. PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS SET
FORTH IN THIS REVISED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY.
5
<PAGE>
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
The undersigned hereby tenders to MG Acquisition Corp., a Delaware
corporation ("Purchaser") and a wholly owned subsidiary of Markel Corporation,
a Virginia corporation, the above described shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share (the "Common Shares"), of Gryphon Holdings Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), including the associated Junior Participating
Cumulative Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (including any successors thereto,
the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of June 5,
1995, as amended as of July 28, 1998, October 22, 1998 and November 25, 1998,
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Rights Agent
(as such agreement may be further amended and including any successor
agreement, the "Rights Agreement"), pursuant to Purchaser's offer to purchase
all of the outstanding Common Shares, including the associated Rights, at a
price of $19.00 per Common Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest
thereon, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to
Purchase, dated October 20, 1998 (the "Offer to Purchase"), the Supplement
thereto, dated December 3, 1998 (the "Supplement") receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, and in this revised Letter of Transmittal (which, as amended from
time to time, together constitute the "Offer"). Unless the context requires
otherwise, all references herein to the Common Shares shall include the
associated Rights, and all references to the Rights shall include the benefits
that may inure to the holders of the Rights pursuant to the Rights Agreement,
including the right to receive any payment due upon redemption of the Rights.
The undersigned understands that Purchaser reserves the right to transfer
or assign, in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, to one or more
of its affiliates, the right to purchase all or any portion of the Common
Shares and/or Rights tendered pursuant to the Offer, but any such transfer or
assignment will not relieve Purchaser of its obligations under the Offer and
will in no way prejudice the rights of tendering shareholders to receive
payment for Common Shares validly tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to
the Offer.
Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of the Common
Shares and Rights tendered herewith, in accordance with the terms of the Offer
(including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of
any such extension or amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and
transfers to, or upon the order of, Purchaser all right, title and interest in
and to all the Common Shares and Rights that are being tendered hereby (and any
and all non-cash dividends, distributions, rights, other Common Shares or other
securities issued or issuable in respect thereof or declared, paid or
distributed in respect of such Common Shares on or after October 20, 1998
(collectively, "Distributions")), and irrevocably appoints the Depositary the
true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to
such Common Shares, Rights and all Distributions, with full power of
substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power
coupled with an interest), to (i) deliver certificates for such Common Shares
(individually, a "Common Share Certificate"), Rights and all Distributions, or
transfer ownership of such Common Shares, Rights and all Distributions on the
account books maintained by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, together, in
either case, with all accompanying evidence of transfer and authenticity to, or
upon the order of Purchaser, (ii) present such Common Shares, Rights and all
Distributions for transfer on the books of the Company and (iii) receive all
benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such
Common Shares, Rights and all Distributions, all in accordance with the terms
of the Offer.
If, on or after the date of the Offer to Purchase, the Company should
declare or pay any dividend on the Common Shares or make any distribution
(including, without limitation, the issuance of additional Common Shares
pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split, the issuance of other securities
or the issuance of rights for the purchase of any securities) with respect to
the Common Shares that is payable or distributable to shareholders of record on
a date prior to the transfer to the name of Purchaser or its nominee or
transferee on the Company's stock transfer records of the Common Shares
purchased pursuant to the Offer, then, subject to the provisions of Section 13
of the Offer to Purchase, (i) the purchase price per Common Share payable by
Purchaser pursuant to the Offer will be reduced by the amount of any such cash
dividend or cash distribution and (ii) any such non-cash dividend, distribution
or right to be received by the tendering shareholder will be received and held
by such tendering shareholder for the account of Purchaser and will be required
to be remitted promptly and transferred by each such tendering shareholder to
the Depositary for the account of Purchaser, accompanied by appropriate
documentation of transfer. Pending such remittance and subject to applicable
law, Purchaser will be entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of any
such non-cash dividend, distribution or right and may withhold the entire
purchase price or deduct from the purchase price the amount of value thereof,
as determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion.
By executing this revised Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned
irrevocably appoints Alan I. Kirshner, Anthony F. Markel and Steven A. Markel
as proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to the
full extent of the undersigned's rights with respect to the Common Shares and
Rights tendered by the undersigned and accepted for payment by Purchaser (and
any and all Distributions). All such proxies shall be considered coupled with
an interest in the tendered Common Shares and Rights. This appointment will be
effective if, when, and only to the extent that Purchaser accepts such Common
Shares and Rights for payment pursuant to the Offer. Upon such acceptance for
payment, all prior proxies given
6
<PAGE>
by the undersigned with respect to such Common Shares, Rights, Distributions
and other securities will, without further action, be revoked, and no
subsequent proxies may be given. The individuals named above as proxies will,
with respect to the Common Shares, Rights, Distributions and other securities
for which the appointment is effective, be empowered to exercise all voting and
other rights of the undersigned as they in their sole discretion may deem
proper at any annual, special, adjourned or postponed meeting of Company
shareholders, by written consent or otherwise, and Purchaser reserves the right
to require that, in order for Common Shares, Rights, Distributions or other
securities to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Purchaser's
acceptance for payment of such Common Shares and Rights, Purchaser or
Purchaser's designee must be able to exercise full voting rights with respect
to such Common Shares and Rights.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has
full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Common Shares
and Rights tendered hereby and all Distributions, that the undersigned own(s)
the Common Shares and Rights tendered hereby within the meaning of Rule 14e-4
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), that such tender of Common Shares complies with Rule 14e-4
under the Exchange Act, and that, when such Common Shares and Rights are
accepted for payment by Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and
unencumbered title thereto and to all Distributions, free and clear of all
liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and that none of such Common
Shares, Rights and Distributions will be subject to any adverse claim. The
undersigned, upon request, shall execute and deliver all additional documents
deemed by the Depositary or Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete
the sale, assignment and transfer of the Common Shares and Rights tendered
hereby and all Distributions. In addition, the undersigned shall remit and
transfer promptly to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser all
Distributions in respect of the Common Shares and Rights tendered hereby,
accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer, and, pending such
remittance and transfer or appropriate assurance thereof, Purchaser shall be
entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of each such Distribution and
may withhold the entire purchase price of the Common Shares and Rights tendered
hereby or deduct from such purchase price the amount or value of such
Distribution as determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion.
No authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall be affected
by, and all such authority shall survive, the death or incapacity of the
undersigned. All obligations of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon
the heirs, executors, personal and legal representatives, administrators,
trustees in bankruptcy, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as
stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Common Shares and Rights
pursuant to any one of the procedures described in "Procedures for Tendering
Common Shares" of the Offer to Purchase as supplemented by Section 2 of the
Supplement and in the Instructions hereto will constitute the undersigned's
acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer. Purchaser's acceptance for
payment of Common Shares and Rights tendered pursuant to the Offer will
constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and Purchaser upon the
terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer. The undersigned recognizes
that under certain circumstances set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the
Supplement, Purchaser may not be required to accept for payment any of the
Common Shares and Rights tendered hereby.
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Payment
Instructions," please issue the check for the purchase price and/or return any
certificates evidencing Common Shares or Rights not tendered or accepted for
payment, in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing above under
"Description of Common Shares Tendered." Similarly, unless otherwise indicated
in the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions," please mail the check for
the purchase price and/or return any certificates evidencing Common Shares or
Rights not tendered or accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as
appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing above
under "Description of Common Shares Tendered." In the event that the boxes
entitled "Special Payment Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are
both completed, please issue the check for the purchase price and/or return any
certificates for Common Shares or Rights not purchased or not tendered or
accepted for payment in the name(s) of, and mail such check and/or return such
certificates to, the person(s) so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated herein
in the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions," please credit any Common
Shares or Rights tendered hereby and delivered by book-entry transfer, but
which are not purchased, by crediting the account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility. The undersigned recognizes that Purchaser has no obligation, pursuant
to the Special Payment Instructions, to transfer any Common Shares or Rights
from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if Purchaser does not accept
for payment any of the Common Shares or Rights tendered hereby.
7
<PAGE>
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7 OF THIS REVISED
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Common Shares and/or Rights not
tendered or not purchased and/or the check for the purchase price of Common
Shares and/or Rights purchased are to be issued in the name of someone other
than the undersigned, or if the Common Shares and/or Rights delivered by
book-entry transfer which are not purchased are to be returned by credit to an
account maintained at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility other than that designated
above.
Issue check and/or certificate(s) to:
Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print)
Address
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
(Also complete Substitute Form W-9 below)
[ ] Credit unpurchased Common Shares and/or Rights delivered by book-entry
transfer to The Depository Trust Company
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Account Number)
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7 OF THIS REVISED
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Common Shares and/or Rights not
tendered or not purchased and/or the check for the purchase price of Common
Shares and/or Rights purchased are to be sent to someone other than the
undersigned, or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown above.
Mail check and/or certificates to:
Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
Address
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
(also complete Substitute Form W-9 below)
8
<PAGE>
PLEASE SIGN HERE
(Complete Substitute Form W-9 on Reverse)
SIGN
SIGN
HERE HERE
------------------------------------------------------------------
- -
------------------------------------------------------------------
(SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S))
Dated: ----------- , 19-
(Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
Common Share certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by
person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and
documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or
others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide
the following information. See Instruction 5).
Name(s):
-----------------------------------------------------------
(Please print)
Capacity (full title):
----------------------------------------------------
Address:
------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number:
------------------------------------------
Tax Identification or Social Security Number:
-----------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
(Complete Substitute Form W-9 on Reverse)
Guarantee of Signature(s)
(See instructions 1 and 5)
Authorized Signature:
---------------------------------------------------
Name:
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print)
Title:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Firm:
--------------------------------------------------------
Address:
------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone
Number:
------------------------------------------
Dated: , 19-
----------
9
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
1. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. Except as otherwise provided below, all
signatures on this revised Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a firm
which is a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings association or other
entity that is a member in good standing of the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program (each, an "Eligible Institution"). No signature guarantee is
required on this revised Letter of Transmittal (a) if this revised Letter of
Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of
this document, shall include any participant in a Book-Entry Transfer Facility
whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Common Shares
or Rights) of Common Shares and/or Rights tendered herewith, unless such
holder(s) has completed either the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions"
or the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" on the reverse hereof, or
(b) if such Common Shares or Rights are tendered for the account of an Eligible
Institution. See Instruction 5. If a certificate evidencing Common Shares
and/or Rights (a "Certificate") is registered in the name of a person other
than the signer of this revised Letter of Transmittal, or if payment is to be
made, or a Certificate not accepted for payment or not tendered is to be
returned, to a person other than the registered holder(s), then the Certificate
must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case
signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the
Certificate, with the signature(s) on such Certificate or stock powers
guaranteed as described above. See Instruction 5.
2. DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND COMMON SHARE CERTIFICATES. This
revised Letter of Transmittal is to be used either if Certificates are to be
forwarded herewith or if Common Shares and/or Rights are to be delivered by
book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedure set forth in "Procedures for
Tendering Common Shares" of the Offer to Purchase. Certificates evidencing all
tendered Common Shares and/or Rights, or confirmation of a book-entry transfer
of such Common Shares and/or Rights, if such procedure is available, into the
Depositary's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the
procedures set forth in "Procedures for Tendering Common Shares" of the Offer
to Purchase, together with a properly completed and duly executed revised
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) with any required signature
guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent's Message, as
defined below) and any other documents required by this revised Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set
forth on the reverse hereof prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in "Terms
of the Offer; Expiration Date" of the Offer to Purchase). If Certificates are
forwarded to the Depositary in multiple deliveries, a properly completed and
duly executed revised Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery.
Shareholders whose Certificates are not immediately available, who cannot
deliver their Certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary
prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedure for delivery
by book-entry transfer on a timely basis may tender their Common Shares or
Rights pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described in "Procedures
for Tendering Common Shares" of the Offer to Purchase as supplemented by
Section 2 of the Supplement. Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such tender must
be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) a properly completed and
duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided
by Purchaser herewith, must be received by the Depositary prior to the
Expiration Date; and (iii) in the case of a guarantee of Common Shares or
Rights, the Certificates, in proper form for transfer, or a confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of such Common Shares or Rights, if such procedure is
available, into the Depositary's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility,
together with a properly completed and duly executed revised Letter of
Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile thereof) with any required signature
guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent's Message), and
any other documents required by this revised Letter of Transmittal, must be
received by the Depositary within three Nasdaq National Market trading days
after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as
described in "Procedures for Tendering Common Shares" of the Offer to Purchase.
The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to, and received by the Depositary and forming a part of the
Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has
received an express acknowledgment from the participant in the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility tendering the Common Shares or Rights, that such participant
has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of this revised Letter of
Transmittal and that Purchaser may enforce such agreement against the
participant.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS REVISED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, CERTIFICATES
AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE SOLE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER,
AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE
DEPOSITARY. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
10
<PAGE>
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no
fractional Common Shares or Rights will be purchased. By execution of this
revised Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), all tendering
shareholders waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their
Common Shares or Rights for payment.
3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided herein under "Description of
Common Shares Tendered" is inadequate, the Certificate numbers, the number of
Common Shares or Rights evidenced by such Certificates and the number of Common
Shares or Rights tendered should be listed on a separate schedule and attached
hereto.
4. PARTIAL TENDERS. (Not applicable to shareholders who tender by
book-entry transfer.) If fewer than all the Common Shares or Rights evidenced
by any Certificate delivered to the Depositary herewith are to be tendered
hereby, fill in the number of Common Shares or Rights which are to be tendered
in the box entitled "Number of Common Shares Tendered." In such cases, new
Certificate(s) evidencing the remainder of the Common Shares or Rights that
were evidenced by the Certificates delivered to the Depositary herewith will be
sent to the person(s) signing this revised Letter of Transmittal, unless
otherwise provided in the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions," as soon
as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Offer. All Common
Shares or Rights evidenced by Certificates delivered to the Depositary will be
deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; STOCK POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If
this revised Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the
Common Shares or Rights tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with
the name(s) as written on the face of the Certificate(s) evidencing such Common
Shares or Rights without alteration, enlargement or any other change
whatsoever.
If any Common Shares or Rights tendered hereby are owned of record by two
or more persons, all such persons must sign this revised Letter of Transmittal.
If any of the Common Shares or Rights tendered hereby are registered in
the names of different holders, it will be necessary to complete, sign and
submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different
registrations of such certificates.
If this revised Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
holder(s) of the Common Shares or Rights tendered hereby, no endorsements of
Certificates or separate stock powers are required, unless payment is to be
made to, or Certificates evidencing Common Shares or Rights not tendered or not
purchased are to be issued in the name of, a person other than the registered
holder(s), in which case, the Certificate(s) evidencing the Common Shares or
Rights tendered hereby must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock
powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered
holder(s) appear(s) on such Certificate(s). Signatures on such Certificate(s)
and stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this revised Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder(s) of the Common Shares or Rights tendered hereby, the Common
Share or Rights Certificate(s) evidencing the Common Shares or Rights tendered
hereby must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either
case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on
such Certificate(s). Signatures on such Certificate(s) and stock powers must be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this revised Letter of Transmittal or any Certificate(s) or stock power
is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact,
officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and
proper evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of such person's authority so to act
must be submitted.
6. STOCK TRANSFER TAXES. Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction
6, Purchaser will pay all stock transfer taxes with respect to the sale and
transfer of any Common Shares or Rights to it or its order pursuant to the
Offer. If, however, payment of the purchase price of any Common Shares or
Rights purchased is to be made to, or Certificate(s) evidencing Common Shares
or Rights not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of, a
person other than the registered holder(s), the amount of any stock transfer
taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s), such other person or
otherwise) payable on account of the transfer to such other person will be
deducted from the purchase price of such Common Shares or Rights purchased,
unless evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of the payment of such taxes, or
exemption therefrom, is submitted.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS INSTRUCTION 6, IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY FOR
TRANSFER TAX STAMPS TO BE AFFIXED TO THE CERTIFICATE(S) EVIDENCING THE COMMON
SHARES TENDERED HEREBY.
11
<PAGE>
7. SPECIAL PAYMENT AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If a check for the purchase
price of any Common Shares or Rights tendered hereby is to be issued, or
Certificate(s) evidencing Common Shares or Rights not tendered or not purchased
are to be issued, in the name of a person other than the person(s) signing this
revised Letter of Transmittal or if such check or any such Certificate is to be
sent to someone other than the person(s) signing this revised Letter of
Transmittal or to the person(s) signing this revised Letter of Transmittal but
at an address other than that shown in the box entitled "Description of Common
Shares Tendered," the appropriate boxes on this revised Letter of Transmittal
must be completed. Shareholders tendering Common Shares or Rights by book-entry
transfer may request that Common Shares or Rights not purchased be credited to
such account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such shareholder
may designate in the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" on the reverse
hereof. If no such instructions are given, all such Common Shares or Rights not
purchased will be returned by crediting the account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility from which such Common Shares or Rights were delivered.
8. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Requests for assistance
may be directed to the Information Agent or the Dealer Manager at their
respective addresses or telephone numbers set forth below. Additional copies of
the Offer to Purchase, the Supplement, this revised Letter of Transmittal, the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 may be obtained from the
Information Agent or the Dealer Manager or from brokers, dealers, commercial
banks or trust companies.
9. SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Each tendering shareholder is required to provide
the Depositary with a correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") on the
Substitute Form W-9 which is provided under "Important Tax Information" below,
and to certify, under penalties of perjury, that such number is correct and
that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding of federal income
tax. If a tendering shareholder has been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that such shareholder is subject to backup withholding, such
shareholder must cross out item (2) of the Certification box of the Substitute
Form W-9, unless such shareholder has since been notified by the Internal
Revenue Service that such shareholder is no longer subject to backup
withholding. Failure to provide the information on the Substitute Form W-9 may
subject the tendering shareholder to 31% federal income tax withholding on the
payment of the purchase price of all Common Shares or Rights purchased from
such shareholder. If the tendering shareholder has not been issued a TIN and
has applied for one or intends to apply for one in the near future, such
shareholder should write "Applied For" in the space provided for the TIN in
Part I of the Substitute Form W-9, and sign and date the Substitute Form W-9.
If "Applied For" is written in Part I and the Depositary is not provided with a
TIN within 60 days, the Depositary will withhold 31% on all payments of the
purchase price to such shareholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary.
10. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any certificate(s)
representing Common Shares or Rights has been lost, destroyed or stolen, the
shareholder should promptly notify the Depositary. The shareholder will then be
instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the
certificate(s). This revised Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot
be processed until the procedures for replacing lost or destroyed certificates
have been followed.
IMPORTANT: THIS REVISED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE HEREOF),
PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED, WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES,
OR AN AGENT'S MESSAGE (TOGETHER WITH COMMON SHARE CERTIFICATES OR CONFIRMATION
OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR A PROPERLY
COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY
THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE (AS DEFINED IN THE OFFER TO
PURCHASE).
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under the federal income tax law, a shareholder whose tendered Common
Shares or Rights are accepted for payment is required by law to provide the
Depositary (as payer) with such shareholder's correct TIN on Substitute Form
W-9 below. If such shareholder is an individual, the TIN is such shareholder's
social security number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN,
the shareholder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue
Service. In addition, payments that are made to such shareholder with respect
to Common Shares or Rights purchased pursuant to the Offer may be subject to
backup withholding of 31%.
Certain shareholders (including, among others, all corporations and
certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and
reporting requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an
exempt recipient, such individual must submit a statement, signed under
penalties of perjury, attesting to such individual's exempt status. Forms of
such statements can be obtained from the Depositary. See the enclosed
Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9 for additional instructions.
12
<PAGE>
If backup withholding applies with respect to a shareholder, the
Depositary is required to withhold 31% of any payments made to such
shareholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax
liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the
amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a
refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a shareholder
with respect to Common Shares or Rights purchased pursuant to the Offer, the
shareholder is required to notify the Depositary of such shareholder's correct
TIN by completing the form below certifying (a) that the TIN provided on
Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such shareholder is awaiting a TIN),
and (b) that (i) such shareholder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that such shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a
failure to report all interest or dividends or (ii) the Internal Revenue
Service has notified such shareholder that such shareholder is no longer
subject to backup withholding.
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE DEPOSITARY
The shareholder is required to give the Depositary the social security
number or employer identification number of the record holder of the Common
Shares or Rights tendered hereby. If the Common Shares or Rights are in more
than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed
Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9 for additional guidance on which number to report. If the tendering
shareholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a number or intends
to apply for a number in the near future, the shareholder should write "Applied
For" in the space provided for the TIN in Part I, and sign and date the
Substitute Form W-9. If "Applied For" is written in Part I and the Depositary
is not provided with a TIN within 60 days, the Depositary will withhold 31% of
all payments of the purchase price to such shareholder until a TIN is provided
to the Depositary.
13
<PAGE>
PAYER'S NAME: FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, DEPOSITARY
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
PART 1 -- PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN Social Security Number
THE BOX AT RIGHT OR__________________________________
SUBSTITUTE AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING Employer Identification Number
BELOW. (If awaiting TIN write "Applied For")
FORM W-9
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
PART 2 -- For Payees Exempt from
Backup Withholding,
see the enclosed Guidelines and
complete as instructed
therein.
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR
TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (TIN) CERTIFICATION -- UNDER PENALTIES OF
PERJURY, I CERTIFY
THAT:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or a
Taxpayer Identification Num- ber has not been issued to me and either (a) I have mailed or
delivered an application to receive a Taxpayer Identi- fication Number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") or Social Security Administration office or (b) I intend to
mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a
Taxpayer Identi- fication Number within sixty (60) days, 31% of all reportable payments made
to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide a number), and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am exempt from backup withholding,
(b) I have not been notified by the IRS that I am subject to backup withholding as a result
of failure to report all interest or dividends or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no
longer subject to backup withholding.
CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS -- You must cross out item (2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup
with- holding because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that
you were subject to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to backup
withholding, do not cross out item (2). (Also see instructions in the enclosed Guidelines.)
SIGNATURE: DATE: , 19-
-------------------------------------- -----------------
NAME:
--------------------------------------
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDEN- TIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR
ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU WROTE "APPLIED FOR" IN THE SPACE PROVIDED FOR THE TIN IN PART I OF SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I CERTIFY UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY THAT A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED TO ME, AND EITHER (1) I HAVE MAILED
OR DELIVERED AN APPLICATION TO RECEIVE A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO THE APPRO- PRIATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CENTER OR
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, OR (2) I INTEND TO MAIL OR DELIVER AN APPLICATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I
DO NOT PROVIDE A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUM- BER BY THE TIME OF PAYMENT, 31% OF ALL REPORTABLE PAYMENTS MADE TO ME WILL BE
WITHHELD.
SIGNATURE DATE , 19-
-------------------------------------- ------------------
</TABLE>
14
<PAGE>
Questions and requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to
Purchase, this revised Letter of Transmittal and other tender offer materials
may be directed to the Information Agent or the Dealer Manager as set forth
below:
THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER IS:
[MacKenzie Partners, Inc. Logo]
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Call Collect (212) 929-5500
or
CALL TOLL FREE (800) 322-2885
THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER IS:
[Cochran, Caronia Securites LLC Logo]
1 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 425-9335
or
CALL TOLL FREE (800) 248-8163
15
EXHIBIT (a)(15)
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
FOR
TENDER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
OF
GRYPHON HOLDINGS INC.
TO
MG ACQUISITION CORP.
A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF
MARKEL CORPORATION
(NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEES)
This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially in the form
hereof, must be used to accept the Offer (as defined below) if (i) certificates
("Share Certificates") evidencing shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Common Shares"), of Gryphon Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), including the associated Junior Participating Cumulative
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (including any successors thereto, the
"Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of June 5, 1995, as
amended as of July 28, 1998, October 22, 1998 and November 25, 1998, between
the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Rights Agent (as such
agreement may be further amended and including any successor agreement, the
"Rights Agreement"), are not immediately available, (ii) time will not permit
all required documents to reach First Union National Bank, as Depositary (the
"Depositary"), prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to
Purchase) or (iii) the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on
a timely basis. All references herein to the Common Shares shall include the
associated Rights. This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand
or transmitted by telegram, facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary.
See "Procedures for Tendering Common Shares" of the Offer to Purchase.
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS:
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION:
(704) 590-7628
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
(704) 590-7408
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
IF BY FIRST CLASS MAIL IF BY REGISTERED MAIL, CERTIFIED IF BY HAND ONLY
MAIL OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
First Union National Bank First Union National Bank First Union National Bank
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. 5th Floor
Reorg. Department Reorg. Department 40 Broad Street
3c3-NC-1153 3c3-NC-1153 New York, NY 10004
Charlotte, NC 28288-1153 Charlotte, NC 28262
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS
SET FORTH ABOVE, OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THIS FORM IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE SIGNATURES. IF A SIGNATURE ON A
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE GUARANTEED BY AN "ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION"
UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, SUCH SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE
APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
1
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to MG Acquisition Corp., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Markel Corporation, a Virginia
corporation, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Offer to Purchase, dated October 20, 1998 (the "Offer to Purchase"), as amended
and supplemented by the Supplement to the Offer to Purchase dated December 3,
1998 (the "Supplement"), and the related Letter of Transmittal (which, as
amended from time to time, together constitute the "Offer"), receipt of each of
which is hereby acknowledged, the number of Common Shares specified below
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in "Procedures for
Tendering Common Shares" of the Offer to Purchase.
Number of Common Shares (including the associated Rights):
- ---------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------
Name(s) of Record Holder(s):
- ---------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------
(Please Type or Print)
Address(es):
- ---------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number:
- ---------------------------------------
Certificate Number(s) (if available):
- ---------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------
Check box if Common Shares or Rights will be tendered by book-entry transfer:
[ ] The Depository Trust Company
Signature(s):
- ---------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------
Account Number:
- ---------------------------------------
Dated: , 19-
-------------
GUARANTEE
(NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
The undersigned, a member firm of a registered national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the
United States, hereby (a) represents that the tender of Common Shares effected
hereby complies with Rule 14e-4 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and (b) guarantees delivery to the Depositary, at one of its addresses
set forth above, of certificates evidencing the Common Shares and Rights
tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or confirmation of book-entry
transfer of such Common Shares and Rights into the Depositary's accounts at The
Depository Trust Company, with delivery of a properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) with any required
signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message (as defined in "Acceptance for
Payment and Payment for Shares" of the Offer to Purchase), and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, (x) in the case of Common
Shares, within three Nasdaq National Market trading days after the date of
execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or (y) in the case of Rights,
within a period ending the later of (i) three Nasdaq National Market trading
days after the date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or (ii)
three business days after the date Rights Certificates are distributed to
shareholders.
The Eligible Institution that completes this form must communicate the
guarantee to the Depositary and must deliver the Letter of Transmittal and
certificates for Common Shares and Rights to the Depositary within the time
period shown herein. Failure to do so could result in financial loss to such
Eligible Institution.
Name of Firm:
- ---------------------------------------
(Authorized Signature)
Address:
- ---------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number:
- ---------------------------------------
Name:
- ---------------------------------------
(Please Type or Print)
Title:
- ---------------------------------------
Dated: , 19-
---------------
NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR COMMON SHARES OR RIGHTS WITH THIS NOTICE.
SUCH CERTIFICATES SHOULD BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
2
Exhibit (a)(16)
Contact: Steven Markel
Markel Corporation
(804) 965-1675
MARKEL EXTENDS OFFER
RICHMOND, Va., December 3, 1998 -- Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL) announced
today that its subsidiary, MG Acquisition Corp., is extending the expiration
date of its all cash tender offer for all shares of common stock of Gryphon
Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: GRYP) to 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on Friday,
December 18, 1998. As of 5:00 p.m., on December 2, 1998, 1,298,340 shares of
Gryphon common stock had been tendered pursuant to the offer. The offer was
scheduled to expire at 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on Friday, December
4, 1998.
As previously announced, Markel and Gryphon have entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger providing for the acquisition of Gryphon at a price of $19.00 per
share in cash. Markel and Gryphon will be mailing revised recommendation and
tender offer materials to Gryphon shareholders shortly.
The transaction is subject to required regulatory approvals and is expected to
be completed in January of 1999.
Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and
programs to a variety of niche markets. In each of these markets, the Company
seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can
be a market leader. The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent
underwriting profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value.
Gryphon Holdings operates through its main subsidiary, Gryphon Insurance Group,
as a specialty property and casualty underwriting organization. The Company's
wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries are Associated International Insurance
Company, Calvert Insurance Company, and the First Reinsurance Company of
Hartford.
Any further extension of the offer will be followed as promptly as practicable
by public announcement thereof, with such announcement to be made no later than
9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously
scheduled expiration date.
###
