<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.14a-12
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) Total fee paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Date Filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
THE ST. PAUL
FOCUSED
ON
TOMORROW
1996 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT
<PAGE>
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.
385 Washington Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102
Telephone (612) 310-7911
[LOGO]
March 18, 1996
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of
your Company. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 1996, at 2:00 P.M.
(Central Daylight Time) at the office of the Company, 385 Washington Street, St.
Paul, Minnesota.
We suggest that you carefully read the Notice of Annual Meeting and the Proxy
Statement which you will find on the following pages.
It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting, regardless of
the size of your holding. Therefore, we urge you to PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, DATE AND
RETURN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE the enclosed proxy form in the postage-paid envelope
provided. This should be done whether or not you now plan to attend the meeting.
The proxy may be withdrawn if you decide later to attend the meeting and vote in
person.
Sincerely,
[SIGNATURE]
Douglas W. Leatherdale
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. will be
held on Tuesday, May 7, 1996, at 2:00 P.M. (Central Daylight Time) at the office
of the Company, 385 Washington Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102, for the
following purposes:
1. To elect a Board of twelve Directors;
2. To act on the proposal to ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
as the independent auditors of the Company; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
All shareholders are invited to attend, although only those shareholders of
record at the close of business on March 11, 1996, will be entitled to vote at
the meeting. Your attention is directed to the Proxy Statement accompanying this
Notice for a more complete statement regarding the matters proposed to be acted
upon at the meeting. PLEASE VOTE, SIGN AND DATE THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY FORM AND
RETURN IT IN THE STAMPED, SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE ENCLOSED. YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR
PROXY AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED.
[SIGNATURE]
Bruce A. Backberg
Vice President and
Corporate Secretary
March 18, 1996
2
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.
385 WASHINGTON STREET, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102
This Proxy Statement is being mailed first to the shareholders of The St. Paul
Companies, Inc. (the "Company") on or about March 18, 1996. The accompanying
proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company for use at
the Annual Shareholders' Meeting to be held May 7, 1996, at the time and place
and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. Any proxy may be revoked at any time before it has been voted by
giving written notice to the Corporate Secretary of the Company, by a duly
executed and presented proxy bearing a later date, or by voting in person at the
meeting.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be paid by the Company. In addition to
solicitations by mail, officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies
personally or by telephone, telegraph or other means without additional
compensation. Arrangements also will be made with banks, brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation material to
the beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons, and the Company
will, upon request, reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing. D.
F. King & Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., has been engaged by the Company to assist
in the solicitation of proxies for an anticipated fee of approximately $7,500,
plus out-of-pocket costs and expenses.
The record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting has been established as the close of
business on March 11, 1996. At that time there were 84,020,935 shares of common
stock and 996,450 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock outstanding
which are entitled to vote at the meeting. The holders of common stock and
Series B convertible preferred stock vote as one class. Each share of common
stock is entitled to one vote, and each share of Series B convertible preferred
stock is entitled to four votes.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the total shares represented in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting is required for (a) the election of
directors, (b) ratification of the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
independent auditors, and (c) the approval of such other matters as may properly
come before the meeting.
Under Minnesota law and the Company's bylaws, the presence in person or by proxy
of a majority of the voting power of the shares of common stock and Series B
convertible preferred stock entitled to vote constitutes the quorum necessary
for shareholders to take action at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting. Shares
represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting will be
counted for quorum purposes regardless of whether the shareholder or proxy fails
to vote on a particular proposal (an "abstention") or whether a broker with
discretionary authority fails to exercise such authority with respect to a
particular proposal (a "broker non-vote"). For purposes of determining whether a
proposal has been approved, an abstention or non-vote (including a broker non-
vote) with regard to a particular proposal will not be counted as a vote in
favor of such proposal and, as a result, will have the effect of a vote against
such proposal.
3
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant to the provisions of the Company's bylaws, the Board of Directors has
set the number of directors at twelve, effective May 7, 1996. The twelve
directors to be elected at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting will hold office
until the Annual Shareholders' Meeting in 1997 or until their successors are
duly elected and qualified. Unless otherwise instructed by the shareholders, it
is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy (the "proxy
holders") to vote the proxies held by them for the election of the twelve
nominees named in the "Nominees for Directors" table. The proxies cannot be
voted for more than twelve candidates for director. However, if any of the
twelve nominees shall not be a candidate for election at the time of the meeting
(a contingency which the Board of Directors does not expect to occur), such
proxies may be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holders.
All of the nominees are presently directors of the Company and were elected at
the 1995 Annual Shareholders' Meeting. Mr. Ian A. Martin, who has served as a
director since August of 1990, is not standing for reelection to the Board. His
service and devotion to the Company are deeply appreciated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS
PRESENT PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR OTHER PUBLIC CORPORATION
NAME AGE OCCUPATION(A) SINCE DIRECTORSHIPS
- ------------------------ --- ---------------------------------- --------- ----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael R. Bonsignore 54 Chairman and Chief Executive 8-6-91 Honeywell Inc.;
Officer, Honeywell Inc. Donaldson Company;
(manufacturer of automation and Cargill, Incorporated (private
control systems) corporation)
John H. Dasburg 53 President and Chief Executive 2-2-94 Northwest Airlines, Inc.;
Officer, Northwest Airlines, Inc. Riverwood International
Corporation
W. John Driscoll 67 Retired President and Chairman, 9-21-70 Comshare, Incorporated;
Rock Island Company (private Northern States Power Company;
investment company) Weyerhaeuser Company;
The John Nuveen Company;
Taylor Investment Corporation
Pierson M. Grieve 68 Chairman, Metropolitan Airports 11-5-85 Ecolab Inc.;
Commission, State of Minnesota; Danka Business Systems PLC;
and Retired Chairman and Chief Meredith Corporation;
Executive Officer, Ecolab Inc. Norwest Corporation;
(developer/marketer of cleaning U S WEST Inc.; Minnegasco;
and sanitizing products, systems Waldorf Corporation
and services)
Ronald James(b) 45 President and Chief Executive 5-4-93 None
Officer-Human Resources Group,
Ceridian Corporation (information
services and defense electronics)
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS
PRESENT PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR OTHER PUBLIC CORPORATION
NAME AGE OCCUPATION(A) SINCE DIRECTORSHIPS
- ------------------------ --- ---------------------------------- --------- ----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William H. Kling(c) 53 President, Minnesota Public Radio; 11-7-89 Irwin Financial Corporation
and President, Greenspring Company
(diversified media and catalog
marketing company)
Douglas W. Leatherdale 59 Chairman, President and Chief 5-5-81 United HealthCare Corporation;
Executive Officer, The St. Paul Northern States Power Company;
Companies, Inc. The John Nuveen Company
Bruce K. MacLaury(d) 64 President Emeritus, The Brookings 8-4-87 American Express Bank, Ltd.
Institution (public policy
research and education)
Glen D. Nelson, M.D. 58 Vice Chairman, Medtronic, Inc. 5-5-92 Medtronic, Inc.;
(manufacturer of biomedical ReliaStar Financial Corp.;
devices) Carlson Holdings, Inc. (private
corporation)
Anita M. Pampusch, Ph.D. 57 President, The College of St. 5-7-85 None
Catherine
Gordon M. Sprenger 58 Executive Officer, Allina Health 5-2-95 Medtronic, Inc.
System (hospital and managed care
nonprofit company)
Patrick A. Thiele 45 Executive Vice President and Chief 5-4-93 The John Nuveen Company
Financial Officer, The St. Paul
Companies, Inc.
<FN>
- ------------------------
(a) Principal employment of nominees in the past five years. Mr. Bonsignore
served in a number of executive offices at Honeywell Inc. for more than
five years prior to assuming his current responsibilities in April of 1993.
In addition to their present responsibilities, Messrs. Leatherdale and
Thiele have served in a number of executive offices of the Company and as
officer and director of various subsidiaries of the Company for many years.
Prior to assuming his current position in January of 1996, Mr. James served
U S WEST Communications, Inc. as the Regional Vice President-U S WEST and
Vice President-Minnesota and as Vice President and Chief Executive
Officer-Minnesota from January 1990 to September 1993. Prior to his
retirement in the summer of 1995, Mr. MacLaury served as the President of
The Brookings Institution. Mr. Grieve served as the Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Ecolab, Inc. until August 21, 1992, when he
became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. On March 1, 1995 Mr. Grieve
turned over his responsibilities as President to his successor but remained
Chairman and director until his retirement as Chairman on December 31,
1995. Prior to his present position, Mr. Sprenger served as Executive
Officer of HealthSpan, Inc. from 1993-1994 and as CEO of LifeSpan from
1986-1993. All other nominees have been employed during the past five years
as they presently are employed.
(b) Mr. James is a director of the five mutual funds within the Great Hall
Investment Funds group.
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(c) Mr. Kling is a director or trustee of each of the following mutual funds
which are provided investment advisory services by The Capital Research and
Management Company, whose parent company is The Capital Group Companies,
Inc.: EuroPacific Growth Fund, New Economy Fund, New Perspective Fund and
SMALLCAP World Fund.
(d) Mr. MacLaury is a director or trustee of each of the mutual funds which are
provided investment advisory services by The Vanguard Group, Inc., with the
exception of Vanguard's tax-exempt mutual funds.
</TABLE>
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
During 1995, the National Association of Corporate Directors published the
report of its Blue Ribbon Commission on Director Compensation (the
"Commission"). That report and its recommended "best practices" were thoroughly
reviewed by the board governance committee and the Board of Directors.
The value of the Company's director compensation program and the importance and
appropriateness of each of its components is reviewed annually by the board
governance committee which considers the results of independent surveys and
proxy statements of peer companies and regional corporations of comparable size.
The objectives of the program are to establish and maintain a program designed
to more closely align the interests of directors with shareholders and to
attract and retain highly qualified directors with total pay opportunity ranking
in the second quartile of comparable companies. The board governance committee
reports to the full Board of Directors which approves the program each year.
The Board of Directors has established a target for ownership of the Company's
common shares at a value of five times the directors' annual retainer (currently
$20,500 per year). Current directors not yet exceeding that target will make
every reasonable effort to reach the target by the year 2000, and each new
director will be asked to meet or exceed that target within five years of
election to the Board. The Board also adopted a policy that the Company not hire
a director or a director's firm to provide professional or financial services,
except in exceptional circumstances with the consent of the board governance
committee.
The Board recently reviewed the director compensation program and its component
parts, in view of the Commission's recommendations, and concluded that the
current program is appropriate and is well designed to meet its objectives.
Under the Company's director compensation and insurance program, outside
directors are entitled to compensation comprised of a $20,500 annual retainer,
$1,000 meeting fee, options on 1,000 common shares, and participation in the
Directors' Retirement Plan and the Directors' Charitable Award Program. Also,
outside directors who chair a committee receive an annual fee of $4,000. In
addition, the Company pays the premium to provide those directors with $100,000
of group term life insurance, $200,000 of coverage under a travel-accident
insurance policy, and coverage under directors and officers liability insurance
and fiduciary liability insurance. The components of the compensation program
are described in the following paragraphs.
ANNUAL RETAINER, MEETING FEES AND COMMITTEE CHAIR FEES. Directors may elect to
have their $20,5000 annual retainer and/or their meeting fees and any committee
chair fees paid in cash or deferred through the Directors' Deferred Compensation
Plan and "invested" in a phantom Common Stock Fund and/or a phantom Prime
6
<PAGE>
Rate Income Fund. Alternatively, they may direct their annual retainer into the
Non-Employee Director Stock Retainer Plan. Although no shares of the Company's
common stock are purchased for or held in the phantom Common Stock Fund, any
director who elects to have any of his or her fees directed into that fund will
be deemed to have purchased shares on the date the fees would otherwise have
been paid in cash. The value of that fund rises or falls as the price of common
stock fluctuates in the market. Also, dividends on those phantom shares are
"reinvested" in additional phantom shares. Cash distributions are made from the
phantom Common Stock Fund on predesignated dates, usually following termination
of service as a director, at the market price of the common stock on the date of
distribution. Currently, seven outside directors have deferred at least a
portion of their fees into the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan, and five
of those directors have their entire plan interest "invested" in the phantom
Common Stock Fund.
Currently, a majority of outside directors nominated for reelection direct their
entire annual retainer into the Non-Employee Director Stock Retainer Plan. Under
that plan, outside directors may elect to receive all or a portion of their
annual retainer (currently $20,500) in the form of common shares of the Company
that are subject to certain service-related restrictions as described below.
Such an election will entitle a director to be issued a number of shares of
restricted stock equal in value to 110% of the portion of the annual retainer
that was elected for participation in the plan. For valuation purposes, the
amount used to determine the number of restricted shares allocated to a
participating director is the average of the stock's closing price on the last
business day of each quarter of the calendar year. Immediately upon issuance of
the restricted shares, the recipient is entitled to receive all dividends paid
on the shares and to vote the shares. If within five years from the date
restricted stock is issued to an eligible director under the plan a director's
service on the Board is terminated for any reason other than death, disability
or retirement, such restricted stock will be forfeited. When a director's
service on the Board is terminated because of death, disability or retirement,
any restrictions on stock received under the plan lapse.
STOCK OPTIONS. Under the Company's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, annual
non-qualified stock option grants covering 1,000 common shares are made at the
first Board meeting of each November to each outside director. Such options are
granted at the market price of the Company's stock on the date of grant. The
option price is to be paid, upon exercise, in cash. Under that plan, options
terminate at the earliest of ten years after the date of grant, three years
after retirement, immediately if directorship is terminated for cause, one month
after any voluntary termination of service as a director other than by
retirement (but the option in this case may be exercised only to the extent it
was exercisable on the date of such termination), or any earlier time set by the
committee at the time of option grant. Special provisions apply in the case of
death of an optionee or in the case of a Change of Control, as defined below. If
an option were not fully exercisable at the time of occurrence of a Change of
Control, all portions of the option immediately would become exercisable in
full.
"Change of Control" is defined in the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan to mean a change
of control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported to
the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "34 Act"), with such Change of Control to be deemed to
have occurred when (a) any person, as defined in the '34 Act, other than the
Company or a Company subsidiary or one of their employee benefit plans is or
becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more
7
<PAGE>
of the Company's common stock or (b) members of the Board of Directors on May 3,
1994 (the "Incumbent Board") cease to constitute a majority thereof (provided
that persons subsequently becoming directors with the approval of directors
comprising at least three-quarters of the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
members of the Incumbent Board).
DIRECTOR TENURE AND RETIREMENT PROGRAMS. A Board policy provides that each
director with fifteen or more years of service shall tender his or her
resignation to the chair of the board governance committee by November 20 of
each year indicating his or her intent not to stand for re-election at the
subsequent Annual Meeting of the Shareholders. If, however, upon review, the
board governance committee determines that there is a continuing need on the
Board for the type of qualifications the resigning director provides, then such
director may be asked to become a candidate for reelection. Additionally, upon a
substantial change in principal employment, a director should tender his or her
resignation. As part of this policy, the Company provides the Directors'
Retirement Plan under which the Company will pay a retirement benefit to outside
directors who have served for two or more years when their directorships
terminate. The annual amount of that benefit will be equal to the director's
annual retainer (currently $20,500) when he or she ceases to be a director, plus
a value assigned to the November option grant (currently about $11,000).
Directors may elect to have the benefit paid quarterly for a period of years
following termination of active service which equals the length of time he or
she served as an outside director up to a maximum of fifteen years.
Alternatively, directors may elect to receive the discounted present value of
those future payments in one lump sum payment. If a retired director dies while
receiving periodic payments, the discounted present value of any remaining
payments to which he or she may be entitled will be paid to his or her estate,
or upon his or her election, to a surviving spouse.
DIRECTORS' CHARITABLE AWARD PROGRAM. As part of the Company's policy of
providing support for charitable institutions and in order to retain and attract
qualified directors, the Board of Directors established the Directors'
Charitable Award Program, which is funded by life insurance on the lives of the
members of the Board of Directors. The Company intends to make charitable
contributions of $1 million per director, paid out over a period of ten years
following the death of the director. Each director is able to recommend up to
four charities to receive contributions from the Company. Directors become
vested in this program in $200,000 annual increments starting with their third
anniversary of election as a Director. Directors are fully vested upon the
earliest of the seventh anniversary of their election as a director, death,
disability, or retirement at age seventy. Current directors have been given
vesting credit for all of the years they have served as Directors. Beneficiary
organizations designated under this program must be tax-exempt, and donations
ultimately paid by the Company will be deductible against federal and other
income taxes payable by the Company in accordance with the tax laws applicable
at the time. Directors derive no financial benefit from the program since all
insurance proceeds and charitable deductions accrue solely to the Company.
Because of such deductions and use of insurance, the long-term cost to the
Company is expected to be minimal.
GRANTOR TRUST. The Company has transferred funds to a grantor trust created for
the purpose of implementing benefits under various nonqualified plans of
deferred compensation, including the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan and
the Directors' Retirement Plan (the "Implemented Plans"). Following a Change of
Control (generally defined the same as in the 1994 Stock
8
<PAGE>
Incentive Plan), no portion of the trust assets may be returned to the Company
or any subsidiary unless the trustee determines that that portion of the assets
and future earnings on it never will be required to pay benefits and if a
majority of the then participants of the Implemented Plan consent to the return
of the assets. Unlike assets held in the trusts created to implement benefits
under the Company's tax-qualified plans, assets held in the grantor trust remain
subject to the claims of the Company's creditors. If the Company becomes
insolvent, the trustee will be required to cease payment of benefits under all
Implemented Plans and dispose of trust assets pursuant to the direction of a
court of competent jurisdiction.
BOARD COMMITTEES
There are six standing committees of the Board of Directors: the executive
committee, the audit committee, the finance committee, the board governance
committee, the personnel committee and the executive compensation committee.
Current members of the individual committees are named below, with the chairman
of each committee named first:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXECUTIVE AUDIT FINANCE
- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
D. W. Leatherdale W. H. Kling W. J. Driscoll
W. J. Driscoll J. H. Dasburg M. R. Bonsignore
P. M. Grieve W. J. Driscoll J. H. Dasburg
W. H. Kling R. James R. James
A. M. Pampusch G. D. Nelson W. H. Kling
P. A. Thiele A. M. Pampusch D. W. Leatherdale
G. M. Sprenger I. A. Martin
P. A. Thiele
<CAPTION>
BOARD GOVERNANCE PERSONNEL EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
P. M. Grieve M. R. Bonsignore M. R. Bonsignore
D. W. Leatherdale P. M. Grieve P. M. Grieve
B. K. MacLaury D. W. Leatherdale B. K. MacLaury
G. D. Nelson B. K. MacLaury I. A. Martin
A. M. Pampusch I. A. Martin G. D. Nelson
G. D. Nelson G. M. Sprenger
G. M. Sprenger
</TABLE>
As part of its ongoing corporate governance activities, the Board of Directors
periodically reviews the charters of its committees. Such a review is currently
in progress, and it is likely that at least some of the charters set forth
hereafter will be revised during 1996.
The audit committee is charged with the responsibility for:
1. Reviewing the annual financial report to shareholders and the annual
report (Form 10-K) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
2. Reviewing the quarterly reporting process;
3. Overseeing the monitoring of the Company's system of internal controls;
9
<PAGE>
4. Recommending annually to the Board of Directors, subject to
shareholders' approval, the selection of the Company's independent
auditors;
5. Determining the independent auditors' qualifications, including the
firm's membership in the SEC practice section of the AICPA and
compliance with that organization's requirements for peer review and
independence;
6. Confirming the independence of the internal auditors;
7. Reviewing annually the combined audit plans of the independent auditors
and internal auditors;
8. Meeting with the independent auditors at the completion of their annual
audit to review their evaluation of the financial reporting and internal
controls of the Company, and any changes required in the originally
planned audit program;
9. Meeting with the internal auditors on an ongoing basis to review:
(a) audit results,
(b) reports on exposures/controls, irregularities and control failures,
(c) the disposition of recommendations for improvements in internal
controls made by internal and independent auditors, and
(d) any changes required in the originally planned audit program;
10. Reviewing the reports on examinations by regulatory authorities;
11. Monitoring the Company's policies and procedures for the review of
expenses and perquisites of selected members of executive management;
12. Overseeing the monitoring of the Company's code of conduct;
13. Performing any special reviews, investigations or oversight
responsibilities required by the Board of Directors or its chairman; and
14. Reporting to the Board of Directors on the results of the activities of
the committee.
The executive committee is charged with the broad responsibility of having and
exercising the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the
business of the Company in the interval between meetings of the Board.
The finance committee is responsible for:
1. Advising the Board of Directors on corporate financial policy;
2. Advising the Board of Directors on debt limits and related corporate
financial matters;
3. Recommending dividend policy to the Board of Directors;
4. Reviewing capital plans; and
5. Recommending to the Board of Directors the investment policy for those
investment portfolios specified in resolutions adopted from time to time
by the Board, and monitoring the investment performance thereof.
It is the responsibility of the personnel committee to:
1. Review and recommend to the Board of Directors major changes in
personnel policies and employee benefits;
10
<PAGE>
2. Review plans to provide management continuity; and
3. Recommend to the Board of Directors employee and executive compensation
policies.
The primary responsibilities of the executive compensation committee are to
administer the Company's stock option plan, restricted stock award plan and
long-term incentive plan and to approve compensation changes for executive
management. Among other things, the committee determines who will participate in
each plan as well as the extent and terms of participation.
The primary functions of the board governance committee are to:
1. Identify and present qualified persons for election and reelection as
directors; and
2. Study, advise and make recommendations to the Board of Directors
concerning: criteria for Board membership, the number of directors to
comprise the full Board, the Board's composition, an annual review of
Board performance, directors' compensation, directors' retirement
policy, and other related areas assigned by the Board or its chairman.
In determining which persons may be qualified as candidates for election to the
Board of Directors, the board governance committee weighs the experience of each
possible candidate, the present need on the Board of Directors for that type of
experience, and the willingness and availability of such person(s) to serve. It
is the policy of the board governance committee to consider any qualified person
as a possible candidate for Board of Directors membership, regardless of whether
such person was recommended by a committee member or by some other source,
provided that such person was nominated in accordance with the procedures set
forth in the Company's bylaws. The Company's bylaws provide that nominations,
other than those made by or at the direction of the Board, shall be made by
timely notice in writing to the Corporate Secretary. To be timely, a
shareholder's notice shall be delivered or mailed to and received at the
principal executive office of the Company not less than 60 days prior to the
date of the meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than 70
days' notice or prior disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
shareholders, notice by the shareholders to be timely must be received not later
than the close of business of the 10th day following the date on which such
notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made.
Such shareholder's notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom such
shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, all information
relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of
proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the '34 Act, (including such person's written
consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a
director if elected), and (ii) as to the shareholder giving the notice (a) the
name and address, as they appear on the Company's share register, of such
shareholder and (b) the class and number of shares of the Company's capital
stock that are beneficially owned by such shareholder. At the request of the
Board, any person nominated by the Board for election as a director shall
furnish to the Corporate Secretary that information required to be set forth in
a shareholder's notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. Notices to
the Corporate Secretary should be sent to Bruce A. Backberg, Corporate
Secretary, The St. Paul Companies, Inc., 385 Washington Street, St. Paul,
Minnesota 55102.
11
<PAGE>
In its action appointing members of the foregoing committees, the Board of
Directors has designated each director who is not a member of a particular
committee as an alternate who may at any time, at the request of the chairman,
serve as a member of the committee.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
During 1995, the Board of Directors met on four occasions. The audit and finance
committees each met six times, the executive compensation and personnel
committees met five times, the board governance committee met four times, and
the executive committee met once.
ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS
Attendance at 1995 Board and committee meetings combined averaged 97%. Each
director attended more than 79% of the combined total meetings of the Board and
committees of the Board on which the director served at any time during the
year.
SELECTION OF AUDITORS
The independent certified public accounting firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, has
been selected by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of its audit
committee to act as the independent auditor for the Company and its subsidiaries
for the current fiscal year. At the Annual Meeting the shareholders will be
asked to ratify the Board of Directors' selection. The shares represented by the
accompanying proxy will be voted for the ratification of the selection of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP unless otherwise specified by the shareholder. KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, which has served as independent auditor of the Company and its
subsidiaries since 1968, is expected to have a representative present at the
Annual Shareholders' Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to
make a statement at the meeting and will also be available to respond to
appropriate questions of the shareholders.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
The guiding philosophies of The St. Paul Companies' executive compensation
program are to:
- Provide an industry-competitive compensation program, with an emphasis
on incentive pay which links pay to performance, both long- and
short-term, and which provides the opportunity to earn compensation
above the competitive market when the Company's performance exceeds
that of its peers.
- Ensure that executive compensation, over time, closely reflects
long-term shareholder return.
The compensation of the Company's top executives is reviewed and approved by the
executive compensation committee, which is comprised ENTIRELY OF NON-EMPLOYEE
DIRECTORS. The committee has access to compensation consultants and survey
information on executive compensation levels in the property-liability insurance
industry.
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
There are three elements of the Company's executive compensation program:
- Base salary compensation.
- Annual incentive compensation.
- Long-term incentive compensation.
Base salary compensation for senior executives, including those listed in the
Summary Compensation Table, is targeted to be at the 50th percentile of
companies in our industry, such as Aetna, Chubb, CIGNA, USF&G, Allstate, ITT
Hartford, CNA, Fireman's Fund, Travelers, Farmers Insurance, State Farm, GEICO,
Kemper, Liberty
12
<PAGE>
Mutual, USAA and Nationwide ("Base Target Salary"). The first seven companies
listed are included in the group of companies used in the combined index of
companies included in the total return graph on page 20. Actual base salary
levels generally vary between 80%-120% of this level based upon the potential
impact the executive has on the Company, the skills and experiences the
executive brings to the job, and the performance and potential of the executive
in the job.
Under the 1994 Annual and Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans, compensation
opportunities are set so that actual payouts are leveraged to the Company's
performance (e.g., below 50th percentile performance versus our industry peers
will generate below 50th percentile incentive compensation, while 75th
percentile or above performance will yield 75th percentile or above incentive
compensation).
Annual incentive compensation for executives is based on established performance
goals, primarily corporate operating earnings per share and business unit
operating performance, and also includes an overall assessment by the executive
compensation committee of each executive's performance. Maximum annual incentive
opportunities for executives range from 50%-105% of annual base salary.
Long-term incentive compensation consists of a three-year cash incentive plan, a
stock option plan and restricted stock. Long-term incentive compensation is
offered only to those key executives who can make a material impact on the
Company's long-term performance.
- Long-term cash incentive awards are currently earned based on the
Company's three-year financial performance as measured by return on
equity and total shareholder return as compared to a peer group of 12
companies(1) in our industry (the "Peer Group"). Seventeen officers
participate in this plan.
- The number of stock options awarded to an executive is based on the
executive's target option level and the following factors, which are
listed in order of relative importance: the Company's return on equity
and total shareholder return, individual performance, individual
responsibilities and individual potential. Target option levels are
established in accordance with industry norms, as determined by an
independent compensation consultant. Grants generally range between
50%-150% of the target levels, based on the factors listed above.
Currently, neither the number of options previously granted to nor the
options currently held by a potential recipient is considered when
grants are awarded. Stock options to individuals are limited. Stock
options are granted at the fair market value on the date of grant,
carry a ten-year term, and, beginning with options granted in 1994,
vest one year after grant date. Approximately 110 officers participate
in this plan.
- ------------------------
(1) Aetna, AIG, Chubb, CIGNA, CNA, Continental, General Re, Lincoln National,
Ohio Casualty, Safeco, Travelers and USF&G. Allstate replaced Travelers
effective January 1, 1994. Commercial Union replaced Continental effective
January 1, 1995. ITT Hartford replaced Aetna effective January 1, 1996.
13
<PAGE>
- Restricted stock is used selectively to attract and retain key
executives. Over the last two years approximately 23 officers have
received restricted stock grants. The total number of shares granted
over the last two years was 58,821 shares.
$1 MILLION COMPENSATION LIMIT ON DEDUCTIBILITY
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits the Company from deducting
executive compensation in excess of $1 million, unless certain standards are
met, to its Chief Executive Officer or to any of the other four executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table. The Committee has determined
that it will make every reasonable effort, consistent with sound executive
compensation principles and the needs of the Company, to ensure that all amounts
paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer or to any of the other named
executive officers are deductible by the Company.
CEO COMPENSATION
The methods for determining Mr. Leatherdale's Base Target Salary and
opportunities under the Company's annual and long-term incentive compensation
plans are described in the "Program Elements" section of this report.
Mr. Leatherdale's annualized base salary was $750,000 at the beginning of 1996.
In March of 1996, he received a salary increase of $25,000 per year. This salary
increase, which sets Mr. Leatherdale's salary at 110.7% of his Base Target
Salary, was based primarily on the Company's profitability in 1995.
Mr. Leatherdale has an annual incentive award maximum of 105% of base salary.
For 1995, Mr. Leatherdale received an annual incentive award of $630,000. The
award was based upon the Company's 1995 operating earnings of $5.07 per share
and the Board's overall assessment of his and the Company's performance.
Mr. Leatherdale received a $213,988 payout from the long-term cash incentive
plan in March of 1996. This payout was based on the Company's 1993-1995 return
on equity and total shareholder return, which ranked first and sixth,
respectively, as compared to the Peer Group.
On February 6, 1996, Mr. Leatherdale was granted 65,000 stock options with an
exercise price of $58.00 per share. The number represents 191% of his target
option level, based on the previously described factors. Mr. Leatherdale's 1995
grant of 51,000 options represents 150% of his target level. Factors considered
in determining the size of the grant include the following, in order of relative
importance: the Company's return on equity and total shareholder return,
individual performance, individual responsibilities and individual potential.
OTHER NAMED OFFICER COMPENSATION
The other four named executive officers received salary increases ranging from
$0 to $30,000 effective in March of 1996. Those executive officers received
annual incentive awards for 1995 ranging from $163,200 to $324,000. They
received long-term incentive payouts ranging from $51,619 to $100,934, and stock
option grants, ranging from 20,000 to 35,000 shares. The criteria for payouts
and grants under these plans are the same as for the CEO.
The preceding report was issued by the executive compensation committee
comprised of M. Bonsignore (Chairman), P. Grieve, B. MacLaury, I. Martin, G.
Nelson and G. Sprenger.
14
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for each of
the last three fiscal years awarded to or earned by the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of
the Company.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
----------------------------------------
AWARDS
------------------------ PAYOUTS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION (G) -------------
-------------------------------- (F) SECURITIES (H)
(E) RESTRICTED UNDERLYING LONG-TERM (I)
(A) (C) (D) OTHER ANNUAL STOCK OPTIONS/ INCENTIVE ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL (B) SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARD(S) SARS PLAN PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR ($) ($)(1) ($)(2) ($)(3) (#) ($)(4) ($)(5)
- -------------------- ---- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
D. W. Leatherdale 1995 $737,500 $630,000 -- $ 0 51,000 $ 213,988 $163,414
Chairman, President 1994 $670,856 $623,350 -- $ 59,246 44,200 $ 227,238 $129,452
and Chief Executive 1993 $611,450 $556,420 -- $ 0 18,000 $ 150,814 $ 81,318
Officer
P. A. Thiele 1995 $440,385 $324,000 -- $ 0 30,000 $ 100,934 $ 86,184
Executive Vice 1994 $381,923 $312,000 -- $ 468,000 20,800 $ 98,002 $ 64,586
President and Chief 1993 $313,654 $257,400 -- $ 0 15,000 $ 59,913 $ 38,344
Financial Officer
N. M. Brown 1995 $366,154 $222,000 -- $ 0 25,000 $ 91,011 $ 61,762
Executive Vice 1994 $341,346 $189,000 $ 338 $ 0 8,000 $ 64,359 $ 79,425
President and Chief 1993 $113,750 $162,500 $ 14,261 $ 541,500 0 $ 18,240 $212,537
Operating
Officer--St. Paul
Fire and Marine
Ins. Co.
M. L. Pabst(6) 1995 $380,688 $172,991 $203,915 $ 0 12,000 $ 51,619 $193,101
President and Chief 1994 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Executive Officer-- 1993 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
International
Underwriting
J. F. Duffy 1995 $332,308 $163,200 -- $ 0 20,000 $ 75,396 $197,619
President--St. Paul 1994 $285,769 $144,000 $ 21,806 $ 0 16,000 $ 80,499 $416,396
Reinsurance 1993 $250,000 $133,333 -- $ 0 8,000 $ 54,337 $ 32,913
<FN>
- ------------------------------
(1) Amounts shown were earned in the year indicated and paid under the annual
incentive program in the immediately following year.
(2) Amounts shown consist of the following: Mr. Pabst-tax equalization payments
in connection with his international assignment. Messrs. Brown and
Duffy-tax reimbursements in connection with their relocations.
(3) As of December 31, 1995, Messrs. Leatherdale, Thiele, and Brown held 1,524,
14,000, and 4,000 shares respectively, having market values of $84,773,
$778,750, and $222,500 respectively. Mr. Leatherdale's restricted shares
were received in 1994 by acquisition of shares through the Executive Stock
Ownership Program. Under the terms of that award, the shares vest in three
years, upon the condition that he continues to be employed by the Company.
Mr. Thiele was granted shares in 1991 and 1994. Under the terms of his 1991
award, 2,000 shares vested in 1995 and 2,000 shares will vest in 1996 if he
is then employed by the Company; for his 1994 award, 4,000 shares will vest
in each of 1997, 1998 and 1999 if he is then employed by the Company. Mr.
Brown's restricted
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
shares were received in 1993 as part of a total award of 12,000 shares.
Under the terms of that award, 4,000 shares vest each year, upon the
condition he is then employed with the Company. In the event of a Change of
Control (defined the same as in the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan as described
on page 7) of the Company, restrictions on all such restricted shares will
lapse and such shares will be fully vested. Recipients of restricted stock
awards are entitled to receive any dividends paid on the shares. Pursuant
to a Deferred Stock Grant Agreement dated November 2, 1993 Mr. Pabst holds
a right to receive 4,000 shares of Company common stock having a market
value of $222,500. Under the terms of the Agreement the shares are to be
issued upon the happening of the earliest of (i) his return to the United
States from expatriate assignment; (ii) involuntary termination without
cause; (iii) his death or disability; or (iv) March 14, 1997. Deferred
grant holders are entitled to receive any dividends that would have been
paid on the shares had they been issued.
(4) Amounts shown were earned based on Company performance over a rolling
three-year period ending in the year indicated. Payouts occurred in the
following year.
(5) Amounts shown in this column for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1995,
consist of the following:
Savings Plus Preferred Stock Fund contributions (in the form of Series B
convertible preferred stock and cash, under the Preferred Stock Fund and
Benefit Equalization Plan, respectively) were made in the following amounts
for each executive officer: Mr. Leatherdale $24,660; Mr. Thiele $14,400;
Mr. Brown $12,600; Mr. Pabst $7,882 and Mr. Duffy $10,800.
Common stock, with a fair market value of $13,920 on December 31, 1995, was
allocated by the Company under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to
the ESOP accounts of Messrs. Leatherdale, Thiele, Brown, Pabst and Duffy.
Cash payments were made by the Company to each of the named executive
officers in the amount of $107,654 for Mr. Leatherdale, $54,584 for Mr.
Thiele, $35,242 for Mr. Brown, $8,749 for Mr. Pabst, and $29,497 for Mr.
Duffy in order to compensate for a portion of their ESOP award which could
not be granted in stock under the ESOP plan due to U.S. tax law.
Under the Company's Executive Post-Retirement Life Insurance Plan,
insurance premiums were paid on behalf of each named executive officer in
the amount of $17,180 for Mr. Leatherdale, $3,280 for Mr. Thiele, $3,980
for Mr. Pabst and $6,389 for Mr. Duffy. The plan does not involve a
split-dollar arrangement.
During 1995, Mr. Pabst ($29,572) and Mr. Duffy ($116,685) received
reimbursement payments related to their relocations, and in 1995 Mr. Pabst
was reimbursed $128,998 for housing costs incurred in his international
assignment. In addition, Mr. Duffy received an interest free relocation
loan valued at $20,328 for 1995 (based on the amount of interest that would
have accrued had the loan been made at the Prime Lending Rate in effect on
the date of the loan). In 1994, both Mr. Brown and Mr. Duffy received
reimbursement payments related to their relocations. In 1993, Mr. Brown
received an initial employment payment and was reimbursed for expenses
related to his relocation.
(6) Mr. Pabst became an executive officer of the Company in 1995; therefore his
compensation for 1993 and 1994 is not required to be disclosed. In 1995 Mr.
Pabst's salary and annual incentive award were paid in U.K. pounds sterling
and converted into U.S. dollar equivalents at exchange rates of 1.5228 and
1.53 respectively.
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
The following tables summarize option grants and stock appreciation rights
(SARs) and exercises during fiscal 1995 to or by the executive officers named in
the Summary Compensation Table and the value of the options held by such persons
at the end of fiscal 1995.
OPTION & SAR GRANTS IN 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
(C) AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
(B) % OF TOTAL STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
SECURITIES OPTIONS FOR
UNDERLYING AND SARS (D) OPTION TERM(2)
OPTIONS/ SARS GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR (E) --------------------------
(A) GRANTED(1) EMPLOYEES BASE PRICE EXPIRATION (F) (G)
NAME (NUMBER) IN 1995 ($/SHARE) DATE 5% ($) 10% ($)
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------- ---------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
D. W. Leatherdale 51,000 options 7.4% $ 47.875 02/06/05 $ 1,535,525 $ 3,891,321
P. A. Thiele 30,000 options 4.4% $ 47.875 02/06/05 $ 903,250 $ 2,289,013
N. M. Brown 25,000 options 3.6% $ 47.875 02/06/05 $ 752,708 $ 1,907,511
M. L. Pabst 12,000 options 1.7% $ 47.875 02/06/05 $ 361,300 $ 915,605
J. F. Duffy 20,000 options 2.9% $ 47.875 02/06/05 $ 602,167 $ 1,526,008
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1) Options were granted February 7, 1995, and have a one-year vesting period.
However, all options will become immediately vested and exercisable in full
upon a Change of Control (defined the same as in the 1994 Stock Incentive
Plan as described on page 7) of the Company. No SARs were granted in 1995.
(2) Assumes options are held until the last date exercisable (2/6/05) and that
the stock price has appreciated at compound annual rates of 5% [column (F)]
and 10% [column (G)]. Any such percentage increase would benefit all
shareholders in the same manner.
</TABLE>
AGGREGATED OPTION AND SAR EXERCISES IN 1995 AND 12-31-95 YEAR END
OPTION/SAR VALUES(1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS/ IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AND
VALUE SARS AT 12/31/95 (#) SARS AT 12/31/95 ($)
SHARES ACQUIRED REALIZED EXERCISABLE(EX)/ EXERCISABLE(EX)/
NAME ON EXERCISE (#) ($) UNEXERCISABLE(UNEX) UNEXERCISABLE(UNEX)
- -------------------- --------------- ----------- ---------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
D. W. Leatherdale 0 $ 0 151,928(ex) $2,956,390(ex)
51,000(unex) $ 395,250(unex)
P. A. Thiele 3,230 $ 76,907 59,280(ex) $1,011,261(ex)
30,000(unex) $ 232,500(unex)
N. M. Brown 0 $ 0 8,000(ex) $ 99,500(ex)
25,000(unex) $ 193,750(unex)
M. L. Pabst 0 $ 0 25,110(ex) $ 473,549(ex)
12,000(unex) $ 93,000(unex)
J. F. Duffy 0 $ 0 56,980(ex) $1,204,535(ex)
20,000(unex) $ 155,000(unex)
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1) No SARs were outstanding during 1995.
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE>
The following table shows each potential Long-Term Incentive Plan award made to
the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table for the 1995
fiscal year.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(B) (C) ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER
NUMBER OF PERFORMANCE NON-STOCK PRICE-BASED PLANS
SHARES, OR OTHER -----------------------------------
UNITS, OR PERIOD UNTIL (D) (E) (F)
(A) OTHER RIGHTS MATURATION OR THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
NAME (#) PAYOUT ($) ($) ($)
- --------------------- ------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
D. W. Leatherdale -- 12/31/97 $ 41,726 $ 215,585 $ 347,717
P. A. Thiele -- 12/31/97 $ 22,907 $ 118,352 $ 190,890
N. M. Brown -- 12/31/97 $ 17,999 $ 92,993 $ 149,989
M. L. Pabst -- 12/31/97 $ 11,021 $ 56,940 $ 91,839
J. F. Duffy -- 12/31/97 $ 14,423 $ 74,518 $ 120,190
</TABLE>
These potential threshold, target and maximum awards under the Company's
Long-Term Incentive Plan are based on the executives' current and estimated
target salary levels. The goals for the applicable performance cycle are based
on a performance standard which is weighted 40% on the Company's return on
common equity and 60% on total shareholder return compared to that of the Peer
Group over a three-year time period ending December 31, 1997. Awards earned are
paid in cash during the quarter following the end of the applicable performance
cycle.
The following table shows estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement at
age 65 under all defined benefit plans of the Company.
PENSION PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
-------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION 15 20 25 30 35
- ------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 125,000 $33,750 $45,000 $56,250 $67,500 $67,500
$ 150,000 40,500 54,000 67,500 81,000 81,000
$ 175,000 47,250 63,000 78,750 94,500 94,500
$ 200,000 54,000 72,000 90,000 108,000 108,000
$ 225,000 60,750 81,000 101,250 121,500 121,500
$ 250,000 67,500 90,000 112,500 135,000 135,000
$ 300,000 81,000 108,000 135,000 162,000 162,000
$ 350,000 94,500 126,000 157,500 189,000 189,000
$ 400,000 108,000 144,000 180,000 216,000 216,000
$ 450,000 121,500 162,000 202,500 243,000 243,000
$ 500,000 135,000 180,000 225,000 270,000 270,000
$ 1,000,000 270,000 360,000 450,000 540,000 540,000
$ 1,500,000 405,000 540,000 675,000 810,000 810,000
$ 2,000,000 540,000 720,000 900,000 1,080,000 1,080,000
</TABLE>
All of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table
participate in the Company's defined benefit pension plans. The amount of their
remuneration which is covered by the plans is the amount set forth in columns
(C) and (D) of the Summary Compensation Table. Plan benefits are calculated on
the basis of a life annuity and are subject to integration with Social Security.
Certain highly compensated Company employees may be entitled to slightly
increased benefits under the plans, based on a formula of 55% of final average
compensation prorated over 30 years, without any integration with Social
Security (including Messrs.
18
<PAGE>
Leatherdale and Duffy). Based on those calculations, Messrs. Leatherdale and
Duffy may be entitled to increased benefit amounts of approximately 1% more than
benefits represented in the Pension Plan Table. These differing payments are the
result of their pension benefits being grandfathered under a pension plan
formula which was in place prior to 1989. The formula was changed in 1989 to
comply with Internal Revenue Code requirements. The current number of credited
years of service for those officers is as follows: Mr. Leatherdale-24; Mr.
Thiele-16; Mr. Brown-2; Mr. Pabst-6; and Mr. Duffy-14. Retirement benefits for
Messrs. Leatherdale, Thiele and Duffy are fully vested. Mr. Brown has also been
given pension credit for his service with his previous employer.
SPECIAL SEVERANCE POLICY
Under the Company's Special Severance Policy (the "Policy") severance benefits
would be provided to eligible employees of the Company, including all of the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (the "Named
Executives"), in the event their employment terminates under certain conditions
within two years following a Change of Control. Change of Control is generally
defined the same as in the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as described on page 7. If
the employment of any Named Executive is terminated within two years after a
Change of Control by the employer other than for Cause or employment is
terminated by the employee for Good Reason, the Named Executive would become
entitled to certain benefits.
Under the Policy the term "Cause" is defined as conviction of willfully engaging
in illegal conduct constituting a felony or gross misdemeanor which is
materially injurious to the employer, willful and continued failure to perform
duties after a written demand, and permanent disability. "Good Reason" is
defined to include such situations as an adverse change in status or position as
a result of a material diminution in duties or responsibilities, the refusal to
allow the Named Executive to engage in outside activities that were not
prohibited before the Change of Control, a reduction in the employee's rate of
compensation, job relocations of a certain type and failure to maintain benefits
that are substantially the same as are in effect when the Change of Control
occurs.
The following is a summary of the severance benefits provided to Named
Executives under the Policy:
1. A Named Executive Officer will receive a lump sum severance payment
equal to 299% of his or her "annualized includible compensation for the
base period" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code).
2. Participation will be continued for three years in those medical,
dental, disability and life insurance programs in which the Named
Executive participated on the date employment terminated.
3. Outplacement assistance will be provided.
4. All payments to Named Executives are subject to reduction so that no
amount will be subject to the federal excise tax on "excess parachute
payments" imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Policy is subject to amendment or termination without the consent of the
Named Executives at any time prior to a Change of Control. After a Change of
Control, there are restrictions applicable to the amendment or termination of
the Policy.
If, prior to August 2, 1996, Mr. Brown's employment with the Company is
terminated for any reason other than malfeasance, the Company will pay to him
three times his annual cash compensation.
19
<PAGE>
The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns for
the Company, the S&P 500 composite index and an index of peer companies selected
by the Company.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.
S&P 500 INDEX AND COMBINED S&P PROPERTY-CASUALTY AND
MULTILINE INSURANCE INDEXES
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNS-DIVIDENDS
REINVESTED
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Idexed returns ST PAUL COS S&P 500 COMBINED S&P
years ending INDEX PROPERTY/CASUALTY
Dec-90 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
Dec-91 $120.76 $130.47 $126.36
Dec-92 $132.24 $140.41 $146.05
Dec-93 $159.52 $154.56 $153.74
Dec-94 $164.75 $156.60 $156.70
Dec-95 $211.03 $215.45 $230.82
</TABLE>
Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1990.
Companies in the combined S&P Property-Casualty and Multiline Insurance Indexes
are as follows: The St. Paul Companies, Inc., SAFECO Corporation, General Re
Corporation, ITT Hartford Group, USF&G Corporation, The Chubb Corporation, Aetna
Life and Casualty Company, American International Group, Inc., CIGNA
Corporation, Allstate Corporation and Loews Corporation. Returns of each of the
companies included in the combined index have been weighted according to their
respective market capitalizations. This group of companies approximates the Peer
Group against which the Company compares its performance under its Long-Term
Incentive Plan.
20
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of
capital stock of the Company by each person known to own 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of each class of the Company's capital stock, each director
and director nominee of the Company, each of the executive officers of the
Company included in the Summary Compensation Table, and all directors, director
nominees and executive officers of the Company as a group. Except as otherwise
indicated, the shareholders indicated in the table have sole voting and
investment powers with respect to the capital stock owned by them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF PERCENT OF CLASS OF
AMOUNT AND NATURE CLASS SERIES B
OF BENEFICIAL OF COMMON CONVERTIBLE
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP STOCK PREFERRED STOCK(6)
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------- ---------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
First Bank System, Inc. 5,854,822(1) 6.96 0
and Subsidiaries
601 2nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55402-4302
The Capital Group Companies, Inc. 6,824,730(2) 8.1 0
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Delaware Management 4,438,435(3) 5.28 0
Holdings, Inc.
2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
State Street Bank 4,933,934(4) 5.87(4) 100(4)
and Trust Company
P.O. Box 1992
Boston, MA 02105
D. W. Leatherdale 288,611(5) * 0
P. A. Thiele 115,453(5) * 0
N. M. Brown 47,670(5) * 0
M. L. Pabst 49,365(5) * 0
J. F. Duffy 101,134(5) * 0
M. R. Bonsignore 5,885(5) * 0
J. H. Dasburg 12,000(5) * 0
W. J. Driscoll 15,096(5) * 0
P. M. Grieve 11,496(5) * 0
R. James 3,204(5) * 0
W. H. Kling 7,096(5) * 0
B. K. MacLaury 6,245(5) * 0
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF PERCENT OF CLASS OF
AMOUNT AND NATURE CLASS SERIES B
OF BENEFICIAL OF COMMON CONVERTIBLE
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP STOCK PREFERRED STOCK(6)
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------- ---------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
I. A. Martin** 2,800(5) * 0
G. D. Nelson, M.D. 18,502(5) * 0
A. M. Pampusch, Ph.D. 6,958(5) * 0
G. M. Sprenger 0 * 0
All Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers as a 1,112,826(5) 1.32 0
Group (29 Persons)
<FN>
- ------------------------
* Indicates ownership of less than 1% of the Company's outstanding common
stock.
** Mr. Martin is not standing for reelection to the Board.
(1) This figure, as of December 31, 1995, was reported in a Schedule 13G filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. With respect to those shares,
First Bank System, Inc. and its subsidiaries (together the "First Bank
System") had sole power to direct the vote of 1,740,958 shares, shared
power to direct the vote of 2,420,183 shares, sole power to direct the
disposition of 1,389,078 shares and shared power to direct the disposition
of 4,361,785 shares. Of the total beneficially owned by First Bank System,
First Trust National Association ("First Trust"), a subsidiary of First
Bank System, beneficially owned 1,603,175 shares in its capacity as trustee
of the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust. First Trust has
advised the Company that no beneficiary of any account for which it acts as
fiduciary owns beneficially through such account as much as 5% of the
outstanding common stock of the Company.
(2) This figure, as of December 31, 1995, was reported in a Schedule 13G filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. With respect to those shares,
The Capital Group Companies, Inc., its operating subsidiaries and related
investment funds had sole power to direct the vote of 502,700 shares and
sole power to direct the disposition of 6,824,730 shares. The number of
shares held includes 362,730 shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion of 428,000 shares of the 6% Convertible Monthly Income Preferred
Securities issued by the Company's subsidiary St. Paul Capital LLC and
convertible into 0.84750 shares of the Company's common stock. The Capital
Group Companies has advised the Company that no managed account by itself
owns 5% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock.
(3) This figure, as of December 31, 1995, was reported in a Schedule 13G filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. With respect to those shares,
Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and related investment funds had sole
power to direct the vote of 360,143 shares, sole power to direct the
disposition of 4,303,035 shares and shared power to direct the disposition
of 135,400 shares.
(4) These figures, calculated as of February 27, 1996, are based on information
provided by State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street"). Included in these
figures are 3,985,799.6 shares of the Company's
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
common stock issuable upon conversion of 996,449.9 shares of Series B
convertible preferred stock which State Street may be deemed to
beneficially own in its capacity as trustee of the Company's Savings Plus
Preferred Stock Ownership Trust.
(5) Under the Company's Stock Option Plan, the named executive officers and
directors have the right to acquire beneficial ownership of the following
number of shares within 60 calendar days: Mr. Leatherdale 200,428; Mr.
Thiele 89,280; Mr. Brown 33,000; Mr. Pabst 37,110; Mr. Duffy 76,980;
Messrs. Driscoll, Grieve and MacLaury 5,000 each; Dr. Pampusch 4,800;
Messrs. Bonsignore and Kling 4,000 each; Dr. Nelson 3,000; Messrs. James
and Martin 2,000 each; Mr. Dasburg 1,000; and all directors, director
nominees and executive officers as a group 788,028. These shares are
included in the totals shown for each individual and the group of all
directors, director nominees and executive officers.
The following number of restricted shares are held, as of March 1, 1996, by
the Company under its Restricted Stock Award Plan, Stock Incentive Plan,
and Non-Employee Director Stock Retainer Plan, for the named executive
officers and director nominees: Mr. Leatherdale 1,524; Mr. Thiele 14,000;
Mr. Brown 4,000; Mr. Bonsignore 1,885; Dr. Pampusch 1,558; Dr. Nelson
1,502; Mr. MacLaury 1,045; Mr. James 972; and Messrs. Driscoll, Grieve, and
Kling 2,096 each. Those director nominees and executive officers have sole
voting power and no investment power with respect to those shares.
Under the Company's Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan, participating
non-officer directors are eligible to defer directors' fees to prime rate
and/or common stock equivalent accounts. Directors electing common stock
equivalents have their deferred accounts credited with the number of common
shares of the Company which could have been purchased with the fees on the
date they were deferred. This is a "phantom" arrangement and no common
shares are actually purchased or held for any director's account. However,
dividends on phantom shares are credited to participating directors'
accounts, and the value of a participating director's common stock account
fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Company's common stock.
As of December 31, 1995, the following directors had phantom shares
credited to their common stock accounts in this plan: Mr. Bonsignore 2,428
shares; Mr. Dasburg 773 shares; Mr. Grieve 11,124 shares; Mr. MacLaury 393
shares; Mr. Nelson 351 shares; and Dr. Pampusch 874 shares. Under the
Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), the following number of
shares of common stock have been allocated to the ESOP accounts of the
following executive officers Mr. Leatherdale 3,512; Mr. Thiele 2,700; Mr.
Brown 511; Mr. Pabst 2,640; Mr. Duffy 2,957; and all executive officers as
a group 36,264. These shares are included in the totals shown for each
executive officer and for all executive officers as a group. Employees
(including executive officers) have sole voting power and no investment
power over shares allocated to their ESOP accounts, except that
participants age 55 and over may elect to diversify a portion of their ESOP
account into investments offered through the Savings Plus Plan or
otherwise.
(6) Under the Company's Savings Plus Preferred Stock Ownership Plan (PSOP) the
following number of Series B convertible preferred shares have been
allocated to the PSOP accounts of the following executive officers: Mr.
Leatherdale 116 shares; Mr. Thiele 200 shares; Mr. Brown 39 shares; Mr.
Pabst 110 shares; Mr. Duffy 133 shares; and all executive officers as a
group 2,214 shares. Each share of Series B preferred stock is convertible
into and votes as if it were four shares of the
</TABLE>
23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Company's common stock. These shares, as if converted to common stock, are
included in the totals shown for each executive officer and for all
executive officers as a group. Employees (including executive officers)
have sole voting power and no investment power over shares allocated to
their PSOP accounts. In addition, under the Company's Benefit Equalization
Plan, the following number of "phantom" Series B convertible preferred
shares have been allocated to the accounts of the following executive
officers: Mr. Leatherdale 654 shares; Mr. Thiele 151 shares; Mr. Brown 91
shares; Mr. Pabst 148 shares; Mr. Duffy 200 shares; and all executive
officers as a group 1,826 shares.
</TABLE>
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS 1997 ANNUAL MEETING
If any shareholder wishes to propose a matter for consideration at the Company's
Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May 6, 1997, the proposal
should be mailed by Certified Mail-Return Receipt Requested to the Company's
Corporate Secretary, 385 Washington Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102. A
proposal must be received by the Company by November 12, 1996 in order to be
considered for inclusion in the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement
and form of proxy to be mailed in March of 1997.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to be brought before
the meeting. If other matters are presented, the proxy holders have
discretionary authority to vote all proxies in accordance with their best
judgment.
[SIGNATURE]
Bruce A. Backberg St. Paul, Minnesota
Vice President and March 18, 1996
Corporate Secretary
By Authority of the
Board of Directors
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES THERETO,
FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT
CHARGE TO SHAREHOLDERS UPON WRITTEN REQUEST ADDRESSED TO:
BRUCE A. BACKBERG
VICE PRESIDENT AND CORPORATE SECRETARY
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.
385 WASHINGTON STREET
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102
24
<PAGE>
THE ST. PAUL
The St. Paul Companies, Inc.
385 Washington, Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Telephone: (612) 310-7911
70732 Rev. 3/96 Printed in U.S.A.
<PAGE>
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS--MAY 7, 1996
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROXY
The undersigned hereby appoints Douglas W. Leatherdale, Bruce A. Backberg and
Andrew I. Douglass, or any one or more of them, with power of substitution,
attorneys and proxies to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of The St. Paul Companies, Inc. to be held on May 7, 1996 at 2:00
P.M. (Central Daylight Time) at the office of the Company, 385 Washington
Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, and at any adjournments thereof, with all power
which the undersigned would possess if personally present, and to vote all
shares of stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at said meeting
as indicated in this proxy.
Nominees: Michael R. Bonsignore, John H. Dasburg, W. John Driscoll,
Pierson M. Grieve, Ronald James, William H. Kling, Douglas W. Leatherdale,
Bruce K. MacLaury, Glen D. Nelson, Anita M. Pampusch, Gordon M. Sprenger,
and Patrick A. Thiele.
(IN ADDITION TO THE SHARES HELD IN THE NAME OF THE SHAREHOLDER(S), THE NUMBER
OF SHARES SHOWN ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF WILL INCLUDE ANY SHARES PURCHASED
FOR THE SHAREHOLDER(S) IN THE COMPANY'S DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN AND HELD BY
FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK UNDER THE PLAN.)
SEE REVERSE SIDE
<PAGE>
/X/ PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE. 6609
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PROXIES ARE INSTRUCTED TO VOTE MY SHARES AS FOLLOWS:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES WILL BE VOTED AS INSTRUCTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN, SHARES WILL
BE VOTED FOR ALL OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR NAMED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT, FOR
THE PROPOSAL DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT (DESIGNATED AS PROPOSAL 2) AND
WITH DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.
1. Election of DIRECTORS (see reverse)
FOR / / WITHHELD / /
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):
- --------------------------------------------------------
2. Proposal to ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the
independent auditors of the Company.
FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN / /
3. To vote with discretionary authority upon such other matters as may come
before the meeting.
FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN / /
THE ST. PAUL COMPANIES, INC.
385 WASHINGTON STREET, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102
TELEPHONE (612)310-7911
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND
PROXY STATEMENT, BOTH DATED MARCH 18, 1996, AND ALSO OF THE ANNUAL REPORT TO
THE SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995.
NOTE: Please sign name(s) exactly as registered.
_______________________________________________
SIGNATURE(S) DATED: 1996
_______________________________________________
